Why Do Larrivee Guitars. . .

[broKen]

Besides the materials the body is made of, we musn't forget the length and thickness of the neck, as well as the material it's made of (rosewood/ebony fretboard)

[unclrob]

I'm not sure if the actual wieght of the guitar means much,I sure I'll get slammed for that.I have handle some very light wieght guitars that were built like tanks and some pretty wieghty stuff that felt like it would fall apart if you stummed too hard.Everbodies perception is different.I do find Larrivee's to be hardy and great work horse's since therer are time's I'm playing it what feels like 110 degree humid off the ocean condition which have torn apart other brands.Hope this helps.

[rockstar_not]

Well, anyone remember playing Garrison guitars?  Those were HEAVY!

I actually liked how they sounded - but Gibson bought the company and shut it down.  It was a very cool construction idea - injection-mold the framework and binding, then glue on the top/sides/back.

I remember putting on one of those Garrison dreadnaughts and feeling like I just put on a Les Paul!

[jeremy3220]

Besides the materials the body is made of, we musn't forget the length and thickness of the neck, as well as the material it's made of (rosewood/ebony fretboard)

All mine are basically the same scale and materials(ebony over mahogany), though technically the Larrivee is the longest. Both of the other guitars have thicker necks, especially the dread, and the SCGC has an added strap pin. The Larrivee also has lighter tuner buttons than stock.

I'm not sure if the actual wieght of the guitar means much,I sure I'll get slammed for that.

Certainly different construction methods matter. Some people build with double sides and all kinds of weird stuff but we can still make comparisons with Larrivees and similarly built guitars. My Larrivee and other two guitars all have the same basic design (X-braced, same number of braces, no electronics,etc.). It's pretty obvious to me that my SCGC is definitely lighter in the soundboard; it sounds different and even the braces themselves are clearly thicker on the Larrivee. The upper transverse brace for instance is a monster and we've all seen pictures of the large bridge plates they use. I really don't care how people feel about it but they're kidding themselves if they can't see Larrivees do not fall on lightest end of the spectrum. Of course , I've also played guitars that seemed to have heavier soundboards than my Larrivee. I would guess Larrivee falls somewhere in the middle of guitars in their class with regards to weight. I remember Taylors being kinda heavier.


Back to the OT...

seem to weigh more than some other makers?  It seems that Larrivee guitars are constructed more heavily than others?  Why is that?  Does this make Larrivee guitars more durable?

Where the differences in weight comes from depends on the maker you are comparing it to. You can't really compare to individually made guitars because in an assembly line you have to account for the fact that some of the wood used will not be as stiff as the piece before it.

[flatlander]

Wow, I did not anticipate such passion.    It's good though.  My original intent was merely an attempt to get some feedback regarding a perception I have had.  But, let me be clear.  My original post was in no way a knock against Larrivee guitars.  I LOVE MY LARRIVEES!  However, I was seeking more objective feedback from those who might have facts.

Ha. Built thick but sound good. Please have no regrets about post. Finding a beautiful workhorse of a guitar is like finding on of those greatly in shape landscaping women, in tune with the earth, with a physical beauty as well as an inner beauty with love of earth. If you figure how to diagnose that, pleas let me know......

[Casino_Phil]

Maybe we should describe Larrivees as 'reassuringly solid/substantial' or something like that.  I remember the first time I picked up a Martin 000-15 in a shop and nearly put it through the ceiling as it was so much lighter than I expected!      

That said, I took my D-03 out the other night and a friend of mine (whose main acoustic is a Martin DX or similar...laminated b/s anyway, still sounds good) and he asked to have a quick go on the Larrivee.  As I passed it to him, I thought to myself how light it felt...he took hold of it and made a surprised noise.  I asked if it were lighter than he'd expected and he said no, it was heavy!  So I guess it's all relative to what you're used to.  I generally think of Gibson acoustics as being heavy but that could be based more on the way they sound.  Perception is a funny thing...

[ducktrapper]

Well, anyone remember playing Garrison guitars?  Those were HEAVY!

I actually liked how they sounded - but Gibson bought the company and shut it down.  It was a very cool construction idea - injection-mold the framework and binding, then glue on the top/sides/back.

I remember putting on one of those Garrison dreadnaughts and feeling like I just put on a Les Paul!

Yes, I had the same experience. I tried three. Two sounded funny and the most expensive Garrison, sounded pretty good but was one of the heaviest acoustic guitars I've ever held.  

[ducktrapper]

Maybe we should describe Larrivees as 'reassuringly solid/substantial' or something like that.  I remember the first time I picked up a Martin 000-15 in a shop and nearly put it through the ceiling as it was so much lighter than I expected!      

That said, I took my D-03 out the other night and a friend of mine (whose main acoustic is a Martin DX or similar...laminated b/s anyway, still sounds good) and he asked to have a quick go on the Larrivee.  As I passed it to him, I thought to myself how light it felt...he took hold of it and made a surprised noise.  I asked if it were lighter than he'd expected and he said no, it was heavy!  So I guess it's all relative to what you're used to.  I generally think of Gibson acoustics as being heavy but that could be based more on the way they sound.  Perception is a funny thing...

I don't think most people can actually determine slight weight differences all that well and expect that often other factors influence their impressions. Secondly, when talking differences of several grams, I'm not sure anyone could hear the differences that are caused by weight alone.
Among other duties, I weigh things on very accurate delta scales for a living.

[hadden]

Well the Larrivees are heavier. Doesn't mean anything in isolation. Most of the big factory guitars are heavier builds. I've had 4 guitars built for me from 3 different well regarded makers -- all considerably lighter instruments (bracing, everything). I've gone back to Larrivee, and in overall character of sound and the way of Larrivee response I prefer them to the handmades I've owned. Expensive lesson of experience: live and learn. The relationship between particular guitars and players is a complicated one. You have to audition and decide for yourself, and can't presume anything.

[jeremy3220]

Secondly, when talking differences of several grams, I'm not sure anyone could hear the differences that are caused by weight alone.

The difference between my Larrivee and SCGC is 180g. That's actually a lot of wood when it comes to instruments. It's more than an entire spruce top weighs. An ebony bridge weighs about 30g or less; that's 6 ebony bridges worth of difference between the two guitars. There's no way that doesn't make a difference in tone.

[Danny]

I have a very accurate (expensive scale) and did weigh a Larrivee and an OM-21 once because I thought the Martin was much lighter. Nope, about the same actually.

I have two very light Larrivees and two Martins that are heavier feeling and lighter feeling, depending on how my day is going.

     A comment earlier in the thread about a guitar being built so light that it should feel like it's going to implode reminded me of my very heavily built 1970 Sovereign Dread, it is imploding , but it's the ladder bracing that's the problem.

[Strings4Him]

Perhaps guitar companies should add the overall weight of the guitar as one of the specs.  Seems reasonable to me.

[abalone at last]

So Jeremy.....which guitar weighed more?

[jeremy3220]

So Jeremy.....which guitar weighed more?

I posted it on the first page.

[Queequeg]

Perhaps guitar companies should add the overall weight of the guitar as one of the specs.  Seems reasonable to me.

Good idea.
And sell them by the pound.

[Fiddler]

First, some donuts are in order, as this is my first post.  Enjoy!     
After a few months of looking for one, I just purchased a used OM-03!  While looking I had purchased a Martin 00-15, (all mahagony) so I've currently got the two to compare (both are very similarly sized guitars).  On my scale the Martin weighs in at 1805 grams, and the Larrivee at 1920 grams, just 6% heavier.  The Larrivee does seem noticeably heavier, but I think it's mostly perception rather than the small weight difference.  The wider and thicker neck give it a more hefty feel. 
It's been interesting comparing the Larrivee and the Martin.  I come from a violin background and haven't played guitar for very long, but I know enough that the Martin was never for me.  The all-mahagony sound is warm, but to me sounded muddy.  The Larrivee is very bright in contrast.  From a more practical standpoint, the Martin isn't set up particularly well, and the Larrivee is, so it's been a joy strumming the Larrivee.  Both have matte finishes, but the Larrivee's seems a little thicker and looks like it will protect better, whereas the Martin looks like they forgot the varnish.  Both have excellent workmanship, but though the Martin is simpler, if I had to grade on craftsmanship alone, the Martin might win by a nose--it really is flawless.  However, I never bonded with it (perhaps I should have had it set up properly, but I already had my heart set on a Larrivee).  So, the Martin will go back to Craigslist from where it came, and I've found a new friend in the Larrivee.   

[ducktrapper]

The difference between my Larrivee and SCGC is 180g. That's actually a lot of wood when it comes to instruments. It's more than an entire spruce top weighs. An ebony bridge weighs about 30g or less; that's 6 ebony bridges worth of difference between the two guitars. There's no way that doesn't make a difference in tone.

You weighed the guitar. My point being not many  people do that and it's generally some other factor that they're comparing. 180 grams is six ounces to our US readers. Less than half a pound of butter. Not many people can tell, with any certainty, a 180 gram difference between two things that weigh about six pounds by merely picking something up and then picking something else up or picking one thing up with one hand and one in the other. While it makes a difference, there's also no way that you can say with certainty that the perceived differences in sound are entirely due to weight differences and lastly, no way other than opinion that the one guitar is better  than the other merely due to this difference.   

[unclrob]

Jeremy I wasn't commenting on construction methods  only on weight.I don't think its an important issue.If a guitar weighs too much for someone then they shouldn't buy it as it will be unconfortable.For me its not an issue.

[GA-ME]

Not many people can tell, with any certainty, a 180 gram difference between two things that weigh about six pounds by merely picking something up and then picking something else up or picking one thing up with one hand and one in the other.

Weber's constant, for lifted weights, is 1/40. The weight of the OM-03 is 1976g and the OMPW weighs 1797g. Most folks would reliably discern that differential.

[hadden]

I feel a migraine coming on. We should sticky these recurrent debates.