Newbie here with a newbie question

[reTIREDoldman]

Hello Everyone

I'm a newbie to this forum and to Larrivee guitars as well. I have a question about Larrivee's. My son has been telling me about his college roomates WONDERFUL Larrivee acoustic guitar NON-STOP!!!! He says that the entry level Larrivee is BETTER then his Taylor 310. Which I never was a BIG fan of Taylor's. I've always been more of a Martin man myself, but my son just had to have this taylor. I probably wouldn't of listened to my fathers advice about guitars either at that age (19).

Anyhow I was wondering about Larrivee guitars, so I went to there website and I was impressed by what they offer for the price that I've seen them for on several sites. BUT I still don't know much about the craftsmenship or overall quality of the guitars. So as I searched the net for "Larrivee" I came across this forum and I figured where better to ask about Larrivee guitars then the Larrivee Forum.

Do they build "good" guitars? What I mean by this is that any company can make a good guitar that cost a house payment, but what about the entry level stuff? I saw the -03 series was the entry level. What do you think about those? Also in your opinion what is the most diverese guitar they make?

[NewStrings]

First, I would like to welcome you to a great forum, a place where knowledge is shared and friends are made!!  In other words, you have come to the right place!

Now our opinions may be a little bias as we are mostly all Larrivee owners, but there is one thing that above will come through loud and clear is that Larrivee is the "BEST VALUE" you will find in the marketplace.  This statement would be found on most boards (Acoustic Guitar Forum, etc) and there is a reason for that:  simply put, they make a quality product at a fair price.  Furthermore, they stand behind their product and treat their customers like they were family.  If you search out this forum, you will find countless stories of members who had exceptional customer service, exceeding their wildest expectation.  I personally feel that Larrivee proves that you really don't have to spend really big bucks to get a "boutique" quality built, innovative (see L size/shape guitar series) guitar. 

As for sound, and it is hard to describe, but in my opinion, I would say it is somewhere between the Martin and the Taylor.  It rings crystal clear, bright like the Taylor, and has some of the bass, low end qualities that the Martins are known for.  But, it truly does have a sound of it's own.

I'm sure others will chime in with other responses, but I think you will be pleasantly surprised what money can buy you when it comes to Larrivee.

NewStrings

[dcarey]

You will NEVER go wrong by buying a Larrivee 'entry level' (03 series) guitar. I've owned five Larrivees over the years (and regret selling the three that I sold) and the playability and quality is the same from the top of the lineup to the bottom. I've had Taylors and Martins that I've hated. I cannot say that about the Larrivee brand. They've all been very consistent.
I also own another Taylor and a Lowden. They cost substantially more than my Larrivees and they are all in the same league. My Taylor is a 700 series and is (in my opinion) only a marginally better player. Yes, the Lowden beats all of my Larrivees but at more than five times the price.

You will not be disappointed with a Larrivee, no matter what model.
No, they don't build "good" guitars. They build "excellent" guitars

Regards,
Dan

[stubby]

Hey, tiredoldman - I'm relatively new to Larrivee myself, and there are many on this site who are much wiser - however, as the owner of 2 Larrivees (one being an L-03R), I can say unequivocally that the 03 series is probably the best bang for your buck irrespective of brand. Impeccable craftmanship, wonderful tone.  My guitar looks and plays like a guitar twice its cost. Listen to your son, he's right.

As for versatility, the concensus seems to be that the L models do it all - my own style runs from fingerpicked blues to flatpicked fiddle tunes, and I can attest that my L model handles everything. Larrivee comes in many flavors, however, and you'd have to pick the one that's right for you.

[WorksInTheory]

You know I remember seeing some ad about some guy that was the fingerpickin' champ and he played a Larrivee. That was the first time I heard about it and while all the reading in the world impressed me... I remember the first time I was in a guitar store and I looked and said, oh Larrivees let's give it a try. Picked it up and was like, oh wow real light, and then played it and was like ooooohhh - the sound, the feel, the resonance - I just felt from my finger tips through my body.

That experience I would highly encourage you try for yourself. Just a warning - from then on you will get addicted and you may not just settle for just one.

[rpg51]

Larrivee guitars are very well made guitars - equal to or better than equivilent Martins and Taylors in my opinion.  Also, and this is really important I think - I have owned high end traditional series larrivees AND lower end 03 series Larrivees.  The honest truth is that the lower end guitars I have owned are the best.

[1dimeblues]

welcome to the forum :)

and don't think that you need pearl and high gloss for good tone

my satin finish  OM-03 sounds as good (really BETTER r)  than about anything I have tried in the last 6 years of ebaying and hitting guitar stores..... etc..

I think some other makers are in a competition to flood the market with lots of products and sell tons of guitars.....

I really think Larrivee is all about QUALITY ,  not quantity  :)        amen 

[expatCanuck]

Larrivee's entry level instruments are excellent, both on an absolute and bang-for-the-buck basis.

But I'd like to add:
1) the entry level (03) instruments all have a satin finish.  To amplify what 1dimeblues and rpg51 have said, my suspicion is that, on average, this allows them to be somewhat more responsive than instruments with a (typically heavier) gloss finish.  But, satin finishes have certain characteristics that may offend.  If, fer instance, a player sweats like I do (sorry), the satin finish will get real shiny in spots.  Shouldn't be an issue sonically, but it may be aesthetically.  So satin finish may not be for everyone.

2) Do you have to buy new?  I've purchased excellent used gloss instruments for about the same price as, or a bit more than, new satin finished ones.

All that said, I don't think you can go wrong with a Larrivee -- I prefer them to (I believe) every Martin or Taylor that I've every played, the latters at up to twice to cost of the Larrivees.  Indeed, excepting the Parlor series (sorry folks), I've enjoyed every Larrivee I've every picked up & played.  I don't think it's any accident that Larrivee's students (e.g. - Manzer, Wren, Laskin, deJonge), and their students,  have gone on to build some of the finest guitars that the world has ever seen.

Stepping off soapbox.

Cheers,

- Richard

[WorksInTheory]

... a player sweats like I do (sorry), the satin finish will get real shiny in spots.  Shouldn't be an issue sonically, but it may be aesthetically.  So satin finish may not be for everyone.

Richard - haha what about socially? I have the sweatiest hands - especially if I have had coffee or caffeine that day. It definitely takes a toll on my guitars but I wipe them but when I have to shake people's hands like after an interview oh boy...

[Sweb]

I have 2 of their guitars. I have had 5 Martins and still have a Taylor 310.

One distinguishing feature that sets Larrivee apart is their factory neck setups. They set them up so they are playable right up the neck. Martin's philosophy seems to be that everyone who buys one of their guitars is a bluegrass player, meaning, the strings are set pretty high at the factory and after the second position I start thinking Brooklyn Bridge. So, a new Martin for me requires a couple visits to a qualified luthier for a setup. That's not free. Larrivee's setup is pretty close to where I need it on their fingerstyle guitars. (OMs and OOs)

Furthering the above thought, the Martins I have owned I have had to have the strings lowered closer to the fretboard. There is a difference in the sound quality after that is done. Larrivees sound superb with their factory string setups. The Martins I've had lose some of their sound quality after the strings are lowered and that is why I won't get another Martin. In the store they sound great but after some saddle work to get them playable where I need them I can expect something less than what I payed for. Jean Larrivee's background is with classical guitars and the essence of that experience is impressed into all his guitars. Martin's roots are not so refined.

Don't get me wrong - Martin makes a fine instrument. They just don't suit my needs. Martin still believes in using nitro-cellulose lacquer as a finish. It is supposedly the best finish for a guitar for technical reasons but it is fragile. Larrivee uses a polyurethane UV light cured finish that is much more durable. So does Taylor. Martin is a holdout for the traditional finish. But, that finish requires a lot of work to apply and get right and that is built into the price of the instrument. The polyurethane finish requires a lot less work and reduces the per-unit production costs by comparison.

I have the Larrivee OMV-09E and Custom OO-05. By my own experience and self-subscribed standards (32 years playing) the Larrivee guitar edges out other mass-produced brands in the quality of sound and craftsmanship on a dollar-dollar comparison.

[ronmac]

Welcome to the Forum. Although you shouldn't expect completely unbiased advice here, you are getting a pretty good idea of what the members have to say about the Larrivee brand.

My best advice is to try one. There is no question about the build quality and integrity of the product, but since tone and feel requirements are quite personal, it is best if you have the chance to experience this yourself.

Good luck on your quest, and keep us posted on the outcome!

[Busker]

Welcome to the forum Dad   :GRN>

[ronmac]

Busker, I would highly recommend the OM-03R. Each one I have ever played has been a good guitar, usually outperforming those that sell for considerably more. It will handle fingerstyle and strumming and the body style is very comfortable for most people.

[WorksInTheory]

Larrivee uses a polyurethane UV light cured finish that is much more durable.

Sweb - is the satin finish for the 03 level also polyurethane UV?

[Moonray13s]

All I can add to what's already been said is that I'm a relative novice and I noticed Larrivee's quality immediately. I played high end Martins and Taylors during my hunt for a new axe, but really couldn't afford one. When the woman at my local mom-and-pop guitar store suggested I play a Larrivee 03 series, I was blown away. Only Martin's D-28 had sounded as good at more than twice the price. I was in love instantly. And I wasn't crazy about the satin finish at first, but it definitely grows on you. I'm a proud owner of a D-03 now and am SO glad I did my research. Your son is right, but don't trust him or us. Find a local dealer and play one, or two, or three. That will convince you.

[Acoustic_surf]

Larrivee's entry level instruments are excellent, both on an absolute and bang-for-the-buck basis.

But I'd like to add:
1) the entry level (03) instruments all have a satin finish.  To amplify what 1dimeblues and rpg51 have said, my suspicion is that, on average, this allows them to be somewhat more responsive than instruments with a (typically heavier) gloss finish.

- Richard

I agree. What expatCanuck wrote, is what the guitar shop salesperson told me when I bought my axe. He's had a close relationship with Larrivee for several years here in Vancouver. It makes sense.

[Jackwr]

I've got an almost brand new Martin D41 sitting around doing nothing while I play my Larrivee 00. At bluegrass jams too!

[jambrose]

You will NEVER go wrong by buying a Larrivee 'entry level' (03 series) guitar. I've owned five Larrivees over the years (and regret selling the three that I sold) and the playability and quality is the same from the top of the lineup to the bottom. I've had Taylors and Martins that I've hated. I cannot say that about the Larrivee brand. They've all been very consistent.
I also own another Taylor and a Lowden. They cost substantially more than my Larrivees and they are all in the same league. My Taylor is a 700 series and is (in my opinion) only a marginally better player. Yes, the Lowden beats all of my Larrivees but at more than five times the price.

You will not be disappointed with a Larrivee, no matter what model.
No, they don't build "good" guitars. They build "excellent" guitars

Regards,
Dan

A great answer.

[paralentor]

Let me get this straight.  You bought your kid a Taylor 310 and he's not appreciating it.  All he
can say is his roomates sounds better.  Gosh golly this kid sounds so incredibly spoiled. Better get
him an 05 series cause an 03 might lead to a big temper tantrum.

[Hudman]

Anyhow I was wondering about Larrivee guitars, so I went to there website and I was impressed by what they offer for the price that I've seen them for on several sites. BUT I still don't know much about the craftsmenship or overall quality of the guitars. So as I searched the net for "Larrivee" I came across this forum and I figured where better to ask about Larrivee guitars then the Larrivee Forum.

Do they build "good" guitars? What I mean by this is that any company can make a good guitar that cost a house payment, but what about the entry level stuff? I saw the -03 series was the entry level. What do you think about those? Also in your opinion what is the most diverese guitar they make?

No Larrivee doesn't build "good" guitars. They build excellent guitars. They are hand made from hand selected woods. The craftmanship is as good or better than Taylor and Martin. I have an L-03. I have yet to play anything made by Taylor that compared without spending 2.5 times what my L-03 cost. My L-03 has superior bass response to Taylor guitars. It comes in between Martin and Taylor in the bass department.

In my opinion, Taylor makes a very nice guitar. They are beautiful to look at and the craftmanship is very high. The problem I have is with the lack of bass response. I'm positive your son's roommate is crushing his 310 in the bass department. Larrivee has a much fuller tone. The mids sparkle with clarity. The highs ring out without being too harsh.

The 03 Series is built the same as the the higher priced series Larrivee guitars. They use the same bracing pattern, the same solid wood (tops, sides and backs), maple bindings, ebony bridge, ebony fretboard, etc. The main difference is in the "bling" department (gloss vs. satin, abalone rosettes, ebony tuner buttons, etc.).

The L body is between an OM and a dred. It's great for fingerstyle and strumming.

Take the factory tour on the Larrivee website if you want to see their craftmanship at work.