Why would someone choose an 09 over an 03?

[ewalling]

I'm sure this topic will have come up many times, so sorry to be treading old ground if this is the case. Having recently sold my Martin, I seriously interested in adding a rosewood Larrivee to my small collection. Is the extra $600-$800 on the 09 purely for cosmetic bling, or is there some other feature that is considered an upgrade?

[unclrob]

It can be as simple as gloss v satin finish for some.Me I do prefer gloss but I do own and play a satin finish.

[JOYCEfromNS]

Yes and yes.

Really Friend it's up to the individual.

Tone wise you have camps passionate on both. And a 3rd group who feels there is no difference.

Upgrades I believe the 09's have upgraded tuners, and bone nut and saddle ( again there are camps affectionate to both) and supposedly 09's have upgraded wood ( camps on this too as it's all Larrivees wood and I have not seen many 03's that had less than exceptional wood choices).

For me I prefer the feel of gloss over satin on acoustics, and I am a sucker for bling, there are many around here who are the opposite. It's what makes the world go round.

[GGBB]

It also used to be that the case was better - not sure if this is so now.  There are a few (including me) who believe the 03 necks are a touch chunkier than the 05/09 necks.

A bunch of little things can add up.  However, while I can understand the difference between an 03 and an 05, I can't understand why the difference between the 03R and the 09 is more when all that's changing is the mahogany to rosewood.  The 05-09 price jump is about 2.5 times the 03-03R jump.

[ewalling]

Thanks for the replies. I find that sometimes I like satin and sometimes gloss, depending on the maker. I find that when it comes to Larrivees, I really like the look of gloss, and I was wondering if there was any justification for me to fork out the extra bucks and go for one aside from prettiness. Looks like the jury's out on that one!     

[ducktrapper]

It also used to be that the case was better - not sure if this is so now.  There are a few (including me) who believe the 03 necks are a touch chunkier than the 05/09 necks.

A bunch of little things can add up.  However, while I can understand the difference between an 03 and an 05, I can't understand why the difference between the 03R and the 09 is more when all that's changing is the mahogany to rosewood.  The 05-09 price jump is about 2.5 times the 03-03R jump.

I believe the necks on all Larrivées from 01s to 10s (except for nut width) come out of the same barrel. Larrivée may be the only guitar manufacturer who does not give you less guitar when you pay less for one of their models. Less appointments only.  

[ewalling]

It also used to be that the case was better - not sure if this is so now.  There are a few (including me) who believe the 03 necks are a touch chunkier than the 05/09 necks.

A bunch of little things can add up.  However, while I can understand the difference between an 03 and an 05, I can't understand why the difference between the 03R and the 09 is more when all that's changing is the mahogany to rosewood.  The 05-09 price jump is about 2.5 times the 03-03R jump.

Yes, that is curious.

[srwmme]

For me I prefer the feel of gloss over satin on acoustics, and I am a sucker for bling

The $$ difference gets a bit more manageable if you're willing to shop in the used market.  If you end up leaning this way with your preference, be patient, there are some really nice -09's out there for not much more than a new -03R

[Mikeymac]

Consider a used 09 and you'll really make out like a bandit. Larrivee's tend to depreciate like most other guitars, and the older ones, while of the highest quality in build and tonewoods, are not regarding with the same "vintage" attitude that older (pre-70's) Martins and Gibsons enjoy. So a used Larrivee is a real value in today's market.

[cke]

Yes and yes.

Really Friend it's up to the individual.

Tone wise you have camps passionate on both. And a 3rd group who feels there is no difference.

Upgrades I believe the 09's have upgraded tuners, and bone nut and saddle ( again there are camps affectionate to both) and supposedly 09's have upgraded wood ( camps on this too as it's all Larrivees wood and I have not seen many 03's that had less than exceptional wood choices).

For me I prefer the feel of gloss over satin on acoustics, and I am a sucker for bling, there are many around here who are the opposite. It's what makes the world go round.

Well said. 

[guitararmy]

A used Larrivee sure makes sense if the price is holding you back from getting a higher series model.  There is a used D10 in the For Sale section that looks nice....
I have a D03R and a D-09 that sound more alike than different. I like the satin and the gloss finishes equally!

[GGBB]

I believe the necks on all Larrivées from 01s to 10s (except for nut width) come out of the same barrel.

If memory serves correctly, all Larrivee neck blanks are first CNC machined and then hand worked to the final product.  I'm not sure if Oxnard and Vancouver both do the CNC work or they all come from one place, but either way, the rest of the process is done in separate factories for 03s and 05s/09s.  So not the same barrel at least by my definition of barrel.  Same necks?  Generally speaking yes I would say, but subject to variances no doubt due to different factories/workers and possibly QA tolerances for the different series.  It's not a huge difference, but for me - over the years picking up many many 03s, 05s, and 09s in various shops - a surprisingly consistent experience of the 03s being chunkier just a bit when A/Bed with a 05/09.  On at least one occasion I did a 03/05/09 3-way comparison - I could not feel a difference between the 05 and 09 but the 03 felt chunkier.

[hadden]

Great 03 is as high quality in sound and playability as 09. Makes sense for them to make the higher range more different though -- finish and bling not really enough, unless someone from Larrivee says the tops are a little better sound grade and so on, as in JCL using wood from his special reserve for the 45th SO guitars.

[Strings4Him]

I really like both, but if push came to shove then I'd choose the gloss.  The wood really shines through and the gloss add another level of protection.

[broKen]

Larrivée may be the only guitar manufacturer who does not give you less guitar when you pay less for one of their models. Less appointments only.  

I should first say that I think MrJCL uses the finest woods available to build ALL his guitars.
I agree with Duck here. I think the difference in the woods chosen for the 03 against that chosen for the 05/09 models is merely appearance. The more appealing looking woods does not mean better tone. The finish does affect sound though, neither good nor bad, just different. As for the necks, that may have more to do with the shop they were built in. (most 03's coming from Can.) In other words, sound is more affected by the quality of construction than by the appearance of the wood used.

If you like flashy, buy an 09/10.


ps; It should be noted here that I do not qualify to speak with any authority to this subject.    (beat you to it  )

[Mr_LV19E]

 

I'm sure this topic will have come up many times, so sorry to be treading old ground if this is the case. Having recently sold my Martin, I seriously interested in adding a rosewood Larrivee to my small collection. Is the extra $600-$800 on the 09 purely for cosmetic bling, or is there some other feature that is considered an upgrade?

The extra $600-$800 is definitely a bargain for the extra work involved in the higher end models. Gloss finish, purfling on front sides and back, abalone inlay in rosette and upgraded tuners.

Doesn't Taylor, Martin and Gibson or really any guitar maker charge more for their higher end models?  I'm not certain I understand why this question comes up so often, seems to me like more labor is going to breakdown into cost's being higher.

[broKen]

The extra $600-$800 is definitely a bargain for the extra work involved in the higher end models. Gloss finish, purfling on front sides and back, abalone inlay in rosette and upgraded tuners.

Doesn't Taylor, Martin and Gibson or really any guitar maker charge more for their higher end models?  I'm not certain I understand why this question comes up so often, seems to me like more labor is going to breakdown into cost's being higher.

I don't think anyone is questioning the value or costs of those upgrades. But it is good to know that there is no sacrifice made or quality lost by purchasing the more economical model.

[ducktrapper]

I should first say that I think MrJCL uses the finest woods available to build ALL his guitars.
I agree with Duck here. I think the difference in the woods chosen for the 03 against that chosen for the 05/09 models is merely appearance. The more appealing looking woods does not mean better tone. The finish does affect sound though, neither good nor bad, just different. As for the necks, that may have more to do with the shop they were built in. (most 03's coming from Can.) In other words, sound is more affected by the quality of construction than by the appearance of the wood used.

If you like flashy, buy an 09/10.


ps; It should be noted here that I do not qualify to speak with any authority to this subject.    (beat you to it  )

When I look at the two 01s that I have and compare them to my 09, 05 and 000, I can't imagine how the woods chosen are inferior in any way to the higher models. Beautiful grain, nicely figured ebony on the OM-01 neck especially. Heck they're both mahogany. Try to find another mahogany guitar for the prices I paid. The Baritone, a BT-03, is also as clean as can be with very nice wood. I'm satisfied and tickled too! 

[AtlasHeating]

Swish.
That is the sound of your arm brushing against the satin top
.......
That is the sound of a gloss top

I have tow 03 models and they both swish. Not a bad thing but you can hear it.

[ducktrapper]

Swish.
That is the sound of your arm brushing against the satin top
.......
That is the sound of a gloss top

I have tow 03 models and they both swish. Not a bad thing but you can hear it.

Play louder or stop towing them.