Main Forums => Larrivée Guitars => Topic started by: willguitar on October 31, 2009, 11:46:16 AM

Title: I had no idea when I bought...
Post by: willguitar on October 31, 2009, 11:46:16 AM
... an L-03 Bubinga what a amazing instrument that would turn out to be! The tone blows me away. It plays like a dream. Been playing it exclusively (accept to compare with others) for a week. Wow!

Maybe it is the Thomastik strings, bone saddle and/or Colosi bone pins (one or more in combination)? And maybe tone woods really do make a difference...  :winkin:  Whatever the "pixie dust" is, one sits up an notices!

:nice guitar:
Title: Re: I had no idea when I bought...
Post by: Randy_R on October 31, 2009, 12:22:37 PM
 :guitar

Its always great to find a guitar that makes you want to play more...
Title: Re: I had no idea when I bought...
Post by: strawintogold on October 31, 2009, 01:39:12 PM
See, I told you it was magical....  it's nice to see your good deed wonderfully rewarded. It's also nice to know iit's getting played as it should.
Title: Re: I had no idea when I bought...
Post by: jbrummer on October 31, 2009, 01:39:59 PM
Glad to hear you like your new acquisition!  I had a chance to play one of those Bubinga's last summer alongside a bunch of other Larrivees and Taylors and its tone and playability impressed me most.  I ended up buying a Silver Oak a few weeks later and have no regrets, but I still have great memories of the look and sound of that Bubinga.  Enjoy!  Here's to alternative tone woods :smile:
Title: Re: I had no idea when I bought...
Post by: strawintogold on October 31, 2009, 01:54:21 PM
I told Will that the Bubinga reminds me of the old man at the fire during story time. It has a very compelling tone about it, makes you want to lean in a bit more and listen.
Title: Re: I had no idea when I bought...
Post by: willguitar on October 31, 2009, 02:49:35 PM
Holly,

That is an apt description. In fact several stories came through during story time this very morning (3 new songs). Oh, did I forget to tell you that my life is now ruined 'cause I only want to play this guitar all day long and do nothing else?  :winkin:

You are a remarkable person Holly.  :smile:

Will B. Enjoyingtheguitar
Title: Re: I had no idea when I bought...
Post by: mas music on October 31, 2009, 02:58:44 PM
I to am a Bubinga L03 owner enthusiast. My guitar is completely stock except for a fresh set of Dean Markley Goldbronce strings. They sound terrific but am curious about Thomastik Strings as I have never tried them before. 
Title: Re: I had no idea when I bought...
Post by: willguitar on October 31, 2009, 03:11:21 PM
I was new to the Thomastik strings until I purchased this guitar. Holly is a great fan of them. They feel great to me. Then there's the killer tone. Obviously, strings contribute to that. I wonder how much in this case? Next string change I'll try my go-to Martin strings or some EJ-16s and compare. Mas Music, please get a set and try them when you can and report back comparing before and after (note: they are in the $15.00 USD range). This guitar definitely has some wow factor and not merely nice...  My Larrivee D-05 has done that as well (but that needs to be another thread)...
Title: Re: I had no idea when I bought...
Post by: strawintogold on October 31, 2009, 04:37:00 PM
Quote from: mas music on October 31, 2009, 02:58:44 PM
I to am a Bubinga L03 owner enthusiast. My guitar is completely stock except for a fresh set of Dean Markley Goldbronce strings. They sound terrific but am curious about Thomastik Strings as I have never tried them before. 

I bought them  based on how they felt. Luckily they sounded good too. They are expensive but the feel of them is sooooo nice. I can't tell you how they sound compared to any other string because I'm not that well versed, but they are my fav.
Title: Re: I had no idea when I bought...
Post by: mas music on October 31, 2009, 11:22:43 PM
Quote from: willguitar on October 31, 2009, 03:11:21 PM
I was new to the Thomastik strings until I purchased this guitar. Holly is a great fan of them. They feel great to me. Then there's the killer tone. Obviously, strings contribute to that. I wonder how much in this case? Next string change I'll try my go-to Martin strings or some EJ-16s and compare. Mas Music, please get a set and try them when you can and report back comparing before and after (note: they are in the $15.00 USD range). This guitar definitely has some wow factor and not merely nice...  My Larrivee D-05 has done that as well (but that needs to be another thread)...

I just did a bit of net research. My question is do you use  Spectrum or Plectrum Thomastik strings ?
Title: Re: I had no idea when I bought...
Post by: strawintogold on November 01, 2009, 06:58:30 AM
Spectrum, Plectrum are gentler strings used for more I don't know, weary, guitars? Older guitars, guitars with weaker bracing, etc.  I'm pretty sure I use the Lights. I'd have to go look at a pack. I'm almost positive all my strings are Lights regardless of brand.

Plectrum

Soft sounding, low tension

Plectrum Acoustic Series are soft sounding strings for acoustic guitar with low tension on the bottom end. The plain strings are made of brass coated steel, the wound strings have a silk inlay in combination with a highly flexible steel core. A, D, G strings are polished bronze flatwound, Bass-E is polished bronze roundwound. PLECTRUM are available for 6- and 12-string instruments.
Title: Re: I had no idea when I bought...
Post by: hadden on November 01, 2009, 07:35:12 AM
Quote from: willguitar on October 31, 2009, 02:49:35 PM
In fact several stories came through during story time this very morning (3 new songs). Oh, did I forget to tell you that my life is now ruined 'cause I only want to play this guitar all day long and do nothing else?  :winkin:



A great guitar that inspires you. That's what it's all about.  :thumb
Title: Re: I had no idea when I bought...
Post by: willguitar on November 01, 2009, 08:03:59 AM
hadden,

Yeah.  :bgrin:

Here's a link to the strings Holly purchased:

http://www.elderly.com/accessories/names/thomastik-infeld-ac111-acoustic-guitar-set--AC111.htm

Holly, do these strings need to be "tied" on to the tuners (what I see on the guitar)? I tend to restring my guitars like what the Taylor tech does (see http://www.taylorguitar.com/see-hear/default.aspx?id=1004). Thanks.
Title: Re: I had no idea when I bought...
Post by: willguitar on November 11, 2009, 10:05:28 AM
As I play this guitar, it reminds me of a Martin (the bass). Any other bubinga players notice this?

:nice guitar:
Title: Re: I had no idea when I bought...
Post by: kwakatak on November 11, 2009, 07:21:35 PM
OK, now I'm enticed. Can somebody please post a sound clip?  :drool:
Title: Re: I had no idea when I bought...
Post by: strawintogold on November 12, 2009, 07:52:32 AM
Quote from: willguitar on November 01, 2009, 08:03:59 AM
hadden,

Yeah.  :bgrin:

Here's a link to the strings Holly purchased:

http://www.elderly.com/accessories/names/thomastik-infeld-ac111-acoustic-guitar-set--AC111.htm

Holly, do these strings need to be "tied" on to the tuners (what I see on the guitar)? I tend to restring my guitars like what the Taylor tech does (see http://www.taylorguitar.com/see-hear/default.aspx?id=1004). Thanks.


I don't imagine so, I just do them that way because I do them that way,lol.
Title: Re: I had no idea when I bought...
Post by: strawintogold on November 12, 2009, 07:54:24 AM
Oh, if that method (sorry still fuzzy) means you cut the string before it's wound, you may have issues, honest I'm so foggy I can't recall, but i want to say they need to be wound and then cut.
Title: Re: I had no idea when I bought...
Post by: Queequeg on November 12, 2009, 08:27:19 AM
I use the Taylor method too with the battery-powered winder. I cut before I wind. If you bend the string just a bit in the opposite direction of the wind immediately after it exits the hole in the post, it will stay in place when you wind it.
Title: Re: I had no idea when I bought...
Post by: strawintogold on November 12, 2009, 09:23:27 AM
Isn't there an issue with some strings unwinding if there if not wrapped first? My brain isn't working? Going back to bed.  I know it's in my brain SOME where. But since I had to respell brain like, four times, I think I've had enough for today.
Title: Re: I had no idea when I bought...
Post by: Queequeg on November 12, 2009, 09:39:35 AM
Quote from: strawintogold on November 12, 2009, 09:23:27 AM
Isn't there an issue with some strings unwinding if there if not wrapped first? My brain isn't working? Going back to bed.  I know it's in my brain SOME where. But since I had to respell brain like, four times, I think I've had enough for today.
On slotheads I "cross-wrap" the strings to lock them in. On the paddleheads I don't bother with this, but I make sure I've got at least three wraps on the 4th, 5th, and 6th string and  four or five wraps on the 1st, 2nd & 3rd strings.
I've never had a problem with them slipping out.
Title: Re: I had no idea when I bought...
Post by: lyric_girl on November 12, 2009, 08:50:32 PM
They are amazing. Congratulations! :gotpics:
Title: Re: I had no idea when I bought...
Post by: strawintogold on November 13, 2009, 11:05:27 AM
I mean unwrapping from the string core. I swear I recall reading something about strings that are hand wrapped, I don't know,lol.  I'll be off for awhile again. Confirmed H1N1 in Gabriels class means it a good chance this is what I have and he just had. Apparently the Swine flu makes no concession for us Halal folks.
Title: Re: I had no idea when I bought...
Post by: AgeOfEmpires on November 20, 2009, 02:54:29 PM
Been too busy at work to check out the forum recently.  Glad to hear there is yet another satisfied BB owner out there.  My BB is my one and only Larrivee and I am very pleased with it.  The best sound so far that I've gotten is with the current set of Dean Markley GoldPhos mediums.  I'll add thomastik to the list to be tried in the future.  Next up are some Newtones.

Title: Re: I had no idea when I bought...
Post by: willguitar on November 20, 2009, 03:20:06 PM
AgeOfEmpires,

Appreciate your comments. May try the strings you've used.

Picked up the L-03BB again this morning after not playing it for a week (other guitars to play). Love at first sight... AGAIN. It is a tone monster.
Title: Re: I had no idea when I bought...
Post by: willguitar on November 22, 2009, 10:20:21 AM
For those interested, there is a L-03BB listed on the For Trade/Wanted forum.
Title: Re: I had no idea when I bought...
Post by: D. Dubya on December 01, 2009, 01:32:05 AM
If it's rlouie's L-03BB you're talkin' bout, I traded my Taylor for it!  Also, allow me to clear up the mystery about the strings that can't be cut before they're wound. I use DR Sunbeams, which have a round core and DR recommends that they not be cut prior to stringing up because the wrap wire could slip off of the core. I don't know about any other strings, but round core DRs fit that profile. So, you're not dreaming/crazy.