Larrivee OM-03BH

thomasross20 · March 2023

I think I have a problem lol...

My "local" shop had an OM44R (OM40 rosewood with lacquer) and also one of the Bhilwara guitars so I thought I'd take a trip before I head to Rome for a week...

OM44R was lovely. So much bass response... I was almost sold until I tried the OM-03 satin Bhilwara with moon spruce top. Blind test, it sounded better than the rosewood and walnut in store (staff agreed, too). It has as much bass as my OM40 mahogany but without the scalopped bracing (I prefer the non-scalloped bracing, to me it has a "sound" and it feels better to play, silly as that may sound). The difference in mids compared to the rosewood was stark and gave it such character. Definitely a mix of rosewood and mahogany which, to me, is something special.

As soon as I picked it up, it FELT right and sounded fantastic. The neck on the OM-03 feels slightly chunkier (same as my parlour and OM02) than my OM40, and the OM44R. I think that's down to slight variations in manufacture but I like it. The OM-03 walnut in store had a flatter neck so it's not just down to the model.

So, not many of these made and it's got that special vine inlay which I love. Setup is perfect, no issues I can spot. This feels like a special one.

So that's my third new Larrivee in as many months!! It does highlight to me that I prefer a guitar with more mids - and to have that extra bass without the scalloping is pretty cool.

The rosewood parlour in store was good. That wood on that small guitar really highlights the bass. And I told the shop owner to PLEASE not order an OOV-03 or I'd have to buy it.

Sometimes you pick a guitar up and it's instant chemistry. I had to have it and look forward to trying it out alongside my 'hog guitars after my holiday. Picture to follow... (Back and sides not shown but you can see that anywhere online)

thomasross20 · March 2023

https://ibb.co/hZNj6Qc

guitarjack66 · March 2023

Very nice Thomas. Beauty of a guitar.

CountryDave · March 2023

Very nice.

thomasross20 · March 2023

I have to say I could sell all others and just keep this. The characteristics of Bhilwara... Has the mahogany quack plus the low end chunk of rosewood. LOVE this.

Until the next one lol ..

guitarjack66 · March 2023

thomasross20 said:

I have to say I could sell all others and just keep this. The characteristics of Bhilwara... Has the mahogany quack plus the low end chunk of rosewood. LOVE this.

Until the next one lol ..

You must be close to being a Larrivee endorsed artist by now!

VimFuego · March 2023

I think it's fair to say you are now the big boss of the larrivee fan club.

Mellish · March 2023

Very nice mate.

Yep, I remember when I got a Gibson Dove. I didn't go looking for that, i
I'd gone to try an Atkin Essential D and their D37 but I knew as soon as I picked 'em up that they weren't for me. Good guitars, I'm sure, but just felt meh to me.

thomasross20 · March 2023

Thanks, guys - I looove Larrivee lol...

Mellish, definitely... I had zero plans to buy and things are a bit tight but when I played the first chord, I knew I had to buy it... Before somebody else did and I had the regret!

bertie · March 2023

I do like the "vintage" headstock on the 44

DavidR · March 2023

So, one of these for £4,499....
Martin OM-28 Modern Deluxe VTS Top | PMT Online

...or two of these for £2,074 each ...
Larrivee Limited Runs & Special Editions | OM-03 - Peach Guitars

No brainer, although not just about price is it.

Congrats on finding Larrivee, looks lovely @thomasross20 . Have fun.

thomasross20 · March 2023

Bertie yeah I agree that looks nice.

DavidR definitely.... I'm a massive Larrivee fan and believe they provide best bang for buck. Tempted to try one of these Martin Ooo-18 modern deluxe but £3.8k yikes.

If get a chance to try Bhilwara then I'd recommend. Very unique sound

earwighoney · March 2023

@thomasross20

IMO, 'Bhilwara' aka Indian Laurel is like a better version of Indian Rosewood. I'm genuinely perplexed at how some see it to be an inferior choice to Indian Rosewood.

I remember coming across this video

In terms of bass/treble/middle it just seems so beautifully balanced across the range, but still has a lot of depth and character. I find some tonewoods described to be a cross between rosewood and mahogany to be a bit bland, but I think Laurel is one of the superior ones. I think it's a cross between Indian Rosewood and Ebony.

How are you finding the 'Moon Spruce'? There seems to be some 'hocus pocus' associated with the term but I think it's just excellent quality European Spruce. AFAIK there are only a few places that harvest spruce trees in this way, I think Florinett in Switzerland is one of the main ones. They only cut a few days in the year, seems a responsible way to source wood as well. I have a couple of guitars with 'Moon Spruce', I find it to be the 'most pure'/Hifi form of spruce I own, which isn't to say it's better or worse than other Spruces.

Seems like you picked an absolute winner of a guitar.

Delighted for you Tommy! Enjoy your holiday to Rome my friend.

thomasross20 · March 2023

Hello from Rome!

Only had a good hour with it but I agree, it's more geared toward mahogany (lots of character) but with the snap and increased range of rosewood. Guy in the shop is a big rosewood fan and he said the Bhilwara sounded better, before I'd expressed any preference.

Yeah I think moon spruce is harvest once annually during a particular part of the lunar cycle , apparently like Stradivarius! It looks great and sounds great, too hard to say just now, though.

It really is a belter and I'm a sucker for the vine inlay.

Right, best get back into this holiday

thomasross20 · March 2023

Btw on the subject of Larrivee and their special tonewood runs.... Check out their OM40 Padauk videos on YouTube. That tonewood sounds absolutely amazing.

thomasross20 · March 2023

Didn't want to start a new thread for this but I'm seeing Tommy Emmanuel and Mike Dawes tonight. Should have brought the guitar for signing. Unsure whether to get the $50 add on for a meet and greet or just enjoy the gig

noisepolluter · March 2023

I think one of these (or an OM-03 of some description depending on variants available later in the year) may have just gone on my shortlist…

Tannin · March 2023

That is almost too much, @thomasross20 Going to see either one of Tommy or Mike would be a very special experience. Both at once ... strewth! Two amazing players.

Shadow · March 2023

As much as I'd love to see Tommy and Mike live, there's no way I'd let either of them (or anyone else for that matter) anywhere near one of my prized possessions with a pen!

Tannin · March 2023

Quite so @Shadow. Nor would I pay the extra fifty quid for a meet and greet. What sort of meaningful conversation are you going to have? Ans: none. Sure, Tommy is a great communicator, open and welcoming and maybe Mike is too - but that's a pass from me. I've met a few famous people by chance and enjoyed long conversations with them (I'm particularly thinking of a footballer and a pioneering wildlife photographer) but a lineup and a quick handshake "how are you, nice to meet you"? No thanks.

(Mrs Tannin and I are off to see Tommy in Hobart in April. I am sure that we will love it.)

bertie · March 2023

noisepolluter said:

I think one of these (or an OM-03 of some description depending on variants available later in the year) may have just gone on my shortlist…

if you're looking at more "martin -y" check the legacy/trad series

thomasross20 · March 2023

Agree re the meet and greet btw, will skip and use the cash for a new capo.

thomasross20 · March 2023

Here's the Bhilwara on a parlour:

thomasross20 · March 2023

Gig was good, unfortunately was feeling quite ill and also forgot my custom earplugs as was loud. It was a guitar spectacular though I preferred the quieter tunes without all the slap banging, and I'll take that note for myself going forward - keep it simple and about the tune and throw in the human voice as that adds the ultimate element imo.

thomasross20 · April 2023

Ugh not feeling great but just got home and decided to do a video of all my Larrivee's

Thinking have got one too many. Didn't do justice to the OM-02 as has very old strings on. Really enjoying the Bhilwara.

Mellish · April 2023

Nice collection, Thomas. Enjoyed that

guitarjack66 · April 2023

thomasross20 said:

Ugh not feeling great but just got home and decided to do a video of all my Larrivee's

Thinking have got one too many. Didn't do justice to the OM-02 as has very old strings on. Really enjoying the Bhilwara.

That P-03,Parlour I assume? Was a lovely little guitar. The OMs still look big and chunky to me. They sound great but the are still quite chunky at the lower bout. Congrats on being brave enough to video and play. You are way beyond my ability. Kudos.

Mellish · April 2023

@guitarjack66 Yeh, OMs are still big at the lower bout. They're more comfortable than a dread, though, because of that narrower waist and reduced body depth.

thomasross20 · April 2023

Yeah I much prefer OM to dread...

P-03 parlour is amazing (I really like the sound). Only thing now is I'm aware I could have had the same guitar in Bhilwara which is practically same but with more bottom end. Listening to vid on phone speaker is a bit naff, defo get the sub-woofer out lol

Btw let me know if you preferred one over the others etc. I got the OM40 as is basically the OM02 with more bass but frequently wonder if surplus to requirements

thomasross20 · April 2023

Just realised I need to learn how to record acoustic better as the sound in my video SUCKS
I use an SM58 and RODE NT1 into Toneport. Hmm.

Last two lunchtimes I went into my local to try guitars.

I specifically went back this afternoon with my OM-02 (freshly restrung and sounding AMAZING) to compare to a Martin Custom adirondack sinker (adi top was WOW.... very strong sound.... and in general, this guitar had a special feel and sound). Well, Somebody bought it 1 hour before I got there and I'm not surprised because it felt and sounded like one of those special guitars. And TBH I'm sort of glad as it was £5500 that I don't really have.

I checked again the other models but none could stand up to my humble £600 Larrivee.

Luckily they had some other models I always wanted to try.

Maton EG808 with the australian maple (edit - think it was blackwood...) - sounded very good. Deeper than Larrive, more bass - not as brilliant a treble sound. But very good - great price. Felt a bit heavier than the Larry.

Collings OM-1 Julian Lage - this sounded really good. Very hi-fi, even just hitting the open E sounded good. Worth £6k more than my Larry? No way. Need to check the nut width as felt cramped so don't think it was 1-3/4".

Lowden with fiddleback mahogany - tbh prefer the more traditional type guitars now, didn't blow me away.

An all mahogany 12 fret Atkin which sounded AMAZING. Maybe even the best. BUT it has this V neck shape which was never going to work for me. I will need to check their other models...

So I'm breathing a sigh of relief in that I didn't spend money I don't really have. I do wish the Martin was in to try against but have a suspicion that vs the Larry, it wouldn't have warranted the cost. Still feel good about the quality, feel and sound of my Larrivee's for the price point. My old OM-02 honestly is just fantastic - with new strings on, the harmonic brilliance is astounding. I do wonder at times who worked on my particular one as it feels lightly built, resonates so much... one of the older Canadian models. It is my #1 guitar. I love them all, to be honest lol...

EDIT - forgot to mention I also finally tried out a J45... great strumming guitar. Dreads too big for me, though.

So I restrung the OM03BH with new gauge 11 strings. Most Larrivees other than the parlours are 25.5" scale length and putting 11s on makes it play easier (maybe a bit like emulating shorter scale length tension) and to my ears, sound better. And it sounds phenomenal... I am super happy with this guitar.

The reason I wanted to check Martin out is Larrivee excels for fingerstyle but for strumming, it can be a tad treble-heavy. I think the Martin sound is potentially better for the strumming. Saying that, I do fingerstyle nine times out of ten (preferring the thumb to picks tbh).

This acoustic journey is interesting!

thomasross20 · April 2023

I did another video as audio on last one was dire

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