Larrivee L or OM03 vs Martin OM-16GT

[FishMan]

I've been shopping for a new acoustic for a while, and need some feedback. My main requirements are all wood construction with a spruce top, a 1 3/4 nut, and price around $1000.

 

I've liked the Larrivee's I've played, but unfortunately the nearest dealer is 350 miles away, and service after the sale is important to me so I would rather not mail-order.

 

My local Martin dealer doesn't have anything that fits my criteria, but can order what I want. I'm considering the OM-16GT.

 

Can anyone coment on the sound of the Martin OM vs. the Larrivee's? Between the Larrivee's, I prefer the L. but both were a little on the bright side.

 

I know sound is subjective, but any opinions would be appreciated.

 

Rob

[kwakatak]

I've tried all 3 on separate and widespread occassions so I would say go with the L-03. It's a little bit bigger than the OM so it has a more presence but not as loud and boomy as a full-sized dread. That's just my personal preference, though. I think Martins are fine guitars, but I have a different vantage point from you in that I find them to be too bass-heavy.

 

OT: maybe I haven't found one with a good set of strings though. I guess that with the right set of strings and delicate touch of the fingers you could get a nice warm tone a la Laurence Juber.

[JasmineTea]

Must be Larrivee day.

 

I have a Larry Om-03R. They come with Elixers so you need to take that into account. It changes everything when you put uncoated strings on.

 

The sound is not as refined as Martin, not a bad sound by any means, but not as warm and homogenous(sp?). It's brighter and plunkyer.

 

It had a light set of Elixers on when I bought it. When I put some 12-54 uncoated strings on, it sounded bigger, warmer, louder.

 

The scale is slightly longer than my Martins, however after a good set-up with close action, it's a gas.

 

The dealer I bought from had four OM-03 models, one with mahogany b&S, one all mahogany, and two with r-wood b&s. They were all quite different. The rosewood model is the warmest.

 

I'd like to have an OM-16gt but I'd rather have an OM-21. Everyone I've played was a charm. The 16 has micarta fretboard and bridge. Some people have a problem with that, some don't.

 

IMO, the Martin and the Larry have nothing in common tone-wise.

 

Hope this is helpful, I cut and pasted most of it from another post.

[parrothd_mark]

I have an L-03, and recently played an OM-16GT. I love Martin's (I have two), but I'd take the L-03 over the OM-16GT any day. It just has a fuller sound in my opinion. And, you get real ebony on the fretboard and bridge. Resale on the Larrivee might not be as high, but that's not a factor for me.

[knockwood]

Since your criteria did not include the guitar being necessarily an OM, here're a few others you may want to look at that match your criteria for at/under a grand:

 

Taylor 310

A little biased here 'cause I just bought one last week and I love it. The anti-Taylor crowd will make suggestions of sub-par tone, but as someone in another thread pointed out, among Taylor bashers you very seldom find Taylor owners. This may be largely attributable to the fact that Taylors leave the factory strung with Elixirs... which IMO sound like crap and do not illustrate the guitar's potential at all. With real strings, it's a beauty.

 

And I was going to say Seagull Artist series, but then I remembered "all wood construction." They are that, but the "all wood" in their sides is laminate, as are the backs in some models - all purposely so, however, for added strength and stability. I recently tried out a Peppino D'Agostino model (1.9" nut vs. Seagull's standard 1.8") and I thought the thing sounded fantastic. I would recommend giving Seagull a look.

 

Guild GAD-30R

Completely new model: Auditorium with all solid wood construction: sitka top -w- Rosewood back & sides, 1-3/4" nut, scalloped bracing, ebony fretboard, bone nut & saddle... Will retail for around or under $800 with hard case... Only drawback is that it's so new, Guild doesn't even have a pic of it on their site yet...