What is the Best All Around Larrivee Guitar?

[acousticsun]

Well, I did my homework and bought my dream guitar - a Martin D28.  This is the one all the greats have played, owned, etc.  It's not rocking my boat!  The dread is a little too big in the body - it's hard to explain.  It's probably just me, my wife thinks I'm crazy because I took all that time checking into the D-28 - even took it a Martin shop.  They love it, nothing wrong with it, great booming Martin sound, very versatile.  It's an older one, so it has character (1999) which I was also looking for.  Now I want to sell or trade it.  I'm an intermediate player and just a strummer, flat picker but want to learn to fingerpick.  Some friends say just hang on to it, you will grow into it and it will just keep getting better but I don't have the patience and am not into it.  My question is - I want to get a Larrivee but with all the different styles where would I start?  I want the booming, balanced sound only in a smaller body size and want to be able to do strumming flat picking.  I want just an all around keeper that I can jam but also fingerpick when I learn how - tall order, huh?  LOL!  So therein lies the problem with so many styles to choose from - the Concert, the L's, OMs, Parlors, D's, etc.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Want to spend around $2000 - Thanks!

[Cowgirlie]

You might really like a Larrivee L-9, it will have a thinner body depth than the D-28, and a narrower waist, which may be more comfortable to play, and you will get the rosewood sound you liked int he D-28...more sustain of notes, and a bit more "boom-chucka" when you strum. You are NOT crazy, for some folks, the dreadnaught bodies are a bit too deep and in my case, though I LOVE the boom, they make my arm go numb after a while.
The Larrivee OM models have an even thinner body, but you will have to see houw you feel about wider shoulder on the OM...of the two, I prefer the L-body.

I personally LOVE the traditional series Larrivees, but they have wider necks and twelve frets...if you like the narrower nut width of the D-28, and like the 14 frets, try an L-series or OM.  The Larrivee Ds are going to have the same body type that you already have in the D-28.

[jeremy3220]

I want the booming, balanced sound only in a smaller body size and want to be able to do strumming flat picking.

I doubt the smaller Larrivee guitars will have the same amount of 'boom' as the D28.

The L's do make good strummers and are more comfortable than dreads. So an L-05 or L-09 would be what I recommend you try out in your search.

[prof_stack]

Too bad about the D28.  They are nice guitars, the standard by which all dreadnaughts are measured.  The most copied Martin.

Anyway, the L-09 is an excellent guitar for you to consider, based on what you stated. 

Good luck.

[Dale_I]

I just purchased an LV-10 from Dave at Guitar Adoptions and had a very pleasurable experience. I popped over to his site and caught a few models that would be worth a test drive by you. If you are looking for an older "aged" guitar in your price range, I went into previously owned instruments, and there is a: (click on images once you get to the page to see close up pics)

Beautiful 1994 LS-19
http://www.guitaradoptions.com/store/product.php?productid=18551&cat=275&page=1
The LS model is just slightly smaller than the L, but the same comparative dimensions between upper/lower bout and waist.

A nice pre-owned L-09
http://www.guitaradoptions.com/store/product.php?productid=18590&cat=275&page=1

Or you can take a look at the new stock he has in inventory if you want something that you can break in.
No association other than satisfied customer...

[love2play21]

D-28 was my dream and i fell in love with the Larriveé L-09 and have yet to look back after purchasing my L-09

[Old Neil]

Well I recently got my long awaited Martin custom HD 28. The differences from the standard were wood upgrades to the premium Sitka top and East Indian RW. The neck is a fat 'full thickness' 1 & 3/4" slab of tone and feel! Other changes were just cosmetic stylings I preferred. Its the best sounding new Martin I've ever heard. It even beats a mature D45 I had lusted over. Here's a few pics then back to scheduled Larrivée viewing. 




OK, regarding your concerns. I agree with another poster that Larrivée probably won't give you that authoritative 'boom' that is part of the trademark Martin dread sound. To a certain extent the SD's have some of that but they are even BIGGER guitars  than your D28. Even then they share the Larrivée family tonal signature of focus, clean unclutteredness and sparkle.
A good compromise has already been mentioned the in the L series.
However if you want that Martin sound in a smaller guitar look no further than an OM28V. Its a middleweight that punches like a heavy. A dreadnought trapped in an OM body.

[imwjl]

Well, I did my homework and bought my dream guitar - a Martin D28.  This is the one all the greats have played, owned, etc.  It's not rocking my boat!  The dread is a little too big in the body - it's hard to explain.  It's probably just me, my wife thinks I'm crazy because I took all that time checking into the D-28 - even took it a Martin shop.  They love it, nothing wrong with it, great booming Martin sound, very versatile.  It's an older one, so it has character (1999) which I was also looking for.  Now I want to sell or trade it.  I'm an intermediate player and just a strummer, flat picker but want to learn to fingerpick.  Some friends say just hang on to it, you will grow into it and it will just keep getting better but I don't have the patience and am not into it.  My question is - I want to get a Larrivee but with all the different styles where would I start?  I want the booming, balanced sound only in a smaller body size and want to be able to do strumming flat picking.  I want just an all around keeper that I can jam but also fingerpick when I learn how - tall order, huh?  LOL!  So therein lies the problem with so many styles to choose from - the Concert, the L's, OMs, Parlors, D's, etc.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Want to spend around $2000 - Thanks!

I suggest that you send the D28 to me right away so you can stop thinking about it or worrying whether you really like it or not. The D28 being rather a standard means you might not be happy with other purchases, so let me know what you buy next, and maybe you can send that my way to so you just won't have to stew over it and have it there to bother you.

;)

[bluesman67]

It probably is the L for you, but, compare it to a mahog or rosewood OM.  Since you weren't comfortable with a dread size, it makes sense to consider an OM.

[bhika]

Larrivee L-09 or L-10

[jimmyd]

I've heard a lot of people say they would like an OM with the voice of a dread. Good luck finding one. I don't think they exist at any price. The Proulx OM/D or the H&D CM might come the closest. You could keep the D28 and add an 09 Larrivee for the price of either of those and have money left over. In fact Proulx is so backed up he won't even take orders for future delivery. I think the L body Larry is one of the most ascetically pleasing shapes out there. At 4 3/4 they are only an eighth of an inch more shallow than a Martin dread. They ride lower in your lap because of tighter waist which might be a good thing for you. If you play standing up then consider finding a dealer w/ an L body and ask to play it standing. As for tone if you want it loud with a big low end a Larrivee might not get you there. A Martin dread is 4- 7/8 deep and 15 1/2 wide which is the defacto dread standard.  Larrivees dreads are even bigger @ 5 deep by 16 wide.  My favorite dread shape is the Santa Cruz which is
4- 1/2 by 15- 1/2. FWIW a used D/PW is in the same ball park as a used D28 price wise. The slightly more shallow depth made a big difference to me. YMMV.

[Tycho]

You are NOT crazy, for some folks, the dreadnaught bodies are a bit too deep and in my case, though I LOVE the boom, they make my arm go numb after a while.

I can't resist quoting Norman Blake on why he got tired of playing regular-size dreads: "It's like stringing up the kitchen table and trying to play that."

[Larriveeluv]

L series  my man.  I just got rid of a martin d-18v for it. Martin sounded great, but I hated the v neck option and the boominess. Also it was uncomfortable playing while sitting down.  Got the L 10,  just as loud, more refined sound, best neck I ever got my hands on, handles strumming and fingerstyleplaying with ease. MUCH more comfortable to play while sitting down. Can't go wrong with these............ Good luck.......

[jeremy3220]

However if you want that Martin sound in a smaller guitar look no further than an OM28V. Its a middleweight that punches like a heavy. A dreadnought trapped in an OM body.

That's a good suggestion. Those and the SCGC OM/PW's are very big sounding OMs. I know my OM/PW sounds bigger than the L-03 I had.

[ducktrapper]

The only problem with a Larrivée is the logo. It doesn't say Martin. Ha ha. As to the question? Hard to say really. Mahogany or rosewood? Maybe an L maybe an OM. You gotta try a few. As for dreads? I'll take my D05 over any similar dread Martin's made in many a year. But that's just me.   

[sutton]

I have found my D 18 V not very comfortable to play although it sounds great.  My  humble D03  gets the call most of the time.

[Old Neil]

Those and the SCGC OM/PW's are very big sounding OMs

Yes that's a great model too. Forgot about that one first up. OK, its a Larrivée forum but that doesn't mean we can't include suggestions that don't have Larrivée on the headstock right guys?

[sfumato]

I doubt the smaller Larrivee guitars will have the same amount of 'boom' as the D28.

I agree with Jeremy - Martins sound like Martins and Larrivees sound like Larrivees....and it's hard to get a large body sound out of any brand smaller body guitar.

I'm in a very similar situation to you:  have a wonderful D-28 that is so lush but is very unwieldy for me size-wise.  Every time I play it, I think "why did I think I should sell this?" because it sounds so good, but then about 20 minutes later, I remember why when my arm starts to fall asleep.

I did happen to try a very nice Larrivee OM-60 in a local shop - very nice tone and good volume.  I'm also thinking about swapping my D-28 for a Martin OMC-28e, because I like the cutaway and on-board Aura options.  The OM-28V is also great guitar but the v-neck isn't my favorite.

Good luck in your search!
Jane

[Larriveeluv]

I was looking between an OM and the L. To my ears OMs have a more boxy ? sound quality to them.  I think The L is more like a mini jumbo.........

[PortHueneme]

Buy an OM either rw or hog, keep the Martin.
Finger pick and sit at home playing the OM, when you go jamming or want to play loud use the Martin.
Your Martin won't go down in value and actually may go up.
My second Larrivee was an OM-03, I could not decide between rw & hog, so Uncle Rob suggested KOA, right between the 2.
It is a very versatile guitar, love it's voice and did break the bank to have another guitar around the house. Great guitar to take out when I don't want to expose one of the expensive ones, but still want to be seen and play something decent.