Tell me more about my D-40

[MartinaMcBrown]

Hi all!   

This is my first time here, so be gentle with me, will ya?
I've got a fantastic D-40 at home, and it's a beautiful looking and sounding guitar.  Clear as a bell, lots of crystal overtones, and man it's LOUD.  The satin finish and understated details give it a really elegant look, and the top has darkened into an interesting pattern.  When it was new, it had darkish streaking around the edges, but with a couple of years these have mellowed into what almost looks like an antique patina burst. 
There is very little information around about this run of guitars, and when I called Larrivee a couple times to get a spec sheet on it, I really got nowhere.  I hope they were just really busy and that my experiences with their service don't represent the company in general.

Do any of you out there have specs on the D-40 and any information on the wood sources for it?  The top wood on my guitar is very unusual, and I'd truly appreciate any details that might be out there.

MM

[stuco]

 

Well, I think they are mahogany and spruce.  I believe all the specs are the same as the d-50 except for the gloss finish and other cosmetics.  They only made a very limitid run of these so they are kinda rare.  Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[Denis]

Actually the D-40 is a scaled down D-60 so it's a sitka spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides.

[IMCanadian]

They were a special order for Long and McQuade's 50th anniversary. There are a few around Toronto that I have been testing and itching to buy.
Yes they are Sitka spruce and rosewood. It was the best sounding guitar at any price in the room, to my ear. Only thing that put me off was
the 1 11/16 nut width. I also think my L 03 would be neglected. Must resist the GAS. Must resist. You have a great guitar. Did you buy it new?

[lolligagger]

It seems to me that we are talking about a different vintage of D-40 than one of the 40 guitars produced in 2006 for Long and McQuade. MM refers to owning the guitar for a couple of years. Just curious...can you snap a couple of pics for us?

[MartinaMcBrown]

I could have sworn it was '05, lolligagger, but you are correct!      
It was bought new at L&M in early '06.  Unfortunately the label inside doesn't indicate which of the series of 40 it is.  Looking at the D-60 specs, the differences seem to be mostly aesthetic.  The 40 does not have the pearl on the rosette, the bone nut and saddle, the herringbone trim on the binding, the pearl fret markers, or the volute.  The Larrivee name is inlaid in pearl on the 60, but it appears to be maple on the 40 to match the binding.  I think the 60 is probably full gloss with a satin neck, but the 40 is all satin.

IMCanadian, I feel more comfy with a 1 3/4 as well and play a 000, but the D-40 is the go-to guitar for the 'grasser in the house, and the sound of it is enough to get anyone over to the other side of blue!  I'll post pics for you when I can get hold of a digital.

MM

[lolligagger]

MM, If you get hold of a digital, I would love to see pictures of your guitar! None of these guitars were actually numbered, but it is my understanding from Larrivee that there were only 40 produced for L&McQ in 2006. I have usually gotten a response (albeit a brief one) from Larrivee customer service if I am to the point and thank them in advance for their time. I trust that they are too busy making most excellent guitars to prepare elegant prose for their email responses. Does your guitar look similar to this?

[harmonycat]

My first post here.

I have played 3 of these in Long & McQuades over the past year. I am almost sure that I played the first one in the fall of 2005.  I knew they were limited and was told that the sound hole was larger than normal.

They were the just about the best guitar in each sound room of the three stores.

I played some 5 series Taylors, various Martins (D-18, DM, D-1), some S&P high end stuff, and other Larrivees on each occasion.

The only guitar that I played side by side with it, that was in it's league, was a Martin D-35 at twice the price.

Fabulous guitar.....period!