I am wanting a Larrivee parlor. It seems that there is some bias toward mahogany on parlors. Can anyone compare a maple vs. a mahogany parlor? Maple works well, in my opinion, on jumbos and big bodied twelve strings. Does it have enough bass on a small body?

I've got a maple/cedar Goodall parlor that sounds great with plenty of low end, however, it's really closer to a OO size.  I also think the cedar has a bit to do with the warmth.  I've got an all mahogany Larrivee Parlor for sale on this forum that sounds better than any other Larrivee parlor I've tried.  I'd be interested to hear a maple Larrivee parlor as well. 

Clark: Didn't you buy the L-09 12 String QM from Trinity? In 10 years, I will be writing about "the one that got away" and it will be that 12 string. Jim also has (or had) a QM gloss Parlor and I will check it out on Saturday when I attend the Martin Clinic from his grand opening. If I had only played a mahogany parlor, I would have been perfectly happy but my flamed maple parlor really sings with light gauge strings especially when I tune it to open C.

P.S. Since everyone's playing style and preferences are so varied, I am always a little apprehensive about being so positive because the parlor does leave some forum members a little flat. Mine filled a nice niche although it's over at my son's house right now. I will say that it puts my 3 month old granddaughter right to sleep in front of the fire.

Yes, I did buy your L-09-12 right out from under you! I have a couple of Santa Cruzs that I hate to travel with so I bought a Baby Taylor. It is better than not having a guitar to play on the road, but not by much. I thought a nicer parlor might fill the bill. So you prefer your maple parlor over mahogany?

Clark

I have a Larrivee parlor with maple back and sides and think it is just the right one.  Had it almost 2 years.  Picked it up used in a trade + cash for my Seagull Folk.  Had a baby taylor for trravel and it was a lemon.  couldn't keep it in tune so it was very annoying even for just travel.  I had tried a couple of Larrivees previously that I either wasn't quite ready for or they werent as good.  When this one came up though, I knew it was perfect for me right away.  I like the slightly brighter sound of the maple for this little guitar.  Just suits me.  I flatpick and strum.  Fiddle tunes and folk stuff.  Play it at home most days, take it on the road in the car on overnight work trips.  Havent taken it on a plane.  A friend gave me a little LX1 as a present and I take that on planes.  I think trying parlors out like other guitars is a good idea if possible.  However, No one I know of makes one that is quite like the Larrivee.  Even if you spend a lot more on a Goodall or Santa Cruz, they are larger guitars and more of a 00 and dont make a good comparison with regard to size, performance or price.  There are less expensive parlor guitars I like s.a. A&L and Seagull, but if you 'normalize' for price, the I would expect you to prefer a Larrivee. 

Live anywhere near Washington, DC?  Come try mine.  There are some for sale new and used in the area as well.

Jeff   

Thanks for the offer (and the information), but Texas is a long way from Washington!

maple is a good option on the larrivee parlor. but, if you're looking for bass, i'm not sure you get it. the maple parlor that i owned had a very direct and clear tone. it was great for finger picking, but a bit jangly when strummed. the mahogany on the other hand was direct, but had a bit more bass and a little more color when strummed. not sure if that helps, but if you're going to use a maple parlor primarily for fingerstyle, that would be a good application for it.

My parlor is perfect for car trips (business or personal) and I use it primarily for fingerstyle. I will concede it's not a strummer but then I have an L Bodied Larrivee, Dread and OM for that. As I mentioned, tuning down to Open C or down a step to D gives me all the bass I need. Plus there seems to be a fairly good supply of Mahogany Parlor guitars out there. The Maple gives a different texture that I don't get from my two rosewood guitars. I will eventually add a full size mahogany and jumbo maple 6 string to the line-up.

P.S. I use my Backpacker for airlines and hiking trips where weight and safety are an issue. I don't trust the airlines with any of my full size guitars although I have been told that a Parlor will fit into an overhead compartment but those are always full of luggage and I can usually fit the backpacker into a small space.

I have maple (back and sides) parlor which I love dearly.  As others have said, maple sounds clear and bright, but in my opinion the lower end is not it's strength.  That doesn't bother me; I'm purely fingerstyle, and midrange and treble notes just sing out of the guitar.  That more than compensates for a weak low end.

Greg

I bought a Larrivee P-09FM (flamed maple) at the last Queen City Guitar show (in August).  I got to say that I would not have thought I would LOVE it as much as I do.  I've owned a couple of older P-01's (all satin) in mahogany and rosewood, a "special edition" rosewood (same guitar with binding) and this 2009 P-09. 

Each have different voices, sweet spots, volume.  The maple parlor I have is definitely more QUIET, but balanced enough for fingerstyle and light strumming.  It records VERY well.  It's balanced across the 6 strings (as is my P-01 rosewood that I currently have for sale) but I would agree with the previous post: the bottom end is less pronounced with the maple body. 

To my ears, the lack of bottom end is very welcomed (in light of other guitars that play with).  It's got a tonal range that kinda falls in the arch top acoustic range but with better resonance.  It's not hard to get that real, bygone voice out of it.  I close my eyes and HEAR the Carter Family sometimes. 

To each their own, but to mine... I love the maple parlor.  I also loved the mahogany and rosewood ones too... for slightly different reasons.  Of all that I've owned, the rosewood parlor (that I presently own and have for sale on this forum) is the loudest and most balanced (across the 6 strings). 

If you're interested in the Larrivee rosewood parlor (P-01 with bone nut/saddle, strap button, Fishman active under saddle pick up, OSSC and new Canadian hard shell case), professionally repaired (glued/cleated) top seam, email me at Rspreitzer@bellsouth.net.  You can also check out pictures of the rosewood parlor at my MySpace page (www.myspace.com/rickspreitzer).  Go to pictures and you'll see about 5 pics of the guitar. 


http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=39229086&albumId=2848446


Thanks,
Rick
www.rickspreitzer.com

Thanks to Rick for his tuneful rosewood parlor (P-01).  This parlor is SO nice that it's hard to imagine what the maple which Rick has held onto must sound like.

I'd be interested to know whether the OP has found a small-body guitar as yet.  Did you get a parlor or something else?

Our new used RW Larrivee parlor is delightfully clear; I will definitely miss it when it goes to the person we got it for.  Then again, there are lots more to explore & our other parlor, an overtone-rich Froggy Bottom P-12 (adi/koa) isn't going to run out of steam any time soon.  Still, I'd love to find a Larrivee parlor in walnut -- if you are reading this, and have one to sell, be sure to write jumpjibe@gmail.com

Maple is a fantastic choice for a parlor! Here's one on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Larrivee-Quilted-Maple-P-09-Parlor-From-LA-Guitar-Sales_W0QQitemZ230404393688QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item35a52c0ad8

I have a maple parlor and think its just great!  Had it about a year and a half.  I think the brightness adds something to the sound of a somewhat smaller guitar.  Have had a schertler pickup I bought from a forum member in it and I like that too.  Really a fun instrument to play.  I play it every day.

jeff