Larrivee Limited Edition OM-03 Bhilwara Satin Natural 2023 Orchestra Model Acoustic

This is an absolutely stunning Larrivee Limited Edition OM-03 Bhilwara acoustic guitar in Satin Natural finish. Larrivee guitars was founded in Toronto in 1967, beginning in Jean Larrivee’s basement whilst he was a student of Edgar Moench Sr. Initially basing his designs on European classical guitars, he began developing his steel-stringed instruments in his first commercial space on the second floor of the Tarragon Theater from around 1970. Since then, Larrivee guitars have developed a reputation for incredible craftsmanship, beautiful tone and stunning aesthetics. Indeed, they are well known for their beautiful inlay work, which since ‘79 have been exclusively designed by Jean’s wife Wendy.

Made in the Oxnard, California workshop in 2023, this guitar of course features an all-solid construction comprising a Moon Spruce top, Bhilwara back & sides, Mahogany neck & 20 fret Ebony fingerboard with matching bridge. The body is double bound in Maple, which continues along the neck. The top is adorned with an attractive Herringbone rosette & Tortoise pickguard, as well as multi-strip purfling. The fingerboard is inlaid with MoP dots, whilst the headplate is made from Ebony, and is inlaid with one of Larrivee’s signature intricate designs in Abalone & MoP. A Bone saddle & nut are fitted, along with a set of Chrome Larrivee sealed tuning machines.

The Mahogany neck plays very well, with a profile which one might describe as tapered- somewhat ’D’ shaped in the lower register transitioning smoothly to a ‘C’ as you climb the neck. This encourages ergonomic thumb positioning for chording in the lower frets and easy manoeuvrability in the higher register. The Ebony of the fretboard is luxurious under the fingers and provides a smooth & durable playing surface to explore. With it’s traditional 16” radius & 1.75” nut width, the fingerboard feels well-equipped for a wide range of playing styled & techniques. The lines of the OM body are as comfortable in the arms as ever, perfect for long gigs & practice sessions.

The acoustic voice of the OM-03 Bhilwara is clear and articulate, with the combination of specially selected tonewoods coming together to create a deep, rich and full-bodied tone that is highly responsive to your playing. The Moon Spruce top projects very well, delivering ample volume and dynamic range whilst retaining clarity throughout thanks to the modest size of the OM body. The Solid Bhilwara back and sides provide a deep, rich and warm voicing with an accurate low end and smooth midrange. Bhilwara is a species of Rosewood from India, and tonally sits somewhere between Mahogany & Rosewood- a perfect balance of the two most commonly used tonewoods. A beautifully crafted instrument with stunning appointments that complements a wide variety of playing styles