Venetion cutaway for fingerstyle L-03/? adding E for electronics?

[mannish]

I am a beginner/intermediate fingerstyle player (played for about 2 years now) making my first "major" guitar purchase.  Looking at either the L-03R or the LV-03R.  Is it worth getting the Venetian cutaway for stuff in the upper frets?  Also debating on whether to get the "E" version with the electronics?  Any opinions out there?  Thanks.

[Todd W]

I have an LV03E and love it. I'm just getting into fingerstyle so I can't give a true account of the cutaway. I do have the B-Band pickup but the new ones are coming with the I-Beam I believe which may or may not be better. But I don't think you could ask for a better or more versatile guiter. It does have the 1 3/4 nut which is a plus for fingerstyle.

[roknroll]

Have you tried the mahogany LV-03?  You may find it more responsive.  You should try them both out.  As far as electronics, I personally don't like knowing there's a hole in the side of my guitar that I'm stuck with no matter what.  You can always add a "less invasive" pickup down the road.  Cutaways are good for fingerstyle, but you will be losing a slight bit of tone because of the cutaway(the chamber is smaller, as opposed to a guitar without a cutaway)

[Gemnoc]

Please define "responsive". I got plenty of response when I strum my LV-03RE. :WNK>

mannish, you'll soon realize that there are here mahogany advocates as well as rosewood lovers. Trying both (if you can) is good advice, you may find you like mahogany better. For me, it was rosewood. And I couldn't hear a difference in tone between the L-03R and the LV. Easier access to the upper frets is fun, but great fingerstyle players get by without, so it's up to you. If your budget allows it, why not?

As for electronics... I have it because the only cutaway model at the store had it at the time. DIdn't think much about it, but since then I confess I've been brainwashed by the "no-barndoor" crowd and wish now that my LV didn't have it. :rolleyes:

[jankymutt]

I love my LV-03.  I am primarily a flatpicker/strummer so I like the upper fret access.  I have no need to amplify this guitar at the present time so I decided against electronics.  Down the road, I might put in a passive pickup.  I like that I have the option especially since newer pickup technology will be out by the time I need it.