Well, I did my homework and bought my dream guitar - a Martin D28. This is the one all the greats have played, owned, etc. It's not rocking my boat! The dread is a little too big in the body - it's hard to explain. It's probably just me, my wife thinks I'm crazy because I took all that time checking into the D-28 - even took it a Martin shop. They love it, nothing wrong with it, great booming Martin sound, very versatile. It's an older one, so it has character (1999) which I was also looking for. Now I want to sell or trade it. I'm an intermediate player and just a strummer, flat picker but want to learn to fingerpick. Some friends say just hang on to it, you will grow into it and it will just keep getting better but I don't have the patience and am not into it. My question is - I want to get a Larrivee but with all the different styles where would I start? I want the booming, balanced sound only in a smaller body size and want to be able to do strumming flat picking. I want just an all around keeper that I can jam but also fingerpick when I learn how - tall order, huh? LOL! So therein lies the problem with so many styles to choose from - the Concert, the L's, OMs, Parlors, D's, etc. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Want to spend around $2000 - Thanks!
:?
You might really like a Larrivee L-9, it will have a thinner body depth than the D-28, and a narrower waist, which may be more comfortable to play, and you will get the rosewood sound you liked int he D-28...more sustain of notes, and a bit more "boom-chucka" when you strum. You are NOT crazy, for some folks, the dreadnaught bodies are a bit too deep and in my case, though I LOVE the boom, they make my arm go numb after a while.
The Larrivee OM models have an even thinner body, but you will have to see houw you feel about wider shoulder on the OM...of the two, I prefer the L-body.
I personally LOVE the traditional series Larrivees, but they have wider necks and twelve frets...if you like the narrower nut width of the D-28, and like the 14 frets, try an L-series or OM. The Larrivee Ds are going to have the same body type that you already have in the D-28.
QuoteI want the booming, balanced sound only in a smaller body size and want to be able to do strumming flat picking.
I doubt the smaller Larrivee guitars will have the same amount of 'boom' as the D28.
The L's do make good strummers and are more comfortable than dreads. So an L-05 or L-09 would be what I recommend you try out in your search.
Too bad about the D28. They are nice guitars, the standard by which all dreadnaughts are measured. The most copied Martin.
Anyway, the L-09 is an excellent guitar for you to consider, based on what you stated.
Good luck.
I just purchased an LV-10 from Dave at Guitar Adoptions and had a very pleasurable experience. I popped over to his site and caught a few models that would be worth a test drive by you. If you are looking for an older "aged" guitar in your price range, I went into previously owned instruments, and there is a: (click on images once you get to the page to see close up pics)
Beautiful 1994 LS-19
http://www.guitaradoptions.com/store/product.php?productid=18551&cat=275&page=1
The LS model is just slightly smaller than the L, but the same comparative dimensions between upper/lower bout and waist.
A nice pre-owned L-09
http://www.guitaradoptions.com/store/product.php?productid=18590&cat=275&page=1
Or you can take a look at the new stock he has in inventory if you want something that you can break in.
No association other than satisfied customer...
D-28 was my dream and i fell in love with the Larriveé L-09 and have yet to look back after purchasing my L-09
Well I recently got my long awaited Martin custom HD 28. The differences from the standard were wood upgrades to the premium Sitka top and East Indian RW. The neck is a fat 'full thickness' 1 & 3/4" slab of tone and feel! Other changes were just cosmetic stylings I preferred. Its the best sounding new Martin I've ever heard. It even beats a mature D45 I had lusted over. Here's a few pics then back to scheduled Larrivée viewing. :whistling:
(http://www.voguehost.com/ims/u/oldneil/Martin%20pics/New%20Martin%20top.jpg)
(http://www.voguehost.com/ims/u/oldneil/Martin%20pics/Top%20bout.JPG)
(http://www.voguehost.com/ims/u/oldneil/Martin%20pics/New%20Martin%20head.jpg)
OK, regarding your concerns. I agree with another poster that Larrivée probably won't give you that authoritative 'boom' that is part of the trademark Martin dread sound. To a certain extent the SD's have some of that but they are even BIGGER guitars :SHK> than your D28. Even then they share the Larrivée family tonal signature of focus, clean unclutteredness and sparkle.
A good compromise has already been mentioned the in the L series.
However if you want that Martin sound in a smaller guitar look no further than an OM28V. Its a middleweight that punches like a heavy. A dreadnought trapped in an OM body.
Quote from: acousticsun on May 20, 2007, 11:59:40 PM
Well, I did my homework and bought my dream guitar - a Martin D28. This is the one all the greats have played, owned, etc. It's not rocking my boat! The dread is a little too big in the body - it's hard to explain. It's probably just me, my wife thinks I'm crazy because I took all that time checking into the D-28 - even took it a Martin shop. They love it, nothing wrong with it, great booming Martin sound, very versatile. It's an older one, so it has character (1999) which I was also looking for. Now I want to sell or trade it. I'm an intermediate player and just a strummer, flat picker but want to learn to fingerpick. Some friends say just hang on to it, you will grow into it and it will just keep getting better but I don't have the patience and am not into it. My question is - I want to get a Larrivee but with all the different styles where would I start? I want the booming, balanced sound only in a smaller body size and want to be able to do strumming flat picking. I want just an all around keeper that I can jam but also fingerpick when I learn how - tall order, huh? LOL! So therein lies the problem with so many styles to choose from - the Concert, the L's, OMs, Parlors, D's, etc. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Want to spend around $2000 - Thanks!
:?
I suggest that you send the D28 to me right away so you can stop thinking about it or worrying whether you really like it or not. The D28 being rather a standard means you might not be happy with other purchases, so let me know what you buy next, and maybe you can send that my way to so you just won't have to stew over it and have it there to bother you.
;)
It probably is the L for you, but, compare it to a mahog or rosewood OM. Since you weren't comfortable with a dread size, it makes sense to consider an OM.
Larrivee L-09 or L-10
I've heard a lot of people say they would like an OM with the voice of a dread. Good luck finding one. I don't think they exist at any price. The Proulx OM/D or the H&D CM might come the closest. You could keep the D28 and add an 09 Larrivee for the price of either of those and have money left over. In fact Proulx is so backed up he won't even take orders for future delivery. I think the L body Larry is one of the most ascetically pleasing shapes out there. At 4 3/4 they are only an eighth of an inch more shallow than a Martin dread. They ride lower in your lap because of tighter waist which might be a good thing for you. If you play standing up then consider finding a dealer w/ an L body and ask to play it standing. As for tone if you want it loud with a big low end a Larrivee might not get you there. A Martin dread is 4- 7/8 deep and 15 1/2 wide which is the defacto dread standard. Larrivees dreads are even bigger @ 5 deep by 16 wide. My favorite dread shape is the Santa Cruz which is
4- 1/2 by 15- 1/2. FWIW a used D/PW is in the same ball park as a used D28 price wise. The slightly more shallow depth made a big difference to me. YMMV.
QuoteYou are NOT crazy, for some folks, the dreadnaught bodies are a bit too deep and in my case, though I LOVE the boom, they make my arm go numb after a while.
I can't resist quoting Norman Blake on why he got tired of playing regular-size dreads: "It's like stringing up the kitchen table and trying to play that."
L series my man. I just got rid of a martin d-18v for it. Martin sounded great, but I hated the v neck option and the boominess. Also it was uncomfortable playing while sitting down. Got the L 10, just as loud, more refined sound, best neck I ever got my hands on, handles strumming and fingerstyleplaying with ease. MUCH more comfortable to play while sitting down. Can't go wrong with these............ Good luck.......
Quote from: Old Neil on May 21, 2007, 04:54:10 AM
However if you want that Martin sound in a smaller guitar look no further than an OM28V. Its a middleweight that punches like a heavy. A dreadnought trapped in an OM body.
That's a good suggestion. Those and the SCGC OM/PW's are very big sounding OMs. I know my OM/PW sounds bigger than the L-03 I had.
The only problem with a Larrivée is the logo. It doesn't say Martin. Ha ha. As to the question? Hard to say really. Mahogany or rosewood? Maybe an L maybe an OM. You gotta try a few. As for dreads? I'll take my D05 over any similar dread Martin's made in many a year. But that's just me.
I have found my D 18 V not very comfortable to play although it sounds great. My humble D03 gets the call most of the time.
QuoteThose and the SCGC OM/PW's are very big sounding OMs
Yes that's a great model too. Forgot about that one first up. OK, its a Larrivée forum but that doesn't mean we can't include suggestions that don't have Larrivée on the headstock right guys?
Quote from: jeremy3220 on May 21, 2007, 12:18:36 AM
I doubt the smaller Larrivee guitars will have the same amount of 'boom' as the D28.
:+1:
I agree with Jeremy - Martins sound like Martins and Larrivees sound like Larrivees....and it's hard to get a large body sound out of any brand smaller body guitar.
I'm in a very similar situation to you: have a wonderful D-28 that is so lush but is very unwieldy for me size-wise. Every time I play it, I think "why did I think I should sell this?" because it sounds so good, but then about 20 minutes later, I remember why when my arm starts to fall asleep.
I did happen to try a very nice Larrivee OM-60 in a local shop - very nice tone and good volume. I'm also thinking about swapping my D-28 for a Martin OMC-28e, because I like the cutaway and on-board Aura options. The OM-28V is also great guitar but the v-neck isn't my favorite.
Good luck in your search!
Jane
I was looking between an OM and the L. To my ears OMs have a more boxy ? sound quality to them. I think The L is more like a mini jumbo.........
Buy an OM either rw or hog, keep the Martin.
Finger pick and sit at home playing the OM, when you go jamming or want to play loud use the Martin.
Your Martin won't go down in value and actually may go up.
My second Larrivee was an OM-03, I could not decide between rw & hog, so Uncle Rob suggested KOA, right between the 2.
It is a very versatile guitar, love it's voice and did break the bank to have another guitar around the house. Great guitar to take out when I don't want to expose one of the expensive ones, but still want to be seen and play something decent.
What ever one you own !
"The Best All Around Larrivée Guitar" is the Larrivée L-03.
For my vote the L-03 is the best 'value for money' guitar in the Larrivée line. Absolutely no 'bling', but all the Larrivée workmanship, quality materials, styling and playability and ... the sound. :cheers
OOO-50
Just gotta add another note here.
Last night I was at a song circle with my regulars and I had my SD-60.
A new guy joined us and came armed with an OM-03 RW.
He did some finger picking, some strumming and I gotta say the guitar sounded awesome.
He is a good player, but was a little nervous in the group for the first time and he made some small errors.
The guitar was unbelievable though. He was using bluegrass strings (12-56).
I really think the OM is a true all around guitar. When you look at the prices of good guitars the 03 series is a bargain.
I don't get to sit in front of many Larrivee's and hear what comes out.
Next time I am taking my OM-03 koa and have him play it so I can compare the two voices.
Quote from: PortHueneme on May 23, 2007, 07:09:00 PM
Just gotta add another note here.
Last night I was at a song circle with my regulars and I had my SD-60.
A new guy joined us and came armed with an OM-03 RW.
He did some finger picking, some strumming and I gotta say the guitar sounded awesome.
He is a good player, but was a little nervous in the group for the first time and he made some small errors.
The guitar was unbelievable though. He was using bluegrass strings (12-56).
I really think the OM is a true all around guitar. When you look at the prices of good guitars the 03 series is a bargain.
I don't get to sit in front of many Larrivee's and hear what comes out.
Next time I am taking my OM-03 koa and have him play it so I can compare the two voices.
YES! The OM-03R is amazing! Mine is set up w/ bluegrass as well, I love the phos/bronze on it. I had the opportunity to play a Bourgeois OM, rosewood, and I must say that even after that, I am still so impressed with my OM. The Bourgeois was amazing, a beatiful finish and detail, and the sound was amazing...but my simplier looking (which I actually prefer) OM is also amazing sounding.
I may be wrong but it seems to me that a few years ago the Larrivee web sight recommended the OM shape for players who wanted something for both strumming and fingerpicking, then at some point they switched their opinion to the L for both instead. Anyone remember it like this?
I sure love my OM-03R.
I gotta throw in my opinion, like PortH said...keep the Martin if you can. Then get a L-03R or OM-03R. I had a L-03 in rosewood that was one of my favorite Larrivees, but sadly sold it. It had excellent bass response and cost around a grand new. Just a great guitar for everything...I think it sounded better than more expensive L-09s I've played (my very humble opinion). Don't count out the -03 series...you may be able to afford one and keep the Martin.
But now I have to play the devil's advocate for a bit here. :whistling: If you are interested in a trade I have an OM that would fit your needs just perfectly. PM if you would like more info.
Justin
Q: What is the Best All Around Larrivee Guitar?
A: Whichever one is in my lap at the moment. :wink:
I would think, in my humble estimation, that if one is talking simply about Larrivee guitars, the most "Larrivee" of all would be the L serives. Whether or not one thinks it is the "best", it is the one on which he built his reputation. Now, in terms of best, my opinion is simply my opinion, but experince moves me to say the L series (I own a C-10 from the 90's, a recent 00-5, and a D-03) is the most versitale. Does that make it the "best"? Yeah, I think so.
Mike
I'm not sure on the exact model but in general I'd have to say a mahogany L of some configuration. It used to be a no-brainer for me when the L-03's were mahogany but I've never played one of the new sapele ones. I've also changed my opinion of the Florentine cutaways after playing an LV-03RE.
So to cut it short, I think my vote would be for the LV-05 that's on the Larrivee home page. :niceguitar:
In a recent double-blind placebo test with laboratory guitar playing rats it was determined to be my 000-50.
Quote from: ElJefe on May 25, 2007, 10:17:42 PM
In a recent double-blind placebo test with laboratory guitar playing rats it was determined to be my 000-50.
A mighty fine choice.
Quote from: ElJefe on May 25, 2007, 10:17:42 PM
In a recent double-blind placebo test with laboratory guitar playing rats it was determined to be my 000-50.
ElJefe -- I read that report. The problem, as I see it, was that the rats they used were midwest Tennessee rats. Known for finger style and their short arms. Of course they preferred the smaller body and more responsive 000-50. They did a similar test on the West Coast using San Francisco Wharf Rats and they loved the L-Body and wanted electronics in all of them.
But, admittedly, they did have some problems getting the blindfolds on... :humour:
Another consideration would be the OM-50 or OM-60 depending on your prefereance for Mahogony or Rosewood. They just seem to have more punch than the standard Larrivee OM's. I take lessons from one of the top flatpickers here in the St. Louis area and he just makes my OM-50 sing flatpicked. Your not gonna get the volume or bass that the D-28 has, but I will say the OM-50 will take it all strumming, flatpicking and fingerstyle.
But keep the D-28, you'll miss her when she's gone. :crying:
Quote from: dberch on May 24, 2007, 11:47:57 AM
Q: What is the Best All Around Larrivee Guitar?
A: Whichever one is in my lap at the moment. :wink:
:+1: Truer words were never spoken! They all sound different. They all sound great... and they tell you what style you should be playing bu virtue of what each model seems to do best in your hands.
dg
Got to be the OM-50.
The versatilty of this guitar is amazing. Looks good too!! :thumbsup
My vote is for the L-03
I vote for my MT D-03. It rumbles and is also a good fingerstyle. I play bluegrass alot, so it works great for that. I also have a satin mahog parlor that gives me flexibility. :thumbsup
I would have to agree with allot of the guys suggesting you keep the d28 and get an OM (or an L). The 03 series are super values and then you can go to the D28 when you want rattle stuff off the shelfs.
However if you are going for the 'one guitar' thing (a hopeless goal is you ask me :winkin:) I second the suggestion of the Martin OM-28v. Small body size great fingerstyle, strummer and 90% of that dread bass. Average used price is $1700.
:donut :donut2
From Larrivee I'd vote for an OM-50 a very sweet guitar
If you wanna give dred's a run for their money a Collings OM2