Anyone Prefer -03's?

[stuco]

 

Just wondering if anyone here prefers the simple appointments and features of the Larrivee -03 Series to the -05 and up guitars?  To me the are like "sleeper" guitars, they don't look fancy but people will always go "WOW" when they hear them and notice the fine craftsmanship behind the toned down look.

[Mr_LV19E]

         03's Rule 

          Satin finish great sound whats not to like

[bluesman67]

While I appreciate the nice touches on an 05 and others, I absolutely love the simplicity of an 03.  As far as looks go on guitars, less is more for me.

[stuco]

While I appreciate the nice touches on an 05 and others, I absolutely love the simplicity of an 03.  As far as looks go on guitars, less is more for me.

Yes, I'm really digging the simple beauty of my new D-03.  It's good to let your playing do the talking for you.(picture a soso musician nervous at an open mic night with a bling machine martin D-45 )  Willie nelson seems to do pretty well with old trigger now doesn't he.  Not saying I don't like fancy guitars, I just also like simple ones as well.

[kwakatak]

I also prefer the 03's over the gloss models. I really don't care for the feel of gloss finishes and decorative touches like MOP or abalone. I'd much rather have the decorative touches come from the woods - like bearclaw/silking on the spruce, flamed maple binding, etc.

I've never seen or tried the Traditional 50 or 60 series though, but I kind of like Herringbone (at least on a Martin HD-28V or HD-35) so I admit that that would be an exception.

[aboss]

While I appreciate the nice touches on an 05 and others, I absolutely love the simplicity of an 03.  As far as looks go on guitars, less is more for me.

couldn't have said it better myself. The 03's present such a great value option considering they supposedly use the same woods/build techniques etc. as on the higher-end models... which is awesome for those of us that prefer the less "bling" of the 03s. Of course i guess they don't use the same woods anymore now that the 03s are made with sapele... their still awesome guitars though.

[jwb]

I even like the sound of the -03 guitars, too...it has been said that the satin finish allows the top to vibrate more freely and change the sound of the guitar.  I don't know if this is true or not, but...I personally think, out of the box, the -03 guitars sound really good and don't need as much time to be played in to "open up" as the gloss top Larrivees.  I've played a few -03s that I would choose over the more pricey -05, -09 or -10.  The first Larrivee I bought (LV-03R) sounded better to me than the LV-09 hanging next to it and I had the money to buy the -09 and passed.  I don't have an -03 anymore and I miss them for sure.   

[AtlasHeating]

I own two 0-3's and I am convinced that they are one of the best values in any guitars offered period!
I have not tried the higher series guitars and I am not interested, I have everything I need with my 0-3's.
I think the rosewood with the maple binding and a satin finish is a work of art. I prefer the look to the full gloss of other guitars.

[JWWRMA]

A little abalone around the sound hole is about all the bling I can take.  Satin has its issues as does a gloss finish, but i would take a bone saddle over tusk any day.  One would think that a guitar maker might keep his/her "better woods" for the higher end guitars but maybe not.

For me; though, it is not that hard a choice when a new L03 is $825 and a new L09 is $1500.   

J

[saintandsinnerguy]

For me it is ONLY the 03 line.......and not because I can't afford more expensive (I make a good living).....no, it's because the 03 line is how a guitar is supposed to be built, simple and tasteful.  I just wish Jean would have kept the 03 line of parlors........big mistake to discontinue satin parlors in my book.

[Tycho]

A little abalone around the sound hole is about all the bling I can take.

I don't even really like abalone rosettes. 

On the other hand, I love the herringbone on my 00-50, and on all the other trad-series guitars.  And the sunburst on my 00-50 is beautiful.

[stuco]

  I just wish Jean would have kept the 03 line of parlors........big mistake to discontinue satin parlors in my book.

 

If anyone from Larrivee is reading please please start offering satin parlors again.

[Blue in VT]

I love my 03BW but the 05mt is till my go too guitar...it is most likely the faciest guitar I will ever own....and I', fine with that...it rocks!!!





Blue

[PortHueneme]

My OM-03 Koa is a fantasitic guitar. Great well balanced sound, versatile & comfortable to hold.
I really like the plain look too, but my SD-60 sunburst beauty is matched by its voice.

[canoe65]

Not that I am made of money, but I specifically wanted a pre-sapele, mahogany L-03 over a L-05, because I wanted an all-satin finish Larrivée.

I definitely prefer the 'simple' looks, but high quality of the 03 models, over the gloss body / satin neck of the mahogany 05 (or higher) series.

My Larrivée L-03 has the exact features of, what I consider, a perfect 'working' guitar.  I am VERY happy with my L-03 and wouldn't consider replacing it with any other acoustic.

However, I am feeling the onset of GAS with regards to finding a P-03 model.   

[Jeff]

I've said this before on a similar thread.  I had the money at the time I purchased my LV-03 to have been able to buy an 05 or higher guitar in the Larrivee lineup, but the simplicity of the 03 won me over.  I just prefer a satin finish to gloss and abalone and other ornamentation just puts me off.
Jeff

[skramer]

I have two Larry's which are 03's and i prefer the simple look of the guitar.  I do not have a an ear for tone difference between a satin finish and a high gloss finish, but I beleive 8-9 coats of clear coat finish will restrict the vibration of the sound box.  Satin does not have all the layers of finish.  I beleive that the siplicity of the 03 is beautiful.   

[Larrivee4me]

For me it is ONLY the 03 line.......and not because I can't afford more expensive (I make a good living).....no, it's because the 03 line is how a guitar is supposed to be built, simple and tasteful.  I just wish Jean would have kept the 03 line of parlors........big mistake to discontinue satin parlors in my book.

I must disagree!!!  That's exactly why the satin parlors have held their value!!  Though a lot of them were produced,  there is enough demand that keeps their selling price on the street reasonable for both sellers and buyers. It's a nice balance.  

[stuco]

I must disagree!!!  That's exactly why the satin parlors have held their value!!  Though a lot of them were produced,  there is enough demand that keeps their selling price on the street reasonable for both sellers and buyers. It's a nice balance.  

reasonable, I think they are overpriced and usually go for more than they cost new.

[saintandsinnerguy]

The reason they  parlors are sell for more than they did new is that you can't buy them anymore.  If they were still being made in satin, the street price would not be so high.  I don't care if they would use subpar wood for the satin parlor...........use second's or wood with flaws.  Make them strickly out of Sapele, I don't care.....anything to keep the price around $500 new.  The world needs an all solid wood parlor that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.  Parlors are meant to be toted around and used.  I don't feel much like toting around a $1000 and up parlor.  In that range, I feel I need to baby it.  Give me a working man's parlor that is still made with the same quality care as other 03's.......you just don't need to use the woods he used in past.  Heck, find a native born wood and go with it on the satin parlors.  Just don't bling them up and increase the price on something that is often used as a travel guitar.  That's all I'm saying.  Of course the satins are fetching a huge price.  People want one before you can't get one anymore.....so they are willing to put down outrageous money.  I bought my satin parlor used for $400 a year and half ago.  That was the right price......now they go for twice that.  Not good.  If they were still being made this wouldn't be so.