L-body and tonewoods

[WorksInTheory]

If you were to get only one L Body - what would be the tonewoods that work best for this body style and size?

[Denis]

If you were to get only one L Body - what would be the tonewoods that work best for this body style and size?

For me personally, mahogany...YMMV but then...I like rosewood as well...

[jeremy3220]

Sitka over Mahogany.

[expatCanuck]

I'm happy with my L-09 (Rosewood), but if I could swap it for a comparable Maple, I would.
Very sorry that I parted w/ my L-09FM (Flamed Maple) a year or three back.

- Richard

[kwakatak]

Definitely mahogany/spruce. There's a sort warm, immediate sense to the tonal response as if you were playing in a small cozy room by a fireplace. IMO it also works much better than the D models (because of the overall balance across all the strings) and the OM models (because the L has more bass thrown which seems to fill a void).

[WorksInTheory]

For me personally, mahogany...YMMV but then...I like rosewood as well...

I feel stupid for asking this but... What is YMMV?

[Steve]

YMMV=Your Mileage May Vary

I like the rosewood L's but I play mostly fingerstyle.

[Blue in VT]

I feel stupid for asking this but... What is YMMV?

"Your Mileage May Vary"

My vote is for Mahogany over mahogany...hog tops RULE!!



Blue

[Denis]

Well WorksInTheory...looks like you might have to buy one of each!!!!

I was the first to reply and I still stand by mahogany as an overall, most versatile tonewood for an L but if you're playing a lot of celtic type fingerstyle, a rosewood L works very well for that. 

[love2play21]

Stika over Rosewood it just sings

[jwieties]

Best sounding guitar I have ever owned was a L-09 (Pigtown has it now). 
The thing sounded like a chello... so rich and full.  It was incredible for modern fingerstyle.

However, it was just to much tone for the type of music I play.  I would say a mahogany L would be more versatile and if I were to pick up another, it would be a L-05.

-josh

[maxferry]

My L-03 is mahogany, and I really love it's warm, balanced response. Also, the bloody thing is perhaps the loudest guitar I've ever owned.

However, if forced to choose another option, I would be leaning toward walnut. I've played some walnut Larrivees that just absolute sang, and the sustain is not to be believed. Larrivee has done some really wonderful things with walnut, and if you find the right one, it looks gorgeous too.

[WorksInTheory]

What if I add that I am a better strummer than I am fingerstyle but would learn some fingerstyle. I do play with finger regardless of strumming or fingerstyle because I can't use a pick for the life of me. And what if I were to accompany voice?

[Daysailer]

 

hmmmmmmm..........

let me think on this a bit       


  (i think better on a full belly)

i dont know .......i guess......


Sitka........and
  BLACKWOOD     
ds

[love2play21]

Works, my first really nice expensive guitar was a mahog D sized Martin.  I play contemporary christian and country and learned after a year that my voice is suited better with rosewood and I just happened to be guided towards Larrivees and the rest was history I have a L-09. I do still keep the hog Martin around because it is just a nice guitar and sounds great flatpicked. But for me and my voice my L-09 handles flatpicking, strumming and fingerpicking incredably.  I would say if possible find a L-09 and L-05 if possible and see which one accompanies your voice better. If you are not in a place to find them both together, find a decent high end guitar (ie Martin, gibson, etc etc) in the same size and the only difference being rosewood vs mahog and see which tonewood works best with your main instrument your voice.  We can suggest 05 and 09's all day long they are both perfect guitars but just perfect for different people. 

p.s. in the future when money is not an option and i'm done with school i plan on getting a L-05 as a backup to my L-09

greg

[SongMan]

I like Koa these days. However my ears and taste changes every 3 months.

[Koamon]

For looks and tone in that order,  I agree with Songman,  Koa.
For tone and looks I would have to say Blackwood...if you can find  a gloss one in a L body.
I saw and played only one BW 09  L body several years ago and I was almost thinking of
trading one of my Koas but Uncle Rob talked me off the roof on that one. Perhaps it was a fluke
but that guitar kicked butt and it was a "Second"  to boot!

[ducktrapper]

I'm fortunate to own one with German Spruce and Brazilian rosewood. Seems ideal to me. All my other Larrivées are mahogany though. I love mahogany and wouldn't turn my nose up at an L05. 

[jimmy buffett]

I like Koa these days. However my ears and taste changes every 3 months.

You took the words right out of my mouth, Songman.  I'm a very happy owner of an L09 KOA and continue to be amazed at the sound qualities. Up until then, I thought the L05 was tops, but given the choice, I'm stickin' with the KOA.  Don't know about availability, but I don't think they are readily found.  Having said that, I should point out that I am also expecting delivery of a lovely Rosewood model recently purchased from a forum member.  Pics will be posted once she finds her way to my lovin' arms!

I like Koa these days. However my ears and taste changes every 3 months.

jimmy

[knight_lite_1974]