!2-Fret vs 14-Fret Larrivee Dreadnought Sound Comparison

[William2]

Here are two short Larrivee guitar videos using the above neck connection. Which do you think sounds better for single note picking. or do you like both? Do you think the sound difference is the neck connection, the different bracing, or both? I've also included a video of a 12-fret Larrivee D-40. I'm thinking about mahogany as I only have one mahogany tone wood instrument. If I do this, I'm not sure if I should go with the D-40 or a D-03. That D-40 sure hits my ear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QESLV8sy0Tg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4k7aHg7JeZU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFNGZ-0rDwk

[guitarman001]

It's difficult.. I know this might seem a cop-out but there's no substitute for trying them in person.
I like the sound of the 12 fret.
I also prefer symmetrical bracing (big time) in person, yet on the rosewood  videos, I preferred the 40 (I know in person I'd prefer the feel and sound of the 03!)

[William2]

It's difficult.. I know this might seem a cop-out but there's no substitute for trying them in person.
I like the sound of the 12 fret.
I also prefer symmetrical bracing (big time) in person, yet on the rosewood  videos, I preferred the 40 (I know in person I'd prefer the feel and sound of the 03!)

I agree, there really is a different feel and sound to the Parabolic X-Brace. Comparing my D-40R with the D-03R, I find much more clarity in the voices in four voiced chords with the D-03R. And it feels like there is no limit to what the D-03R can take when you pluck the strings. When I posted a video, a few days ago comparing 12-fret instruments I thought the C-03 TE easily outdid the SD-40R. The only difference was the bracing and the 16" lower bout on the TE. If I could get that Parabolic X-Brace sound on a 12-fret dreadnought, that's what I will probably order. On the two rosewood videos, I thought the D-03R sounded tighter and that this player could drive the instrument harder if he wanted to. I thought 12-fret D-40R was at its maximum as far as driving the instrument harder. That why I wonder if it is the fret connection or the bracing.

[guitarman001]

I definitely prefer 12s for the spongy, deeper and more resonant bass tones.
14s are still great - powerhouses and much clearer and shining trebles but with less bass sustain imo.

I fully agree - if the player dug into the 03, it might have come out "better"
None of these videos can describe the "feel"

I've read a bazillion discussions on different bracing and in general I've always preferred the symmetrical bracing. You need to hit it a touch harder but I always felt it has more headroom, more clarity (and shine) between the notes, a more brilliant mid-range which the 40 series gives up for a touch more bass. That's just how my ears hear it. 40 series works with a lighter touch and I get that there's some harmonic complexity going on down around the bass register but meaty mids will always be my thing and the well balanced symmetrical bracing just does it for me -> coupled with 12 fret (or rather, lower placed bridge....) goodness and it's just magic.