L-03WL A story of loss and redemption.

[rond]

Long story short, had an L-03WL and sold it. Big mistake. Didn't have money and missed the one here on the forum. Saw one on ebay and took the chance. Brand new condition, unplayed. Has bone saddle. I know what some think of gold on 03's but it needed the 510's anyway. Sweet tuners. Put in Colosi buffalo pins. Smoother, more focused treble compared to the plastic ones. I don't know, I'm too giddy to tell for sure. I think I can hear the mid-bottom end get softer and more resonant after about 10 min. Maybe it's just me. Love lost, love found.

[rond]

pics

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[rond]

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[rond]

"eyes" on the back

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[bearsville0]

Those gold tuners with black knobs look great.

So, what's so great about the walnut larrivees? (I have one too but I like to hear opinions from more experienced players.)

[L1D1]

I have the same geet........for about a year now. I too put in Gotoh Deltas however mine are the all black version. Also have a bone nut & saddle but went with ebony pins. I found this guitar likes the Alchemy Gold/Phos lights. Also had a custom pickguard made in solid brown and a second in solid black in case I didnt like the brown.  I suspect Larrivee will return to offering a Walnut L series in the not too distant future. Wally, at least in the L series seems to emphasize the mids; its better than most on high end but average on low. Makes it good for certain voice accompaniements. I like it fingerpicked but turn to the D series with med strings for flat out strummin as I get better lows as expected. It has an incredible midrange which sets it apart and legitimizes it as a tonewood on its own qualities.

[rond]

Walnut is often described as sounding inbetween rosewood and mahogany. To me it has some of the sparkle of rosewood but stays punchy under heavy picking like mahogany. Being a limited edition makes it kinda cool also. To each their own when it comes to different tonewood. What's your opinion?

[bearsville0]

I'm too new to playing to have any opinion other than I like what I hear.  2 and half years ago I got back into learning after a 25 year break so I've a lot of catching up to do. I look forward to getting to that point when I have the chops to test drive all of em. I got the walnut cos I read good things about it and liked the looks in the pictures I saw and the limited edition thing appealed to me as well. I wanted a steel string to play classical reportoire so the idea of an in between mahogany and rosewood was intriguing enough to get me to take the leap into the unknown. I love the sound as it has aged and gotten "warmer" and plan to experiment with different saddle materials but for now I'm settled on spending most of my playing time just enjoying getting my fingers and brain moving in the same direction. Since I play classical stuff I will eventually acquire a 12 fret guitar for ease of playing, but for now this is my first quality guitar and I'm savoring it.

[fingerstylebanjo]

Hey Rond,

Sorry - I think I'm the one that 'bogart-ed' the L-03WL that you were after here on the Forum. Glad to see you got one!! I'm with you - these are great guitars!!!

I've had several L's over the years. Always buying and selling - with regrets later. So, the last few years I've been keeping pretty much everything I've bought. Just takes longer to save up for the next acquisition. Sure wish I'd kept the L-05, L-03BW, L-03R.....I won't make the same mistake with this beauty. I think the walnut L-03 has one of the better fingerstyle voices that I have tried.

Love the Gotohs - now I'm tempted to get a set....

Larry

[markyboy]

When I first tried a Larrivee it was an L-03wl. Never knew of larrivees until I tried it in the store. I was in the market for a Martin or Taylor dread at the time.  I loved the tone and sound and soon was set on getting a L body. I ended up getting an L-05. Anyway, I still look at for walnut guitars when I'm in the shops. They have a very infectious sound IMO.