D-03 or the D-03R - looking to buy a Larrivee

[Blaster]

I have been shopping for a Larrivee and wondered if you all had any comments re:  the D-03 or the D-03R

Any advantages or disadvantages?

I strum and finger pick.

[Randy_R]

I have been shopping for a Larrivee and wondered if you all had any comments re:  the D-03 or the D-03R

Any advantages or disadvantages?

I strum and finger pick.

Me too. Love my D-03koa and D-03-12str.

I like the rosewood tone for strumming and fingerstyle. But some players prefer the clear woody tones of mahogany for finger pickn.

Welcome to the Larrive guitar forum and donut lovers society...   ^_^

[dcarey]

What do you like? Mahogany? Rosewood? Have you played examples of both?
Can you play examples of both if you haven't?
I wound up with one of each to suit different moods. Be careful, GAS can be dangerous!

But seriously, in most instances, I prefer rosewood.

Dan

[ronmac]

http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/index.php?topic=5947.0

The above link will take you to sound clips of both the mahogany and rosewood versions. Hope it helps.

[Nephidoc]

Great question, and of course one you have to answer for yourself.

If your like me all those clips sound great and I could never make a
choice from listening just to them.   I want them all.

I just loved the thoughts of Rose wood.
It sounds more exotic than Mahogony..., its dark, and rare.
I was sure I wanted a Rose wood guitar.
Then I played them.  I really wanted to like the Rosewood
the most and I just didn't.

It comes down to just having to sit and play them side by side.
Most of the guitar stores in Utah will come very close to what
I could get on-line and they are great support.

Good luck!!!

Stan

[Nephidoc]

Oh and by the way I finally chose a LV-03K   :GRN>

Stan

[BillnhisD-03RE]

Welcome Blaster, even though I have a D-03RE I also love the mahogany D-03 almost as much. You should really try to play them both if at all possible before you buy so you can choose the one that speaks to you. If I were you I would also try the L body and the OM models, i have seen several people come in dead set on a drednaught body guitar and walk out with and L body or OM body. Alot depends on what you want your sound to be, then find the right guitar for you. The sound clips will help you but playing and hearing it in your hands is a whole different experience.

Goog Luck!,
Bill D.

[Cminor]

    I was like you not long ago.....hesitating between the two..... I finally chose the D-03R for the sustain and overtones. The mahogany, to me, has more clarity, definition and warmth. You are a winner in both case....they are both great, just different......when I posted this question, someone answered that I needed both....he was probably right !

[Fstpicker]

I have really been enjoying my 2 month old D-03 w/mahogany B&S. I played it tonight in a jam session (I am a Flatpicking/rhythm player exclusively) and it just had a great sound, projected very nicely, and with plenty of volume to be heard among the banjos and fiddles. I love its warmth and woodiness...two elements that I love to hear in a guitar, especially a mahogany one. Its sound just blended so well with all the other instruments tonight...I was so proud of my Larrivee and how it held its own with the others.

Bottom line, you can't go wrong with either of them! It just boils down to trying them out and deciding which sound you prefer for your type of playing.

I wish you the best!

Jeff

[sutton]

You've gotten great advice!  I own a D 03 and it does everything that the folks previous to my post have said. I've owned most of the classic big buck guitars over 40 years of serious playing and I'm down to a Larrivee D model.  I'm very tempted sell or trade my Montana J 45 anfd pick up a D03R and have both! That's how good they are. Good Luck!  Jon

[Larriveeplayer67]

I have been shopping for a Larrivee and wondered if you all had any comments re:  the D-03 or the D-03R

Any advantages or disadvantages?

I strum and finger pick.

I have played both and I personally like rosewood tone better,both great guitars.Put some medium pb's on her and your jaw will drop!Happy hunting! :mellow:

Here ya go looks like a great deal!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Larrivee-D-03RE-D-03-Rosewood-LIKE-NEW-B-Band-A6_W0QQitemZ7403687456QQcategoryZ2385QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[mazareth]

I started out with a D-03R and moved up to a D-09 (because I could!  :WNK>). It suits my style. That being said I also have an L-03E that I like too. Rosewood is my favorite, but I also like mahogony, maple and walnut. I'd eventually like to get a 12 fret slopeshoulder dread in mahogony. I have to cut some gear loose to finance it though!!

[Fstpicker]

I'd eventually like to get a 12 fret slopeshoulder dread in mahogony. I have to cut some gear loose to finance it though!!

I know what you mean. My friend's SD-50 has an outstanding sound. The wide 1 & 7/8" nut width fits well for fingerstyle playing, although I can flatpick fine on it as well.

Jeff

[dodge]

I have a D-05, basically a D-03 but a little fancier, I like mahogany because of it's woody tone and clearer trebles, then again I mostly play fingerstyle and folky stuff like James Taylor. So I would say if your more of a rhythm player then go rosewood, if your want a bit more versatility go mahogany. But try both if you can. :GRN>

[aschroeder]

I personally like Mahogany for Dreads. Rosewood can get a little boomy for me on the large body. I love Rosewood on smaller bodied guitars.

Blaster–
If you're interested, I'm selling my D-03:

http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/index.php?topic=11071.0

[Denis]

I personally like Mahogany for Dreads. Rosewood can get a little boomy for me on the large body. I love Rosewood on smaller bodied guitars.

Agreed.  I didn't have much of a choice when I saw my parlor in a shop.  It was the only one there, it was used and they haven't made them for some time now.  I think rosewood is an awesome wood for a parlor though with the great sustain, overtones and dark tone.  And my OM in sapele makes for a mahogany type sounding guitar but sapele is still a bit different from true mahogany.  I find it's got more bite and a bit more overtones.  I personally would buy the standard mahogany D-03.  I've tried both and there's something about the D-03.  It got enough bass with just the size and the mahogany give it a great strumming/flatpicking tone.

[centralrush]

i now have both.  i just received my d03r a short while ago and i can't put it down.  if i had to pick one to keep it would be the r.  it's not boomy in a woofy way, in fact it has a very focused and balanced midrange.  the treble strings really zing on the mahagony, but my 3r has more complex overtones.

[Larriveeplayer67]

I got a story to share with you,I just recently got a D-03R and after trying a few different types of string and a handful of different picks and  I have dialed in this incredble tone.But this is where the story takes a turn,I have at my house a larrivee D-03R that sounds incredible and I'am totally dialed in and paid close to nothing for her,so now Iam in the process of selling my house and Iam gonna have  afew extra bucks I can blow,so I start looking at differnt guitars Larrivee D-60,Martin HD-28 etc playing a whole bunch of really expensive guitars up to$5,000 and I get home each time and put my Larrivee D-03R on my lap and start playing her and start to chuckle and I say to myself this guitar is perfect and it sounds great and its paid for why should I go and spend $5,000 on a another guitar while I have this incrdible guitar at home.I guess what Iam trying to say the 03 is incredible guitar especially for what they sell it for,it's not fancy or anything its just a high quality affordable instrument.I guess sometimes we think we need this $5,000 for some odd reason,gas?money burning a hole in my pocket?I don't know,all I do know is I got a great guitar,that plays and sounds incredible and I paid what some guys pay for a laminate.

[mazareth]

If that $5,000 is burning a hole in your pocket. I take donations! 

Sounds like you may have found the "one." Congratulations.

[Larriveeplayer67]

If that $5,000 is burning a hole in your pocket. I take donations! 

Sounds like you may have found the "one." Congratulations.

LOL!I think I did find her!Thanks!