So, it's been a while since the FVI.  I have one and love it.  And I see a couple of recent comments about Forum guitars.  Figured I might as well be the one to mention this.

Got me wondering about what woods Larrivee might have to do a new Forum build. 

Anyone interested? 

This must be what it feels like when someone gets a call from their old dealer after getting sober off drugs!  :humour:

As one of the 19 original Forum VI owners, I went back and reviewed the thread on this topic that was started on 5/8/21. This project was started by Forum member "Mike from Lytle" who was also the point person with John Larrivee to make the Forum VI a reality. My two suggestions if a Forum VII guitar also becomes a reality are: 1) Be open to compromise on the specs and 2) Be patient after you place your order. 

My recollection is that Jean had a special stash of Moonwood Spruce to use for the tops and that Matthew had a supply of Walnut for the back and sides. John and Mike did a great job throughout the process creating options and keeping interested parties focused on developing the final specs. What they landed on was a truly unique Forum VI guitar. I actually ended up coordinating  an order for two identical FVI guitars including one for a friend in Virginia. On a side note, I was a frequent visitor at Trinity Guitars during the Forum III and Forum IV builds even though I didn't participate in either program.

In the past year, I took delivery on two more Larrivees including a Baker T Pro (electric) and a Mahogany topped 00-24 so my guitar room is pretty well stocked.

In closing, my Forum VI and 00-24 both arrived after being shipped 2,500 miles from California to Pennsylvania with a perfect set-up right out of the box. One was shipped in February and the other was shipped in October and I left them in their shipping box for 24 hours to acclimate to my guitar room.

I'd potentially be interested though I was also thinking that there might be a 60th Anniversary model.

I'm sure we've all got parlours, L's and OM's coming out of our ears in mahogany / rosewood, sitka / moon spruce.
I wonder what could be different... slot head OO with mysterious top wood and Braz / Madagascar!?

I'm sure my partner would say... How about no new guitars 😂

When we were sending in our individual wish lists for the Forum VI, I originally suggested an all mahogany, 24.9" 12 fret short scale 00 guitar with a slotted headstock.  We ended up with an LS-03 with a moonwood top, walnut back and sides, 12 fret neck with a 25.5" scale, scalloped bracing and a solid headstock. The final specs for the Forum VI were quite different from what I originally envisioned but I jumped onboard anyway and ordered one.

Imagine my surprise when Larrivee introduced the short scale 24 series last spring with in a variety of body shapes including the 00. I e-mailed the company and asked if I could order one with a mahogany top instead of Adirondack spruce and they immediately agreed. The only thing missing from my original wish list was a slotted headstock. This guitar is a perfect companion to my custom LV-03 12 string with a mahogany top. I ordered it in mid-May 2024 and it arrived in early October 2024.

Since 2005, I've ordered four custom guitars including three Larrivees and a Martin 12 fret 000 from the Custom Shop in 2015. Mine has a short scale neck, a slotted headstock and three piece mahogany back and sides. What I've discovered is that many players are unwilling to pay for the cost of more expensive upgrades, I.E. a slotted headstock, short scale neck and three piece back.

One of the many things I liked about the forum VI was that the price for the final design was very reasonable. I was dissapointed that I was about a month late in joining this great forum to get an order in for the VI.  Although I'd love something super exotic like Brazilian rosewood, I think that would make the price of a forum VII skyrocket.

Food for thought.

The goal of a Forum guitar should be to create something that is unique. As StringPicker6 noted, Brazilian rosewood or Koa would probably scare potential buyers off from a forum guitar because of the increased cost and availability of the wood.

To my knowledge, Larrivee has not done a slope shouldered dreadnought or a O body forum guitar yet. I looked at the custom shop pricing on Larrivee's website. There is a $300 upcharge for either Silver Oak or Zebrawood and either of those choices would most likely appeal to some buyers who wanted something different in a forum guitar. There is also a headstock option with a silver border for a $150 upcharge that would compliment a silver oak body. If they added seven silver oak leaf or acorn fret markers to commemorate the Forum VII guitar that would look cool. With the exception of my parlor, my other three acoustic Larrivees have an archtop case which has been a $70 or $80 upcharge over a flattop case. Well worth the extra expense.

True re cost of Braz!
My only thought re "mystery top" was that 90% of the sound comes from the top so would be really cool if had Carpathian spruce, Engelmann, just something different. I'd be out if it were silver oak as for some absurd reason, it hurts my ears (!) but I'd be happy for you guys. Oh to dream :)

I pulled my all hog parlor off the market. After playing it a lot the last few days I realized I'd kick myself repeatedly for letting it go.

Mentioned was an all hog 00, but I thought I already saw a 00-40 all hog not that long ago. Could be wrong  ??

I started a post recently about a 00 12 fret Short scale. I don't know what the jury thinks about that?

I just bought a different brand do to the availability and wood choices Larrivee is currently offering.

But, please no more irw.

Any opinions on a 00 12 fret short scale cedar/Honduran mahogany? With a past spec from Larrivee, hold on  - a 12"-20" compound radius board  ? ?

Thoug

That was a wise move taking your All mahogany parlor off the market. That will be a good guitar to hang onto. I have a Sitka/Flamed Maple parlor that I won't part with either.

The 40 series has an all mahogany 000 as a standard offering and a 00 with a spruce top and mahogany back and sides but both have a 25.5" scale. The 24 series makes both a 00 and 000 short scale (12 fret, 24.9" scale) that come standard with an Adirondack top and mahogany back and sides. I ordered a 00-24 with a mahogany top, back and sides that I love. On the Larrivee website there is a $150 upcharge for mahogany.

Larrivee doesn't list cedar or Honduran mahogany in their custom pricing tab but a dealer or customer service could tell you if either wood choice is available. I have had great success with Larrivee accommodating my special requests.

I hope this helps.

I agree re no more EIR, it seems to be on a lot of special editions, or Anniversary models.

Glad that you guys like your parlours. I personally get very tired of hearing people say they're boxy and need a "fuller sounding" guitar. I get that, but the parlours are pro-grade instruments with a voice full of character and if you know how to play, I guarantee you can make that thing sound full (even for strumming - so many people can't even strum properly... Naturally, it's the guitar's fault). teh.... How do you find 24" parlour feel, tone etc compared to the 24.9" OO?

Anyway, gripe over.

Slot head OO with a different top wood to Sitka/ADI/moon (given this is 90% of the sound and we've probably all got these tops by now) and I'd be in.

First off, this thread about a Forum VII has only generated a dozen responses over the weekend and four of them are mine. Maybe more people will chime in this week with their thoughts about another run. People interested in a forum guitar have to remember three things: 1) Keep an open mind, 2) Be willing to compromise, 3) Be patient.

G-Man:
When I bought my Vancouver built Parlor new back in May 2004, I had two Sitka/Mahogany, two Sitka/Rosewood and one Special Edition Sitka/Flamed Maple to choose from. The Maple parlor came from a limited run of 100, it really projected well and was visually superior so that's the one that came home with me. I immediately removed the clear pickguard and ordered a hardshell case even though I kept the original padded gig bag that came with the parlor.

I realize that the parlor is not everyone's cup of tea but it is the perfect guitar for a couch picker like me and as a traveling guitar. For those who complain about the sound of a parlor, I always tell them to google "Jason Wilber" who was John Prine's sideman for 24 years. Jason is a great guitar player, performer and songwriter and his primary acoustic guitar is a Larrivee Sitka/Mahogany Parlor. Anyone who is not impressed with his playing should either find another instrument or find a new hobby.

The difference between the 24" scale on the parlor and the 24.9" scale on my 00-24 and my Martin 000 12 fret is minimal. I do notice a difference on my 12 fret Forum VI and my 14 fret guitars (D-35 and OM-35) because each of them has a 25.4" scale. It's also worth noting that all six of these guitars have a different body shape (Parlor, 00, LSV, Dreadnought, OM, 000), four of the six have scalloped bracing, two different finishes (Larrivees are Satin, Martins are gloss) and there are five different wood combinations used.

My only slot head is the Martin 000 and it was a $600 upcharge back in 2015. When I offered my suggested specs for the Forum VI, I originally requested an all mahogany 00 with a 12 fret, 24.9" scale, scalloped bracing and a slotted headstock. We landed on a Moonwood/Walnut LSV-03 with a 12 fret, 25.4" scale and solid headstock which opened my imagination to new ideas. 💡 My awareness of Forum Guitars dates back to 2009 when Trinity Guitars worked with Larrivee to create the Forum III that produced an initial run of 78 guitars.

Thanks Teh, yeah all hogs are a different creature. If you're willing to bend to how they want to be played, it's magic.
Like an on again off again girlfriend, I'm again captured and back in love.

Back to forum guitar. I've never played one with an arm bevel. Thoughts  ?

Along the idea of no EIR, maybe we've had enough abalone, I know I have. There's some real sweet wood rosettes to opt for.

Someone had mentioned the possibility of a 60th anniversary instrument. I think Iu'd be inclined to wait and see what comes of this. I know what I want in an instrument, but I might be inclined to waver from this position if it was an anniversary instrument.

Thanks for the info, teh!
I agree - not too much difference between 24" and 24.9" but going up to 25.5" is a marked difference.
I love the size of the parlours - great couch guitars.

Gutted I missed those walnut specials.
The Peruvian stuff looks great.
Arm bevel would be cool!
I'm only guessing about a 60th special but I can't see them not doing that. Surely....

Good to see the comments about a FVII.  When I posted I figured I'd get shot down fairly quickly.   :winkin:

I'd be fairly open if this does fly but my preferences currently go towards 12 fret and OOO size.  Guess that's in part why I enjoy my FVI so much.  Great size.

I was also wondering about the 60th and what kinds of woods and size Larrivee might be thinking of - if they are.  Maybe a 60th that is done in a slightly different version as a Forum guitar??

Why not a Forum D-03, considering it's the BEST GUITAR IN THE WORLD anyway?
 :humour:

Quote from: Silence Dogood on May 26, 2025, 11:09:24 AMWhy not a Forum D-03, considering it's the BEST GUITAR IN THE WORLD anyway?
 :humour:

Now I'm on board LOL.

Haha love it :)

Quote from: jazzereh on May 26, 2025, 11:02:38 AMI'd be fairly open if this does fly but my preferences currently go towards 12 fret and OOO size.  Guess that's in part why I enjoy my FVI so much.  Great size.

I could also consider the 000-03 as that model is quite rare and is the only model I keep an eye out for, and it is already 12 fret and the right size. My wood preferences are what is normally available, but sitka/walnut would be good. If someone could convince me a hog top would sound better my arm could perhaps be twisted. Not interested in short scale.

A problem is that the Larrivee site seems to have the guitar prices adjusted to MAP, but the custom price list has not been updated though reference to MSRP has been deleted. We will have a tougher time calculating our cost, and I think it will be not easy to keep the guitar under 3000 dollars. We would need good current price info from John Jr.
Mike

Quote from: thoug on May 26, 2025, 10:14:47 AMBack to forum guitar. I've never played one with an arm bevel. Thoughts  ?
Along the idea of no EIR, maybe we've had enough abalone, I know I have. There's some real sweet wood rosettes to opt for.

Larrivee does not build arm bevels.
Regarding rosettes, we will probably end up with whatever rosette Larrivee has for the basic model we are building from. That doesn't mean we can't change it. We had a LOT of rosette discussion for the F-VI. We ended up with the normal -03 herringbone cause that is what Jean intended for that series. The old mosaic and current -24 series rosette are both cool.
Mike

Mike,

Thanks for weighing in with your thoughts since you were the forum contact who coordinated the Forum VI build with John to make this project a reality. In record time during the pandemic I might add. My decision to join the group and buy a Forum VI guitar was one of the best experiences I've had in 50+ years of playing and the guitar exceeded my expectations. 

Quote from: teh on May 26, 2025, 08:35:25 PMThanks for weighing in with your thoughts since you were the forum contact who coordinated the Forum VI build with John to make this project a reality. In record time during the pandemic I might add. My decision to join the group and buy a Forum VI guitar was one of the best experiences I've had in 50+ years of playing and the guitar exceeded my expectations.

Tom,
I appreciate the enthusiasm by Ralph and yourself. I seem to be mere hours from opening a spreadsheet to keep track of our preferences. I don't need to be the one to do that, but am happy to do it. It will be up to the group, like the F-VI.
We have a couple mentions of OO, a couple mentions of 000, a couple mentions of the D-03. We will take all input seriously and who knows what will happen, but if you make a preference it will be recorded.
We need to talk about wood preferences, a well as the body style. All opinions are welcome.
I would give us 6 weeks maximum to come up with a specification to present to Larrivee for the F-VII.
Mike

Rosewood fingerboards can be a beautiful touch.

Quote from: StringPicker6 on May 26, 2025, 09:38:56 PMRosewood fingerboards can be a beautiful touch.

And we can record your preference for rosewood over ebony for the fingerboard.
What body style and wood preferences do you have?
Mike

You folk are just mean.          :humour:

Quote from: Rockysdad on May 26, 2025, 10:01:06 PMYou folk are just mean.          :humour:

Everyone will be given every opportunity to get involved or add to the discussion about woods, etc.
Feel free to jump in.
Mike

I've got OMs coming out of my ears and anything bigger kills my ears - 12 fret (due to that amazing bass resonance) OO or LS with slot head would be super cool.

B&S rosewood (madi would look and sound killer) or walnut (Peruvian?). Have never tried Malaysian blackwood - ziricote which is also on the list is different. I was going to say Tassie Blackwood but I'm getting that on my Halcyon.

Top ... Engelmann (the stiff stuff) or cedar (not necessarily my pick) or another of these Euro spruces.

Main thing for me is the lower bridge connection for that added sustain & resonance but on a slightly bigger guitar with different woods (so that it's unique and sounds different because the top is 90% of the sound).

Gloss body, satin neck. That'll cost but would be cool.

Symettricaly braced is typically my preference and I also think the old mosaic is cool (would match slotted headstock and pyramid bridge... Slot head might have to drop as costs $$$ and would rather have the new wood type). Btw I assume UK forumites can be a part of this?

Is there a listing of the Forum instruments that have been made so far (body style, woods, string lengths)?

William, there is a link that lists all of the Forum guitars built to date. I'll look it up later today. The Forum III offered three choices but most Forum guitars were only one model. The Forum VI offered the options of adding a Venetian cutaway and a choice of pickups.

The two body styles missing from my small collection are a slope shouldered dreadnought and an "0"body which isn't all that different from my parlor. I've acquired three Larrivees in the past four years including two in the last 12 months so I may have to sit this one out. However, I believe I have one or two more guitars in my future so who knows. It may depend on final specs including wood choices.

After three years of playing a long scale 12 fret model, Larrivee has created a winner. My last minute decision to add a Venetian cutaway to my Forum VI when John took my order proved to be a good one. I will add that the radial wood rosette and the vine inlay on the headstock of my 00-24 really look even better in person than in the photos.

Checking out San Antonio dealer Guitar Tex, their website shows two Larrivees including one with koa back and sides and one with Silver Oak back and sides. They also have a 1955 Martin 00-17 listed which happens to be my birth year. Since my son and daughter-in-law now live in San Antonio, I may try to stop by on my next visit.

Another idea....
If we really wanted to build an affordable F-VII, would anyone be open to the idea of basing it off the new -01 series? I sent an email to John asking if Larrivee could build a 000-01. It is not offered as part of the -01 line. Which means nobody except us would have one.
Mike

I have played Myopic Squirrel's 000-40, and that 12 fret body and shape was very comfortable and sounded heavenly. Zebrano wood is very beautiful, but I'm not sure where it stands sonically.

as 001 mentioned above, if it is going to be rosewood Madagascar would be very cool

just wondering , does anybody else like the compound radius board besides me ?

like Larrivee used to make

I move between them without noticing tbh ..

I had a good talk with John, and I will start a new thread later today with a solid idea on a Forum VII guitar based on the -01 series.
Mike