I was thinking what I liked about my Larrivee and what (ideally) I would like to be different. I like almost everything (build quality, woods, good looks) but I wondered if they had ever considered building their guitars lighter to get that extra tonal pazazz. I'd love to hear a Larrivee built with slightly thinner woods and with more delicate bracing. I can understand why they don't do it (more returns to the factory because they would be more delicate) but perhaps they could release a series with lighter build and make it clear that these things will require more love and attention over time.
Would they ever consider it?
Mike
I thought my Larrivees already felt like some of the lightest acoustics I've ever held or played...but maybe everyone's perception of heavy and light is different...
:UND>
They've already done it:
http://www.12fret.com/new/larrivee_OM-03_R_SH_pg.html
Quote from: ronmac on January 20, 2006, 06:20:58 PM
They've already done it:
http://www.12fret.com/new/larrivee_OM-03_R_SH_pg.html
What, the slotted headstock? ^_^
Are those still available?! I'd love to order a left-handed one...
:wacko:
My D-05 feels featherlite compared to other guitars I've played.
UK Mike,
You should have a chance to hold (and play!) my Santa Cruz OM short scale. Talk about light. When I pick up my other acoustics, they feel like dead weight. Light and sturdy are not mutually exclusive.
Jim D
You said it Jim. My SCGC OM is incredibly light, and incredibly sonic. A light build, and guaranteed for life.
Actually, Larrivees are pretty stoutly built. My Thompson T1, which is the size of an L (thinner front to back, though) is substantially lighter than my old L was. I think it's even lighter than my parlor (which sounds great, by the way). But lightly built is not necessarily better. It's just different. There is a famous classical builder whose name escapes me, that builds heavy guitars with rather thick backs and sides that are supposedly very loud and project extremely well.
Tim
Mikeymac, I believe there are still a few of those left, but I don't think there were any lefties made.
QuoteThere is a famous classical builder whose name escapes me, that builds heavy guitars with rather thick backs and sides that are supposedly very loud and project extremely well.
My 32-year old LoPrinzi (who also builds classical models and ukes) has pretty heavy rosewood back/sides to support a thin spruce top. The sustain is pretty amazing on this old beauty.
My SD-50 is much lighter by comparison.
It's all relative; my Larrivees feel like boat anchors next to my McAlister but next to the LoPrinzi I had they're quite light. I doubt you'll see you'll see Larrivee (or any other factory built guitar) get very much lighter due to manufacturing and warranty issues.
When I picked up a few Tacomas a while ago, they all felt very light compared to my Larrivees.
But the Larrivees don't feel heavy (the way the older Garrisons do, for example); they feel substantial.
I agree with you tycho...My tacoma DM-10 was all solid woods, and it felt extremely light.
My MT (Lefty)) Forum guitar is a very light guitar, and it rattles my fillings loose when I really dig into it. I love all my Larrivees but that Forum guitar really stands out. ^_^
Quote from: bhika on January 20, 2006, 10:17:54 PM
My MT (Lefty)) Forum guitar is a very light guitar, and it rattles my fillings loose when I really dig into it. I love all my Larrivees but that Forum guitar really stands out. ^_^
Indeed. John Jr. builds a fine guitar. And I think he gave the forum guitars a little extra mojo..
Quote from: Tycho on January 20, 2006, 09:49:10 PM
But the Larrivees don't feel heavy (the way the older Garrisons do, for example); they feel substantial.
Holy cow... now Garrisons.. the first time I held one, I thought I was curling free weights. :SHK> Ridiculously heavy.
-dan
try a Larrive Lite...no, really. I own two...an OM and an L and love em to bits. 7/8 the size of a regular guitar and so much fun to play.
Quote from: sneaky on January 20, 2006, 11:35:15 PM
try a Larrive Lite...no, really. I own two...an OM and an L and love em to bits. 7/8 the size of a regular guitar and so much fun to play.
* No artificial sweetners or woods added.
Quote from: dhill on January 20, 2006, 08:20:17 PM
You said it Jim. My SCGC OM is incredibly light, and incredibly sonic. A light build, and guaranteed for life.
Quote from: desaljs on January 20, 2006, 08:08:27 PM
UK Mike,
You should have a chance to hold (and play!) my Santa Cruz OM short scale. Talk about light. When I pick up my other acoustics, they feel like dead weight. Light and sturdy are not mutually exclusive.
Jim D
Best OM I ever played was a Santa Cruz OM. I really regret passing that instrument by. That's the sort of build I as referring to. I think the Larrivee guys must have built up the experience and have the machinery to have a go at a lighter guitar like that. Martin have their top-line instruments with lighter build/bracing, so why shouldn't Larrivee have a go.
BTW - I certainly didn't mean to imply that Larrives were built really heavily - I agree there are heavier as well as lighter guitars around (I think Larrivee is pretty much mid-pack). I'd just like to see them try even lighter on some models.
Cheers
Mike
QuoteI'd just like to see them try even lighter on some models.
They have. My SD-50 is pretty light considering the larger body style. And, wow, does this thing vibrate!
But overall, weight is just one factor in the sound of a guitar. Don't make too much of it. :WNK>
Going to have to agree that Larrivees are on the heavy side, but that's not necessarily bad. My Collings was built like a tank - possibly the only guitar I've owned heavier than my Larrivees - and there was certainly nothing wrong with it's sound. Easy to equate ultra-light build with resonance, but I'm not sure that's always the case?
Quote from: prof_stack on January 22, 2006, 01:14:06 AM
They have. My SD-50 is pretty light considering the larger body style. And, wow, does this thing vibrate!
But overall, weight is just one factor in the sound of a guitar. Don't make too much of it. :WNK>
Prof
Thanks - I didn't realise that the SD series used a lighter construction than standard Larrivees (I haven't had chanceto play an SD yet).
Is it the bracing that is lighter or have they thinned the woods more, or both?
Cheers
Mike
I have a luthier friend who offered to "tune" the braces on my OM-50. He claims with a little shaving here and there he can make a world of difference (improvement) in the tonal qualities of a guitar like the Larrivee that is pretty heavilly built. Worth considering.
QuoteIs it the bracing that is lighter or have they thinned the woods more, or both?
Maybe both. No one around here has taken the logical step of actually weighing the whole guitar. Does one of us has an accurate scale?
QuoteI have a luthier friend who offered to "tune" the braces on my OM-50. He claims with a little shaving here and there he can make a world of difference (improvement) in the tonal qualities of a guitar...
I heard that Leo Kottke would take a pocket knife to some braces on new guitars (Taylors?) to improve the sound. Urban legend? Makes sense that it would change the sound, perhaps for the better. But it would weaken the box a little.
Next thing you know someone will start drilling holes in the sides for better player feedback! ^_^
Quote from: rpg51 on January 22, 2006, 01:30:01 PM
I have a luthier friend who offered to "tune" the braces on my OM-50. He claims with a little shaving here and there he can make a world of difference (improvement) in the tonal qualities of a guitar like the Larrivee that is pretty heavilly built. Worth considering.
You should also mention that this will void any manufacturer warranty.
Quote from: Randy_R on January 22, 2006, 03:44:19 PM
You should also mention that this will void any manufacturer warranty.
Good point. Although personally I don't put much stock in warranties. I think they are higly over rated. If I could make a substantial improvement in my guitar I'd gladly give up the warranty.
My SCGC OM/PW is probably the lightest I have come accross. The Pete seems fairly light also. I recently met a fingerstyle player after his local concert. He had been playing a California series Larrivee OM. When I commented on the excellent tone of the guitar, he told me that it had been modified by a luthier in Georigia. The bracing had been shaved in specific locations. He felt that it had radically improved the responsiveness of his guitar. Your mileage may vary.
A note of caution on Brian and Matthew's behalf that shaving the braces viods the warrantee... :POL>
Brace shaving and "hot rodding" guitars has grown into a cottage industry for some technicians. Most of the interest has come from Martin dread flatpickers. If you are interested you might check Brian Kimseys website, http://www.bryankimsey.com/ I have no idea if he would be interested in modifying a Larrivee. I think that many factory guitars are overbuilt to avoid top distortion over time. I also think that having someone tinker with the bracing is risky business, especially on a Larrivee where there is no reference to a lighter bracing scheme as found on older Martins. I would not be inclined to try it unless I was prepared for the possibility of an instrument being ruined in the experiment. I'd be more inclined to find a guitar already built to sound, feel and play the way I want. It just costs more up front to get there. Also I'd like to see someone stick their neck out and have a good luthier have a go at tweaking a Larrivee. I'm too cheap to try it on mine.