First Larrivee - New, Used or Imported?

[eza]

I am looking to buy my first acoustic guitar. I have always owned classical guitars but for the last year or so I have pretty much entirely stopped playing classical music. All I seem to be learning is fingerstyle from the likes of Don Ross etc. After deciding that Larrivee was the right brand, I started searching for an L, OM, or C series guitar (In that order of Interest). I live in Sydney so my choices are rather limited, for example the following guitars are the only ones available to me within my budget at the moment; a 1998 C09 Florentine USED for $1400 or an OM03 NEW for $1600 (anything new in Australia costs a bomb). Another option I have been considering is buying a higher end used Larrivee from the US and having it imported.

With a budget of around $2000 would it be better to get a new or used Larrivee? and any advice on importing would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Eric

[eza]

Almost forgot, here are your doughnuts fatties   

[JOYCEfromNS]

   Eric

Thanks for the  

Nice to see one who reads the rules.

Not sure I can offer up much of assistance in your dilemma downunder. I know I was left with the impression from other Aussies and New Zealanders but especially in Australia that it is your postage system/import duties that really make shipping Guitars from North America very unattractive.

The C-09 you referenced depending on condition issues would be the tree I'd be barking up.

Once again  

[unclrob]

  on the C09.You get the "L" body with a sharp cutaway for dirt cheap money.

[eza]

Thanks for the reply . I have looked into it and to import a guitar ill be paying around $200 on top of the sale price which is not to bad, plus I will have a wider selection to choose from. The Aussie dollar is on parody with the US which makes it a viable option. A few years ago there would of been no savings made because the Aussie dollar was worth 50 cents of the US dollar.

But yeah I was leaning towards the C09 (mint condition), there is not much information on it though. How are the C09 and the the L09 different sonically?

[unclrob]

I have never notice any sonic difference between the two.Both have a very nice balanced responce.Having the cutaway will allow better access to the upper frets.I'm not much of a fan of a cutaway but I have a friend who has a C10Koa and its such a joy to play that at some point I know I'll want a cutaway modal as I'm playing much more lead no a days and there are a couple of tune's that I play chords in that upper register that having a cotaway would be helpful.

[Mr_LV19E]

Thanks for the reply . I have looked into it and to import a guitar ill be paying around $200 on top of the sale price which is not to bad, plus I will have a wider selection to choose from. The Aussie dollar is on parody with the US which makes it a viable option. A few years ago there would of been no savings made because the Aussie dollar was worth 50 cents of the US dollar.

But yeah I was leaning towards the C09 (mint condition), there is not much information on it though. How are the C09 and the the L09 different sonically?

thanks for the donuts
I would be surprised if it was only $200 for postage. If the C-09 is mint condition then the price is more than fair, I think its an outstanding deal plus its got 13 years of mojo.
The C designation just means its a L with a Florentine cutaway (the pointy one), it would be the same as a LV. V for Venetian cutaway. I don't think there is any sonic difference between them. The only thing your gaining with a new guitar is a warranty, IMO that warranty is not cost effective were you live. You could get just about any repair done for less than what it would cost you to send it back to Larrivee for service.
What does a new C-09 go for over there?
I vote for buying the C-09

[eza]

thanks for the donuts
I would be surprised if it was only $200 for postage. If the C-09 is mint condition then the price is more than fair, I think its an outstanding deal plus its got 13 years of mojo.
The C designation just means its a L with a Florentine cutaway (the pointy one), it would be the same as a LV. V for Venetian cutaway. I don't think there is any sonic difference between them. The only thing your gaining with a new guitar is a warranty, IMO that warranty is not cost effective were you live. You could get just about any repair done for less than what it would cost you to send it back to Larrivee for service.
What does a new C-09 go for over there?
I vote for buying the C-09

Ok im going to get the C09 for now and maybe import a flashier model in a year or two. I like my bling. Well they don't have any new C09s here. But the L09 is $4000. So I can imagine them trying to sell a cutway model for another $500. $1400 used >>> $4500 new, the retail industry in Australia is a joke

Thanks for all the help people

[JOYCEfromNS]

I would be surprised if it was only $200 for postage.

I too would be surprised as commonly saw quotes between $400 and $600 but I believe there may be a size restriction of some sort imposed on individual importers - not sure of the details on this.

[Mikeymac]

My prediction is that you're going to LOVE that C-09 (for that price it's a steal) ... that's the next Larrivee acoustic on my gas list...