For those who are lucky enough to have tried or bought the new SD-50 and/or SD-60, could you gives us some objective review on the guitar?  How does it sound different from the Larrivee Dread?  Does the shorter scale and join at 12th fret make it easier to play?

(Side note, I'm also curious on how this compare to Gibsons J-50(or J-45 or Working man 45), which has the meatier, warmer sound than alot of dread out there, especially for strumming).

Paging Todd!!! :lol:  

Sevenup
I bought the full sunburst form Dave, I have owned quite a number of guitars, I have owned 2 very good Gibson J45s.  Just to let you Know I sold my Martin D45 for the SD50SB. Now about the sound,of this guitar.  It is very warm and woody it has a vitage vibe for sure, it is very easy to play but it has a large neck 1 7/8" which does not bother me, I could see that to be a issue for some, I have huge hands.   It is great for strumming, it also finger picks very very well.  I also own a 1978 D09 That is a great Dread to be blunt it is the best ROSEWOOD DREAD I have ever played or owned.  Thank-you Dave.
Todd

Todd, thanks for replying.  I know each of the guitar you've mentioned(Gibson J45, Martin D45, Larrivee SD-50SB, Larrivee D-09) holds its own, but which would you say to have the best full(not boomy), warm, balanced sound for (1) strumming, and (2) for fingerpicking?

Right now I'm considering the Gibson J-50, Gibson Working man 45, Taylor 510, Larrivee D-03R, Larrivee SD-50 or SD-60.  But I really want a guitar that has that good projecting, full, warm sound that'll envelop you like a big, warm, comfortable blanket, and you can feel it in your stomach when you play :P

Sevenup
What is your price range, if money is not a concern then call Dave at Guitar Adoptions and buy the SD-50 Natural he has it right now,  I find Mahogany warm,full and very versitile and even.  I am a little bais I love Larrivee's, I am not a big Taylor fan, but they make good instuments, Gibson, well they are also very good guitars if you find the right one but that can be said for all the builders.  BUY the SD-50 you will not regret it.....
Todd

Well, money is kinda tight at the moment, that's why I have the lower end model of each brand on my list.  The main thing I'm looking for is the sound, but if that sound can only be found in the higher end model, I can save up the money and wait til then.

Sevenup
Call Dave at Guitar Adoptions at 1-877-241-4580,when I spoke  about price all I mean is that all the guitars you are looking at range in price, I also own a L-03R that STRUMS WELL and FINGER PICKS GREAT, and that is the best price on any soild wood guitar you will ever see for the quality.
Todd

Todd, funny you mentioned the L body.  I do have the LV-02 which i love for its clarity, especially when fingerpicking.  However, I find the bass strings abit on the soft side(I've asked about the soft bass questions on several other forums), and when strummed for accompanying, the combination of distinct note seperation and soft bass produces a sound that doesn't feel as full and harmonizing as it can be. Thus the reason for a Dread or a Slope Dread.   I'm by no mean giving up on the LV-02, I don't plan to sell it period.  I just figure fuller, warmer sounding guitar would do well to keep company with the LV-02.

QuoteTodd, funny you mentioned the L body.  I do have the LV-02 which i love for its clarity, especially when fingerpicking.  However, I find the bass strings abit on the soft side(I've asked about the soft bass questions on several other forums), and when strummed for accompanying, the combination of distinct note seperation and soft bass produces a sound that doesn't feel as full and harmonizing as it can be. Thus the reason for a Dread or a Slope Dread.   I'm by no mean giving up on the LV-02, I don't plan to sell it period.  I just figure fuller, warmer sounding guitar would do well to keep company with the LV-02.

seven,
Do you have a bone saddle on the L? You might be surprised with the increased clarity with bone.

orsino, I bought my LV-02 new, so I assume it has the standard graphtech Tusq for the nut and saddle?   If i switch them to bone would the increased clarity also increase note seperation?   Switching from plastic pins(I don't mean to start another bridge pin debate), to the Ebony seemed to make my LV02 sound abit warmer, but the bass notes are still soft.  I've got some D'Addario bluegrass(PB light-medium) on order, and a set of brass bridge pins which I plan to use on the bass strings(lower E, A, maybe D).

Sevenup
Tom is right change the saddle and nut to bone  that is the first thing I do to all my guitars.
Todd

FWIW,  I picked up a lot of clarity to the bottom register of my L-05MT with bone nut and saddle. Sustain and clarity...  
 And on my D-50,,,,, the bone saddle lost a bit of bass and made it a bit "harsh" in tone. I went back to Tusq on the D-50..... go figure???
 Also, I get more clarity and tone seperation with 80/20 bronze, than I do with PB.... (but that's just me)
Don...