LARRIVEE OMV03 VS TAYLOR 414CER

We compare these similarly spec'd small body acoustic guitars! The Larrivee OMV-03R and the Taylor 414ce-R are both US Made, Spruce Top, Rosewood Back and Sides guitars in a compact body size. What' the difference? Which sounds better? Let us know in the comments below!
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[@smflyboy]

Wow, great demo! Both sound fantastic for different reasons. I think I prefer the Larrivee. The Taylor does sound lush and chimes beautifully, but sounded bright and jangley in general. The Larrivee has a more natural sound and the bass was much more tight and controlled….it sounds more complex and has depth.

[@DROP_BEARZ]

Nothing sounds like a Larrivee. Excellent and equal clarity across all the strings

[@kwaktak]

Thanks for the comparison. The first solid wood guitar I ever fell in love with was a Taylor 414ce but years ago that went away when I came across the OM-03R. I've owned one for 16 years now and it's only gotten better.

[@leslee9406]

Larrivee may not have the look but sound wise is next to none. still my favorite acoustic, solid build, not over priced, robust,

[@keithgreenaway2690]

Very good demonstration. I closed my eyes when the playing started so I could just listen without knowing which guitar was which. I definitely preferred the first guitar, which turned out to be the Larrivee. It had a richer, deeper tone, a very soulful and complex sound. The Taylor by comparison sounded a bit brighter, with less complexity. The difference became greater when the strumming started. The Taylor almost sounded shrill as the strumming became more aggressive. Thanks for the demo.

[@guitardude4700]

I have a 414 and it IS shrill and not fun to record with. I am on the hunt now

[@MrPhotomiked]

Larivee all the way….made my heart lift, Taylor made my heart sink. Balanced and richly sonorous with Larivee and discordant with Taylor….I am sure it was well tuned but sounded out of tune when strummed harder. That’s unfortunate because Taylors are such beautiful guitars! Excellent playing by both guitarists! bravo!

[@samuelosterloh6502]

Larrivee all day for me! So much more balanced and some how harmonic! Just a much richer sound.

[@dales6301]

I've had 3 Taylors and one Larrivee. Certainly prefer the tone of the Larrivee, both here and in my personal experience.

[@michaelmadavi6318]

Really great demo and comparison! Hard to find a video where I get a difference clearly between two similar guitars like this. I’m def in the Larivee camp

[@philipdonovan6510]

The Taylor sounds great for sure, but something about the Larrivee, a complexity, uniqueness and depth thats almost magical. And although I look for very specific attributes in an acoustic guitar, (I'm very hard to please), I also look for "X factors", things about a guitar that are difficult to describe but that which makes a guitar almost addictive and impossible to put down. The Larrivee sounds like an instrument that makes it difficult to put down.

[@CellZealot]

After owning a Taylor 555 12 for almost 30 years, I bought a Larrivee OMV-03 RE 3 months ago, due primarily to having watched a Tommy Emmanuel demo of a Larrivee LV-11 that was just stunning. I couldn't be happier and have thought many times and even out loud "How can I put down a guitar that sounds so exquisitely beautiful that it makes me cry?" Constantly surprising at the depth and richness and complexity, responsiveness to touch and attack. Absolutely perfect intonation. A joy every time I pick it up...especially the satin finish. Esthetically it's a study in understatement, clean lines and refined subtlety. No bling...really sweet guitar.

[@markdepriest5494]

Awesome demonstration of two great guitars. I think personal preference is subjective based on what we hear. That's how and why we may prefer different guitars. I have two Larrivee's, an OM-40A, and an LV-05. Both are mahogany which have a drier, woody tone. Larrivee just does something with mahogany that I can't explain. Awesome guitars, awesome review, and awesome playing!

[@duelenigma7732]

I'm the proud owner of a Larrivee OM with quarter cut maple . It is 30 years mature now and is a masterpiece .

[@dupaularthur2447]

Larrivée by far.

[@Stoneabba9999]

have 2 high end Larrivee's. My Koa LV 10 blew the doors off of a $13,000 Taylor. My koa was 8k. Taylors are pretty to look at but acoustically fall short of asking price. They spend a ton of $on advertising

[@ross9581]

I know Larrivée guitars for a long time. This one, on the video sounds amazing.

[@joshuab5186]

Completely adore the Larrivee sound. More balanced to my ear. Love the Berlin Chair snuck in there lol

[@scottfishkind5335]

Great comparison video, really helpful demo of the two guitars! Wow this really exposes the V-class bracing clearly. The Larrivee sounds more balanced and richer overall. Obviously there's many other factors that influence the sound but it also rings true to my experience playing a V-class Taylor. Totally underwhelming! The Larrivee, to my taste was in a different class sonically than the Taylor. I don't own a Larrivee, I have a Furch Yellow Master's Choice Gc-CR, which also blows the Taylor V- class out of the water. Taylor has done a lot of great things in terms of creating consistently playable nice guitars but I really feel the V- class bracing has really hurt them sonically! I've never played a Larrivee but after hearing this I'm very interested in playing/hearing one in person!

[@michael_caz_nyc]

Went guitar shopping in NYC. I played 17 guitars ( 5 different brands ) and choose a Taylor 414ce-R. The sound & playability was honestly second-to-none. Phenomenal guitar. It's a dream to play. Low action & no-buzz. Nice comparison. Both guitars sound great. Can't go wrong with either one.

[@danstevens1024]

Thank you so much for your high quality demos! The music you play pushes the instrument in all directions and it’s modern leaning so it isn’t the same old blue grass, old timey, blues stuff I am so tired of. This demo is a great example and you’ve opened my mind to the Larrivee OMV03r! I am finding that I prefer the 03 sound over their 40 models. Their older 03 bracing pattern seems to produce a more balanced sound across the strings. Thanks again, guys!!

[@cranbournemusiconline]

Thanks Dan!!

[@GrandpaJean]

I have both and prefer the 03 as well.

[@MrJonnergonzalez]

Nice video. I like the sound of both. It would be hard to pick one or the other. Do you guys have a comparison video of a Taylor 412ce and a 414ce? I can't make up my mind of which is a better buy.

[@fredflinstone3173]

An LV-09 would have been a more even comparison, both in terms of size/volume and gloss finish. I have 6 Larrivee’s. Their sound sits nicely between Taylor and Martin.

[@excelsiortoall7967]

That's why I bought a larrivee. That being said I still want a Taylor one day. But for now the larrivee seems to be a nice universal mix for strumming and picking.

[@macstil585]

I have 5 Larrivee tried everything else ..get one that is 3 years old or more..they are tight and breaking period might turn you away ..but hang in and you will be rewarded

[@wmcalin1]

For me the Larrivee had the better tone, Taylor was just a little too bright sounding.

[@theverseshed]

The Larrivee sounded clean and clear whereas the Taylor had a muddiness in the tone. Surprising, but it easily won for me.

[@circaSG07]

I'm an extreme fan of anything taylor, but the larrivee outshined it greatly. well done

[@Agradelous234]

I don’t have either brand , Taylor at times has more defined bass but finger picking I think the Larrivee sounded better to me . Even some strumming sounded a tad better on the Larrivee even with the less defined bass . Nicely done 😊

[@richwood571]

Has to be said Larrivee crapped all over the Taylor here

[@colejustesen]

They both sound great, but the Larrivée has something to the sound that I prefer. More balanced maybe... I don't think I would shudder if someone handed me either to play.

[@wanteddoa7929]

I feel like with the Larrivee, I’m hearing the body more and the strings less. Very woody, organic tone. Most Taylors I’ve heard (including this one) are the opposite (I hear lots of string and very little wood). The sound seems to literally leap out of the Larrivee and I believe that contributes to the smoothness in his playing (on the Taylor his playing sounds arguably more forced).

[@photodork]

Very nice demo. The larrivee is the clear choice to my ear. While the bracing and gloss vs satin finish are differences you mentioned, the biggest difference is the larrivee is a grand less in price.

[@Stoneabba9999]

try with regular tuning on both, with pics and without?

[@EricRyanSound]

#Larrivee ALL the way #Balanced

[@bobbrown5135]

Just curious if the Larrivee isn't a LV-03 and not an OM model?

[@sinjon]

What song is that at 4:09? I know that riff

[@lowden7268]

Larrivee sounds and looks better, however, Taylor has a better designed "neck" system that makes it very easy to make changes to avoid costly neck resets.

[@77guitarts22]

On the other side, Larrivée is known for it's solid construction so that the neck will not need a reset. I have both Taylor and Larrivée and I can tell you the Taylor needs a reset within 2 years of use, the Larrivée not even after 23 years old. I have a 1999 one and the neck is straight.

[@technicknb]

regular tuning?

[@markellis8347]

Nice comparison, guys. Would have liked to seen just one guitarist, though. Each player has their own unique style, so that will also have a subtle effect as well.

[@benwestermann2602]

Aha, I found you. Right close in the pass. I'll be there sometime soon. Thank you. I'm in Picture Butte.

[@fadlitv9353]

Larrivee, why in Indonesia there is no Larrivee guitar?

[@terrymattingly6843]

You need to test a Taylor Grand Auditorium vs. a Larrivee L model -- which has the original, trademark Larrivee bracing system.

[@Workingcockers]

I own a Martin HD28 and do not own either a Taylor or a Larivee. The Larivee blows the doors off the Taylor. I’m amazed by its sound!

[@JohnRundle-qp3ju]

FYI- the Taylor has a lower bout that is 3/4” bigger than the Larrivee. I prefer the Larrivee.

[@JRMoonTube]

I wish they would have mentioned the “playability” specs. I believe both are 1 3/4” nuts, but the Taylor has a tighter saddle string spacing than the Larrivee. It’s hard to find picking hand string spacing but these gents would know.

[@LA-zc9rg]

Both sound excellent & I’ve owned both brands. However, I’d give the nod to Taylor phenomenal engineering with the bolt on neck and shim system. No dovetail to deal with should the neck ever need alignment. With the Taylor it’s a relatively quick adjustment & inexpensive task. Nice feature!

[@toddjohnson271]

Have a couple Martins....looking closer at scratching that Larrivee and Taylor itch.

[@Purple_Pixel]

No mention of the depth difference and how it relates to the main sound difference? I can't imagine the finish makes that much difference and even if it did it would come down to thickness, not gloss or satin.

[@Mike-kl1qc]

I am training to be a luthier, check out Furch guitars sit down video with a group of luthiers he said finish is key to their sound, it took him years to develop theirs. Andy Powers has said in numerous videos that finish makes a huge difference, it can ruin a good guitar, check out driftwood, Chris said finish will make or destroy your guitar. Ive found that finish has 15-20% change on a guitar. I know my opinion doesn’t matter yet, finger crossed it will. Don’t under estimate the difference. Finish can change sound more the different strings. Crazy change. Most guitars sound terrible before finish, almost muddy.

[@angelg8445]

@@Mike-kl1qc I totally agree, have u made any guitars yet?

[@kauaikid1]

Finish makes a huge difference.

[@rocknhouse7]

The sound is good on both guitars

[@supern4tural]

I mean, if using the 'stock' strings, wouldn't the Taylor have coated vs Larrivee using non-coated? That alone makes a big difference in sound.

[@Mike-kl1qc]

Wow, both sound amazing. Both premium builds. Who won?? I’m leaning Larivee, but I listened several, Several times. I started to prefer the Taylor during the fingerstyle comparison. The next time I listened I leaned Taylor. Guess I need them both! Larivee, Taylor…. Larivee. Ya I’m gonna need both

[@excelsiortoall7967]

Larrivee definitely sounds better for strumming in my opinion. Taylor sounds better for picking, but not a whole lot.

[@roughcollielover1784]

Larrivee has a more focused tonal palette . The overtones are less dominant. Very clean sounding guitar. Taylor is great too. Each has a market.

[@defaultuser6498]

My LV -03SP sounds great but its hard to play

[@RyanMcQuen]

Has it been set up?

[@ryanbloom1738]

Larrivee all the way.

[@Wcb21]

The 03 for the Larrivee means it their starting wood grade. Not a fair comparison. Would like the to know the price difference !

[@armanddimeo6575]

Both are great guitars but subjectively I prefer the Larivee. The Taylor is just a tad too bright for my taste. The Larivee seems to split the difference between the Taylor and Martin sound.

[@cranbournemusiconline]

A very interesting comment! Thank you!

[@EdwinGuzmanRD]

Both great guitars. Taylor more depth sound

[@RyanMcQuen]

Larrivee for me.

[@IgorShov]

Larrivee!!!

[@narrativematrix9971]

Larrivee

[@marcdellorusso180]

The Larrivee sounds very neutral and balanced, while the Taylor sounds overly bright and lacking warmth. Larrivee all the way.

[@mauriciocamara8117]

The only part that in my opinion the Taylor sound was better was those harmonics singing in the last comparison… all the rest I preferred the Larrivee…

[@daveed4475]

Prefer the Larrivee tone in this comparison. I do like Taylor guitars, but every time I've shopped guitars, I've chosen a Larrivee.

[@markstaggs7342]

I listened to these two guitars and I still prefer the Taylor way more.i listened several times.

[@damham5689]

For as close as they are in price, build quality, I'd go for the Taylor. To me it has a much nicer midrange and bass, even with the fact in the 2nd and 3rd comparison he doesn't play the Taylor nearly as well the same and sounds like its a little out of tune. Plus Taylor installs much nicer inlays on the fretboard and headstock just push it over the Larrivee.

[@jackklippenstein5766]

The Larrivee sounds sounds WAY better and fuller to my ears

[@drothberg3]

But the Taylor is prettier!

[@leraph3904]

easy...larrivée

[@user-rp9oz2hw1i]

Taylor sounded better.

[@rogerrtewwr4723]

2 minutes in ... f'in play already

[@leonardwinchester4030]

A redundant Larrivee vote for me. Taylor appears to be just an overpriced Yamaha.

[@markstaggs7342]

Looks like they definitely copied Taylor guitars, Nothing beats a Taylor that's why I have eight Taylor high end guitars ,The Best guitars made Taylor in my opinion and in my fifty seven years playing, Taylor sounds lots better.

[@nige99]

I still say it depends on the fingers !

[@yinyangthang]

Larrivee started building guitars on 1967!

[@kauaikid1]

Heard Larrivee saved Taylor. Not certain if it's true but still a great story.

[@ross9581]

If there is one luthier who didn’t copy it is Jean Larrivée and btw he is an expert on finding the best woods for guitars.

[@mutangpadan5311]

I own one low-end LV-3R and though I also hv a Taylor I won’t trade my Larrivee’ for any other.

[@lilaarena]

Larrivee for me.