Forum IV

[Denis]

But, as a player who always has a pick in his right hand, I just want to plant the seed now that the Forum 5 should be a model that lends itself to flatpicking/strumming.  What about an 03 slope-shoulder dread with 1 3/4 nut and flat peghead?  That would be something different.

I'm a fingerstyle player Brodie001 and I still think a 12 fret L-03, L-03R or even L-03MT would be a killer guitar.  And with a 1 3/4" nut?  Yeah, I would pick, strum, tap...whatever, it would be a beautiful instrument I'm sure.  It would be great for fingerstyle and you strumming/flatpicking fans would probably love it just as much.

[bluesman67]

There's too many fingerstyle players around here.  You guys just got a fingerstyle guitar for the Forum 3, and now you're looking at another one for 4!  I don't have the funds right now anyways, so go for it.

What about an 03 slope-shoulder dread with 1 3/4 nut and flat peghead?  That would be something different.

That's the best suggestion I've heard. 

[bhika]

That's the best suggestion I've heard. 

I have to agree with that. 

[tuffythepug]

is
I have to agree with that. 

Hmmmmmmm...    very interesting.  in essence you're talking about an SD-03 with a standard peghead.   Would you want it to be a 12-fretter like the SD-50 / SD-60 ?   

Tuffythepug

[BenF]

Hmmmmmmm...    very interesting.  in essence you're talking about an SD-03 with a standard peghead.   Would you want it to be a 12-fretter like the SD-50 / SD-60 ?   

Tuffythepug

a 14 fret SD would look plain weird would it not, I thought it was a 12 fret by design?

[bluesman67]

a 14 fret SD would look plain weird would it not, I thought it was a 12 fret by design?

Not at all.  Martin makes serveral sloped dreads that are 14 fretters...but I don't think Brodie's suggestion specified 12 or 14 frets.

[bhika]

a 14 fret SD would look plain weird would it not, I thought it was a 12 fret by design?

I don't know Gibson has done well with the J-45, which is a short scale Slope D

[jeremy3220]

a 14 fret SD would look plain weird would it not, I thought it was a 12 fret by design?

It is. It's based on the early Martin 12 fret dreads. Having a 14 fret neck on that body would put the bridge too far forward. That body style usually has a slotted headstock so a solid headstock might look a little weird.

[jeremy3220]

Not at all.  Martin makes serveral sloped dreads that are 14 fretters...but I don't think Brodie's suggestion specified 12 or 14 frets.

The Larrivee SD is based on the Martin 12 fret D shape (long body). The only 14 fret Dread Martin makes that is a slope shoulder that I'm aware of is the CEO-4R (Slope Shoulder) and it's not the 12 fret D shape , it is more of a Gibson J-45 shape. Not many realize that 'slope shoulder dreadnought' isn't a useful term to describe a body shape because a slope shoulder Gibson dread is about as different to a 12 fret Martin slope shoulder dread as a 000 is to a 12 fret Martin dread. If you guys ordered a run of 14 fret slope shoulder Larrivee dreads with a 1 3/4" nut you would be ordering L-03's.

[bluesman67]

... If you guys ordered a run of 14 fret slope shoulder Larrivee dreads with a 1 3/4" nut you would be ordering L-03's.

Pretty close, I agree.  12-fret is the way to go.  On the Martins, they make a sloped shoulder DM model (dread mahogany) that is a 14-fret.  I thought there were more but maybe not.

[BenF]

but I don't think Brodie's suggestion specified 12 or 14 frets.

I never said he did by the way, I was just trying to add my tuppence worth.  Probably shouldn't, as I am not part of the forum IV party this time.  I'll keep me nose out.

[Denis]

I still think a 12 fret L-03, 03R and 03MT is the way to go....for the Forum V. 

I think you guys should keep going with the plans for a OO for the Forum IV though.

[Danny]

The Larrivee SD is based on the Martin 12 fret D shape (long body). The only 14 fret Dread Martin makes that is a slope shoulder that I'm aware of is the CEO-4R (Slope Shoulder) and it's not the 12 fret D shape , it is more of a Gibson J-45 shape. Not many realize that 'slope shoulder dreadnought' isn't a useful term to describe a body shape because a slope shoulder Gibson dread is about as different to a 12 fret Martin slope shoulder dread as a 000 is to a 12 fret Martin dread. If you guys ordered a run of 14 fret slope shoulder Larrivee dreads with a 1 3/4" nut you would be ordering L-03's.

One of the local Larrivee dealer employee's calls the" L" series a slope dread.

[Brodie001]

The Larrivee SD shape is definitely different from the L shape - more boxy/less curvy; the SD is what I had in mind.  I don't like a 1 7/8 nut, though, which is my problem with the current SD model, and I'm indifferent about the peghead - I figured a flat peghead would be cheaper based on the conversation here.  12 fret seems to be the way to go with that body.  So basically I'm talking about an SD-03 with 1 3/4 nut... and an adi top

Sorry about jacking the thread...

[Danny]

The Larrivee SD shape is definitely different from the L shape - more boxy/less curvy; the SD is what I had in mind.  I don't like a 1 7/8 nut, though, which is my problem with the current SD model, and I'm indifferent about the peghead - I figured a flat peghead would be cheaper based on the conversation here.  12 fret seems to be the way to go with that body.  So basically I'm talking about an SD-03 with 1 3/4 nut... and an adi top

Sorry about jacking the thread...

No thread jack at all.   It is for these ideas. I don't care for yours much, but that doesn't mean others might not jump on it. I do agree that the L is different than the SD, I just think if you go with a SD it would not be so appealing with a paddle head. But that's just me.

[BluesMan1]

   Ricky, all sounds good, but I hate to disagree with you about it being a picker (will sound tinny). Closer to a large parlor, even if it's 5' deep. Will still lack a good sound if strummed. You guys plan on whatever YOU want, leaving many of us, some who I've PM'd & agree with me, HANGING! There will be An F-V, so that one will be another story!
   As I've told you, I'm 6'6", so an OM or OOO is just right for me. Fits me perfect. A OO, just too small. Enjoy!
     Jeff   

[GA-ME]

If'in I was to get Larrivee to make something different and truly unique it would be something I've never seen them make. I'd be looking for a parlor with a punch. I'd order a simple 0-50, 03 version, with these changes: 1 13/16 nut and a 25.5 inch scale length. I'd try to shoot for a really small maple bridge plate, 12 fret neck joint, bracing pattern closer to the Forum III with the bridge splittig the rear tone bars or perhaps, even a single rear tone bar. I'd ask for a thiner top profile and thinner bracing profile. No fretboard markers(ala 0-16 NY) only markers along the binding. While I was at it I'd get herringbone/maple bidinding and rosette. If I could get all of this I'd also try to get them to make the body a wee bit deeper. Now that would be one to sit around picking! I'd have to sit down with the measurements to see how the long scale, 12 fret joint, would place the bridge to see if a slightly different mold would be needed.

[bluesman67]

Wasn't the FIII a good picker?... and strummer I may add.  

[gusto5]

The Larrivee SD shape is definitely different from the L shape - more boxy/less curvy; the SD is what I had in mind.  I don't like a 1 7/8 nut, though, which is my problem with the current SD model, and I'm indifferent about the peghead - I figured a flat peghead would be cheaper based on the conversation here.  12 fret seems to be the way to go with that body.  So basically I'm talking about an SD-03 with 1 3/4 nut... and an adi top

Sorry about jacking the thread...

I too like this idea. I share no love for the slotted peghead, and a 1 /34 nut is still very comfortable to play (I can play both and everything in between). Keep the finishing standard on an -03 model (okay, maybe throw in deluxe bridge inlays, or one other pricer option) and we've got ourselves a very budgetable SD.

[rpm60912]

   Ricky, all sounds good, but I hate to disagree with you about it being a picker (will sound tinny). Closer to a large parlor, even if it's 5' deep. Will still lack a good sound if strummed.

My new-to-me Parlor Walnut Special Edition which is a P-03 is quite a picker/strummer and it ain't tinny. I used to say that I always hear the "boxy" even in my OO-09 and my "tinny" sounding Ami. But not anymore! I can't believe that the Walnut/Sitka combo does make a huge difference even in such a small real estate in the box. In saying my parlor is a strummer, it ain't as deep sounding as a dread, L, LS or OM - but my my my..... does it ever growl without ever falling apart. It's a little screamer of a guitar. You'll have to hear mine to believe it - my FIII LSV-03R has not seen any playing time since I got my P-03 Walnut almost 2 weeks ago.  I believe I have two favorites in my possession: my FIII and my parlor.

So, imagine what an IS-top deep body OO may be able to do.

You guys plan on whatever YOU want, leaving many of us, some who I've PM'd & agree with me, HANGING! There will be An F-V, so that one will be another story!
   As I've told you, I'm 6'6", so an OM or OOO is just right for me. Fits me perfect. A OO, just too small. Enjoy!
     Jeff   

Jeff, there were good folks here who sat out the FIII because they really wanted an OO.  Could it be that it's their turn for the  Forum IV - if this will come to fruition?  As much as I want to jump in with both feet, I only got approval for a GO-Guitar and I can't even commit to the FIV - whatever it will be - unless my wife buys it for me.

Should there be a Forum V and it's a L or SD - I may have to sit that one out, because as you know, I'm 5'2" and shrinking as I get closer and closer to 50  and talks of 1 13/16 or 1 7/8 nut width is too wide for my short fingers. I'm making do with the standard 1 3/4 but my Ami's 1 11/16 is perfect for fretted chords again my fingers are short.

Please don't feel as if you and others are being left out. I thought the 5" depth is incentive to win a few more who are sitting on the fence (and makes this git interesting enough for them to jump in) because that means more real estate and more ooooomph "thump" for a deep body OO with good sound when strummed. I'm a strummer too and deep bass is important to me too.

So, if you (possibly me too) and others sit this FIV-OO out, then as you said, there'll always be the Forum V - that may be a bigger body like L, SD, OOO, or OM.

I'll have to pull the trigger on my Go-Git because that one has house approval (better that my wife buys all my guitars and when I'm really good her twin sister too) and Sam Radding is waiting for my depo$it.

ricky