Resonating Over The Parlor?

[Jaminn]

I liked the sound of the parlor the first time I played one.  Tried out several when I was shopping for my OM, and would have loved to have been able to buy both the OMV-09 that I got and a parlor.  I was lucky enough to stumble across a used mahogany parlor just a few weeks after buying my OM and since I was looking for a travel guitar, I went ahead and bought it.  I play it at least, if not more, than my OM.  I like the sound and the size.  Apparently the sound doesn't suit all people, but hey, that's why there are so many guitars out there.  :D  

[honkytone]

Are the Gibson Blues King and Larrivee Parlor really that comparable?  The former has a 25-1/2" scale, neck joint at 14th fret, retail price of $1,950, and street price of $1,350, new.  The Larrivee, of course, is short scale, 12 fret, and even in the new gloss finish $600 less than the Gibson.  Seems like two very different animals to me.

[Fredmando]

You're right, they are totally different other than the fact that they are both "smaller" guitars.
The Gibson has a longer scale than the Larrivee. I can see why some people have mentioned that they own both. I'm just trying to figure out which one I should buy.
I was more A and B'ing the guitars. I just don't know much about the Gibson other than what some of the members have offered.
I'm sure a parlor is in my future, but the Blues King I played is very nice and would be a great couch guitar as well as a travel guitar.
I already have a great knock around travel guitar that is laminated.
--Fred

[honkytone]

Body depth varies from 3.5 to 4.5 (I don't have a 4.5 but had one confirmed to me with that depth) Here's the thread I tried to start on variations.
http://www.larriveeforum.com/forums/index....=3937&hl=parlor

OK, here's specs on the Larrivee parlors that have slipped through--or remain in--my hands:

Special Edition Rosewood #69875
Body width at neck joint:  3-1/2"
Body width at endstrip:  3-3/4"
No microdot inlays or ivoroid endstrip on fretboard

All Mahogany #70216
Body width at neck joint:  3-15/32"
Body width at endstrip:  3-11/16"
Ivoroid endstrip on fretboard but no microdot inlays

Special Edition Koa #71431
Body width at neck joint:  3-5/8"
Body width at endstrip:  3-7/8"
No microdot inlays or ivoroid endstrip on fretboard

Special Edition Blackwood #73486
Body width at neck joint:  3-9/16"
Body width at endstrip:  4-3/32"
Microdot inlays and ivoroid endstrip on fretboard

Special Edition Rosewood #75141
Body width at neck joint:  3-5/8"
Body width at endstrip:  4-1/8"
Microdot inlays and ivoroid endstrip on fretboard

It would seem in general that the bodies got deeper over the course of the run.  Of these listed, however, it's the all Mahogany (i.e., the least deep) that projects the best!  The fullest sounding and next loudest of them is the Blackwood!  Go figure.

[Fredmando]

Wow, this is amazing. This is some valuable research you have here. Great job.
Do I dare bring up the Blackwood again? It just seems to kick off a thread of it's own.  :o
Cool!
--Fred

[HangFire]

Wow, this is amazing. This is some valuable research you have here. Great job.
Do I dare bring up the Blackwood again? It just seems to kick off a thread of it's own.  :o
Cool!
--Fred

 

[Fergy07]

Going back to the original question of Parlors to Gibsons...would a more fair comparison be to the 00 size Larrivee's? These would be closer in price, although still a little cheaper, and have less of a 'boxy' sound to them. I think the Gibson's are modeled after an 00 also, aren't they? This might be more of an apples to apples comparison to judge two guitars by.

Andy

ps...I'm saving my pennies for an 00, could you tell?

[honkytone]

Anyone seen Epiphone's version of the L-00?  Solid top and back (laminated sides, I guess), even comes with nickel Grover butterbeans!  And it's $600 less than the Gibson!  Cooler looking too in my book, nice pickguard and peghead:

http://www.epiphone.com/elitist/l00.htm

Whoa, wait a minute, now I'm seeing a $1,700 retail and $1,100 street price.  Nevermind... :unsure:  

[Fingertwister]

Yep, there's two different models, the solid-top/laminated back Korean-made (?) cheapy (pretty, & not bad for the price IMO) & the Japanese-made Elitist , solid mahog back,altogether higher quality, but somewhat high-priced for an Epi (ie above their normal price-range & into Gibbo territory) tho some have compared them favorably to the Gibson equivalent; good bluesy tone..

[jwieties]

Sorry way off the topic of parlors but since some are looking at the epis, the masterbuilt have also been getting great reviews.
These tow are particularly cool.
http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?Produc...CollectionID=15
http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?Produc...CollectionID=15
-josh

[Peter Cree]

My maple bound mahog/sitka parlour has changed tone drastically in the past year or so.  Lost much of the boxiness (resonater) sound and has become much fuller.

I've noticed changes in tone on many other guitars and like this combo of woods for that reason.   but this parlour has opened far more than others i've owned.

Gret guitar.

[trailboss]

Body depth varies from...Of these listed, however, it's the all Mahogany (i.e., the least deep) that projects the best!  The fullest sounding and next loudest of them is the Blackwood!  Go figure.

I'll add the dimensions for my parlor to the bunch. It doesn't have a serial number and I was told by the seller that it was one of the first six made by Matthew  :blink:

Upper bout: 9 5/16 inch
Waist: 7 3/4 inch
Lower bout: 13 1/16 inch
Upper bout depth: 3 3/4 inch
Lower bout depth: 3 7/8 inch
Nut width: 1 11/16 inch
Fingerboard width at body: 2 1/16 inch
String width at bridge: 2 3/16 inch

This little parlor sure sounds good. I play it most of all just because it's always with me  :P

[Ratishna]

Gibsons and Larrivees are really different animals in both sound and feel.  Both good guitars, but completely different.

E. Shoaf

[Peter Cree]

ps.    The parlours record extremely well.  High and sweet.  that small size boxiness makes for an excellent change in "texture".