Forum Soundclips of D-03s

[hognogger]

I'm looking at a sapele D-03...

Going from the soundclips on this forum, though, the sound of the D-03 mahogany and the sapele are quite different (to my ears) and I prefer the no-longer-available mahogany.

For anyone in the know, are these soundclips accurately recording the differences between the models?  I know that different performances on different days, subtle differences in microphone positioning between takes, un-normalised recordings, etc. can all make a difference in perceived sound.

If there is as much difference between the two models as what I hear on these clips, I might not be so keen on the sapele.

Thanks.

[drtse]

Just curious...in what year was the mahogany phased out in favor of sapele?

[berlin58]

     Hi Hognogger     
   
    I think I found a D-03 with a Sitka spruce top and "Mahogany" back and sides, not Sapele, that you have been looking for.
    I remember seeing this a couple of months back doing some searching on the internet:

    http://www.mapleleafmusic.com/photoshow.cfm?ins=972

    You better call them quick, I am surprised they still have it. If I remember correctly it was about $900 shipped.

    Good Luck!!!   

[hognogger]

Thanks for that; though I am overseas, and they seem to have no real provisions for international orders.

[hognogger]

What I am really curious about is whether those soundcllips represent genuine differences between sapele and mahogany.  Many people have written that there is scant difference between the two, but the difference, as represented by those soundclips seems stark to me (more stark than a lot of the other differences between soundclips from the same source).

[jeremy3220]

I believe the sapele was recorded with a batch of guitars much later than the others. The mic positioning sounds different to me. Either way sound clips in general are at best only a small fraction as good as playing it yourself. Notice how much slower and softer the strumming part is played on the SP.

[hognogger]

That is helpful, thanks.

I would very much like to get a D-03 at present prices, before the hike... As I am buying from overseas, I have things like customs to consider. I could buy a D-03 sapele without hitting that customs barrier, with the exchange rate as it currently is.

My L-03R that I have now would have cost me twice as much to buy domestically as it cost to get imported.  That L-03R never ceases to amaze me, and I never want to stop playing it.  I am from Australia, and I have more expensive, locally made Maton guitars, and the Larrivee has absolutely blown me away in terms of quality for something that is considered the bottom end of their range.  I have a blackwood OM-Maton that is a the top-end of their range, and although I am not considering getting rid of it (it has considerable virtues), it is in no way superior to the "lowly" L-03R.  The other Maton I have is at the bottom of their all-solid wood range (CW80). It is not a bad guitar, but I never really want to play it now... only the Larrivee. I have had 4-5 months of playing the Larrivee, and recording with it, and I know it is not just a matter of "honeymoon period".  If I could be more "patriotic" as an Australian, then I would.  But I just think that if I would love a D-03 as much as I love my L-03R, then I should sell the Maton... Kind of "end of story"... 

That's why I'm considering selling it, and importing a low-end Larrivee dreadnaught to take its place.  If the 03 range is the bottom of the barrel as far as Larrivee is concerned, well, I'm speechless. I just was a bit underwhelmed, comparatively speaking, by the soundclip for the D-03 sapele in comparison with the D-03 mahogany that is registered on this forum.