Question: Larrivée parlor walnut special edition

[hotsauce]

hello everyone,

I'm new here and have been browsing the archive a bit and read many interesting threads. I'm contemplating the purchase of a Larrivee, but before I do I have a few questions that you might be able to help me with as the guitar store guy wasn,t too knowledgeable about this particular instrument.

It is a Parlor walnut and the inside sticker says "special edition". there doesn't seem to be any model number. It must be at least a few years because the guy said it has been in the store for quite a while. The finish is what I guess you would call satin (not gloss at least, I don't know much about guitar construction/stats/finish)  and there is a transparent rectangular pickguard. Front is of a very light coloured wood. My wife says it looks a lot like that one:
http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/20U-8797.htm

I'm sorry if the description was not too precise. Maybe I'll go to the music store again to get more details if needed.

I like the feel of the guitar but here are my questions anyway:

1- Would that be the only guitar in the lineup that fits the description?
2- Anyone cares to review it?
3- What do you figure was the list price on that item (I understand actual quoted price are not welcomed on this forum?)

Thank you very much for your time

Vincent

[Denis]

The "Special Edition", if it's anything like mine, closely resembles the 03 series.  If there is maple binding on the body, back and top, then it's just like the 03 series.  The top is spruce and the back and sisdes walnut.  Bet it's a real purdy little guitar.  I have the rosewood version and I play it more than my OM.  Satin finish is the term most often used to describe this type of finish.  There are a lot of people who have owned a parlor only to sell it again after a short period because they find it isn't exactly what they thought it would be.  Then there are people like me, Peter Cree or jwieties who would be happy if the parlor was all we had...well, that might be going a bit too far but you get the idea.

[Fergy07]

I think originally they may have all been special edition, the number nomenclature only came about in the last two or three years. Prior to that I think anything with binding may have been special edition, but it might also have been anything other than RW or Mahogany.

Andy

[jwieties]

Not to far off Denis. :WNK>
I just got a OM-50.  I really like it.  Exactly what I was looking for in tone, comfort, volume and looks.  It's getting a lot of playing time but still, I play my parlor nightly.  If I had to choose between the 2 well the parlor is the one that is staying. 

Some of the positives are:
Comfort - Its a great couch player
Playability - I've found them to be great for practicing.  Seems that everything is a little easier to play.  This is likely due to scale lenght as well as the size.  It's just easy to get around.
Portability - They fit in the overhead compartment of planes.  Great for sitting on the porch.  Also good for lessons or taking to a jam.
Tone - Subjective but I think the parlors sound fantastic.  They are particularly nice for recording.
Value - They are cheap, even with the recent prices people are getting for them they are still a fair priced high quality guitar.  The risk one takes in picking one up is low because first it won't cost a ton of money and becasue if you don't like it they are very easy to resell.

They are not for everyone, but I suspect more people like them then don't.
In terms of your "special eddition"... I have not played a Walnut parlor, but the other walnut guitars I have played I liked a great deal.  The special eddition at least means it has the bindings as Denis mentioned.  Some of the special editions also have a abalone rosette while still having the satin finish.

Price is tough.  A year or two ago $300-$600 would have been fair a used parlor.  Now maybe $500-$700.  If you want, PM me what they are asking and I'll give you my thoughts.

-josh

[sixpickn]

Vincent,

I have an early walnut/spruce parlor that is not a special edition (satin, no binding) but probably sounds similar to the SE walnut models.  To me it sounded better than the mahogany models, warmer and more punchy.  There is of course less low end than you'll find on an L or D, but the volume is very balanced down to the low G or F# on the 6th string, where it falls off some.  It's great for practising, solo and recording work, but not as suited for working with a band imo.  If you have other guitars already this adds a unique special voice to your pallet, but I would not be in the group that could only own a parlor.  Best wishes in your search.

[hotsauce]

So I went back to the store today and A-Bd the walnut with the mahogany they also have of very similar model. It is pretty much the guitar that you have been talking about i think. Binding and all. Now the problem was my music store fright rendered me incapable of tuning the walnut right (the other went fine) so the little 2nd sounded all funky. It kind of broke my mood about the guitar (also my wife was there again and was getting really impatient...).  I really loved the mahogany one though.

I have not been playing for too long (about five years) and mostly do lil ragtime numbers, alternating bass or a, e shuffles. It is true that it looses a bit of its "oumpf" when down on the 6th string, but I really like the "thump" it made when alternating the bass.

Also the guitar I have right now is a Norman ST40 which I bought to learn how to play. It's quite a nice beginner's guitar but I feel like I have outgrown now. The sound is kinda loose and unfocused I think. NOT the case with the parlors.

I think what I'll do is go there again (alone and with a guitar tuner in case my ear leaves me at the entrance) sometime next week to see. I'm too excited right now to make any kind of good decision. Since i'm a student, I really can't afford to make a bad one 

I also have a single-cone reso, an electric and a classical so it won't be my only guitar per se, but certainly my main acoustic, which is what I play the most. So it's quite important that I really like it. I'll be careful not to fall into the trap Denis warned about, but I feel this little baby might still be versatile enough to be what I need.

Thanx for reading

Have a nice day!

Vince

[bleumax]

depending on how well it is priced, if you definitely know that you will walk out with one of them, i'd recommend putting a deposit down and asking them to hold both for you until you decide. these parlors are in high demand right now, and you could potentially lose it, especially the walnut one.

[Denis]

Hey hotsauce...are those guitars at Italmelodie in Montreal?  I seem to remember a thread about a week back mentioning a walnut and mahogany parlors there? 

Josh, if I had an OM-50, especially the one with the herringbone rosette and 1 3/4" nut, it would definitely be stiff competition for attention with the rosewood parlor...what am I saying????  I already have a tough enough time deciding which to play between the parlor and the sapele OM-03!!!  I really do try to alternate but often times, the parlor will win out.

[jmhyer]

Vince,

I know what you're saying about the "thump".  In my experience, that's typical of a smaller-bodied mahogany guitar...very nice for fingerstyle blues and ragtime stuff.  For versatility, though, you may want to hold off and keep your eyes peeled for a used OM-03.  Nice blues and ragtime box but a little more powerful if you wanna do more strumming and/or flatpicking in the future.

[hotsauce]

Hey hotsauce...are those guitars at Italmelodie in Montreal?

Actually they are!! Are you from the area? If so do you have any experience dealing with them? I'll pm pricing info, if you have time, tell me what you think...

Ciao

Vince

[jwieties]

Hey hotsauce...are those guitars at Italmelodie in Montreal?  I seem to remember a thread about a week back mentioning a walnut and mahogany parlors there? 

Josh, if I had an OM-50, especially the one with the herringbone rosette and 1 3/4" nut, it would definitely be stiff competition for attention with the rosewood parlor...what am I saying????  I already have a tough enough time deciding which to play between the parlor and the sapele OM-03!!!  I really do try to alternate but often times, the parlor will win out.

I guess I should say that I realize that 99% of people would say I'm nuts.  I know the OM-50 is much more guitar and more versatile.  If someone asked me what guitar I would recommend if they could only buy one, I would not suggest a parlor.  I play guitar for my own little get-a-way.  It is my therapy.  For me, I find I have the most fun when I'm playing the parlor. 

Just sent you a pm hotsauce.  Good Luck
-josh

[sigurdd48]

I know what you're saying about the "thump".  In my experience, that's typical of a smaller-bodied mahogany guitar...very nice for fingerstyle blues and ragtime stuff.  For versatility, though, you may want to hold off and keep your eyes peeled for a used OM-03.  Nice blues and ragtime box but a little more powerful if you wanna do more strumming and/or flatpicking in the future.

I had a walnut Fingerstyle guitar (Petros) once. Nice axe... but it was a 3500 dollar guitar.
I think mahogany can't be beat for that style of music, and i rekon it would be priced LESS than the SE Walnut (also PM me with their pricing and I can chime in... and don't worry... I'm a LONG WAYS from Montreal). Be curious to see what they are posting at

I'll second the hold out for an OM-03 option. I have owned both spruce top/hog back and all hog OM's. they are great guitars. Both will do ragtime picking fine with a tad more oomph and volume. And you can often find slightly used OM-03's for less or the same as a parlor. Longer scale of course, but comfy, easy to play

[sfumato]

This is the thread Denis mentioned from last week: http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/index.php?topic=11034.0
You might want to skim through it - someone mentioned that the 2 parlors in question were perhaps not being well cared for at that shop (kept in non-humidified environment, etc).

I agree that an OM body is going to be super versatile and I'm sure you can find a good deal, new or used, esp through resources on this forum.

I also love my parlor, but it's not my only guitar....so I guess it's hard to say until you've had a chance to play a bunch of different models and wood combinations.  Have fun!  ^_^

[Tycho]

While I think that a parlor would sound great for ragtime, count me as one of those who wouldn't be happy with a parlor as my main acoustic.  I really like mine, but it's definitely a niche player rather than an all-rounder.  The OM is much more the latter.

[rpg51]

I guess I should say that I realize that 99% of people would say I'm nuts.  I know the OM-50 is much more guitar and more versatile.  If someone asked me what guitar I would recommend if they could only buy one, I would not suggest a parlor.  I play guitar for my own little get-a-way.  It is my therapy.  For me, I find I have the most fun when I'm playing the parlor. 

Just sent you a pm hotsauce.  Good Luck
-josh

For what its worth, I just sold my OM-50 in favor of my satin special edition mahog/spruce Parlour which I absolutely love.  If you play fingerstyle and blues you will really like the Parlour .  Of course, I also picked up a new National M2 with the proceeds from the OM. 

[hotsauce]

The OM3 indeed does sound like a very reasonable option. But it is already 300$ over the price of the other one...

I have read the thread and yes it is not in a humidified room, I'll recheck the condition and maybe that will help me get a better deal. who knows

[Denis]

The OM3 indeed does sound like a very reasonable option. But it is already 300$ over the price of the other one...

I have read the thread and yes it is not in a humidified room, I'll recheck the condition and maybe that will help me get a better deal. who knows

Maybe but I paid the same for my rosewood parlor, in perfect condition, with a hardshell case and a passive LR Baggs UST already installed for what you pm'd me they are asking for the mahogany one they have in stock.  I would look for another one somewhere else.  They come up often in the Buy and Sell section here on the forum.  I'm not too far from you hotsauce, in the Outaouais just across the river from Ottawa, couple of hours away.

[Gemnoc]

I'm in Montreal, hotsauce and bought my LV-03RE at that store (which happens to be the only Larrivée dealer in Montréal). Their prices are high... Had I known before, I would have bought mine over the internet from one of this forum friendly dealers.

P.S. You tried an OM-03 there? Was it in the humidified room? I've been meaning to try one for some time.

[hotsauce]

P.S. You tried an OM-03 there? Was it in the humidified room? I've been meaning to try one for some time.

Well, I think I'm really falling in love with that guitar.  I went to that store once more today. I just had a quick look, thinking about your question, and yes,  there is an OM-03 in the humidified room. You should have a look.

Ciao

Vincent

[Blue in VT]

hotsauce,

you have a tough decision ahead of you...though I have virtually no experience with the parlors... I want to have more  ^_^...I will agree with the others that the OM is a wonderful body sizeand quite veristile.  I recently purchased a om-05mt and absolutly love it...I'm constantly picking the thing up even if I only have 5 min before work.

Enjoy the hunt, I think you'll be happy either way

Blue