Tell me about your Larrivee Traditional Series!

[Loud Librarian]

I also posted this at the HC Acoustic Forum, but I just found this place!

I'm saving, saving, and more saving to get one of the Larrivee traditional series guitars. I'm talking the SD-60, the SD-50, or perhaps the 000-50 or 60.

I have played them, they are all very awesome, but it's really hard to pick which one to go with. The rosewood 60s are like another $500, but I think I like them a tad better...

I'm looking to play open tunings on it as well as standard, so I would like some good bass response. The slope dreads definitely had that going on, but the 000's have such a nice midrange and a decent bass.

One other thing - this may be "it" for quite a while for buying any new guitars, so I really want to be happy with my choice.

I know other cheaper Larrivees are pretty sweet as well, the L's and whatnot.  I've got a National M2 for blues and rags.  This new one will be for "general" acoustic playing, Celtic type stuff, "pretty" fingerpicking, Fahey tunes, etc. An all-rounder that can handle the lower tunings.

Thanks!

[prof_stack]

My SD-50 is a pretty amazing instrument.  I think it is Jean's best guitar, but I'm biased.

Maybe its the slope-shoulders, or the 12-fret to the body, or the slothead, or the placement of the bridge on teh soundboard.  Probably its all those things.  It just has a wonderfully complex sound either strummed or fingerpicked.  Yeah, with mahogany, what great overtones!

Good luck.

[Loud Librarian]

Thanks prof_stack, how did you end up with your SD-50, did you try out any others to compare, perhaps the SD-60 or one of the 000s?

[Fstpicker]

Well I haven't played a SD-60, my friend's SD-50 is an incredible sounding guitar!

jeff

[prof_stack]

Thanks prof_stack, how did you end up with your SD-50, did you try out any others to compare, perhaps the SD-60 or one of the 000s?

I've yet to play an SD-60.  The 000-50 and 60 I played and just did not like but I think it was the strings or those particular instruments.

The SD-50 I first played two years ago and was awestruck at the first chord.  The whole guitar just shook and waves of sound came out.  It was my favorite of the many (over 30) Larrivee's my local dealer had in stock.  The SD-50 I have now was purchased from Jim Holler at http://www.trinityguitars.com via an ebay auction.  Later I bought my Martin from him.  Great guy to deal with.