Drooling and gassing for AAA master grade Austrian red spruce topped Larrivee

[dazdarren]

I noticed a couple D40s with Austrian red spruce tops on eBay tonight. It's a limited run of 30 guitars. The pics and description of the Austrian red spruce tops have me salivating big time.

On larrivee.com there is a story about limited run guitars including ones with AAA master grade Austrian red spruce tops.

Has anyone been able to try out one of these guitars?  I'm curious to hear how they sound compared to regular Sitka spruce tops.  Maybe Matthew can give his perspective too Aon the tone of these nd give some color on how many instruments in totsl they expect to make with these tops?

[L07 Shooting Star]

Some say there is a significant difference in tone.  Others say there is none.  It's a crapshoot, really.  I love the sound of my Sitka-topped Larrivees, but I have never compared them to others with Engleman or Andirondack (Red), or Italian (European) spruce tops one on one so I just go with what I like for the price and that is Sitka because there isn't a premium on it.

[Walkerman]

Some say there is a significant difference in tone.  Others say there is none.  It's a crapshoot, really.  I love the sound of my Sitka-topped Larrivees, but I have never compared them to others with Engleman or Andirondack (Red), or Italian (European) spruce tops one on one so I just go with what I like for the price and that is Sitka because there isn't a premium on it.

Given the fact that JCL all Larrivee tops.....I am thinking that it is not really much of a crapshoot.  You just need to walk thru the shop with him, and listen to him describe the tonal qualities of every piece of wood he touches to understand that this man knows his woods.  That is probably why, at 72 years of age, he travels the world many times a year to buy wood.  It is his passion.

[Danny]

Given the fact that JCL all Larrivee tops.....I am thinking that it is not really much of a crapshoot.  You just need to walk thru the shop with him, and listen to him describe the tonal qualities of every piece of wood he touches to understand that this man knows his woods.  That is probably why, at 72 years of age, he travels the world many times a year to buy wood.  It is his passion.

I got to walk through the shop with JCL about six years ago. When he showed me the stack of Italian Spruce it just grabbed me and I knew I'd have one with that top someday. Less than a year later we ordered the Forum III. Mine has that Italian Alpine Spruce top and it is different than my Sitka tops. I like it very much.

[DaveyO]

Wow, I'm just Gassing for another Larrivee
that must be some guitar!
I hope you get it
Dave

[roscoesmusic]

i played one at blue moon music and it was a VERY nice guitar. im not a D size guy but if i was, well....

[Walkerman]

I don't want to beat a dead horse, but an Oxnard get together with a tour given by JCL would be great.