My guitar is an LV-03RE.  I've owned it and used it in our choir and at home the last 4 years of the 5 years I've had it.  I am the only owner of it.  It is a nice guitar, but there are things I do not care for, like the overtones...   Now I'm considering: a Guild GAD-30PCE, a Takamine EG523SC, a Yamaha LJX6C or if possible a Tacoma JK***.
What is your view of these guitars?

(Do you know where I could look for a Tacoma JK that is selling for a low price?)

This is just my opinion, and that with 5 pennies is worth a nickel... but... you asked!

I'm thinking that these are apples and oranges and slightly hard to compare. If you are trying to avoid the overtones of Rosewood, I would stay away from the Guild and Yamaha. You might be better with a Mahogany that tends to have less overtones and a less complex clarity.

The Tak is maple and the Tacoma is Koa, which tend to split the difference between Rosewood and Mahogany. But, the Tak is laminate back and sides. In fact, not only the Tak but the Guild and the Yamaha are all laminate back and sides. Your LV-03RE is an all solid wood guitar that, to me, would be "better" (whatever that is).

The Tacoma is the only other all solid wood guitar. However, it is a jumbo body style similar to the Yamaha and Takamine, which are all larger than your current L series. The Guild is an orchestra body style that is smaller than your Larrivee.

My suggestion? I think you should go play them. See if you tend towards Jumbo or Orchestra bodies. See if you like Mahogany better than Rosewood. And, maybe compare both to a Koa or Maple. Once you whittle down your preferences you can revisit various models in other brands that might match.

Who knows? You just might like a Larrivee LV-03 (mahogany) instead of the LV-03R (rosewood)!

Dale hands you good advice, well worth more than the aforementioned nickel. I agree that you will probably find mahogany more to your ear's liking than rosewood, but Dale's suggestion to go and play them is the best advice you can get. There are too many variables involved. Plus, it's not drudgery. Enjoy the mission to find the one that's right for you.

Quote from: Queequeg on March 09, 2010, 08:18:43 AM
....Dale's suggestion to go and play them is the best advice you can get. There are too many variables involved. Plus, it's not drudgery. Enjoy the mission to find the one that's right for you.

:+1: :+1:

Mahogany should be high up on the list if you want fewer overtones and more punch/clarity. I've had a Koa Taylor and they can vary widely from what I understand but mine seemed to have as much or more overtone than the rosewood, but different in the sustain, seemed to fall off quicker. Maple also is very reflective, hard wood. Play 'em, and play 'em some more, best advice out there.

Seems Dale knows guitars  :+1:

I agre with Dale but for one thing the Guild GAD is all solid wood.

Quote from: Dale_I on March 09, 2010, 01:09:04 AM
but the Guild and the Yamaha are all laminate back and sides.

The Guild is solid Spruce top with solid Padauk sides and back, not laminate.  It's made in China, but it's solid wood.  I believe all the laminate back (unbraced bowlback) guitars are made in the US, and actually I think they sound much better than the solid back instruments.

Then again, all of the Chinese made GAD guitars sound like they are stuffed with socks to me.  And actually I hate the very idea of a Chinese made "Guild".    Must contain Fender Hate...



I agree that if the OP is wanting to avoid overtones he should be looking at a Spruce/Mahogony or all Mahogony box. 

A used US built Guild D4 would be a good option if one can be found, so would a Martin 15 series.  Maybe a used Tacoma Roadking if one can be found.  Uh oh, here comes the Fender-Hate again... And of course I would be remiss if I did not recommend a Larrivee  -03E  (Mahogany or Sapele, not rosewood)

Quote from: unclrob on March 09, 2010, 12:26:49 PM
I agre with Dale but for one thing the Guild GAD is all solid wood.

I stand, (or sit, as it may be) corrected. Sorry.