Hi,

Of the acoustics I own, my LV-09 and L-05MT see almost all the action, followed by the LV-19 CA. Given this, it's probably time I sold my Taylor 510 (nut width too small) and my mahogany Larrivee Parlour (just not really my thing). Possibly the LV19 CA too (which seems hard to justify holding onto given that its basically the same as the LV-09). Love Larrivee guitars to bits and am considering a OMV-05 or OMV-50. But it also occured to me that I probably ought to consider branching out a bit towards other makers for more tonal variety, a different feel, etc.

I think I'm after something secondhand (so it's broken in, and cheaper!) with a small body (OM sized ish), and probably hog b/s (or something else that's warm and woody sounding - not rosewood - perhaps walnut, koa?). I guess I'm after something with a similar neck feel to the Larrivee the neck shape and profile (1.75 nut width essential). I play exclusivey fingerstyle (think Justin King, Michael Hedges, Andy McKee and Nick Drake, but without the talent). I'm finding it hard to move away from Larrivee given that their excellent value for money and particularly since I'm after a hog guitar and Larrivee, by most accounts, does mahogany really well. Still, if anyone can recommend anything I should be checking out, please do.

Many thanks!

Dan

By the looks of what you have, I see something in a Martin 000-18 variety filling out your collection nicely.  Just my .02$.

I don't know your price range but I suggest you check out a used OM/PWM.

Price range is as little as possible!Time to rationalise (and to an extent liquidate) the guitar collection. I guess I could go to $1500, even $2000 for the right guitar. If I found an absolute gem, possibly even more (the Taylor, Parlour and LV-19 would have to go, but since I'm only really playing the MT and the 09, that's no great problem) - so I'm reluctant to put numbers on it.

SH OMV-50 is tempting, but the Martin 000-18 could well be interesting - I've only heard good things about them (yet to play one myself).

What are PWM?

Cheers,

Dan

Maybe one of my favorites... Martin 00-18V.

I see you have a few nylon string guitars.  I just got a Carvin CL450 to go with my Larrivee OOO-50TSB.  It's quite unique and an absolute joy to play, especially live.  Beautifully built and extremely affordable as well.

Quote from: mrrinse on February 15, 2008, 11:14:02 AM
Price range is as little as possible!Time to rationalise (and to an extent liquidate) the guitar collection. I guess I could go to $1500, even $2000 for the right guitar.

What are PWM?

Pre-War Mahogany. It's this but with hog back and sides
http://www.santacruzguitar.com/acousticguitars/details/prewar-orchestraguitar.html
You might be able to get a used one for less than 2K.

Santa Cruz, if you look and wait you'll find a nice one under 2K.

They are SOO nice.

At least the ones that I've played.

These are all good suggestions...If I branch out some time in the future...when finances and life settle out a bit it will be for one of the following:

SC PW/M...short scale if I could find one
Martin 000-18GE...used might be around 2k
or 00-18v....just love this size guitar

:beer

Blue

Quote from: Blue in VT on February 15, 2008, 01:08:51 PM
These are all good suggestions...If I branch out some time in the future...when finances and life settle out a bit it will be for one of the following:

SC PW/M...short scale if I could find one
Martin 000-18GE...used might be around 2k
or 00-18v....just love this size guitar

:beer

Blue

Wow Blue...you and I have ths same taste!   That 000-18GE...or the 00-18V...love to try those!

Yeah I'm really craving a short scale guitar....ever since I played a 1947 000-21 locally I really was amazed at how comfortable and warm it felt to play....some day!

Blue

How about a nice Martin 00015s.  Darn nice guitars and within the price range you are looking at. 

I want one anyway. :nana_guitar :nana_guitar :nana_guitar

Taylor GC3 is available for under $1K if yer lookin for mahogany.

Dan

Thanks for all the suggestions so far. I'll have to go out and track down a few.
I guess, if need be, I could go a fair bit beyond $2k if required. I am in the UK, so if buying from the US, I need to figure in $125 odd for shipping and then 20% for VAT and import duty on top of that if buying from the US (still usually much cheaper). If I found something that really blew me away, even a fair bit beyond the budget, I'd be tempted - I guess selling the 510, LV-19CA and parlour would create a fair bit of funds.
I'd love a Lowden, but a bit beyond my budget really (famous lasts words0.
I guess a cedar top, possibly walnut back, would add some variety.
Lakewood do some OM sized hog guitars with cutaways with cedar tops (M-14CP) which looks tempting and within budget (<$2k new).
I need to get out there and play a few, though I'm finding it hard to find dealers (even in London) with really good selections of high end acoustics. I'd certainly be interested in how things like SC, Weber, McIlroy, etc, stack up (even if they're pushing the budget), if only to see how the Larrivees compare.

J-45

Some of the Chinese Guilds have nice wide nuts.Any standard Guild.The Vintage issues of Gibson,I've got a great Vintage AJ from 96.

For what it's worth, I played a Martin 00-18V at Trinity Guitars on Monday evening. 

I'm confident that a 00 or 000-18 will find it's way home with me at some point in the future but I just bought an OM-35 a couple of months ago and my wife's generous side has it's limits.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.

I'm almost ready to take the plunge. Not quite as small bodied as I'd intended, but I've got my eye on a McIlroy A25c (cedar/walnut with cutaway). It's pushing the budget, but by all accounts they're excellent guitars.
If anyone has any final thoughts on things I really should checkout before biting the bullet, do let me know!

Thanks,

Dan

If you can find one I would recommend a Gibson L-130 Advanced 00.  It is basically the same size as an OM/000, short scale, nut is 1.725 (a nice compromise and very comfortable) with the same string spacing at the saddle as a Larrivee has.  A very comfortable guitar to both hold and play.  I have one and love it, and also have a Larrivee Om-50.  Going back and forth between these two is no problem at all.  The L-130 has solid Sitka spruce top with solid Bubinga back and sides.  Great little guitar if you can find one.

I've taken the plunge on a second hand McIlroy A25c (walnut/cedar with cutaway) with a K&K mini western after playing a new one (and an A20c) earlier today. Absolutely stunning guitars - the best I've played, I think! (I've played a bunch of Larrivees, and some high end Martins, a few Lowdens, a Breedlove and a few custom builds). Hopefully it arrives tomorrow (or possibly Tues/Wed next week) for delivery .... very excited (and very impatient!).

The actual guitar I'm buying is featured on the McIlroy website: go to product range, A series gallery and scroll right. My A25c is the middle of the three guitars.

Now I need to sell the Taylor 510 (which has stunning tone, I just can't deal with the 1 11/16 neck) - and maybe the LV-19 CA too - to create the space (and funds!).

Thanks for all the tips, which will no doubt come in handy for the next GAS attack!

Dan

Have you considered Lakewood? I know they can be a bit costly in US (but not always - I had mine shipped from over there, back to Europe). For me the A-series is what they do that is special. Twelve frets. Upper bout is "OO" size, lower is "OOO" size, tiny waist. Sits on your lap like you don't know it's there. Four inches at the deepest (more would be welcome). Nut is 46mm or one and thirteen sixteenths; well wide spacing at the saddle - a whisker more than on my Larry OOO-50. Mine is the Engelman/RW A-32 model. They certainly have their own sound - some have said clinical, but I would say precise. Mine has now "opened-up" (if there is such a thing) or dried a bit (that does exist for sure) and it is the sweetest thing. I sometimes think of it as a steelstring claassical guitar that makes you improve, if you know what I mean. It can do tinkly rags sound like some of S Grossman's records (but I can't) but also sounds great in low C tuning, and you can tune it all down to Eb standard and capo for a short scale if you need it. Other guitars do loud strumming better (and in my view a Sigma DM is good enough for that kind of thing). All in all a great "European" guitar from Germany - home of the original Herr Martin. It is certainly different to Larrivee sound: different but equal - it'obvious. 

Sounds like you need a Martin OM !

Quote from: mrrinse on February 21, 2008, 04:48:21 AM
I've taken the plunge on a second hand McIlroy A25c (walnut/cedar with cutaway) with a K&K mini western after playing a new one (and an A20c) earlier today. Absolutely stunning guitars - the best I've played, I think! (I've played a bunch of Larrivees, and some high end Martins, a few Lowdens, a Breedlove and a few custom builds). Hopefully it arrives tomorrow (or possibly Tues/Wed next week) for delivery .... very excited (and very impatient!).

The actual guitar I'm buying is featured on the McIlroy website: go to product range, A series gallery and scroll right. My A25c is the middle of the three guitars.

Now I need to sell the Taylor 510 (which has stunning tone, I just can't deal with the 1 11/16 neck) - and maybe the LV-19 CA too - to create the space (and funds!).

Thanks for all the tips, which will no doubt come in handy for the next GAS attack!

Dan

    I reposted this after a few more responses so others could see that you HAVE found what you wanted. I do have a question about the 1 11/16 neck, exactly what was your problem in dealing with it. I really would like some thoughts on this, if you want to share a few, Thanks, Danny

Thanks Danny - and everyone else for the replies.
I just find 1 11/16 necks to narrow. I know it's only just over 1 mm, but it seems to make a big difference to me (I play pretty much exclusively fingerstyle).
I'm finding the McIllroy suits somethings better than others. It's very loud, very light and treble notes have a richness and thickness to them.

.


Might I suggest something like this

00-18VS

Sorry Denis

(http://www.pbase.com/shadco/image/92430337.jpg)

I know that my next guitar will be european and it will have a cedar top.
(either that or a 9 series L :D)

The question comes down to whether it will be a Lakewood or a Furch(aka Stonebridge) , a German or a Czech:)

Antoine Dufour has a Furch (and also a Jumbo Larri!) and Ulli Bögershausen has a Lakewood. Fine fingerstyle players if you ask me :D

SNP - if you're in the market for a european cedar topped guitar, definitely do checkout McIlroys!

McIlroys have too steep a pricetag for me though :(
I think that they are similar ato Lowden's as far as price is concerned.

Anyway, by the time I'll be going for that second guitar, hopefully, I'll also have that amount of money to spend :D

Yup - though they are a bit cheaper than Lowdens. I've seen a few s/h A25c (walnut/cedar with cutaway and no-cut electronics) McIlroys going in the £1150-£1350 price range (if I'm allowed to talk prices!), including the one I picked up. They don't come along all that often though!
I guess that's still more than many Lakewoods, but not hugely. FWIW, Lakewood were also on my shortlist!
Best of luck with it,
Dan

Hi Dan,

Could you tell me where you find such prices for Mc Ilroy ?

Cheers,
Franck

There was one on e-bay about a month ago - relisted 3 times. Didn't sell at around the £1k mark and then sold for more later. It looked like it was in vgc. I get the impression that their pretty hard to come across s/h and often go for more. Hanks in Denmark street has a AS15 but they're asking more, it has no pickup, and it's not in great condition. I suspect you'd have to wait around to find a price like that...

I guess there's no harm in contacting Dermot directly either to see if he know about the s/h market.

New, a shop near Ealing had a couple in and would do a deal for cash.

PM me if you need any more info.

Hope this helps,

Dan

Martin OMC (not cheap for a factory guitar), Yamaha LS-26/36, Taylor 512/GC5, Guild OC-something (can't remeber the exact model name, but it's the small OM that's made in USA).

If you want to go boutique, can't go wrong with a Bourgeois OMC, or a vintage OM.

How about an older Martin D28

What we need is more Larrivées and less of this ... crazy talk!!!   :nana_guitar

Quote from: The Guitarman on April 23, 2008, 04:37:52 PM
How about an older Martin D28

I think he said he played finger style exclusively.  Although a D-28 is pretty good for anything.

Quote from: Calvin on April 23, 2008, 07:27:08 PM
I think he said he played finger style exclusively.  Although a D-28 is pretty good for anything.

You are absolutely right.   I was thinking about a replacement for the Taylor 510 he was selling.

Even though a D-28 would be a good addition to any collection, A Martin 00-18V or VS with an 1 3/4" neck and a short scale would be a better choice for finger style playing.  The only thing to get used to might be the Martin V-Neck.  At my age with all the aches and pains in the left hand the Martin neck feels better to me than a lot of others.

Yep, Age, Aches and Pains are re-forming my guitar selections a lot. Danny

Quote from: mrrinse on April 22, 2008, 05:58:04 PM
There was one on e-bay about a month ago - relisted 3 times. Didn't sell at around the £1k mark and then sold for more later. It looked like it was in vgc. I get the impression that their pretty hard to come across s/h and often go for more. Hanks in Denmark street has a AS15 but they're asking more, it has no pickup, and it's not in great condition. I suspect you'd have to wait around to find a price like that...

I guess there's no harm in contacting Dermot directly either to see if he know about the s/h market.

New, a shop near Ealing had a couple in and would do a deal for cash.

PM me if you need any more info.

Hope this helps,

Dan

Thanks for the information Mrrinse !
:smile:

It sounds pretty hard though to find one on Ebay...
Anyway, I'm a owner-to-be of a LV-05E and I'm sure it will fulfill all my needs for some time !
:tongue:

I might come back to Mc Ilroy later on even if the 3000€ price tag begins to get scary..