D-40; first post.

[Dru Edwards]

Hi Everyone. Merry Christmas! This is my first post and I have some questions about the D-40. I have read many past D-40 posts; however, here's another one. You never know when someone else might chime in about it and provide additional info.

I played one at L&M the past couple of days and it just blew me away. I'm seriously thinking about getting it. I just sent an email to Larrivee requesting specs (they had no phone #). The posts I've read said it's pretty much the same as a D-60 except:
--> satin finish
--> non bone nut & saddle  (what is it, micarta?)
--> fingerboard inlay
--> no neck volute.
--> Vancouver built

I was told by the sales rep that it's a replica of the Martin HD-28. Love that herringbone. Can anyone add anything to this? Does it have the same bracing? I'm assuming it uses medium strings? Regardless of the differences from D-60, I think I will probably get it; however, I'd like to know the specs.  FWIW, I've been playing 20 years but I only bought my first solid wood acoustic 2 years ago (a Taylor) - I'm mostly an electric player but love the acoustic and I realize that when you play a guitar that grabs you and it seems special, regardless of the make or model, it may be a keeper.

Thanks,
Dru.

[flathead]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I have a D-60. As I understand it the D-40 was a special order made for L&M. It is the same guitar as the D-60 except for the satin finish. I too am a herring bone fan, mine is the older model with a abalone rosette on the newer models the rosette is also herringbone. I't is my favorite guitar and my go to guitar. It may be more similar to a martin in looks than the none traditional series Larrivee models. but it ain't no martin........... and that is a good thing. I have 2 Martins and love the martin sound but i love my D-60 more.  If you search the forum here you should find some posts about the D-40 from a month or 2 ago. Flathead. I believe the nut and saddle are tusk. Flathead.
Her is a direct line to the larrivee web site and the D-60 page
http://www.larrivee.com/3_products/products_loadMovie/60%20series/D60/load%20movie/D60.html

[Michael T]

Dru,   Do a search on the forum about the D-40 for the prev posts. I'm sure someone will be along too, to chime in and help you out as far as specs are concerned. If the guitar feels good to you and "speaks" to you, you're right, it IS a keeper. That's what acoustics are all about, your impression and your inspiration. Glad you're here, keep posting (you need 10 posts to post pictures, and a lot of us love pictures!). By the way, here's a few doughnuts, review the rules, you must feed us  

         

[lolligagger]

Welcome and Merry Christmas! 

When I bought my D40 the sales rep mentioned the guitar is a replica of the Tony Rice Santa Cruz model, which is apparently also based on the Martin D-28. You will notice that the sound hole is enlarged, and according to the Santa Cruz website, "The soundhole on this model has been enlarged to 4-9/16", which provides a stronger response in the upper ranges." Sounds good to me.

I can't honestly say what the nut and saddle are made of...I had thought about changing them out, but this was just a passing thought as the guitar sounds great as is. My guitar came set up for medium strings, and from talking to the guitar tech at L&McQ the guitar cannot accomodate medium-lights by simply adjusting the truss rod. I found this out by installing medium-lights by accident. I was getting some buzzing, so I took it in to the shop for an adjustment. The tech made an attempt to adjust the truss rod, found it was bottomed out so he called larrivee and found that medium strings were standard issue. I switched over and never looked back.

Now go buy that guitar, play the heck out of it, take some photos and post them with the D40 thread in the pictures section of this forum.

[Dru Edwards]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Very helpful. I wish there was more specs available for this guitar. Perhaps I'll get an email reply from Larrivee after the holidays.

[gluve1]

I don't think Mr. Larrivee replicates anything. He has his own unique way of making guitars. Which as you said with the D40 is a great way to build a guitar in my book. If you like this one get it now. The next D40 you find my have a very different vibe to it. When I bought my L03R at about music in Indianapolis, In. there were three of them there all nice but each a little different sounding. The one I bought just stood out to me. Don't let this one get away.