Good deal or would I lose?

caperrob · #1 01-19-2018, 11:52 AM

I am thinking about selling my Martin GPCPA4 rosewood to fund a Larrivee OM 40R. If I get what I think I can for my Martin, I should come out even when all is said and done. I would really like a smaller guitar with an ebony finger board. I will probably miss the cutaway but the Larrivee sounds pretty good on all of the youtube videos I've listened to.

Good deal or a bad one?

Rosewood99 · #2 01-19-2018, 12:15 PM

Sounds like a fair trade to me.

Swamp Yankee · #3 01-19-2018, 12:18 PM

What he said ^^^

hairpuller · #4 01-19-2018, 12:25 PM

I wouldn't hesitate on that one!
Scott

Athens · #5 01-19-2018, 01:07 PM

Better woods, Ebony fingerboard and bridge vs richlite on the Martin, a smaller size that you say you'd like to go to.

What's not to like?

Go for it!

ahorsewithnonam · #6 01-19-2018, 01:16 PM

You need to try one first!

Martin has that signature Martin tone. You might miss that. Different neck profiles could also be a deal breaker. You need to play and hear a Larr first. I’ve yet to try one that made me want to buy it.

hairpuller · #7 01-19-2018, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahorsewithnonam

I need to try one first!

Martin has that signature Martin tone. You might miss that. Different neck profiles could also be a deal breaker. You need to play and hear a Larr first. I’ve yet to try one that made me want to buy it.

Boy, the 000-60 I was gasing over still haunts me. The tone of that sucker was wondrous!!
Scott

Br1ck · #8 01-19-2018, 03:17 PM

If you like it better, it's a good deal.

Earl49 · #9 01-19-2018, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caperrob

I am thinking about selling my Martin GPCPA4 rosewood to fund a Larrivee OM 40R. If I get what I think I can for my Martin, I should come out even when all is said and done. I would really like a smaller guitar with an ebony finger board. I will probably miss the cutaway but the Larrivee sounds pretty good on all of the youtube videos I've listened to. Good deal or a bad one?

The OM40R is a nice guitar, but Larrivee's are not for everyone. They have a different voice. Most have a conical (changing) radius to the fret board that some folks don't get along with. You would have to play one to know for sure. But if you know that you like Larrivee guitars, then yes I would make that trade.

I would never try to judge the tone of an acoustic guitar just by on-line videos, unless it was something unique that I really wanted and videos were the only option. There are too many variables in the signal chain, compression algorithms, your speakers, etc.

Only you can decide if the lack of a cutaway is a deal-breaker. I know it is a big deal to some here, but I really could not care less about ebony versus Richlite finger boards. Sound, playability, sound, appearance, sound and then finally materials are my priorities. Then sound........

Seagull S6 · #10 01-19-2018, 03:23 PM

Don't rely on a U-Tube video when judging an instruments tone. Play as many of the guitars you are gassing for in person and not amplified. Rely on your ears and not any preconceived ideas such as something must sound better because of materials, etc.

Unless you really hate the Martin, keep it and save up for what you are gassing for. Their's nothing wrong with having more than one color on your sonic palette.

merlin666 · #11 01-19-2018, 04:08 PM

Probably a pretty good step up.

Daveyo · #12 01-19-2018, 04:19 PM

in most cases,I would take a Larrivee over a Martin
in this case, yes, most certainly
Dave

caperrob · #13 01-19-2018, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earl49

The OM40R is a nice guitar, but Larrivee's are not for everyone. They have a different voice. Most have a conical (changing) radius to the fret board that some folks don't get along with. You would have to play one to know for sure. But if you know that you like Larrivee guitars, then yes I would make that trade.

I would never try to judge the tone of an acoustic guitar just by on-line videos, unless it was something unique that I really wanted and videos were the only option. There are too many variables in the signal chain, compression algorithms, your speakers, etc.

Only you can decide if the lack of a cutaway is a deal-breaker. I know it is a big deal to some here, but I really could not care less about ebony versus Richlite finger boards. Sound, playability, sound, appearance, sound and then finally materials are my priorities. Then sound........

Your thoughts about the radius are interesting - after owning the guitar for almost two years, I was trying to figure out what it was about the neck that was different, then I realized how flat it is. Then I realized that I wished that it had more of an arc to it, like my Strat. Sound wise, well I did upgrade the saddle and bridgepins and it sure held its own against a Lakewood one night at a jam. More than anything, I would really like something a little more comfortable for the couch.

caperrob · #14 01-19-2018, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daveyo

in most cases,I would take a Larrivee over a Martin
in this case, yes, most certainly
Dave

Thanks Daveyo

caperrob · #15 01-19-2018, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seagull S6

Don't rely on a U-Tube video when judging an instruments tone. Play as many of the guitars you are gassing for in person and not amplified. Rely on your ears and not any preconceived ideas such as something must sound better because of materials, etc.

Unless you really hate the Martin, keep it and save up for what you are gassing for. Their's nothing wrong with having more than one color on your sonic palette.

I'm going to my local store tomorrow - not sure if they have the model I want but the last time I was there, they did have a Larrivee OM. I will spend as much time as I can with it to really make my mind up. I do agree about judging a guitar based on youtube videos but bear in mind that I listen to dozens and dozens to get as much of a sampling as I can.