L-09CE Is Back

[CF Larrivee]

Got my L-09CE that went to Oxnard in January back on Wed., the 12th of April. Larrivee overnighted it to me, so they went out of their way to get it back to me. 

As you may recall, the main problem I was having with the guitar was poor intonation. I was also breaking strings caused by a binding nut and a machine head seized and died. Well, a new neck, fingerboard, nut and bridge have solved the problems. The intonation is about as good as one could hope for, the nut works and fits the strings perfectly, and the machines were replaced with gold plated Pings with white !? buttons. So far, the machines are working fine.

However, there is one small problem. Matthew told me by phone that Jean himself carved the neck for this guitar. I don't know if that means he finished it. Anyway, there is a "rough" spot in the finish that starts about underneath the second fret and runs in a straight line a little past the third fret. This line is about 1/4" wide is runs underneath the second string area of the neck. If I look at this spot closely, the finish appears to have little "taste buds" sticking up, giving the feeling sort of like a cat's tongue, but not quite that rough. Matthew told me that he  played this guitar and that everything was just right. That leaves me scratching my head, wondering how in the world he could have missed that blem in the finish. It's no big deal. I think I can smooth it out with steel wool. But again, it mystifies me that something this obvious could be missed by quality control.

So, all in all, I'm very pleased with the guitar and feel that Larrivee tried to bend over backwards to satisfy me. Unfortunately, the experience still leaves me with nagging questions about quality control issues at the Oxnard plant.

[dberch]

One guitar with problems does not make a quality control issue.  I think perhaps you'd be happier if you sell this one and move on (or back) to another brand.  Just a thought.