Favorite Larrivee & Martins

[Mikeymac]

Here's a few pics of my favorite (and first) Larrivee, my '92 OM-05, flanked by my two Martin Jumbos - a J-18 Custom and a J-40 (both new).

Gives you some idea of the difference in size of a Jumbo to an OM size guitar. Tone? The Jumbos definitely sound bigger and bassier, but the (now 26 year) old Larrivee has a depth and richness in tone that only comes from old wood.

P.S. The two jumbos sound very different from each other - for a number of reasons (woods, large soundhole, etc.).

[Mikeymac]

I'll try to get some pics of my L-05 and L-19 with the Martins next to show how similar in size they are (if slightly different in shape).

[unclrob]

I like the sparkling pix best.How is the L19 doin?

[ducktrapper]

Larrivée L and Martin D-35. 

[Mikeymac]

I like the sparkling pix best.How is the L19 doin?

I had the guitars sitting under our Christmas tree (which my wife put up last week when it snowed here!).

The L-19 is doing well - but the neck feels so huge to me (it's much bigger than my other Larrivee necks) - I'm thinking about taking it to a luthier in St. Paul to have it reshaped a little. But the tone of the L-19 is second to none - that old Sitka and Rosewood sounds wonderful...I can't even imagine how good Tom's Brazilian L must sound!

[Mikeymac]

Larrivée L and Martin D-35. 

[CycleBob]

My Favorite's

[ducktrapper]

And a uke!

[headsup]

most of my guitars have been pictured before.
"favorites" is hardly a fair concept.

those with kids got "favourites"?

OH NO it's that guy with some bizarre long winded post again!

My "favourite" is the one I'm playing at the time.
Depending on the gig, show or session, before packing my stuff, I "audition" a few different guitars.
Depending on the call- lets say it's an acoustic gig-they will be Larrivee's.

Then, depending on what kind of venue, material and who I'm playing with I can narrow it down to which guitar/body size/tonewoods etc will best suit the gig.

There will always be 2, a main, and a back-up, in case of string breakage or a technical issue.

Either way- the guitar I am playing at the time is my favourite. Does this make sense?
It simply means I pour every bit of musicality and passion into the material and guitar, regardless of what guitar it is I have brought.
If i can't or don't feel that way about a guitar, then I sell it.
No point in owning or playing an instrument that you can't pour 100% into and feel it's your "favourite".

Similar to when people ask me on a gig, "what's your favourite song?".
I reply,
"the one(s) I'm playing right now".

Ya, I know, nobody on this forum could give a rats behind about my weirdo philosophical concepts around such matters.
we all have our own zen.

some folks prefer a certain guitar for fingerpicking- when they are doing that- then THAT guitar is their favourite right?
When flat picking- might be a different guitar.
when campfire jamming, again....different favourite.



it's ok to put me on your "ignore" list, I'll understand....

[Mikeymac]

it's ok to put me on your "ignore" list, I'll understand....

Nah - I fully agree with and endorse your post!

You're right in so many ways...

...I do think we / many players / grow in and out of various guitars, and if/when we do, that's a good time to sell, unless there's some reason to hold onto one (sentimental reasons, or it might get used for a particular recording session someday). I have guitars here right now that I like, but they may end up on the chopping block because they're not getting played much anymore because others have caught my ear and my heart.

Thanks for posting, sir! 

[ducktrapper]

Do those of us with kids have favorites?  








..... no.

[AZLiberty]

Favorite Larrivee (that I own) would be my 1998 OM-03Re
Favorite Martin (that I own) would be the D-35

Martin is easy since I only own one.

Favorite Martin in general would probably be the M-36

[Mikeymac]

Favorite Larrivee (that I own) would be my 1998 OM-03Re
Favorite Martin (that I own) would be the D-35

Martin is easy since I only own one.

Favorite Martin in general would probably be the M-36

The Martin M-36 is a great design (very balanced, like a Larrivee) that doesn't get enough love and respect.

[headsup]

The Martin M-36 is a great design (very balanced, like a Larrivee) that doesn't get enough love and respect.

Yep, had two of them, the 3 piece back and the 2 piece back (no fingerboard binding).
in 2006 or 7 I took the M36 to Twelfth fret for a bridge set. Saw the Larrivee OM-60 TSB slotted head fresh from the NAMM show.
Put down some plastic and left the M-36 there.

that series IMO was the best 0000 and martin design ever, again, only to be surpassed (IMO) by Larrivee OM.

[Mikeymac]

Yep, had two of them, the 3 piece back and the 2 piece back (no fingerboard binding).

The two-piece back one might have been the M-38...

[kwakatak]

I only own one Larrivee and one Martin, and the wife says no more so they're both my favorites! 

That being said, my OM-03R is easily my favorite and I enjoy fingerpicking and strumming on it - especially with a capo. For a relatively small guitar it's got a full voice under certain techniques. If it were a wine it would be like a Cab sav that had aged to perfection - albeit a little dusty from age and lack of sufficient use - not to mention a few chips and bumps from playing it with wanton abandon (as a good musical instrument should be played IMO.) What it seems to lack though is sufficient "headroom" when strumming. It gets all jangly when strummed too aggressively, which is why I opted for a Martin dread 10 years ago.

My D-16GT is pretty good too, but secretly I still yearn for a HD-35. After 10 years it's opened up - and taken a few knocks too - but it still lacks the tonal "bloom" that every higher end Martin - and especially the 35s - that I've played have had. The 16 series just seems to have a certain brightness to their tone that is uncharacteristic of Martin. I also feel that satin finished mahogany is not as durable as I need it to be. Having worked a little with wood I know how delicate it can be.

[lkjjr]

Like Neil, I only own one of each...

My D35S rolled out of Nazareth, PA in January of '72 and became mine in the following August.  I was thrilled about a 12 fret neck and wider nut in those days when it was not a desired option for most folks.  Fortunately that necessitated the store owner lowering his price significantly just to move it, which made it just barely affordable for me. (I had about decided to settle for an Ovation Balladeer before finding it.)  It's seen a lot of miles (literally and figuratively) with me ever since. Still a great companion that is a privilege to own.  Great guitar and a sentimental favorite too.

In 2007 I decided to finally spring for another first quality acoustic.  The most promising one I found was a used, pristine Martin OM35 at a really good price.  The only thing that slowed me from getting it was the thought of having another spruce/rosewood combo and thinking I might enjoying an alternative.  And then I played a Larrivee...

My LV05e is as perfect a steel string as I can imagine. Amazingly balanced tone, with both sparkle and warmth. It feels "right", plays "right" and responds gracefully to finger picking and strumming. The natural sound is heavenly, and the Baggs iMix is such a wonderful acoustic reinforcement system that it makes having a "barndoor" style preamp a worthwhile compromise.  It's even beautiful to behold... clean, classic lines, gorgeous woods, and just an understated touch of bling.  

If the good lord tapped my shoulder and said, "...son you can only have one, so take your pick...", the LV would get the nod. I can't think of anything I'd want in an acoustic that it doesn't already have.

[Yippie]

Here mine. My D-04 has opened up and the top is really moving with DR Sunbeams. The 000 28EC is just a whole diffrent beast.

[WillettaZavala]

  Your guitars are very nice guys. I especially like their perfect and clean condition.