Why I think the D-03 is the best guitar in the world.

[rwe333]

No argument here, though I'm a D-09 player/owner over D-03.

[William2]

I came across this short video this morning comparing the D-03 against a Boucher. I think for this style of playing the modern bracing (non-scalloped) sure wins. But then the D-03 is the best guitar in the world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI3R-qYfOxg

[B0WIE]

The fact that it's being compared to an instrument more than twice it's cost is a pretty strong compliment.

[Queequeg]

I came across this short video this morning comparing the D-03 against a Boucher. I think for this style of playing the modern bracing (non-scalloped) sure wins. But then the D-03 is the best guitar in the world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI3R-qYfOxg

I'm curious as to why you might focus on the bracing when comparing a 2017 Boucher Adirondack/rosewood with a
2024 Larrivee moonwood/mahogany.

[William2]

I'm curious as to why you might focus on the bracing when comparing a 2017 Boucher Adirondack/rosewood with a
2024 Larrivee moonwood/mahogany.

The tone wood is a point taken. But I just felt the D-03 sounded some much more powerful or that the player was able to dig in more with the D-03. Where the Boucher and for that matter the Larrivee 44 with the scalloped bracing seemed to reach its limits on the strumming demo. I thought the Boucher with the Adi top may have been the winner. Too bad the player didn't do a fingerstyle demo also.

[BlueBowman]

For what I do, I liked the 000-44R and the Boucher, but I bet that D-03 would be a great flapicking guitar.

[John Lee Pettimore]

I'd like to play some D-03s and 05s. An Authorized Dealer is just so hard to come by in my necks of the woods, which includes Central Dallas. 

Even the big boxes like GC can't seem to keep any Larrivee in stock for very long.  It's a real bummer. 

[Silence Dogood]

I'd like to play some D-03s and 05s. An Authorized Dealer is just so hard to come by in my necks of the woods, which includes Central Dallas. 

Even the big boxes like GC can't seem to keep any Larrivee in stock for very long.  It's a real bummer. 

I don't go to Charley's in Dallas very often, but several times when I've stopped in there were some used Larrivees on the wall.  You might call ahead and check before making the trip, though.  It's a cool shop to visit anyway.  And they've got the coolest guitar shop t-shirt of all time. 

Also, just to be clear to everyone, the Larrivee D-03 is still (and shall remain) the best guitar in the world. 
 

[John Lee Pettimore]

I don't go to Charley's in Dallas very often, but several times when I've stopped in there were some used Larrivees on the wall.  You might call ahead and check before making the trip, though.  It's a cool shop to visit anyway.  And they've got the coolest guitar shop t-shirt of all time. 

Also, just to be clear to everyone, the Larrivee D-03 is still (and shall remain) the best guitar in the world. 
 

[615.Bill]

I'd like to play some D-03s and 05s. An Authorized Dealer is just so hard to come by in my necks of the woods, which includes Central Dallas. 

Even the big boxes like GC can't seem to keep any Larrivee in stock for very long.  It's a real bummer. 

RnR Guitar Concierge, Southlake TX, is a Larrivee, Furch, and Dowina dealer -- three stellar brands -- in the DFW area. They are a new business but seem to be willing to work with customers.
https://www.rnrguitar.com/collections/larrivee

BTW: I have 3 Larrivees, 2 Dowinas, and 1 Furch

[Silence Dogood]

RnR Guitar Concierge, Southlake TX, is a Larrivee, Furch, and Dowina dealer -- three stellar brands -- in the DFW area. They are a new business but seem to be willing to work with customers.
https://www.rnrguitar.com/collections/larrivee

BTW: I have 3 Larrivees, 2 Dowinas, and 1 Furch

Thanks for the heads up on this shop.  I live in the area and had never heard of them. 

[William2]

I have enough rosewood Laivee's and I do have an all-hog on order. But if I was to get on more Larrivee, it might just be an all-gloss instrument. I was really attracted to this Larrivee D-05 instrument and the performance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33aEHsgT6tM

[Silence Dogood]

I went into my local GC yesterday for some mandolin strings and took a stroll through the acoustic room.  I found proof (yet again) that the Larrivee D03 is the best guitar and best guitar value in the world. 

They had a used-but-pristine D03 on the wall with beautiful wood binding, tight grain top, & high-quality tortoise pickguard for the whopping price of $850 (that's only $250 more than I paid for my used D03BW back in 2003).  The thing looked and sounded quite amazing! 

I could picture all the folks walking right by it to go pick up another run-of-the-mill Taylor, et al.  But there will be that one curious soul who will pick it up and have his or her world changed: they won't be able to believe the guitar they are getting for such a price!  It happened to me once upon a time. 

 

[William2]

I hear you. Of my Larrivee's, I think my two favorites are the D-03R and the D-40R. Both have my favorite tone wood, and I love hearing the difference between the scalloped and non-scalloped bracing.

[Silence Dogood]

I hear you. Of my Larrivee's, I think my two favorites are the D-03R and the D-40R. Both have my favorite tone wood, and I love hearing the difference between the scalloped and non-scalloped bracing.

I wouldn't know scalloped bracing from scalloped potatoes. 
 

[Queequeg]

I wouldn't know scalloped bracing from scalloped potatoes. 
 

I personally don't think the average person could tell the difference between the two (myself included) but there is the occasional individual who can differentiate between the African and English swallow strictly by the variation in sound of their wingspeed.
 

[StringPicker6]

But then of course, African swallows are non-migratory.

[Michael Howard]

But then of course, African swallows are non-migratory.

Because they lack the airspeed velocity.

[Silence Dogood]

I personally don't think the average person could tell the difference between the two (myself included) but there is the occasional individual who can differentiate between the African and English swallow strictly by the variation in sound of their wingspeed.
 

I find it super hard to believe that anyone could listen to a guitar and say, "Oh wow, it's the scalloped bracing that's making all the difference..." -- especially if they had no knowledge of the bracing before listening.  I feel the same when someone goes on and on about an "Adi top" or a tune played with a Bluechip pick, etc.  I just can't believe all that stuff is discernable.  Fun to geek-out over, sure!  But a game-changer, I doubt it. 

[StringPicker6]

You've got two empty halves of coconut and you're bangin' 'em together.