Hello!
       I just bought a D-03, my first all wood guitar-"woo-hoo" :GRN>!!! But it didn't come eazy. At first, I had a budget of about $1000.00. So I went threw all the solid wood guitars in that price range ( Larrivee, Martin, Taylor, Master-Built, Breedlove, and even a few Blueridge's). On a popular, so-called "FRIENDLY"  internet website I saw a Martin D-15 CUSTOM (spruce & rosewood). I thought, WOW :SHK> a rosewood Martin for under a grand ($799.99), I was sold! Ordered it, a week later it arrived.  Now I've  played the d15, Taylor 214, and the D03 before at my local music shop, but the D15 "custom" was only offerd threw this web-site. So I had to buy it site-un-seen. When I opend the case, the aroma that only rosewood could provide filled the room...MMMMMMMMMMMM, first thing I noticed was the lack of finish (they claim to have a finish, but not that I could see, or feel), just raw wood, the back and sides were poorly buffed, and the fit was horrible (I could stick a pick in the gap between the neck and body) the corse frets, and the plastic binding, gave me the impression that this guitar was " under-cooked". So I returned it. And went back and played d15, 214,and the do3 agian and even some that I could not afford...hands down...the Larrivee, won-out.The only guitar that was better then the D03 was the beautiful D09 rosewood (mmmmmmmmmmmm, rosewood). After the whole return deal (which took about a month).  I'm now the proud owner of a D03, no regrets,  this guitar is truly a work of handcrafted art...a voice that stands alone. THANK YOU, Larrivee
   
                                                                                                                                   PS, forgive my grammer, and run-on's,
                                                                                                                                              I just want to get back to
                                                                                                                                                      playing my guitar :ph34r:
                                                                                                                                                             

You'll enjoy it! My guitars are also 03's. They don't seem to suffer from poor fit or finish. Less bling than the upper end Larrivees, and perhaps less figured wood (although you should see the top on my OM-03 12-string!). But not less quality! And the satin finish seems to sound more open from the onset--less "opening up" time needed.

Blessings on your new instrument!

Deb

We give away one of these guitars every year at the acoustic jam and I have to tell you they are about the best value on the market hands down but because of the value sometimes these get overlooked because of the lack of bling. In a sense these are REAL players guitars because they are all business and a wonderful axe. The one Ricky sent us last year is owned by Adrian Jadda918 over on APM and I swear that was one of the best sounding dreads I've heard with a huge voice. One thing these are astoundingly good at and thats song writers and singers that strum and home record. This guitar has the best sound for that purpose and another friend of mine owns one and recorded his whole CD with it. I was amazed at the quality of the tone on that CD and it was superior to many of the professionally made recordings in the classic era of folk rock 60/70s. It should have been on a CSN, Neil Young, Dylan, PPM album. Congrats on a very smart buy. That will work for a teenager 16 years old and it's good enough for a 50 year old pro. Hope yours inspires you to many years of happy player and creativity.

On the other note. Martin makes so many different LINES of guitars in the USA and overseas you have to be a Martin expert just to buy a good one. Sorry to hear that didn't work out. One great thing about Larrivee is their hands on and size. You wont see the owners of Gibson, Martin, Taylor in the shop from 7am till 9pm working side by side all the other crasftspeople. Larrivee is hands on family biz. Gotta love them. Mom, Pop and Sons! And of course they treat everyone there like family too.

Quote...I swear that was one of the best sounding dreads I've heard with a huge voice.

Great review, LB! That statement could very well apply to my D-03 also.

Congratulations on your new D-03...the end of a long search for you! You will love this guitar and it has staying power. I should know because I sold my first D-03 I bought and never could get it out of my head its sound and how much I liked it. I ended up buying another one this past January, and couldn't be happier with it.

Jeff

welcome to the forum taller....

good choice. the D-03's are the best buy out there in that price range.

Welcome to the forum and Larrivee family!

I'm sure you'll have a great time with the guitar and find this an awesome place this is to hang out! :ph34r:

Welcome to the Forum Taller! The D03 is a great guitar. Enjoy.

Congratulations Taller!  Good choice with the D-03.

I had one of the Martin customs your talking about in Mahogany, they sound pretty good.  I traded it for a Larrivée L-03R, which I like twice as much as the Martin.

Welcome to the forum!

Steve

Hi Taller! Congratulations on your D03. I have had my D03 (it's all hog) about 3 weeks. I am VERY pleased with it. Sounds great and looks wonderful. I chose between the D03M Larrivee and a D15M Martin. I am retired and play it's almost every day. The D03 is a keeper for sure. Teddie

I have a Martin and a Taylor, each one cost way more than my D-03. I love them all but you know what.. when it comes time to play I always reach for the D-03 first.

Welcome and enjoy! I am new to the forum and Larrivee, as well, having just purchased my first, a 000-60. I hope the new purchase makes your fingers as sore as mine have been latrely!