OM3r for me?

[ST]

Hi Folks,

I'm sure this has been beaten to death elsewhere but I couldn't find it. If it has - please just gimme a link and I'll wander off and read it.

I'm looking at an OM3r on Craigslist. $950 CDN with B-Band - looks okay in the pix - comes with hardshell case.

I'm looking for something different from what I've got, and I'd like something smaller. So here's what I've got now.

Larrivee
C10 (L body with cutaway) Brazilian Rosewood / Sitka Spruce
J10 (Jumbo) East Indian Rosewood / Sitka Spruce
Model 38 (Classical) East Indian Rosewood / Sitka Spruce  (Lower 15" Upper 11"   Waist 10")

Martin
D41 (Dreadnought) Rosewood /Sitka Spruce

Taylor
914 (Grand Auditorium) Indian Rosewood /Sitka Spruce

And some other ones that are not really significantly different.

I was looking at the different body sizes  and almost everything I have is has a 16" or larger lower bout.  The C10 and the Taylor have narrower waists and upper bouts but only slightly. The Classical is smaller (15" lower bout).

So I looked at the OM3r thinking that this might be smaller, but I have since found the specs and I'm not seeing a lot of difference here.

Do you think it's worth pursuing this OM3r. I'm thinking that it may sound a little tighter, punchier than things I've got around here but it's not much smaller and rosewood is rosewood  so maybe it's not going to be different enough to go running around to investigate further. What do you think?

I'm thinking that to get something really different I may be looking for a Parlor or a slothead 12 fret.
Anybody local got a nice Parlor (with electronics) to sell?



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[tadol]

ST - you have some seriously nice guitars. But no mahogany? Something that you should give serious thought to is the Forum3 that is available still. Has the electronics, 12 fret neck, very responsive italian top, smaller size, and seems very different from everything else you have, close to your price.

Just a thought -

Tad

[ST]

Hi Tad,

Thanks for the thought. A good one.

I've been scanning through old Forum III posts looking for dimensions since your post. Can't find them.  Do you have  a link to a post where these are listed?

I remember my general impressions of the Forum III guitars I played when everyone was in Vancouver and I liked them. 

[dermot]

OM's do sound diffrent to my ears, El Mcmeen thinks it's because of the thin(er) body, as good a thought as any really....

You're always welcome to try out my OM & i have an older non-Larrivee parlor, and a pair of slothead 12 Fret D's  in the house to try out with as well.

This week the OM is with Paul Iverson getting a K&K installed (so it's ready for an October get together), it'll be back home next week.


d.

[ST]

Yo d!  (Dear Dermot)

I've been keeping your cell number in my phone history for all these months meaning to call you. Are you around today for a visit? The OM3r I mentioned is on the North Shore somewhere. I'd love to bend your ear before I go and see it.


ST

[dermot]

Today's not a great day -i'm prepp'n the wolds best roasted pepper & tomato salad for a dinner at a friends house, and then out for the said dinner by mid afternoon

I'm around all day tomorow tho, would that work?

And the mobile phone is always on!

d.

[tadol]

I'd have to dig thru the original thread for the specs - here's a visual - OM, OM, LS (F3) -

F3 is 12 fret, 4" body depth, 1-3/4" nut.

Tad

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[carruth]

You will not regret buying a OMO3R.I love mine.

[Danny]

  ST, the F-III is 4'' in depth and 15'' at the lower bout, 11 3/8'' upper bout, and about 9 11/16 at the waist. Being a 12 fret the bass is much fuller than an OM.
              If you really want ''punchier" I don't think a OM-03R is the ticket. As Tad said there is a F-III MH/IS for sale, and in my view they are the punchiest Larrivee I have heard to date. Having owned eight Larrivees, for sure it is "punchier" than any previous Larrivee I have had.
              I also must add in all honesty, my Martin OM-21 has the tone you may want in a RW OM. The thinner X bracing, being scalloped, allows for more sound out of that small OM. The OM-21 is also 4'' depth 15' lower bout. Of course it's a tighter waist than the F-III.
                            Anyway;   F-III LS-O3 MH/IS  12 fret = PUNCHY

[Danny]

                       Here is the original final specs. page when we ordered the F-III. Posted by Randy.
                                (note that the upper bout is larger on mine than the specs. below)

Final specs posted here. updated 31-Dec


In line with the Forum Rules, I cannot include the prices. But I will paste what I'm allowed. Here it is.

Larrivee has funded a price reduction on the guitar to help get to these prices.

Order process.  25% deposit,  Balance when the guitars are here and ready to ship. I would expect 12 weeks for the production of the guitars.

The Forum Guitar III is your opportunity to own an out-of-production Larrivee guitar.



      Larrivee Forum III Guitar

In keeping with our economic situation, Forumites desire a reasonably priced low-bling guitar that offers Larrivee sound and quality suitable for the fingerstylist, moderate strummer or the player desiring a comfortable guitar that is both a looker and a player.

1) LS body style steel string
Lower bout 15"
Waist 9 3/4"
Upper bout 11"
Depth 4"
Overall Length 40"
Scale Length 25.5" (standard scale)
Nut width 1-3/4"
Standard bridge

2) neck 12 frets to the body

3) Herringbone sound hole rosette

4) 12th fret inlay three micro dots, no other fretboard markers, with dots on neck edge binding.

5) Label will say:
               Forum Guitar III
               No 1 of ___
               Each label signed by JCL

6) Three wood combinations are available:

South American Mahogany with Italian Spruce top - under $1050US
South American Mahogany with MT top - under $1050US
Indian Rosewood with Italian Spruce top - under $1150US

Note: Jim Holler of Trinity Guitars will be able to provide you with the exact price.

7) Maple binding

8) Standard 03 level tuners

9) OHSCase

10) DETACHED tortoise pickguard (Jim will install only IF requested)

11) Custom bone saddle made by Jim Holler

12) Personalized set up by Jim Holler

13) Special gift from Jim, A Trinity logo ball cap with Larrivee logo and Forum III on the back. Will be sent to Canadian drop-ship customers.

14) End Pin from factory standard.  Jim IF requested will install front strap button (on the under side of the heel of the neck) for an additional $5.

15) Shipping lower 48 states in the US is included. Shipping to Canada free if no work/options by Trinity are desired. Shipping to Europe $135  via USPO Priority mail.   Please discuss other shipping options you might need with Trinity.

16) Ordering. Jim Holler of Trinity will be provided the list of buyers from the Larrivee Forum. However each buyer is requested to contact Jim Holler directly via email or telephone. There will be a 25% deposit required, balance due before the finished guitar is shipped to its new owner.

  Jim Holler, Luthier
  Trinity Guitars
  2089 Camp St.
  Jamestown, NY 14701 USA
  716-499-3671
  www.trinityguitars.com
  JimHoller@TrinityGuitars.com

17) Deposit/Payment options. Trinity Guitars takes credit cards MasterCard and Visa, Paypal is an option I would look for an additional 2% to cover a part of the fees. Mailing a check is also fine.

18) If someone wants additional lutherie services, like a pickup, or special tuners, Trinity will try to accommodate. In that case each will need to contact Trinity for a price and to make the specific arrangements for their guitar.

19) Orders will close on January 2, 2009. There will be no refund of deposits after Jan 2nd and the balance will be expected to be paid when due.

New as of 18-Dec:

20) Optional herringbone purfling, cost $150
21) Optional venetian (soft) cutaway, cost $300
22) Larrivee clear pickguards are not available (Jim Holler still trying)


note: I am just the clerk updating this thread. Ricky rpm60912 is the real driver and Dan and several others have helped him make this happen. Thanks to them.

[ST]

Thanks for the details Danny!

If everything works out, I may get a chance to see some of Dermot's collection. I'm sure this is going to really help.

[Danny]

Thanks for the details Danny!

If everything works out, I may get a chance to see some of Dermot's collection. I'm sure this is going to really help.

He certainly has a nice collection, as well as you.

[dermot]

Got home at 4am.. just wak'n up ;-)

Danny; you played my Webber Roundbody for a day or two.. on paper it's the same size & depth at the LS, but did it feel the same (ish) to you?

d.

[Danny]

Got home at 4am.. just wak'n up ;-)

Danny; you played my Webber Roundbody for a day or two.. on paper it's the same size & depth at the LS, but did it feel the same (ish) to you?

d.

It was very similar, but I thought it seemed  a bit lighter. And the neck profile on the Webber was more ''standard'' shaped. (ie. not as thin and somewhat flattened as the LSV-11.) The sounds were quite different. The Webber was a cedar top I think.
                    An excellent guitar for sure.

[tuffythepug]

ST
For what it's worth, I can easily see you playing the OM-03R.    I've had mine for a couple of years now and it just keeps getting better and better.   I wouldn't say that the OM-03R is "tighter or punchier" than any of my other guitars though.  Compared to my other Larrivees it has lots of overtones and an almost organ-like quality that I really dig for lots of songs.   I have spent considerable time comparing it to my 000-50MT,  L-10, and LS-03MT Forum III.  It stands up nicely against them all and it has a certain quality that all the rest lack.   It may be the most comfortable to play next to the forum III.   It has a huge sound for it's size.  I've seen and heard you play a bit and I am certain that you could make one of these OM-03Rs really shine.  I'd love to hear you try one on for size.   I think there is an OM-10 for sale on the forum.   Lots of bling to reflect stage lighting if that's important to you (I have a feeling it isn't) but the better quality of rosewood may pay dividends in the tone dept. 
Good luck in your search for the sound you are looking for

Lynn (Tuffythepug)

[ST]

Hi Lynn,

Thank you for your kind words and your input here. I decided to let that OM3r slide. I think it is sold now. The seller pulled the ad. I'm going to spend a little time trying different body styles and may end up with something like a parlor. Part of the consideration was ergonomics and wanting something with a smaller lower bout. It wasn't until I got into checking the sizes in detail that I realized the the OM body is pretty close to the C10 (L body). At least for the lower bout - the OM is only 3/4" smaller, the upper bout is actually a shade bigger.

There was a full dressed Larrivée parlor on craigslist about 3 three months ago. It was all mahogany, bound in maple and a full gloss finish. The price was a little high I thought, but I probably would have paid even a little more if it had had a pickup in it. It didn't so I let it go.

What I absolutely know is any guitar that I can't take on stage (one that has a pickup) ultimately doesn't get played.  Most of my playing time is rehearsal time, and I rehearse with the instruments that I'll take out live. It just works out better for me that way.

As for the bling there's a great line in a car advertisement that goes... "when you turn your car on, does it return the favour?"

My classical is completely unadorned and I adore it but ...

I like a little bling, a deep gloss, something interesting on the headstock, maybe a nice inlay on the neck, a little finish on the edges, a cool rosette. It's not for the sake of how things look on stage. It's for that rush I get when I open the case.


Thanks for writing Lynn.

[AZLiberty]

Sounds like a Rosewood or Walnut Parlor would be just the thing for you.  The L and OM are very similar sizewise, the OM is "curvier" for want of a better term.  A friend uses a rosewood parlor for part of his standard concert set, and it sounds fantastic plugged in. (pretty sure his has a Fishman unit)

[obe-wan]

You will not regret buying a OMO3R.I love mine.

Cheers, Scott.

[ST]

Just a quick follow-up.

I got to spend some real quality time in this space



Yup - this is Dermot's place (Dermot I hope you don't mind me reposting this from one of your other posts).


Thanks Dermot,

I've got  a much better idea about some different body styles and woods, and what the can mean in terms of sound a playability. It was great to visit and hear you play and to experience those wonderful instruments.


To all - if you ever get a chance to spend some time with Dermot - do it.  You won't regret it.

Back to this thread - I think I'm now looking for a Parlor, and I've got a yearning for a 12 Fret slot-head Dread. Oh oh!

[dermot]

A lovely morning spent with musical friends, both wood & human

a parlor AND a 12 fret D.. both end of the scale!

The 12 fret D sounded wonderful in your hands ST...

And if anyone else who want's to take any of them for a spin, you're more than welcome to stop by,  drop me a line ;-)

d.