D-03 models

[brandon]

im looking at buying a D-03 sapele mahogany model. i was wanting an opinion about the D-03 models as to whether or not they are quality guitars. ive had the privelege of playing a D-03 and a D-03R and preferably i enjoyed the D-03. I guess overall im just wondering as to whether or not they are quality guitars or should i throw out an extra 400 for an 05 model. Thanks for your thoughts and for your help


    In His grasp,
                Brandon

P.S. forgot the donuts

[cjjtulsa]

My personal experience in trying many Larrivees out is that the -03s are every bit as good quality-wise as the -05s and -09s, and sound just as good.  They just aren't as ornate.  That is new guitars on the wall, not guitars that have had time to open up.

[imwjl]

O.K. I have 2 each of Martins and Larrivees that include the rather legendary HD-28 and my D-03 is the guitar that speaks to me and others more than any of them. I might eat those words after the Martin is set up for same light strings and lower action of the Larrivee, but for now my basic sapele D-03 is the one that I would keep if I had to get rid of all but one.

[jeremy3220]

The quality is the same, the only difference is looks and a bone saddle.

[bbblacksheep]

Hey Brandon,

I haven't been on here in a while but I saw your post and had to respond.  I've got a sapele D-03E and, as you probably noticed, they are extremely high quality guitars.  Wood, construction, finish, etc. is all top-notch.  I had also wanted a D-05 initially because I'm partial to a gloss top but after doing a feature comparison between the 03s and the 05s - not to mention comparing them in person - I decided it just wasn't worth it to pay extra $$$ for the cosmetic differences (and you can always upgrade the most tone-affecting component, the bone saddle).  I'll admit I wasn't partial to the satin finish at first but now I really like it.     Tonewise, they sounded the same to these ears...

Though the 03s are entry-level guitars, I don't think you'd find a higher-quality entry-level by any other manufacturer.

Steve

[woodruff]

im looking at buying a D-03 sapele mahogany model. i was wanting an opinion about the D-03 models as to whether or not they are quality guitars. ive had the privelege of playing a D-03 and a D-03R and preferably i enjoyed the D-03. I guess overall im just wondering as to whether or not they are quality guitars or should i throw out an extra 400 for an 05 model. Thanks for your thoughts and for your help


    In His grasp,
                Brandon

12th fret.com has a claro walnut d-03 you might want to consider as well. I love what larrivee did with walnut and the limited run of L-03, d-03 and OM-03 in 2006. check it out!

[brandon]

checked out that walnut D-03, super nice guitar but its sold. im more partial to the gloss finish than the satin finish but i cant see spending that much more money just for a gloss finish. i appreciate all the input. think ill go with the D-03. oh, does anyone know where i could find a bearclaw top D-03...i know thats getting a little picky but it never hurts to ask.......right???

In His grasp,

    Brandon

[Tycho]

My D-03RE has a nice bit of bearclaw in it -- not as much as my Twelfth Fret OM (which has a lot), but still pretty good.  I think it's just the luck of the draw.  (Or of the claw.)

[brandon]

Has anyone compared a larrivee d-03 to a martin d-15???

[tuffythepug]

checked out that walnut D-03, super nice guitar but its sold. im more partial to the gloss finish than the satin finish but i cant see spending that much more money just for a gloss finish. i appreciate all the input. think ill go with the D-03. oh, does anyone know where i could find a bearclaw top D-03...i know thats getting a little picky but it never hurts to ask.......right???

In His grasp,

    Brandon

Brandon
How about an OM-03R with EXTREME BEARCLAW ?

[imwjl]

Has anyone compared a larrivee d-03 to a martin d-15???

Yes. I did not like the D-15s in dealer stock when I got my D-03, but played one belonging to an acquaintance, and one in used stock that were much better. A very nice playing guitar, but I thought my D-03 had more sparkle in the tone. The neck of the 15s was nice.

Have fun shopping!

[woodruff]

i am a long time Martin fan, well, till I got my larry, but i would never knowingly pick a D-15 over a larry d-03. I think the overall construction and what you get is superior to D-15. oh, and sorry about that walnutter d-03, i ddint notice it being sold. also, it is easy to buff out the satin finish from what i hear. i always liked the 03R that larrivee has, and if i were to get another larry, it would most likely be an OM-03R, i really like how mellow the rosewood makes the tone, and in my mind would be better to my ears than the sapele, but either way, the simple D-03 is a fantastic choice.  plus, the dark hue of rosewod they use is just sweet looking!

[guitarsofpikesvill]

"Though the 03s are entry-level guitars"

Soundwise, I would put these guitars up there with anything on the market at any price. In that regard there is nothing entry level about them, to my ears. IMPO

[brandon]

ill give 1500 for that one Tuffy. i think that notable guitars has a walnut D-03 still up for grabs; however, im kind of weary about buying a guitar that ive never had the chance to fondle around with. i played both the D-03R and the D-03 sapele at a local guitar store. thanks for all the help and for all the input. im already enjoying being part of the forum and i dont even have my larrivee yet.

   In His grasp,
          brandon

 

[bluesman67]

Same quality build and tone, less craftsmanship.

[bluesman67]

Sweet bearclaw on that OM Tuffy, I'm gealous, mine doesn't have that.

[brandon]

how does the sound of walnut compare to that of mahogany and rosewood on the d-03 models?

in His grasp,

           brandon

[imwjl]

how does the sound of walnut compare to that of mahogany and rosewood on the d-03 models?

in His grasp,

           brandon

My rosewood and sapele Larrivees are different models, but I've played D and L in walnut, rosewood, sapele and mahogany. IMO they were just like about any maker's or www site descirption is where rosewood and walnut were more damp, dark or adding sort of some chirp sound (especially with bare fingers and my OMV). This opposed to Larrivees, Martins and others I've played in mahogany or sapele that were toward bright, crisp and maybe more sweet.

It's all good and as always I suggest playing as many as possible.