Voicing question

[lmacmil]

Would you say that Larrivees have a characteristic sound like Martins and Taylors?  And if they do, which do you think would sound more alike, the same model with different back/side wood (e.g., L-03 and L-03R) or two different models (say OM-03 and L-03) with the same back/sides.  Or maybe they all sound different but all sound like Larrivees?

[BenF]

My uneducated ear tells me that Larrivee's are very well balanced, and hence are renowned for their recordability.  Martins tend to be much boomier, and Taylors clear and bright in comparison.

It's probably very difficult to expand much beyond that, because there are parlours and jumbos and everything inbetween, in a host of tonewoods. 

[Walkerman]

It seems to me that each model has its own particular "voice."  IOW, the tonal properties of a parlour are quite different than those of a D.
Now, if you are looking for an archtypical Larrivee "sound" it would seem to me that you are talking about the L body.  Moreover, the voice would also depend upon the woods used.

To make the comparison you are asking about, I think you would have to name the model and the woods.

[cke]

My uneducated ear tells me that Larrivee's are very well balanced, and hence are renowned for their recordability.  Martins tend to be much boomier, and Taylors clear and bright in comparison.

It's probably very difficult to expand much beyond that, because there are parlours and jumbos and everything inbetween, in a host of tonewoods. 

I think Ben nails it as far as generalities are concerned. Most Martins arer somewhat rolled off in the trebles, Taylors are articulate but lacking bass. Larrivee gets it just right!

[abalone at last]

Larrivees are voiced like this...............

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NT3J7iXqTAs

[L07 Shooting Star]

Have you checked the sound clips in this forum found here?
http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/index.php?topic=5947.0

[abalone at last]

I have ...is there better than LV-05?................ ,,,granted L 07 not on list

[lmacmil]

Have you checked the sound clips in this forum found here?

Yes and they all sound similar to me (I listened to mahogany and rosewood OMs and Ls).  Not sure if it's the recordings, my speakers or my ears.  Based on live listening to mahogany vs rosewood Martins, I suspect the real life differences are greater than the recordings reveal.

[Mr_LV19E]

Yes and they all sound similar to me (I listened to mahogany and rosewood OMs and Ls).  Not sure if it's the recordings, my speakers or my ears.  Based on live listening to mahogany vs rosewood Martins, I suspect the real life differences are greater than the recordings reveal.

Try listening through some good headphones.

[unclrob]

You really can't compare them.As stated Martins are bassy,Taylors are mid rangy and Larrivee seems to be even balance across all the freq.

[rwskaggs]

Yes and they all sound similar to me (I listened to mahogany and rosewood OMs and Ls).  Not sure if it's the recordings, my speakers or my ears.  Based on live listening to mahogany vs rosewood Martins, I suspect the real life differences are greater than the recordings reveal.

I believe a lot of the feedback we get when we actually PLAY the guitar shapes our perceptions much more than a recording or second hand evaluation ever could.  Holding the individual guitar you feel the back and top vibrations, the sustain and decay in a way you can only imagine when listening to even the BEST recording out there!  It's the interaction between the player and the sound that speaks to us...

I haven't experienced anything that compares to the best of the Larrivees I've played    I've run through a lot of 'em this year searching for the 'holy grail'.  I am pretty happy with the two Forums I've still got, but due to GAS am still on the prowl!   

[flatlander]

Interesting. I hear the sound of a guitar, and the differences, better when listening to a recording or being in front of it while someone else plays.

[Dru Edwards]

You really can't compare them.As stated Martins are bassy,Taylors are mid rangy and Larrivee seems to be even balance across all the freq.

Yep.  On the generalilzed tonal spectrum of guitars, Martin and Taylor are at two opposite ends of the spectrum.  Larrivee has their own unique voice somewhere in between and off on a tangent.