$4k vs $2k Acoustic Guitar - Martin 000-28EC vs Larrivée OM-03R

The Larrivée OM-03 Rosewood and the Martin 000-28EC Eric Clapton Signature have pretty much the same solid woods: Sitka spruce top, Indian rosewood back and sides, mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard and bridge.

Let's find out in this comparison if the similarities end there or if they also sound alike!

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:24 Similarities
02:52 Fingerstyle comparison
05:30 Strumming & picking comparison
07:51 Our Verdict
09:48 Where the sound differences may come from

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#martinguitars #larriveeguitars #larrivee #acousticguitar #acoustic

[batman]

I agree. Both sound good but the Martin has a fuller, richer tone. Also, if your Larrivee is new it may open up and improve it’s tone over time. Cheers guys.

[dominiquedoeslife]

I’ve still gotta go with Larrivee, as a fingerstyle classical guitarist at heart, but both guitars sound splendid, my friends. Great job!

[m.vonhollen]

I own a Larrivée D-03 strung with D’Addario EJ26-3D Phosphor Bronze Custom Light Gauge (52-42-32-22-15-11).
- I played quite a few Martins recently including one D-28 that was selling for $8k.
- I thought my Larrivée compared well considering it cost under $2k when I bought it many years ago.
- My Larrivée’s tone unquestionably improved with age. It did not sound as good when new as it does now, over a decade later.
(Keep guitars at the correct humidity level, 45-55%.)

[dejadejayoutube]

great to see y'all both have your dream acoustic guitars boys. Ive got plenty(too many:) of upper entry level to intermediate guitars of all shapes and sizes, electric and acoustic, but ive always been "wise/patient" enough to wait for my perfect higher end acoustic. I love the idea of a d18 or d28 for my style, even a hd28, ...but i know if i find the exact right OM or OOOM that can can cover ALL the bases, that would be perfect 👌 (great A-B test - cool vid👍)

[CharlesN]

Great comparison. They both do sound great but the Martin does seem to sound fuller.

[timtimmons]

I have both Martin and Larrivee guitars. Sitka Spruce tops, Indian Rosewood back and sides. As most of you will agree, strings can make a tremendous difference in sound. They do in my guitars. That being said, in this demonstration I have to say I preferred the Martin over the Larrivee. I just don't know if I preferred it $2, 000 more.

[chrisdinsdale]

It’s not a fair comparison unless both sets of strings are the same age. You can hear that the strings on the Martin are newer. Should have put brand brand new strings on both guitar.

[jonathanfinks]

Really nice comparison video. I preferred the tone from the Martin and agree that the Larrivee sounded a little harsh. Maybe it would sound better with different strings?

[ronplariviere]

As noted in the video, the best of three Martins was selected for the comparison. I compared three Larrivee D03s some years ago, and one was definitely better than the other two. Also noted, the Larrivee will improve with age. Also noted, different scale lengths. All these will make the comparison one of “apples and oranges” to some extent, but it is nevertheless interesting to listen to the difference in sound. Twenty-four years ago, when I purchased that Larrivee, money was a limiting factor in my choice, and I fe😂t that, in my price range, I could get a better guitar in a Larrivee. I still have that guitar, and don’t regret my choice. I enjoyed the video, thanks.

[kwaktak]

I've never played a Martin 000-28EC but have played a variety of Martin guitars over the years also own a 6 year old Larrivee OM-03R. Here are my observations:

- The Larrivee OM-03R is robustly built, not just because the bracing is not scalloped but in that the braces on the lower bout of the guitar between the lower legs of the X brace do not "float" but instead lock between them. This is what gives the guitar a more "balanced" tone with less pronounced bass and also reduces the deformation of the soundboard over time. The main detractor to this is that it seems that the guitar took much longer to age to its full tonal potential.

- .012"-.053" light gauge strings tend to have less energy to drive the top, so a more lightly braced guitar will respond better. That being said, I've used D'Addorio medium gauge (.013"-.056") phoshor bronze EJ-17 strings with a 1mm nylon pick on both my Larrivee OM-03R and my other main acoustic, which is a dreadnought sized Martin D-16GT. The additional energy makes both guitars much louder and more responsive. The dreadnought obviously sounds much fuller when strummed but the Larrivee OM-03R sounds "sweeter" when strummed with a moderate touch at best - especially with the use of a capo. It's much more of a "folk music" instrument.

- the polyester satin finish feels thinner than the nitro gloss finish but the "swish" sound that the satin finish makes when I brush against it inspires me to play with more restraint. On a gloss finish I don't feel as inhibited.

[michael]

I've played a Larrivee L-05 for more than twelve years and have touted and bragged about Larrivee guitars for some time now--regardless of the limitations my guitar has and less than stellar build it came with. Five months ago I bought a Martin OM-28 and it has already blown the Larrivee away in every way possible. I know these are two different sizes and styles of guitars but the Larrivee's symmetrical bracing (the OM-03 shown has) really does close the guitar off and give it a rather quiet and somewhat muted, lighter sound. IMHO, the two rather large sound bars attaching fully to the X brace don't allow the top to vibrate as freely. Twelve years later and I still feel like my Larrivee hasn't even completely opened up (though I do love that guitar). The OM-28 already plays better, projects better, and in my case, is built better. It does everything better and I believe it is because of the open-ended scalloped bracing on the guitar allows the top to move more freely giving it more volume, more resonance, a fuller (bassier?) sound and responds better to a lighter touch. Just something to keep in mind if you are considering a Larrivee or Martin guitar. The 40 Larrivee series does have scalloped, Martin-like sound bars if one is looking for a more open, fuller sound.

[smytree]

Great comparison, Agree the Martin is "Louder", art imitating life perhaps.🤔 But 2 Larrivee vs 1 Martin that is worth consideration. Cheers Guys!🥃🥃🥃

[blkjckgtr]

Hey, Luke and Martin, great comparison the Martin sounded richer and more bass where the Larrivee sounded more mid range, both nice guitars and playing, Cheers!

[maxwellfan]

I have tried both myself, and was disappointed with the Martin I played at the time, but they all vary. I once owned an Larrivee OM-10 and loved it, big mistake selling it.
On this demo I would have preferred both guys use a pick and dug in a bit more. The Larrivee sounded much better with a pick when strummed/driven, the Martin a little brittle by comparison which is unusual for scalloped bracing. With just thumb and fingers, the Martin sounded fuller and warmer, but the Larrivee might have needed a little harder attack to get this, or different strings. Elixirs can be bright on some guitars, especially when new.
Overall, my instincts says the Larrivee.
Larrivee are also noted for their fine OM's with more attention to QC, but once again, each guitar is different

[marktaft]

both guitars sound great 👍 thanks for sharing this guys ✌️

[dalee.ankele]

Very nice comparison guys. I'm a Martin lover, but being totally objective I think the 000-28EC has a richer sound where as the OM-03 was brighter. Thanks so much for the comparison.

[SteveMiller-ywkv]

What is the difference between the L body and the OM?

[daryllinkous]

Exactly….it *is* a matter of taste. Well done.

[Vully]

Interesting exercise. I would have preferred if you both played some fingerstyle music and some strummed music for a better comparison. Strumming tends to sound harsher and there isn't the opportunity to let individual notes ring. I have a 1978 Larrivee and will enjoy comparing its sound to your samples. Thanks

[ubermod]

Nice video, but really is it not a bit pointless comparing a new guitar and one which has aged. The top has clearly aged on the Martin. The follow-up video would be interesting though, it would make this one much more worthwhile.