New Larrivee - L-03 Zebrano - now with Pictures

[jgriffter]

I was looking for a guitar that I could use regularly for playing in church and worship services that I would worry a little less about than my LV-10.  I decided to go with an L-03 and found a Zebrawood version at Trinity.  Talked to Jim and decided to go for it.  He installed an imix element and bone saddle.  I received the guitar and what a beauty!  I tweaked it a bit for my tastes and played a few masses with it - better and better the more i played it!  The wood on this one is especially pretty and not being one to leave things well enough alone, I decided to gloss up that pretty satin finish.  Result?  I think it is a winner.

The guitar has a great sound - rosewood in nature but with a very sharp and distinct projection.  After a few weeks of playing, it is sounding great.  Jim at Trinity was great to deal with and very helpful.

Here are a few pics..... hopefully....


[attachment deleted by admin]

[mas music]

 I once played a Prudencia Siez classical guitar made of Zebrano wood. A beauty to behold and be-hear (sick). I have nothing against Rosewood and Mahogany but unusual tonewoods bring a different look and sound to the table. To my way of thinking different is good. Enjoy your new Axe.

[teh]

Jgriffter:

Glad you found yourself a winner.

I was able to play that guitar a couple of months ago. I think it sat on the shelf for a while because there are a lot of skeptics out there who were unwilling to take a chance on the Zebrawood. I too found that it was a great sounding and easy to play guitar and I am confident that it will add a new dimension to your playing. I have two rosewood guitars but I found this to have a distinctive sound of it's own.

[Randy_R]

Congratulations on being the one to acquire this fine instrument. The tone of the zebrawood is outstanding.

[BradleyofKansas]

Congrats on your Zebrano.  I too recently aquired a D-03Z from my wife for a wedding gift.  Join the club, it's a good one to a be a part of.  Quick question about your bone saddle.  How much does that cost, and what exactly does it do that the stock saddle does not?

I will be posting pics of my Zebrano as soon as things slow down for me post wedding.  Maybe it will be my Christmas present to you all.

Happy Holidays!

[PCT57]

Superb looking guitar - zebrawood? new to me 

The gloss up seems to have really worked     

[Denis]

WOW!!!  Like that zebrano wasn't stunning enough!  You're little polishing job really brought out the contrast of that wood!  I'd love to hear it!  

[Mr_LV19E]

Stunning! You did a great job polishing that guitar, looks like gloss.

[jamesb1101]

What did you do or use to gloss up the wood on this beauty???

-James

[BenF]

Stunning, and good job with the polishing, really suits the colours too. Beautiful guitar!

[jgriffter]

Thanks for the nice comments.  I am having a great time with this guitar.

For the polishing I used the directions on this forum for the most part, adding some additional coats and steps.  0000 steel wool, then Meguiar's paint cleaner (6 coats), then Meguiar's scratch X (3 coats), the paint cleaner again (3 coats), then 2 coats of Zymol wax.  I got the hint on the Zymol from the Rickenbacker forum when I was spiffing up my 4003 bass.  As others have noted, if you look closely you can see the fine swirl marks from the factory sanding.  They are very minimal - something you have to look for.  Once I had done the steel wool (about 10 minutes worth) I could see a sheen in the grain of the wood that made me think this was going to turn out nicely.  After a few coats of the paint cleaner, the finish started to really shine and the grain of the wood became more pronounced.  I also did the top and the headstock - both turned out nicely, with the top having a little less sheen on it (I took it a little easier on the top).

I know it sounds crazy - and it probably is - but I think all the rubbing helped start the opening up process.  The guitar is very lively - probably a function of the Zebrano as well.  I have mahogany and rosewood guitars and this is a subtly different sound.  I really like it.

J

[L05HD28]

 
The consistancy in the level of craftsmanship and detail of Larrivee instruments always brings a smile to my face.

[HAMFIST]

That looks incredible.

Would love to hear some clips!

[pigtown]

Stunning...really, really beautiful.  Nice gloss job.

[BradleyofKansas]

Jgiffter,

I am very impressed with your gloss, and am tempted to do it myself after seeing how well yours turned out.  I do wonder however, would that diminish that sweet scent that I notice every time I open my D-03Z Zebrano?  I am so amazed every time I open it how wonderful it smells.

[jgriffter]

I don't think glossing the guitar will make a difference in how it smells, but mine does not really have a distinctive smell.  It certainly smells nice from the soundhole where the raw wood is.  When you use the Zymol wax you get a nice pina colada smell (the wax is all natural and smells like coconut!).  Glossing is easy, albeit some hard work.  I do mine by hand and take my time.  The first few layers of cleaner or scratch x will quickly show you what kind of result you can expect.  Some start with steel wool (0000), some don't.  I find it creates a better base finish for the cleaner.  Just dont rub too hard - you dont want to go to the wood - just cut thru the satin finish coat.  It will also remove any bumps or imperfections you might feel on the guitar with your fingers.  Good luck.

[SMan]

Very nice guitar! 

[247hoopsfan]

Beautiful Zebrano wood.  Looks great on the dashboard of my classic Mercedes 300CE too.  If Mercedes uses it, it has to be good!  They have used Zebrano wood trim for years.  At least the good old Mercedes had it.

[BlastersFan55]

That is a beauty!!  Just got a L-05 in, man I love the L series.  I'll throw some pics up myself soon.