These are part of the 30th Anniversary line.  They were very nice but VERY expensive.  Both are short scale, one pice neck, slot head.  I personally, I liked the cedar/mahogany one better but both were pretty nice and pretty to look at. 

http://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/model.aspx?model=XXX-MC
http://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/model.aspx?model=XXX-RS

I'd love to try those out.  Based on my previous experience with Taylors, I suspect I would also feel drawn toward the cedar/mahogany.  ...Just too expensive, though.

Yep, I like the short scale and specs. Now if Taylor would just leave off all that gaudy sparkly stuff and drop the street price by a thousand bucks, I might be interested...   :mellow:

Quote from: JasonA on November 01, 2005, 10:14:55 AM
Yep, I like the short scale and specs. Now if Taylor would just leave off all that gaudy sparkly stuff and drop the street price by a thousand bucks, I might be interested...   :mellow:

True, you could get several nice Larrivees, well, at least 2, for that price.

Traitor.

Get me some strings, we'll string him up.

Denis, those look awesome...

Quote from: Peter Cree on November 01, 2005, 12:45:36 PM
Traitor.

Get me some strings, we'll string him up.

Wait a sec....Peter, you own a Taylor, don't you?  A 12 string...that's twice the traitor!!!!!

Tar and feather him!!!

Tar and feather might be a good look for me.

The 355 isn't bad.  Going to bone it and raise the action a bit.  It's kind of too soft for me.  Not bad when mic'ed.

Hmmmmmm, tar and feathered , playing a Taylor..........could be the break I'm after.

Peter...those are nice guitars. Personally, I like the 355. I think it would be great for a home body guitar. Maybe the 455 would be the stage 12 string, huh?
I like almost every 355 I've played. The mahogany that does it. I think that mahogany in a jumbo is a good combination with sitka spruce.
Can you post a report once you put a bone saddle on your Taylor and share some insight with some of us other turncoats! :GRN>

Buddies,

I kid around about the Taylor etc.  With guitars its each to their own.  My 355 is one of Taylors good, dependable 12'ers which alot of musicians like.  built like a tank with Sapele and sitka.

Taylor gets alot of sales from its factory set-up which to me is very playable but at the expense of volume and tone.  It was the first guitar I did my custom finishing on because it had a rippled finish.  got it for wholesale.............

will bone it and see.  Heard of a number of musicians who have made those changes and play the instrument on stage.   

Most guitars can be tuned up etc to make them play at their best.

Personally, I think the 355's sound better than the 455.  I like the 355 acoustic over the cutaway.
What do you figure caused the ripple on the finish?
I've got my eye on one, Peter.
--Fred

hmmm wait till you try few Larrivee's it will change the way you admire Taylor....

Without starting a riot, I have tried quite a few. If I didn't have a sweet D-03 right now, I would probably be looking at a D-50--banjo killers!
But, I still like certain Taylors, certain Gibsons and sure do like a few Martins.
I hope I can still play here, fellas! ^_^
--Fred

Quote from: Fredmando on November 13, 2005, 06:27:04 PM
Without starting a riot, I have tried quite a few. If I didn't have a sweet D-03 right now, I would probably be looking at a D-50--banjo killers!
But, I still like certain Taylors, certain Gibsons and sure do like a few Martins.
I hope I can still play here, fellas! ^_^
--Fred

Like I've mentioned in previous posts, while I think they're OK, Taylors are far from my favorite.  My OM-03R is the only guitar I own now and I don't see enough money to get another guitar for several years.  I'm kinda happy about that.  When I still had the Martin OM-15 or Fredmando's LSV-05, I never knew which guitar to play...well, not that bad but I wanted to make sure I spent some time with each one.  I just thought, if you paid for it, you'd better play it.  Now, it's just me and the OM, nothing else. 

I am not a big fan of the new Gibsons.  I like them like Taylors.  Some are obviously better than others.  The Gibson Advanced Jumbo or J-45's, the re-issues, are pretty nice.  Martin, well, Martin will always be the standard by which all others are judged.  IMO, they still make some of the finest guitars money can buy.  Anybody who says different doesn't know what they're talking about.  

Would I like an OM-28V or OM-28 Marquis?  You're damn right I would but my OM-03R is no slouch and will do me for some time to come.  It's really all I could want or need right now and I bet I still have some years of playing it before it hits it's peak.  I recently bought a Tascam DP01FX multitrack recorder and an LR Baggs M1 Active so I plan on spending more time with that than looking at what guitars are out there anyways.

Denis, you make some great points. The really cool thing about the Larrivee line is that there is really a guitar for anyone. The fact that you like your OM so much is one example. To me, the OM-O3R I almost bought didn't do much for me in the mid range. We all hear different things.
I can't get over the Martin line for the money. I know we are on the Larrivee Forum, but Martins are legendary. When I had someone explain pre-war bracing to me, I really began to appreciate the vintage series Martins like the D-18ge.
I think I used to share your opinion of Taylors until I picked up a 355 in one store and tried a similar 355 in another. The quality control was great, they both sounded good to me. There are some Taylor models--like the Gibsons and Martins--that I don't care for.
But, I don't care if it is a $200 guitar, when a guitar speaks (or even shouts! ^_^) at me I take notice. My go-to and travel guitar is a cheap Walden with a cedar top. I play that and my Santa Cruz the most. As I understand it, it is the bracing that I notice. My Larrivee is in another league altogether and doesn't leave the house.
I ended up with a new Taylor 355 and it is nice, especially with Dean Markleys or new Elixers on it. The neck is different from a Larrivee or a Martin. The lower end Taylors are a steal for the price.
Denis, I think it is cool that you have connected with your OM so well. That is some powerful chemistry there and, from the sound files you sent me once, I can tell you are "in tune" with that Larrivee!

--Fred

Fred,

The Martin GE line is one I've never seen in person...but I've seen the prices!!!!  Wow, those are up there aren't they?  I love the V series and the Marquis'.  I've only ever tried a D-28 Marquis but would love to try the OM-28 version.   I've played several D-18V's and a D-28V as well and they were all beautiful.  I agree that the Martin legend is hard to beat.  I've been a big fan for a long time.

I know my OM-03R will never have the depth and volume of any Martin spruce top, rosewood b/s OM.  Maybe in a few years, we'll have to wait and see.  I really want to connect with my OM-03R though.  Like when I first started playing, I only had one guitar and I did everything with it.  I figure the more I play it, the more a part of me it becomes.  I'd love to have a whole collection of guitars but don't want to spend more time deciding which to play than actually playing.  That being said, if say, Randy R., was GIVING( :WNK>) guitars away, I wouldn't say no.

The proceeds sale of the LSV-05 have gone to various tools that will be useful for some time to come.  Last week, UPS delivered my new Tascam DP01FX multitrack recorder and tomorrow, I am supposed to get the LR Baggs M1 Active I ordered from Dave at GA so I will, sooner or later, be sending or posting somewhere on the web, some soundfiles of my own music.  I am new to the recording thing so it may take a few weeks.

The new equipment sounds like fun, Denis. I don't think you should compare your Larivee OM with a Martin OM. I think the Larrivees are a little better in that slot and a better value. The best OM-28 (I think it was) one dealer had was kind of weak for flatpicking compared to the Larrivees. My favorite Martin small bodies are the 15's, but they are totally different from Larrivees.
You have a great guitar.
Plus, we have both owned the "Motherlode" right?  ^_^
So, we're "Brothers in the LSV"
--Fred

Quote from: Fredmando on November 15, 2005, 09:52:12 AM
The new equipment sounds like fun, Denis. I don't think you should compare your Larivee OM with a Martin OM. I think the Larrivees are a little better in that slot and a better value. The best OM-28 (I think it was) one dealer had was kind of weak for flatpicking compared to the Larrivees. My favorite Martin small bodies are the 15's, but they are totally different from Larrivees.
You have a great guitar.
Plus, we have both owned the "Motherlode" right?  ^_^
So, we're "Brothers in the LSV"
--Fred

I had a Martin OM-15 for a few years.  I would have loved to compare it to a Larrivee OM-03MT.  I've heard so many good things about the hot top Larrivees but have not yet been able to try one. 

I've never put a pick to a Martin rosewood b/s OM.  I rarely use a pick to begin with so if an OM-28 was weak in the flatpicking deepartment, it wouldn't bother me as long as it's what it's supposed to be as a fingerpicker. 

Yes, the LSV...I miss it but I don't long for it.  As much as I want to stick with my rosewood OM, eventually, one day, I will want a smaller body mahogany guitar.  I have an uncle in Montreal who's got a '53 Martin 0-18.  He's sorta made clear that when he passes...let's not assume but I can hope can't I?   None of his kids or anyone else play so...unless it's for sentimental reasons, there's a good chance it will one day be mine. 

BTW, it's snowing in Ottawa today, 5-10 cm expected.

Denis, you're right about trying to pick a Martin OM. Although, I did run into one 000-15 once that really sounded nice with a soft cross picking style.
The Martin your uncle has sounds awesome. The old Martins are really neat to look at and try to figure out their history. It makes you think of Neil Young's song" This Old Guitar" when you hear a story like that one.
None of my relatives played guitar, so count yourself lucky to have someone in the family who does. I think it very cool when people on the forum--like unclrob, for example--talk about passing on their guitars to their kids. Man, that is like the utlitmate gift when you think about it.
Good going on the snow storm. Tis the season, you know? We are getting rain down here!
--Fred

Quote from: Denis on November 15, 2005, 09:26:09 AM
I know my OM-03R will never have the depth and volume of any Martin spruce top, rosewood b/s OM.  Maybe in a few years, we'll have to wait and see.  I really want to connect with my OM-03R though.  Like when I first started playing, I only had one guitar and I did everything with it.  I figure the more I play it, the more a part of me it becomes.  I'd love to have a whole collection of guitars but don't want to spend more time deciding which to play than actually playing.  That being said, if say, Randy R., was GIVING( :WNK>) guitars away, I wouldn't say no.

I heard that..... ^_^

Actually I've been moving in a direction of smaller guitars lately. Been playing my LS the last month, and think I'll play a OO next.

Quote from: Randy_R on November 15, 2005, 06:03:19 PM
I heard that..... ^_^

Actually I've been moving in a direction of smaller guitars lately. Been playing my LS the last month, and think I'll play a OO next.

I know I've brought this up before, but I don't see why they don't bring back the steel string LS?  Larrivee is selling, as near as I can tell, lots of D's, OM's and L's in the 03 and 03R series.  I would think they would sell lots of steel string LS-03's and LS-03R's, there's a market for them out there I'm sure of it.  I really liked the LSV-05 but I'm still not a big cutaway fan and I like the simpler 03 series.  If the LS-03 ever hit the stores, I would be first in line.

in Asia is kinda hard to maintain Taylor's guitar ...... I give up is too expensive and Larrivee seems to be able to withstand harsh weather.