Query failed: connection to localhost:9312 failed (errno=111, msg=Connection refused). NGD (Larrivee OM-O3E Silver Oak Anniversary Edition) - Acoustics Discussions on The Fretboard
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UNPLANNED DOWNTIME: 12th Oct 23:45

NGD (Larrivee OM-O3E Silver Oak Anniversary Edition)

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thomasross20thomasross20 Frets: 4353
edited October 2022 in Acoustics
I was randomly looking at silver oaks when one popped up in London.. I was all set to put a bid on it... and then the Anniversary Edition showed up just 40 mins drive from me on gumtree - at an even better price! So I went to try it and bought it. Built & purchased in 2017 and it's immaculate. Comes with LR Baggs Anthem, the tuners were upgraded to white ivoroids (other upgrades being enlarged strap button at bottom, strap button on the back, new bridge pins). The Anthem seems a good pickup but unless I gig, can't see me using it.

Feels a lot more solid and tighter than my Sitka/Sapele OM-O2.

The OM03E top is 10-series grade sitka spruce.
The silver oak gives the trebles a sparkle, almost like a 12-string (you really have to hear it to believe it).
With heavy strumming it's brighter, closer to maple.
The sparkle sometimes feels a bit overpowering but there are brand new strings on it.
The bass isn't AS deep as on my Avalon but then the Avalon is a larger guitar.
Bang for buck it's one of the best buys I've made.

There is no one great guitar! I think classic mahogany may be what I veer towards the most for the natural "honk."
This is definitely a special guitar and I can't believe I managed to get the Anniversary edition. I've now got 3 acoustic, though... it feels a lot. But each one has its merits. The OM-O2 has close to 'hog honk (and is my beater), the Avalon sounds stunning but (!) the neck is not AS slim as Larrivee... and this new one has a real sparkle and is a special edition which plays like a dream. I really, really like Larrivee guitars - they "fit" my hands and make me want to play more and more.

I've also been listening to 12-fret guitars and damn, they really do sound amazing.
Also have to say the new moon-spruce OM-40 oak model is great but £3k+

(And if the guy I bought it off frequents this website then hello and thank you!)

https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/larrive-om-03-silverwood
https://soundtechuk.blogspot.com/2017/05/special-edition-silver-oak-larrivee-03.html




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Comments

  • MellishMellish Frets: 945
    Not bad mate, jammie comes to mind =) well done. 
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  • TeyeplayerTeyeplayer Frets: 2811
    That looks awesome. 
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  • TheMadMickTheMadMick Frets: 213
    That looks a lot like my OM3 but my label says silver leaf ASH. I'd agree about the tonal balance.
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  • TanninTannin Frets: 4394
    Nice one @thomasross20 It looks great (in both senses - to look at and to play). 
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  • thomasross20thomasross20 Frets: 4353
    Silver leaf ash, hmm... Don't know that one. 

    Thanks - certainly feel jammy, I can tell you!
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  • Dave_McDave_Mc Frets: 2022
    Wow  :o
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  • TanninTannin Frets: 4394
    edited September 2022
    That looks a lot like my OM3 but my label says silver leaf ASH. 
    @TheMadMick, the timber is in fact Silky Oak (Grevillea robusta), also known as Southern Silky Oak (because there is an unrelated Northern Silky Oak from tropical Queensland). It is not an oak or an ash, nor at all related to either. It is a grevillea, native to New South Wales and southern Queensland, also grown as an ornamental in many parts of the world and as a shade tree in tea plantations in Sri Lanka and India. 

    Cole Clark use Silky Oak for backs and sides and sometimes tops. Stoll in Germany use it too.  It is mainly grown for its spectacular yellow-orange flowers.  Here it is in its natural habitat.



    The bird gives a sense of scale: it's a Little Friarbird, about the same size as a Common Blackbird.

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  • thomasross20thomasross20 Frets: 4353
    Grevillea Robusta - that's what the wood is listed as when I use the serial number checker - great post!
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  • TheMadMickTheMadMick Frets: 213
    edited September 2022
    Mine sounds awesome with Monel strings.


    Otherwise, I quote what's on the label, Argue with L'Arrivee
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  • TanninTannin Frets: 4394
    There is no argument, Mick. L'Arrivee are wrong. No two ways about it. Refer to any botanical textbook. (And no, Wikipedia is not a "botanical textbook".) 

    Mind you, timber merchants seem to take delight in being comprehensively wrong about the products they sell. You've got more chance of seeing a correctly placed apostrophe in a butcher's shop than you have of seeing a correctly identified tree species.
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  • TheMadMickTheMadMick Frets: 213
    Tannin said:
    There is no argument, Mick. L'Arrivee are wrong. No two ways about it. Refer to any botanical textbook. (And no, Wikipedia is not a "botanical textbook".) 

    Mind you, timber merchants seem to take delight in being comprehensively wrong about the products they sell. You've got more chance of seeing a correctly placed apostrophe in a butcher's shop than you have of seeing a correctly identified tree species.

    :3
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  • thomasross20thomasross20 Frets: 4353
    @TheMadMick I found your OMO3 thread. Still enjoying it?
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  • mattacjonesmattacjones Frets: 472
    Looks great, what sort of price are they used? 
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  • thomasross20thomasross20 Frets: 4353
    Non-anniversary models about £1200?
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  • TheMadMickTheMadMick Frets: 213
    thomasross20 said:
    @TheMadMick I found your OMO3 thread. Still enjoying it?

    Indeed. It's my go to guitar when I want a smooth but distinct sound. Played it this morning in church for our little Iona service.
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  • thomasross20thomasross20 Frets: 4353
    Nice! 

    I've never played a maple guitar but I've heard the wood described as being between maple and mahogany, with maple having a strong fundamental with fewer overtones. 

    Looking forward to playing it a whole lot more after my London trip. 
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  • TanninTannin Frets: 4394
    ^ Maple is a wonderful back and sides wood!  
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  • thomasross20thomasross20 Frets: 4353
    edited September 2022
    Damn... Looks like I need to make a few more trips to guitar stores lol ... Btw I AB'd my three guitars to stepdaughter. She says the Avalon sounded best but new one not far behind, and that the new one also had great note separation. And she's not a musician so thought that was an interesting observation from her!
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  • MellishMellish Frets: 945
    @thomasross20 - I've had two guitars with maple b/s, a J-200 (excellent) and this  Dove Original I've got now. 

    Previously I had an HD-28 which could really boom and I thought nothing could out-cannon it but this Dove does.

    So, yeah, I'd encourage you to try guitars with maple b/s.

    :) 
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  • bluecatbluecat Frets: 429
    Such a lovely looking guitar good clean lines,I think I would like to try one.
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  • TheMadMickTheMadMick Frets: 213
    bluecat said:
    Such a lovely looking guitar good clean lines,I think I would like to try one.

    Hope you can find one. They are well worth seeking out. However, be aware, if you are sensitive to these things, the fretboard is quite flat and feels more like a classical.

    Good luck.
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  • thomasross20thomasross20 Frets: 4353
    edited October 2022
    Well, in what may be the shortest time I've had a guitar, I may move this on. Having 3 acoustics is a lot for me, my Avalon is top and my OM-O2 is my "beater." The OM-03 is a big step up (this one uses OM-O9 grade wood, apparently) on the OM-O3 vs OM-O2 and has a lot of sparkle though I prefer the boomier bass of the Avalon. Will mull this over. 

    Man, haven't been on here for years now I'm like a machine gun
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  • thomasross20thomasross20 Frets: 4353
    Decided to put up for sale and will put on other sites shortly. 
    What do folk tend to do re shipping... which company, how much to insure for etc? Advice very much appreciated. 

    I also only have one large guitar-shaped box but may be in the process of selling a few things. 
    Where do you get your big boxes from ? :)
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  • MellishMellish Frets: 945
    @thomasross20 ; there's something on the forum here about shipping, packing, boxes etc.

    I can't seem to find it now. 

    :/
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  • thermionicthermionic Frets: 8909
    When I’ve been stuck I’ve bought one from here:

    https://www.sellusyourguitar.co.uk/product-page/guitar-packaging-acoustics-or-guitars-with-hard-cases


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  • thomasross20thomasross20 Frets: 4353
    Thank you!
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