Ls-05 Review

[JohnM2001]

In the tuners thread, Bluemax asked how I'm liking the LS-05 he recently sent me, so rather than hijack that thread, I'll reply here.  

Yes, I really like the LS-05 so far.  It is very loud for it's size, louder than my OM-03W.  I A/B'd them today.  The LS is a bit brighter, noticeably louder, and the OM has a Pearase armrest, so the LS would be even louder with one of those.  To do a true comparison, I'd have to put a new set of Nano Lights on the OM-03W, since thats what the LS has, and the Polywebs on the OM are a couple months old, and did a long gig or 2.  I really thought that the LS couldn't touch the walnut OM, but its looking like that might be the case.  One thing for sure, the gloss finish feels SO luxurious, and the ab rosette and flamed maple bindings are very cool looking! I love the volume and sweet mahogany tone, I bet its louder than a bunch of good mahogany dreads I've played!

[bleumax]

john,

glad to hear that you're digging it. i think that ls-05 is a special guitar, and quite a looker too. not sure if all ls-05's are that great, but that is one guitar that i know that we will regret parting with. i'm glad that it is in the hands of someone that appreciates it.  :P

cheers,

young-

p.s. you're a prince to deal with.

[jwieties]

Sounds like a great guitar John - Congrats.

My hope is that Larrivee has stopped making the 00 with the plan of introducining the LS back into regular production.  The LS really maintains the visual characteristics of Larrivee.  From everything I have heard they also measure up tonally.  It would be great if a few different LS models were offered - maybe a 12 fretter, a MT or other unique wood combinations.  I'm only dreaming here.  I generally don't think about things such as this and I think the line up that Larrivee currently has is fantastic, but... in my quest to find a small bodied guitar, I think an LS would fit the bill.  Hey, maybe a custom order is in my future.  

[mazareth]

Hi John,

Beautiful grain on that spruce top! Is it really as dark as in the picture? It looks like an aged top...

Mark

[JohnM2001]

No, the top is not that dark as it looks in the first pic, this is the pic that bleumax took, where it looks much lighter.  My pic was probably taken without flash, which made it look slightly darker.  BTW, bleumax is also great to deal with, we had a great swap transaction with lots of great trustworthy communications.

[mazareth]

Still a very nice looking top! I like the dark/light banding.

Mark  B)