Seems to me that most of the new members in the 18 months since I joined the forum have either bought or are considering a purchase of an 03R series Larrivee.  Whether it's a D, DV, L, LV, OM, OMV...I know I've got mine.  I was just curious.

Is your poll asking whether the "voter's" first guitar was an 03R?

Quote from: jeremy3220 on January 12, 2006, 10:13:33 AM
Is your poll asking whether the "voter's" first guitar was an 03R?

Not necessarily unless that's the case.  Maybe I should have just asked who has an 03R series guitar?

well it wasn't my first, but I would recommend the Om-03R as a first Larrivee. It can do everything. The L-03 is also a good all around guitar, but I don't like it much for blues and sometimes I need more sustain (especially if capoed past the third fret).

The OM-03R was my first Larrivee. I sold it and regretted letting it go.

My second Larrivee is an L-03. I now have a D-03R on the way. I think the combination of the mahogany L and the rosewood dreadnaught will be a good mix.

Jim

Quote from: jwsamuel on January 12, 2006, 10:55:02 AM
The OM-03R was my first Larrivee. I sold it and regretted letting it go.

My second Larrivee is an L-03. I now have a D-03R on the way. I think the combination of the mahogany L and the rosewood dreadnaught will be a good mix.

Jim

Hey wait a minute Jim, I thought you were getting another OM-03R?  Not that there's anything wrong with the D-03R.  I've played many examples and they were all nice...and I'm not even a big dread fan. 

Quote from: Denis on January 12, 2006, 11:05:39 AM
Hey wait a minute Jim, I thought you were getting another OM-03R?  Not that there's anything wrong with the D-03R.  I've played many examples and they were all nice...and I'm not even a big dread fan. 

No Denis, I made a switch and decided to get the D. I started thinking about it and thought that the OM might be too close to the L I have. I wanted something I could set up for flatpicking and keep the L set up for fingerpicking, so I decided to get the D-03R instead. Current plans are to get another OM-03R later on...unless I go for a rosewood L cutaway.

The thing I like best about the Larrivee 03 series is that for the cost of one Martin D28, I can get an L-03, a D-03R and still have a couple hundred bucks toward an OM-03R.

JIM

Quote from: Denis on January 12, 2006, 10:03:27 AM
Seems to me that most of the new members in the 18 months since I joined the forum have either bought or are considering a purchase of an 03R series Larrivee.  Whether it's a D, DV, L, LV, OM, OMV...I know I've got mine.  I was just curious.

One reason the 03 series is so popular is that unlike other guitar makers, Larrivee uses the same bracing and structure on all its guitars. Larrivee also uses natural wood on all its guitars. So if you buy the 03 series, you know that all you are giving up is the glossy finish and other appearance items.

Jim

Quote from: jwsamuel on January 12, 2006, 01:57:32 PM
One reason the 03 series is so popular is that unlike other guitar makers, Larrivee uses the same bracing and structure on all its guitars. Larrivee also uses natural wood on all its guitars. So if you buy the 03 series, you know that all you are giving up is the glossy finish and other appearance items.

Jim

That's true for the glossy finish but I like the maple binding.  I think it really adds some class and looks cool.  Using a natural material instead of plastic, that's a plus in my books.

I don't think any other maker out there offers anything in an all solid wood rosewood b/s guitar for that kind of price.  Not for a guitar handcrafted in North America.  I would have expected to pay more for my OM-03R but was pleasantly surprised when I got it for well under, and I mean WELL under $1000, for a new guitar. 

For all those newer 03R owners out there, wait after you've played it for a year.  Mine sounded so good when I first bought it but it's still getting better.  I'm sure there's still a couple of years before it fully opened and matured.

Jim, did you switch the saddle to bone and start using mediums on that D-03R? 

Denis,

I don't have a 03R..........and this thread is making me feel really bad.  So terrible in fact that.....I just don't know what I'm capable of doing.................maybe my feelings aren't aboat the guitar, eh?  Maybe its aboat beer. Eh?   :rolleyes:

Someday when I'm somebody I'll get a 03RRRRRRRRRRRR.  Does Molsen make one?


Hoser Cree

"being close to Canada is like being close to God.eh?"   :wub:

Anyone here play hockey?

Quote from: Denis on January 12, 2006, 02:12:10 PM
Jim, did you switch the saddle to bone and start using mediums on that D-03R? 

It has not arrived yet. When it does, I will try mediums first. Later on, I may try switching to a bone saddle.

Jim

Denis, I started with a D05 which I still really like. I did buy one of the 12th Fret Custom OM03R's but not just because it was an 03 but because I wanted to get an OM and for the custom features.

Quote from: Peter Cree on January 12, 2006, 02:26:17 PM
Denis,

I don't have a 03R..........and this thread is making me feel really bad.  So terrible in fact that.....I just don't know what I'm capable of doing.................maybe my feelings aren't aboat the guitar, eh?  Maybe its aboat beer. Eh?   :rolleyes:

Someday when I'm somebody I'll get a 03RRRRRRRRRRRR.  Does Molsen make one?


Hoser Cree

"being close to Canada is like being close to God.eh?"   :wub:

Anyone here play hockey?

Oh Peter, you loveable drunk...eh :GRN>

Quote from: brimc76 on January 12, 2006, 02:37:49 PM
Denis, I started with a D05 which I still really like. I did buy one of the 12th Fret Custom OM03R's but not just because it was an 03 but because I wanted to get an OM and for the custom features.

AAhhh but an 03R nonetheless

Don't get me wrong about the 05 or even the lowly(in $ only) standard mahogany 03 Larrivees.  I love Larrivee mahogany.  I plan on getting an L-03 one day but for now, my OM-03R and the soon-to-be-mine satin rosewood parlor I've got on layaway here in town(not one word Cree!!) will suffice.

I do need help............anyone want to intervene?

We could all play guitar while you talk me into rehab.   Since I barely drink that should be easy.

I need a Larrivee vacation.  12 string program?

Quote from: Peter Cree on January 12, 2006, 03:21:50 PM
I do need help............anyone want to intervene?

We could all play guitar while you talk me into rehab.   Since I barely drink that should be easy.

I need a Larrivee vacation.  12 string program?

:GRN> :GRN> :GRN>

When I get a long-overdue check in the mail (which is still not guaranteed) I will also be adding a OM-03R as my first Larrivée purchase. It's been over 2 years since I've been looking at Larrivées, over a year since I earned the afreomentioned paycheck and almost a year since I first played a OM-03R and stoked my GAS into high gear!

As Tom Petty says, the way-yaiting is the hardest part!

They're pretty scarce here in Pittsburgh so I've only really tried 03s and 03Rs, though I got to try a D-05 and D-09 once too. The OM-03R just spoke to me more than any of the others (including the L-03R and LV-03RE) but the basic L-03 is my backup choice.

BTW - what's the story with the 12th Fret OM-03R SH? Are they all gone yet?

QuoteBTW - what's the story with the 12th Fret OM-03R SH? Are they all gone yet?

I believe that there are a few left.

This member also had one for sale on eB#y http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/index.php?topic=6761.0

Count me in the 03R first buyers. I tried an L-03R and that was it. I've never liked the dreads for their shape (call me superficial :WNK>) and had my mind set on a cutaway. I came out with an LV with electronics because that was the only cutaway-L rosewood they had.

The only regret I have is buying right away and not doing some research first. I would have saved a couple hundred $ if I had bought over the net. Considering I didn't really need the electronics.

Quote from: jwsamuel on January 12, 2006, 02:27:41 PM
It has not arrived yet. When it does, I will try mediums first. Later on, I may try switching to a bone saddle.

Jim

JIM,

You gotta try the bone Larrivee saddle replacement!, massive difference with my D-03RE! The med strings are also an excellent call, I use elixir PBs but their are other non coated strings that sound great too. Try you favorite brand and go from there, experiment!

cheers and congrats on the new D-03R,
Bill D.

My D-03R will be here in a few days. In fact it's scanned in Denver right now. I read a lot about Larrivees before I tried one last week for the first time. There was some what of a stigma about them. That they make great mohogany and not too shabby with rosewood. Frankly, I think Larrivee makes a great rosewood guitar. At least the few that I played. I was impressed enough to buy one.


Now i'm curious what a bone saddle will do for the tone. Maybe I will tweek my guitar a bit.

three 03R's here OM, L, and a D.........none of them were my first guitar. The first one was a Silvertone plywood Harmony. Wish I still had it :rolleyes:  Next was a Gibson B-25, wish I still had that one too. Then 68 Martin D-28. Never did really like that guitar. Sold it. Then traded the B-25 for a Westone D-28 copy. Big mistake!!! oh well..........Then a 65 Martin D-18 which I still have.....(killer guitar by the way) A Peavy electric, a Martin electric, and a Gibson J-45 all of which I bought from an add in the local paper. They have all gone their separate ways over the years. Then a Takamine, which I gave away. And a Martin OM16GT which I gave away..........then came the Larrivee's!!!!!! Recently a Silvertone/Harmony...late 60's early 70' which belongs to my wife but had been in storage for several years. Pretty neat little guitar. And earlier this week I found and purchased a Yamaha FG 335 at the local pawn shop. Looks like it's been in a closet or under a bed for several years. ThThThThThhhhatt's all folks
Probably more info that you asked for but it's Friday and I just go on a roll...........sorry :GRN>
charliep
ps: all of this has happened over about a 40 year period

QuoteAnyone here play hockey?

That's "Hawkee", lad.  FURcryinoutloud, if you're gonna' live that close at least learn the dialect, eh?   ^_^ :GRN>

QuoteI will also be adding a OM-03R as my first Larrivée purchase. It's been over 2 years since I've been looking at Larrivées, over a year since I earned the afreomentioned paycheck and almost a year since I first played a OM-03R and stoked my GAS into high gear!

I just bought a used 0M 03-0R a week ago.  They're very nice guitars.  My left hand disagrees a little with the fretboard radius but I think it can be alleviated by working with the fret radius a little and softening the fret ends some.  The guitar sounds every bit as good as a Martin 000 rosewood to my ears.  I like the Martin low end and was alittle worried that the 03R would be too Taylor-like.  It's voice resembles Martin 000's and OM's MUCH more than Taylor's x12 series.

Quote from: Rick67 on January 12, 2006, 10:45:05 PM
My D-03R will be here in a few days. In fact it's scanned in Denver right now. I read a lot about Larrivees before I tried one last week for the first time. There was some what of a stigma about them. That they make great mohogany and not too shabby with rosewood. Frankly, I think Larrivee makes a great rosewood guitar. At least the few that I played. I was impressed enough to buy one.


Now i'm curious what a bone saddle will do for the tone. Maybe I will tweek my guitar a bit.

Hey Rick,

I have to say the bone Larrivee saddle I put in my D-03RE made the tone alot clearer, fatter and more focused. It also increased the note sustain 100%, I was changing strings and put back the tusq factory saddle just to see if it made as much difference as I thought it did. The difference was huge the factory tusq sounded pretty lame compared to the bone, so I finished changing the strings and reinstalled the bone Larrivee saddle. This little test made me really glad that I switched to bone, some may not like the change in sound it makes but I think is a no brainer for my personal sound preferences. Give it a try!

good luck,

Bill D.

03s?  Never heard of them!   :TON>