Larrivee vs. ???

[Glennd]

I have mentioned in a previous post that I am shopping for Dread to add to my guitars. I have this very strong feeling that I am supposed to have a Martin. I have played a D-18, D-28. HD-28, DCPAE, and a D-42. All very good but none "spoke" to me even slightly (not even a whisper). Played numerous Taylors, almost all better than the Martins. Played a Breedlove Revival (dread) and Breedlove Fusion (no where near a dread). The Fusion is the best playing/sounding of the bunch. I'm waiting for my local dealer to receive a Larrivee D-60 before I make a purchase and there is still a possibility of a custom order D-10. What is this feeling towards Martin, great guitars, excellent service to their customers and a tradition that dates almost forever. I am yet to play a Martin that says "take me home with you"! I have heard a lot of talk about Huss And Dalton, all of it very complimentary. Never seen one much less played one. Also could someone explain compound radius (AS TO GUITAR NECKS) to me. A D-10 has a 17 to 21 radius (same as my LV-10) a D-60 has a 16 to 21 radius. Also both D-10 and D-60 have a slightly narrower neck than my LV. Trying hard to become an educated consumer before spending any more $$$. Please feel free to munch and dunk while you think about this subject(s).

[Glennd]

I forgot to mention that after shopping and playing various brands/models and returning home, the Lv convinces ne that Larrivee is very hard to better.

[unclrob]

Compound means thats the curve of the fingerboard is say 17" from the nut to the 12 fret,then from the 12 fret foward is 21" radious.As for not finding a Martin thats speaks to you all I can say is I've handled hundreds of them and out of all that 6 come to mind that I'd own.Find a playing partner is a tough job.Playing all those guitars,spending countless hour's in music store's,OH the Humanity.Only kidding.I've handle a lot of brands and always come back to the fact that Larrivee's are the guitars for me.Ya there have been the odd Gibson,Guild and that one Olson I played 20 years ago but thats it.Oh ya there was a sunburst Taylor dread that I liked but other then that I'm not that impressed with whats being offered from the guitar community.

[Glennd]

Thanks unclrob. you always seem to have your finger on the pulse of what is happening. Have you played any of the Breedlove guitars yet? I liked the two I played better than Gallagher, Collings, Martin or Taylor. Kinda curious about Guild.

[unclrob]

I've played a few Breedlove's can't remember the modals.Though nice enough guitars,good quality and all,they have never spoke to me.Guilds are so different from everything else,sounds like Larrivee's when you think about not like anything else.Guilds are built like tanks.I can use any guage of string I want,no limits like a few I've played.They don't sound like Martin,Gibson or Taylors and most of the newish breeds are based on that vintage Martin and Gibson sound and Taylors are way too mid rangey.I like the Guild bass responce because its not overpowering like Martins,not jangley like Gibson and way fuller freq resonce then Taylor.Guilds have always been able to mimic at least in the jumbo's many other style of guitars.I can pull a very nice archtop guitar tone out of my JF30,pull off the most delicate fingerstyle tone.Drop tunings are so lush,like my Larrivee's.I could go on but no reason to go there.I haven't played any of the new one's from Conn. yet both of my Guilds are from the late 80's.I will add that I've never played a Guild that I haven't wanted to own just based on the tone no matter what condition the guitar is in,just like Larrivee's.

[LawDogStrgsAttach]

Among the guitars, you mentioned, I honestly think the D10, and especially D60 will shine if you want a loud dread with great bass that retains tonal balance. 

But to be completely honest, it appears you can afford (or at least consider) a higher-end guitar.  Try to play a Santa Cruz D/PW and a Collings D1 or D2H before deciding...I think Larrivee is in the same league as those two brands, but those dreads bring a lot of firepower.  My guess is that the Larrivee dreads would be better all-round options, but the SCGC and Collings will be snappier and louder, if you are playing bluegrass or just want a powerful singer/soundwriter axe.

[JOYCEfromNS]

Do most feel the difference between Glenn's L and a D with same wood makeup would be that significant

[jeremy3220]

The dreads that stand out in my memory have mostly been Adirondack, and few Euro and Sitka.

I'd recommend trying a D-18GE before you wright off Martin. I'd also look at H&D's Traditional series which can be had in Adi. SCGC makes a lot of nice dreads - D/PW, Tony Rice and their slope dread.

Do most feel the difference between Glenn's L and a D with same wood makeup would be that significant

No, construction style and execution is the most significant factor in setting one guitar apart from another when you're dealing with somewhat similar body sizes.

[ffinke]

Among the guitars, you mentioned, I honestly think the D10, and especially D60 will shine if you want a loud dread with great bass that retains tonal balance. 

But to be completely honest, it appears you can afford (or at least consider) a higher-end guitar.  Try to play a Santa Cruz D/PW and a Collings D1 or D2H before deciding...I think Larrivee is in the same league as those two brands, but those dreads bring a lot of firepower.  My guess is that the Larrivee dreads would be better all-round options, but the SCGC and Collings will be snappier and louder, if you are playing bluegrass or just want a powerful singer/soundwriter axe.

You'll find it very hard to beat a Larrivee. In addition to the Santa Cruz and Collings offerings (both EXCELLENT guitars) I'd like to throw Bourgeois and Huss and Dalton in the mix. If you want to really kick start the economy you might check out the Merrill line, too.

I gave up on Martin when I sold my D18 after 15 years or so. That was back in the day when I only HAD one guitar. It was OK but nothing special. The best guitar I ever let get away was a JF-30 Guild (Maple jumbo). I now own a Collings OM and an H&D 00-sp. The OM is a solid, good sounding guitar but the 00-sp is a banjo killer!!! And my simple Larrivee L-03 keeps pace with both of them.

Like Unclrob, I've found very few Martins worthy of the trip home (1 in fact). The only one I really liked was an OM-28 Marquis (Adi top, rosewood). Even used it was a lot more than I paid for my Collings but that's it as far as Martin is concerned.

Good luck in your search and I really think you'll end up with a Larrivee.

f

[LawDogStrgsAttach]

I also agree with Jeremy on the Martin D18GE.

But you should also give Jason at Notable Gutiars a call if you want an heirloom quality dread that is around the price range you are flirting with:  Notable Guitars

He has a D09 and D60 in Brazilian - the price will shock you, and braz is getting rare, and this is top shelf braz.

[247hoopsfan]

I had a very similar experience when I was looking for a top shelf dread.  I just could not find a Martin that got to me, and Taylors were not even close.  Then I discoverd Larrivee.  I have had my D10 for about 5 years now and I never tire of it.  As others have said, Santa Cruz, H & d, Collings and a few others make great dreads too.  But you will not be sidappointed if you wind up with a Larrivee dread.

[LawDogStrgsAttach]

I had a very similar experience when I was looking for a top shelf dread.  I just could not find a Martin that got to me, and Taylors were not even close.  Then I discoverd Larrivee.  I have had my D10 for about 5 years now and I never tire of it.  As others have said, Santa Cruz, H & d, Collings and a few others make great dreads too.  But you will not be sidappointed if you wind up with a Larrivee dread.

[OutWithTheBlue]

 

Even though it's my least favorite Larrivee I own, it still kills. A Larrivee dread will not dissapoint.

[Glennd]

Many thanks to all who have answered. I emailed Notable about the D-60 BZ but I suspect even the street price will case my blood pressure to rise. Huss and Dalton keeps coming up and I really want to try one. Tried a used Santa Cruz Tony Rice at my local Larrivee dealer and like Martin didn't speak to me. I am feeling more likely as time and tests go by that another Larry is my future even if it is similar to my L. Has anyone else noticed how ironic it is that the spell check on this program doesn't recognize Larrivee?

[hag99]

Try a Stonebridge as well.  I just bought a DS33 and it's great.  Had an Larrivee D03R and sold it (mistake), and currently own a Gibson AJ (great guitar but it may be moved since I have the Stonebridge).  Great deal on a mahogany Stonebridge on AGF; I don't think you'll get a better dread for $1500.

[bluesman67]

The dreads that stand out in my memory have mostly been Adirondack, and few Euro and Sitka.

I'd recommend trying a D-18GE before you wright off Martin. I'd also look at H&D's Traditional series which can be had in Adi. SCGC makes a lot of nice dreads - D/PW, Tony Rice and their slope dread.

No, construction style and execution is the most significant factor in setting one guitar apart from another when you're dealing with somewhat similar body sizes.

I was thinking the same thing, the D-18GE is a notch up.  I would compare to the Larrivee D-50.  Also, have you ever considered commissioning a guitar.  At your price point, there are several qualified luthiers who can build you something special.  Glen at Green Mountain is outstanding, although I'm not sure about his schedule.  Here's a link to my build thread if you are interested.

http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/index.php?topic=31383.0

[jeremy3220]

I'd recommend trying a D-18GE before you wright off Martin.

great spelling jerk.

[ffinke]

great spelling jerk.

Jeremy,

You got me on that one. I was just about ready to let you have it for being uncouth!!! Nice to know you can laugh at yourself!!!

Way to go.

f

[jeremy3220]

Jeremy,

You got me on that one. I was just about ready to let you have it for being uncouth!!! Nice to know you can laugh at yourself!!!

Way to go.

f

[tuffythepug]

I admit I did a double-take when I saw "wright" in your post Jeremy.  Made me smile a bit, knowing that if you were to read your own post later you'd see the mistake and rectify it.     I'm glad that you didn't just go back and edit your post to eliminate the mistake but chose, instead, to chastise yourself over it.  A sense of humor is important these days.

rite, right, write, wright,  who cares...   we get the point anyhow   


But to the point made by the original poster, and to agree with many replies...   can't go wrong with a Larrivee dread.  Even though I'm primarily a hog kinda guy I'd love to have a D-09 or D-10...  perhaps a D-60 instead .. but I do like the rosewood dreadnaught sound.  Love my L-10 more and more all the time since it's such a totally different sound than my small bodied hogs.

T the P