I want a Larrivee. ? Which ONE ARRGGGHHH!

[stuco]

 
Hello everyone, I'm going to be purchasing a larrivee soon.  I don't know which one but I do know I want a L- body in Mahogany, (I finally figured out that I'm not a rosewood man).  I'd like to buy a guitar I can keep for the rest of my life, A guitar to end all GAS!  So I need to pick the right one. I need to be able to use it for open mics and occasional gig but for an all purpose guitar.  I need to spend as little as posssible. I'd prefer the gloss but I like the satin too.  I like the cut away.(but honestly mostly for the looks)  I couldn't put a hole in the 05 but i think I could handle onboard electronics in an 03(the thing is I don't know if a satin base model could honestly end all the GAS) but here are the two models I have in mind. the LV-03e and the L-05(maybe add a k&k pwm later) What is the difference in price between these two models?  Arent they close to the same price.  If anyone has owned both, how much does the cutaway on the L mahogany effect the tone.  Just need some insight from the experts. Thanks guys, and again AARRRGGGHH!

[Busker]

WOW

we WERE in the same boat untill you got into cutaway's and electronics.....

I asked basically the same question about a month ago and I'll give you the advice EVERYONE gave me. PLAY THEM ALL!!!!

Just wait someone will be around shortly with GREAT advice.

[stuco]

That's the problem, I can't try any of them.  I live far away from any dealers.  But I still want a larrivee, AARRGGHH!

[Lefty4]

There is a considerable jump in price for the 05's versus the 03 series. Since you like satin ok, I'd just get an L-03.

[Denis]

the thing is I don't know if a satin base model could honestly end all the GAS

^_^ ^_^ ^_^

Oh, that's funny!!!!

Do you think ANYTHING will actually do that?
:WNK>

[ducktrapper]

L03VE or L05VE. 

[Calvin]

Get an L05 if you dont know.  You can't go wrong with it.

Because

1. You are never gonna regret that you got a lower end model
2. It does everything... ...WELL
3. THE signature Larrivee sound.

[expatCanuck]

...A guitar to end all GAS! ...

No no no no no no no no no and no.  Sorry.  Just doesn't work that way.  I've owned a few guitars to end all GAS.  Still buying and selling.  See this thread for more:

     http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/index.php?topic=11792.0

That said - both the L-03 and L-05, with or without the cutaway, are plenty fine instruments.  Won't end GAS, tho'.  Don't know of anything that will.

As regards electronics -- I intensely dislike holes in guitar sides.  I bought a used L-09 (off this forum, in fact) and had a trusted local luthier install a Baggs iMix. (I'm rather lucky - Mark Herbert, who does virtually all (if not all) of Pat Metheny's work, has his workplace about a 10-15 walk from my front door.)  I suspect I'd have been just as happy with a B-Band A2.2 or Baggs dual source.  Just an invisible hole under the saddle and output through the tailblock pin, and I'm off to the open mic.  Tonight, in fact.  :7)

Oh, and 'Welcome!'.

- Richard

[acoustic6]

I'll have to second the vote for an L-05.  This was my first higher-end guitar and the sound blew me away and still does today.  I'll never part with this one.  Really does do everything quite well.  Fingerstyle, strumming, comfortable, pretty........love it!!

One thing it can not do nor can any guitar for that matter IMO is cure the dreaded GAS.  Only death I would guess.  Could there be GAS after death?  Aside from the smelly kind?  I'm gonna think on that one while as I reach for the L-05.

Good luck on your decision! 

[sayheyjeff]

I agree with expat chuck 100%.  I don't care for the hole in the side of the guitar but admit that is a taste thing others can view differently.  However, since this is "the guitar to end all gas" and you will keep it for the rest of your life, I see (without any crystal ball or engineering background) great advancements over the next - how many more years do you hope to be around? - ... in electronics for guitars and you may want to replace those you may be using in 10 - 20 years as current state of the art becomes the "8 track player" of guitar electronics.  Kidding aside, there appear to be many good choices for add-on electronics that can be installed and changed out easily.  Worth considering.

jeff

[Mikeymac]

The ONLY THING that ends the GAS is DEATH.  :TON>

signed,

(The Reverend) Mike McInnis

(and I'm DEAD SERIOUS about this...)

[Randy_R]

watch for a good condition L-05. It won't cost you that much more than an L-03 and you'll never regret it. 

[stuco]

 

Thanks everyone for the thoughts(and keep em coming)
You all are probably right, there is no end to GAS but I'm attempting to be the first to achieve this state of being. To be totally satisfied. (At least til' I get out of college and I can afford it)  To do this I've already given up electric guitar and gone acoustic(reverse Dylan, ha) I have sold all of my gear except for an F-mandolin, a broken elcetric, and My Yairi DY-74 Rose/spruce dread. I bought this guitar attempting to end my GAS but have realized(after many years of playing them too) that a dread is just too big and I actually prefer playing a cheap mohogany dread over my yairi because I just like mahogany better(nothing against the yairi, it sounds beautiful)

So that is my situation. If I could just have one clean sounding comfortable guitar that has good mids higs and bass and can be used for strumming, fingerstyle, a little bluegrass/folk and I can use it for open mics I think I can be happy and focus more on playing. Thanks again
T

[om4me]

...that a dread is just too big and I actually prefer playing a cheap mohogany dread over my yairi ...

If you find a dread physically too large, you may not be too happy with the L body which is only slightly smaller.  The L body still has a 16" lower bout and only a slightly smaller upper bout with a slightly narrower waist.  The body depth is only slightly thinner than a dread, about 1/4".

You might wish to consider the OM03R which is quite versatile with no real weaknesses.  But if you're set against rosewood, and feel only an L will do, the L03 and L05 - as others have chimed - are both exceptional instruments.  If in your situation, I'd probably go L03 and use the money I saved on bribing the gf/wife in anticipation of GAS down the line.  We all know that GAS can strike at any time and takes no prisoners.   :WNK>

[Acoustic_surf]

Get an L05 if you dont know.  You can't go wrong with it.

Because

1. You are never gonna regret that you got a lower end model
2. It does everything... ...WELL
3. THE signature Larrivee sound.

Hi, I'm wondering...from the specs it looks like the only audible difference would be from a bone saddle. Does it make a big difference? When I bought my D-03 the salesperson said there was no difference in sound, that the gloss was just cosmetic, and along with the abalone made the difference in price.. Is he wrong? Anyway, I'm just curious. I bought a blackwood and I don't think a gloss finish was an option for me anyhow.

[Ratishna]

If you really like a guitar, you will no doubt keep it many years.  You can amortize the cost over those years.  A $1,000 guitar kept 10 years costs $100 per year, or less than $10 per month.  Lots of people spend more than $10 a month on coffee.  Buy the best you can and don't look back.

E. Shoaf

[Feste]

If you find a dread physically too large, you may not be too happy with the L body which is only slightly smaller.  The L body still has a 16" lower bout and only a slightly smaller upper bout with a slightly narrower waist.  The body depth is only slightly thinner than a dread, about 1/4".

Or perhasp the perfect Larrivee for you is the hard to find LSV-05!!!!
http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/index.php?topic=11777.0

I have an L-03K, a OMV-05, a C-09 and the LSV-05.... I like the body best because of the larger size, but I'd take the LSV over an OMV... I think the sound is very comparable but if your going to go smaller the LSV is the way to go. BI agree that any one of these models is a good choice and with Larrivees you can always find a buyer or a good trade here on the forum... so why not try 'em all to you find the right one!  AS I've said before... you only get one wife (most of us anyway) so you might as well fool around with guitars. :GRN>

[SongMan]

I vote for L-05.  Only Larrivee I regret selling L-05, L-03Blackwood, All mohogany forum guitar, and finally Blackwood Parlor.

By the way, the GAS does not end... in my dictionary anyways :WNK>

[stuco]

 

So if I do get the LV-03E and install a bone saddle, then it will sound exactly like the LV-05E. Is there anyone who has owned/played these two guitars alot? Thanks

[stuco]

 
Keep the thoughts flowin', I need more opinions.  I am starting to lean toward the LV-03E. If I were to settle for this guitar do you think I can find one for under 1grand(I know I'm not supposed to mention prices but I don't mean specifically). Thanks guys. Have a great one