Upcoming Forum Guitar spec's vs model L factory spec's ~ HELP!!

[Safricanplayer]

While revisiting the spec's for the upcoming Forum 111 guitar, I was surprised to find they differ quite a bit from the spec's for an L model Larrivee. Particularly  surprising was the fact that the depth of the Forum 111 will be 4" versus 4.25" on the OM and 4.75 on the current L models. Additionally the lower bout width on the Forum 111 is 15.25" which is slightly less than the OM.

While I have no doubt this will be a great instrument, I'm curious as to how these specs were arrived at. Did the decision to go with a short scale lead to these specs?

Finally, given the versatility that the L-body shape is famous for, I wonder whether the specs of the Forum 111 might place it more in the camp of the fingerstylist, and perhaps leave some individuals who might have expected a bit more versatility from this guitar, disappointed?

I know I came late to this party, and no doubt the final specs for this guitar were well thought out. However, as a prospective owner of one of these instruments, I just really want to understand what I can expect from this instrument.

This post is in no way intended as a knock on this guitar, but rather a genuine desire to understand the uniqueness that this instrument will offer.

Thanks for the feedback. 

~ Ray ~

[mole2]

Welcome to the forum.  I don't know about any of the other specs but the scale length is 25.5" which makes it a standard scale and not a short scale.  That's one of the reasons I passed on it.  I was hoping for a 12 fret short scale slot head.   

[Safricanplayer]

Welcome to the forum.  I don't know about any of the other specs but the scale length is 25.5" which makes it a standard scale and not a short scale.  That's one of the reasons I passed on it.  I was hoping for a 12 fret short scale slot head.   

You are correct, I meant 12 - fret, not short scale.

[GeeNorm]

So much information is available in the two discussion threads that led to the choice of an LS body for the Forum guitar.

At no point in the process was an L body discussed. Larrivee, like other manufacturers, is free to make running changes in their specifications. Today's LSV-11 is the only small L, thus, LS, instrument in the Larrivee catalog. Their specs can still be seen on the Larrivee site. But the original LS body had the 4" depth and that is what the Forum guitar is based upon.

The Forum Guitar III will be slightly smaller than an L, but the 12th fret neck join will move the bridge toward the center of the lower bout increasing sound volume.

Other strong appeals of the Forum guitar include the availability of real mahogany instead of sapele and the option of Italian spruce top. Italian spruce has only been offered in limited editions of the higher priced 10 series instruments.

I encourage you to take the time to read the topic, "Orphaned Larris What If..." which is conveniently linked to on page one of the sticky topic, "Forum Guitar discussion." Yes this is a lot of reading, but your answers will all be there along with the back and forth discussions that brought concensus and shaped the specs of the LS-03 Forum Guitar III.

Norman

[Dotneck]

While I have no doubt this will be a great instrument, I'm curious as to how these specs were arrived at. Did the decision to go with a short scale lead to these specs?

Basically the finalized body size was lobbied for by a handful of forum members. Some wanted a deeper smaller (OO) body...others wanted the thinner LS body. Some thought that the thinner body would be easier to reach around than the deeper body.  At the end of the day this is the one that won the most support. You're right..not everybody will be happy with it but it does seem to be generating a lot of orders. I don't think a regular "L" body ever got much discussion.

The proof is in the pudding. That we'll see sometime towards March-April

[Danny]

Basically the finalized body size was lobbied for by a handful of forum members. Some wanted a deeper smaller (OO) body...others wanted the thinner LS body. Some thought that the thinner body would be easier to reach around than the deeper body.  At the end of the day this is the one that won the most support. You're right..not everybody will be happy with it but it does seem to be generating a lot of orders. I don't think a regular "L" body ever got much discussion.

The proof is in the pudding. That we'll see sometime towards March-April

Also we were going for an out of production model. An L is stil in production.

[tadol]

The Forum guitar will be a bit specialized as compared to an L, due primarily to the smaller size, soundboard, and 12 fret neck. The L is a great guitar, and you should not get swept up in Forum Fever if the L is more appropriate to your playing style and needs.

Tad

[Safricanplayer]

So much information is available in the two discussion threads that led to the choice of an LS body for the Forum guitar.

At no point in the process was an L body discussed. Larrivee, like other manufacturers, is free to make running changes in their specifications. Today's LSV-11 is the only small L, thus, LS, instrument in the Larrivee catalog. Their specs can still be seen on the Larrivee site. But the original LS body had the 4" depth and that is what the Forum guitar is based upon.

I encourage you to take the time to read the topic, "Orphaned Larris What If..." which is conveniently linked to on page one of the sticky topic, "Forum Guitar discussion." Yes this is a lot of reading, but your answers will all be there along with the back and forth discussions that brought concensus and shaped the specs of the LS-03 Forum Guitar III.

Norman

Thanks Norman, I'll check this out.

Tad you are correct in your observation about the guitar needing to be most appropriate for it's intended use, and thus my inquiry. Thanks for all the feedback..

  ~ Ray ~

[fongie]

G'day Ray, I'm no expert in this field, I rather the experts handle this. But, one thing I do know, nobody knows me , how I play, and most of all 'what guitar suits me best', the feel, the sound and do I feel comfortable. I've got short arms, and a Forum 111 guitar would suit me to the ground because of the 4" dept, but if I had longer arms, I definately wood consider a 'L' body 4.75" because of the 'OOMF'. I love my 'L's', but I still find them a touch to big for my style of playin', and yet so comfortable with my girlfriends guitar with a smaller body, but again it does'nt have that punch. Thats why my next assignment is a Parlour cutaway.
Cheers
Fongie
Chill out, Man, have a