Larrivee om-09 vs Santa Cruz omg - decision time

MikeInBethesda · #1 03-23-2017, 06:16 PM

Ok, after a fun but anxiety ridden search for an OM model, I am debating between these two guitars. I've found an SCGC Omg at a price point that is a good deal, and it sounds from clips like a nice example, but it's still twice the $ of the Larrivee. I do like the Larrivee clips I've seen quite a bit, and with the price difference could do some upgrades/custom appointments on the Larrivee and still come in well under the cost for the Santa Cruz... Anyway, it's decision time and would welcome any thoughts folks have that I may want to factor in. Thanks! Mike

markrj · #2 03-23-2017, 07:18 PM

I have never played a SCGC but have played several of the Larrivee OMs. If i already didn't commit to getting the LV-10 50th, I would already own an OM 40R.

I say, get the Larrivee and pocket the difference, or buy another guitar with the difference.

pewtergod · #3 03-23-2017, 07:41 PM

Get the Larrivee, for chrissake! Best guitars on planet earth. Either that, or if you really like a good small guitar, check out the Guild M-40. May be a bit smaller, but a really big sound!

loco gringo · #4 03-23-2017, 07:52 PM

You may already be aware of this, but the OM Grand isn't an OM size guitar. It is an OM thickness Jumbo body, like a Martin M or OOOO.

I have one, and it is a fantastic guitar, but it is considerably larger than an OM. If you can get a chance to play the one you are looking at, I would try to do it. I bought mine long distance without being able to play it, but with a reasonable return policy. It didn't go back, and it didn't take even a day to decide that.

zmf · #5 03-23-2017, 07:54 PM

I'm a Santa Cruz fan. I'm not a Larrivee fan. Which says nothing more than it's all personal preference.
Ya gotta play 'em.

brencat · #6 03-23-2017, 08:26 PM

I've only played a few Larrivees, and they were dreads, so can't really help you other than to say they were very nice guitars.

However...the two Santa Cruzes that I currently own have virtually crushed any further desire to look for another guitar, and typically I'm always at least casually looking. They are that good.

Your call...

sayheyjeff · #7 03-23-2017, 08:41 PM

I have had 2 Larrivee and liked them both. Really well made guitars, nice to play and real eye candy. I have a Santa Cruz now that I picked up in a trade for one of my Larrivee. I added $$$. Couldn't be happier about a trade. Not the same models you are considering, but in your shoes, I would want some playing time on these very different guitars before making a choice. A good deal only ends up being a good deal if you really like the guitar. I would bet these guitars are going to have different ne k shapes and feel, have signature sounds that are nice but very different, and have a very different feel as the Larrivee could be a much heavier build than the Santa Cruz. Sorry I have no answer as to which is the best choice, but for me, the choice can't be made til I get to see, play and hear the guitars. Good luck with the search.

Jeff

warfrat73 · #8 03-23-2017, 08:46 PM

Larrivee makes very nice guitars, wonderful craftsmanship, balanced tone. But they generally do nothing for me.

For me, if you're willing to spend the money... SCGC all day. They give me the tingles in ways that Larrivee never has.

Like comparing pomegranates to figs, as they say.

crwheat@sbcglob · #9 03-23-2017, 08:47 PM

I have the om-09. It's a terrific guitar at any price point.

Auguy21 · #10 03-23-2017, 09:36 PM

I agree, if you're trying to decide between two different brands, you've got to play em. I've had no problem buying Larrivee's without playing first because I'm familiar with their signature tone, which is what I desire while also knowing my price point. I'm sure the SCGC is awesome, but gotta try em...

sdelsolray · #11 03-23-2017, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeInBethesda

Ok, after a fun but anxiety ridden search for an OM model, I am debating between these two guitars. I've found an SCGC Omg at a price point that is a good deal, and it sounds from clips like a nice example, but it's still twice the $ of the Larrivee. I do like the Larrivee clips I've seen quite a bit, and with the price difference could do some upgrades/custom appointments on the Larrivee and still come in well under the cost for the Santa Cruz... Anyway, it's decision time and would welcome any thoughts folks have that I may want to factor in. Thanks! Mike

I enjoy both SCGC and Larrivee instruments and have owned several of each make. Generally, SCGC instruments are at another level over Larrivee instruments, at least for my uses (fingerstyle, flesh and nail). However, SCGC guitars cost quite a bit more than Larrivee guitars. I would not be surprised at all if the SCGC OMG simply smokes the Larrivee OM. But since you have interjected price into your decision, only you can decide based on your own cost/benefit choice. And, you can't objectively decide unless you have both instruments for a few days to play them side by side. With some good phone work, that can often be arranged from separate sellers provided you agree to pay for all the shipping, etc. On the other hand, you can simply chose one over the other and will likely be happy with your choice.

Mark Lew · #12 03-23-2017, 10:15 PM

Mike, I'm sure that you will be quite happy with either of these two fine choices, but I gotta echo what Brencat said. My SCGC OM/PW has totally quenched my desire to buy anything else (for the immediate future, at least). I feel that I have obtained my dream guitar, in terms of sound AND playability. Have fun making a decision that will turn out GREAT no matter which one you choose!

Ted @ LA Guitar Sales · #13 03-23-2017, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeInBethesda

Ok, after a fun but anxiety ridden search for an OM model, I am debating between these two guitars. I've found an SCGC Omg at a price point that is a good deal, and it sounds from clips like a nice example, but it's still twice the $ of the Larrivee. I do like the Larrivee clips I've seen quite a bit, and with the price difference could do some upgrades/custom appointments on the Larrivee and still come in well under the cost for the Santa Cruz... Anyway, it's decision time and would welcome any thoughts folks have that I may want to factor in. Thanks! Mike

Not exactly a fair fight, but if you're going to compare a Larrivee to an SCGC OM Grand, than at least try a Jumbo, maybe find a J09.

Quote:

Originally Posted by brencat

...the two Santa Cruzes that I currently own have virtually crushed any further desire to look for another guitar

Brendan, last I looked you were singing the praises of Collings. I like this journey you're on.

guitargoat · #14 03-23-2017, 10:55 PM

Surprised nobody has mentioned the fretboard radius difference. Larrivees are pretty flat and some love it others don't. I think this needs to be taken into consideration.

Mike

djg · #15 03-23-2017, 11:03 PM

I own an SC OM and will not trade it or sell it but my 20-plus year-old OM is not what you are looking at and, more to the point, you and I are different people.

I'm not sure what you mean by upgrades to the Larrivee. A nice flight case is an expense that might be worth it if you travel often but what would upgrade the guitar itself? You mention custom appointments but that suggests ordering purely decorative upgrades to a particular guitar you've never heard because it doesn't exist yet. That's fine too if you've played enough examples of that model that you're reasonably confident you'll be happy with the next one. But if you've just played and been happy with one example in particular, I would focus on that one. Spend a bunch of money customizing a different one and you will have a similar guitar with some bling on it. Nothing wrong with that but it won't necessarily play differently or sound any better at all. You might like it a little less well than the one you tried, and then you'll have a more expensive but less salable guitar than the one you liked in the first place.

The guitars are the guitars. If you like a Larrivee better than the SC that's that -- less money for something you prefer seems easy enough. If you think they're equivalent or at least comparable we have roughly the same story. If it's a close call with a nod to the SC but the financial difference really matters to you ... maybe that starts to get hard and it's not for me to say how much a certain amount of money means to you. But extra decoration on a stock model just seems like a distraction to me. I suppose we can always say that the decoration is one more thing that might be more or less valuable to a person depending on his or her tastes but somehow it just seems like a way to muddy the waters here. Which guitar do you prefer?