Larrivee OM-03

Very simple guitar with satin finish. Spruce top,nice grain, beautiful mahongany back with a great finish. Much nicer than a Martin satin finish on mahogany. Ebony fingerboard. White binding. A pleasant but not elegant package. Very Decent.

Bright sound. Once you learn to control it, however, it can be subtle and refined. Larrivee knows how to make guitars.

Perfection.

Seems very rugged. Best Satin finish I've seen.

Called Larrivee with good response.

Playing now about 30 years. Also own a Larrivee OM-09,which is very fancy and nice with gloss finish and rosewood. The OM-09 is a fine compliment, as I like the mahogany sound with some songs and I feel freer to travel with the 03 as I don't have as much money invested.

eh, I'm sure the other reviews have all the features listed already. It comes down to this: all solid wood construction, ebony fretboard, mahogany neck w/ dovetail joint, and ping tuners. I give it a five because this guitar is simple and to the point. After all, it's not a coffee table, and it won't wash my car for me.

tone is purely subjective. When I was looking for another guitar, this one spoke to me. It did so because it had exactly the sound I was looking for. I love that sound- well balanced and not too bright or bassy.

Ok, the finish bothers me. It is a satin finish, and is very easy to permanently scar the wood. Of course, that is purely my fault. I did have one problem that really bothered me- the back has a crack in it. I did not drop it, nor did anything drop on it that I know of. Still, something had to crack it aside for normal wear and tear.

eh, look back up at the finish comments.

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All in all, this guitar was the best sounding one I played that day. It was the one that called my name. It has a delightful sound, regardless of its basic appointments. I'd like to a Dreadnaught model as well. I might add that I only finger-pick this guitar.

I have honestly played guitars that have had more options. However, those guitars with more options don't feel as good when I'm playing as my OM-03 does. This guitar is simple. But it was designed ti be that way.

To me, there is no contest. I have owned many guitars, but for the price that I paid, this is the best sounding--hands down. With this guitar, every thing sounds beautiful (whether it's strumming, picking, or finger-picking).

I have had never had any problems--mechanically speaking--with my Larrivee.

Ok, now here's where I'm torn. Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE this guitar. It sound amazing, and it's the only accoustic that I play (and I have three other accoustics). But I have had to have some work done on it repair a pretty large crack on the side. I saw the inccident occur: a small picture fell off the wall and landed on it-which shouldn't have been that big of a deal...but it was. However, don't think this is a poorly constructed guitar. The person who fixed it said that it landed on the "sweet spot." It was just unlucky. There's also a few minor scratches and dents but nothing worth fussing about.

Extremely friendly folks. Helped me find someone who could repair the crack. Not to mention the sweet warranty that came with the guitar.

Overall, I could n't ask for a better guitar. I love this thing. It honestly makes me the musician I am. I don't leave home without it. Simply put, this guitar gives you so much for so little(money). It is a part of me. I love this guitar and I will keep it for the rest of my life.

Pretty basic stuff- Mahogany Back and Sides, Sitka Top- Ebony F/B and Bridge

Beautiful- this is a sweet guitar. I just bought mine but is has some nice sounds coming from it! Clear and with the tone of the legendary Martin; at a fraction of the price of the higher end models to which I compare it; I love it...

Finish is basic- though I love Satin since it doesn't pick up every finger mark I leave on the body... fit was perfect right at the store. I'll use the complimentary set up later once she's been broken in.

I think this guitar could withstand just about anything... stage, in-laws... you name it!

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I traded my Martin D-28 for this guitar. I've been playing about 12 years; if stolen I would replace it with another Larrivee!

This is a Canadian manufactured instrument. The orchestra model is something I was not familiar with (only playing for about 18 months) and was pleasantly surprised at the ease of playability. The overall features include a spruce top and mahogony sides and back. The ebony fingerboard and microdot markings are elegant and simple. You have to be someone who appreciates this classic styling. The satin finish add to the warmth of the styling. I bought mine without the case for 1/3 list which was 899, got it for 600 (never pay more) the guitar is perfect for a second step up from beginner. In fact, it is perfect for anyone I imagine.

As I mentioned, I have not been palying long but when I first tried this out in the "upscale" room at the store, my wife remarked at the sound (guess it even made me sound good) When I later went back to purchase it, an old gentlemen with a rich rodeo heritage remarked at the sound and thought that I might have just been lucky to get one with that rich a tone for a guitar in its price range. It sounds as full as any dreadnaught in the store (save a Breedlove)

I am used to an electric and the action might be considered high by me, but others tell me thats what you get with an acoustic and in short order I find it more than acceptable. There is a slight glue mark by the neck, same as another reviewer mentioned. either this is an incredible coincidence, or Larrivee needs to rework their factory set up. I didnt notice it when I bought it, but probably wouldnt have mattered, the sound was so unigue that I can overlook this. The rest of the finish is very nice. Again, simple, yet elegant.

Looks and plays solid. I have only had it for about five weeks, but no complaints.

I emailed them shortly after I bought it concerning information on the care of a satin finish and asked about truss rod adjustment. It took about a week to get a response which was short and curt. I suspect the world is being run by twentysomething kids and this is to be expected.

Features are for playing, not looking. And it has these, in abundance. Indian rosewood back and sides, cedar top, ebony (not the softer rosewood) fingerboard, Gotoh tuners, Fishman Prefix Pro pickup, and the factory hard shell case. All solid woods, of course...

The sound is just incredible. I have played and listened to a lot of high end acoustic guitars, and to hear the volume and full range of sound coming out of this OM style box is amazing. It's full, from bass to mid range to treble, and the sustain is just wonderful. I play both flatpick and fingerpicking style, and it can be soft and sweet, or loud and full, whatever your mood dictates.

The action is nice, the satin finish is EASY to take care of (unlike my gloss finish Larrivee L-10!), the woods are bookmatched beautifully! The only flaw is a glue line showing on the left side of the neck heel, where it joins the body. The standard pickguard (clear) had a satin look, but a scratchy sound when your pick or fingernails hit the surface, so I e/mailed the company, and they sent me a new gloss (quiet) guard at no cost.

I've now owned it for a year, and played it daily during that time. It shows no signs of wear, other than a slight "shining" where my arm hits the upper bout of the body during playing (this is standard on satin finish guitars). The guitar STAYS in tune, and I look forward to playing this one for a lifetime.

Lifetime warranty to the original owner (i.e. whoever sends in the warranty), and their support via e/mail is outstanding.

I've played for 16 years, seriously for 2. I own 3 other acoustics, including a Larrivee L-10, but this is the first guitar I'd grab in a fire. It constantly reminds me of what great tone and easy playing is all about. If it was ever lost, etc., I would certainly try to replace it, but don't know if I could find the same guitar again. So yeah, go for it if you're considering one similar - if you're lucky, you'll have a love affair with yours like mine has been!

Don't be deceived by the low features rating. My 1997 OM-3 is an utterly simple, no-frills guitar. Mahogany, back, sides and neck. Solid Sitka spruce top. Ebony fretboard and bridge. Quality chrome tuning machines. Satin finish. Expert construction. That's it. And it's more than enough. (Oh yeah... it came with a very nice hardshell case.

This little guitar is just amazing. I have not played a guitar with a better combination of volume and balance. It is bright, without being tinty, rich without being muddy. Total clarity.

The action on my OM-03 is perfect. The fit is flawless. The finish is simple satin. I love the way this guitar plays as much as I love the way it sounds.

What sets these lower-end Larivees apart from the competition is they are expertly made instruments available at an inexpensive price. They are not cheap guitars in any sense of the word.

I've been playing guitar for 30+ years and lovingly owned an older and wonderful Guild jumbo until it was stolen in a burglary. Heartbroken, and with no hope of getting another guitar at the same price range as my beloved Guild, I went to my favorite music store just hoping for something I could at least play and enjoy. I played probably 50 guitars that afternoon, and I confess that the little mahogany Larivee was the most playable, best-sounding one I found. That such a wonderful instrument can be had for such an affordable price is nothing short of amazing. There are lots of great guitar brands out there to shop, but if you aren't considering a Larivee guitar, you are shortchanging yourself.

Solid wood throughout, spruce top, ROSEWOOD back and sides. Rosewood is not the standard option, but available as a sort of "upgrade". Ebony fretboard, 25.4" scale. Grand concert size body. 20 fret neck (14 to body). No electronics. Satin finish neck and body. Clear square pickguard. Tiny sterling inlays on the fretboard, very basic rosette. Ebony bridge, and a dove-tail neck joint. Try finding another guitar with these features that is not imported for this price...

This is amazing. The volume is extremely consistent across all frets and strings. The volume may be a little less than that of a dreadnaught, but the volume lost actually helps even out the sound.

The finish is satin, but the fitting of the wood is superb. Not many appointments, but it is a simple beauty.

Feels very solid, though the overall weight is quite light. It is now my only 6-string acoustic.

Haven't dealt with the company.

I wanted an OM sized acoustic with a satin-finished neck and an ebony fretboard. I cannot stand to play rosewood fretboards any more (not sure why), and a glossy neck just feels sticky to me. So I actually stepped down to the lower priced Larrivee to get the finish I wanted. No problem, since I am not interested in inlays. They do the same quality woodwork on the 03 series, so it wasn't really a "step down". The feel is as good as or better than the Martins, Taylors, and others I have tried. I live right by the Martin factory, but wanted to try out a lot of guitars to find the one that was right for me. Make sure that you play a lot of different models, and don't settle for one that is missing a feature that you consider important. There are a lot of well-made guitars out there, and a wide variety of options and combinations to try.

Canadian made. Solid Spruce top. Solid Mahogany back and sides. Dove tailed neck. Small Body. Hardshell Case. Mine has no pick guard although I seen them since with clear pick guards on them. Also, Larrivee doesn't always put a button strap on the tail of the guitar and I've never seen on factory installed in the neck. Mine did have a button on the tail and I use a string type guitar strap so I haven't put one on the neck. If you buy one, your probably have to put on on yourself.

I'm mostly a folk style player. Finger picking and struming. This guitar does both well. The sound of the small body does have as much bass as a drednought would, but when I play in church it cuts through against the other instaments well.

Action was good for me, but I like alittle height. First one I played at the store had some flaws in the finish, up where the neck joins the body, but one one I ended up purchasing didn't. The guitar is very plain looking, but VERY beautiful.

I've had this guitar for almost a year had have had no problems with it.

When I purchased the guitar and got it home I had no truss rod adjuster in my case. I called Larrivee and they mailed me one that week. Also, I've emailed them various questions and they have always emailed me back quickly.

I've been playing for 15 years, so I know what I like. When I went to the store, I went there for a Taylor or Martain Dreadnought, but once I pick up the Larrivee OM, I could not even think about those other guitars. I would by one again in a without thinking. I still would like to get a Dreadnought though. I do not know where you can get this type of workmanship on a soild wood guitar with dove tailed neck for this money. I HIGHLY RECOMEND LARRIVEE