Larrivee, Martin or Collings.

[KenHolden]

Although right now I'm lacking on the funding for a new guitar, I have been spending a fair bit of time researching into some small body acoustics.  I'm looking for that "Small guitar, Big sound"     I've got it narrowed down to a Larrivee LS-03 (04-05 would do the job too),  a Martin OO-18V or a Collings O1 

I've only ever played on LS, and that was a few years back at the 12th Fret.  I remember the guitar and how well it sounded.  The other guitars I haven't had the opportunity to try yet.  Have any of you out there had that chance?

Price wise.... the Collings will be the most expensive, with the Martin coming in second, and the LS would have to be purchased used.      In a perfect world, I'd get the chance to play all of them in the same area to give them a proper comparison. (also in that perfect world, I'd have the $ to buy all 3 haha)   

I'm really just looking for some insight and opinions on these guitars. If the right one was to come around, I could be convinced to buy.

[Randy_R]

A friend has a Collings 0-1. It sounds great.

[Danny]

    I think it would be really good to play each model if you can. Since you are not in a hurry you can do some comparing.
   I would strongly recommend plying a 12 fret LS-03 if you like the 12 fret model. I have had many very good players try mine out and all are amazed at the volume and tone. But you should try one yourself. The F-III with the Mahogany and Italian Spruce is what I have and I would compare it's tone to much higher shelf Model Martins and Collings.

        Of course Collings makes impeccable guitars and the Martin would be a great choice as well. But the F-III's are selling here for a fraction of those. So if you found that you liked the tone, then you could save some big bucks and have a special little git as well.

[ffinke]

I think there are a few others to consider if you want a truly BIG small guitar sound.

I bought Larry's Huss and Dalton 00-sp and it is incredibly loud. I've also played a Bourgeois OM that really talked, too.

The best thing you can do is play every one you're considering. If, when you have it cradled to your chest, it's resonance bores deep to your backbone you've got a keeper.

Good luck and happy hunting.

f

[jamesb1101]

All nice guitars, good luck.

-James

[prof_stack]

The Martin 00-18V is REALLY a special guitar.  Pricey, of course, but a real sweetheart.

[AZLiberty]

All nice guitars.

I recently acquired one of the F-III  LS-03 guitars.  I swapped out the bridge pins for Boxwood and it now sounds very "Martiny".  I'd classify it as more of a mid-size instrument than a small one though.  To me, it is significantly bigger than a 00-sized box.  I'd call it "a bit smaller than an OM but more comfortable to play seated.  It does have sustain to die for though.

There are some very nice Larrivee 00-03 and (and higher) guitars out there right now that you should put on your "look at" list.  

I really like Martins, but the 00-18V has a modified V neck. And I most definitely do NOT like the V neck.  I definitely recommend that you play a V-neck martin before you buy one.  Some folks love them, but they are not for everyone.
"
For "Small Guitar - Big sound" one of our local shops has a vintage Guild F-20  (1976 or 77ish can't recall).  Definitely has that Whoa where is that huge sound coming from" vibe.

[obe-wan]

Gday mate, all the guitars you mention are real nice, but I know for certain the Martin 00-18V isnt going to give you the small guitar/ big sound thing youre after. There a more delicate, woody and sweet sounding little guitar. But I wouldnt say it was a big sounding guitar. The short scale makes it a little more subdued in my opinion. Its one guitar that has given me serious G.A.S. but I dont think it'll do what your looking for.
I'd seriously look at the 12 fret forum III or LS-03.  My experience with 12 frets and from what Ive gathered here from reading everyones glowing reports is that it'll fit your criteria well.  I cant comment on the Collings.

Good luck.

Cheers, Scott.

[Zohn]

The Martin's neck "modified-V" profile is very different from the others mentioned, which might be a problem for some folks.

[Daysailer]

Cant offer any opinoin on the Collings, but I own an LS-03 F-III 12 fret, Italian spruce top, Mahogany B/S.

I too liked what I read about the 00-18v, the short scale and slighly smaller body than a OM or LS appealed too.
About 6 weeks ago a 00-18v came up for private sale by someone I had been swapping emails with for a couple of years.
He is a guitar repair tech and has built a couple of very nice Mandolins and guitars as preparation to become a full
time Luthier.  I took his sale as my chance to not only meet him, but satisfy my GAS for the 00-18v.  I figured selling my
LS and OM would leave some money in my pocket and I would find my lifetime guitar.  He was also curious about
Larrivees, so I took my 3  plus my Seagull Folk, short scale, to compare the lot and let him go over my Larrivees.
He was not interested in any kind of trade, just wanted to play the Larrivees to experiece them and learn from them.

We made a session out of swapping guitars and comparing sounds, including his CA Dred and a very nice Santa Cruz dred, (he is more into the bluegrass scene)
The modified V neck was a bit different, but did not seem that it would have been issue given some playing time.

In the end the Martin 00-18v is still with him and my Larrivees are not for sale.  It was in perfect condition, very fairly
priced, but did not quite come up the sound that I already have with my LS F-III and OM-03 12 fret all mahagony Forum1

I really wanted to like that 00-18v, but I guess the ones I have are some pretty sweet guitars.  
My friend did say that my L-03 Blackwood impressed him.  He said it would be right at home, and give nothing away flat picking and struming at the bluegrass jams he attends.

Dont know if this will help or hurt, but I am sure glad that I had a chance to try one and cure my GAS without
pulling out my wallet.  

ds  

[surfinbernard]

As you say it's not an ideal world and you don't always get the chance to experiment as you would like before choosing a guitar and making a purchase, I live in the UK so I know exactly the kinds of limitations which can affect your ability to make a decision as there are few shops carrying the better quality guitars and those who do tend to specialise in one or two brands only. I found that Youtube helped a lot, although you can't handle the instruments yourself you can find some videos recorded with proper mics and played well so you can get an idea of how it sounds and plays and if it suits the kind of music you want to play on it. The guy at 'Guitars of Pikesville' has some excellent videos of the Larrivee models played well in a number of styles and recorded with good sound quality. Also there is a guy comparing an OM body type Larrivee with a Martin dread, not really a controlled experiment but still, it's interesting and again it's recorded with a proper mic. It's worth having a look through on there, I found it helped me choose, and I got to play some similar models to what I was looking at in the music shop and that just had to do. Have fun!

[ncognito]

As some have mentioned the neck profile is a key factor.  It doesn't matter how great a guitar sounds if it's uncomfortable to play it for any length of time, or if you want to wrap your thumb, but the neck design doesn't match up with your specific human design.

          DAVE

[KenHolden]

thanks for the advice. keep it coming!

I should change the title to add in Bourgeois.   I was looking through the 12Fret website and came across this     http://12fret.com/new/Bourgeois_00_Country_Boy_pg.html

It seems to fit in with the other guitars.    I may be heading close to Toronto sometime this winter to see some family, so a trip to the Fret would be planned in there.  And they are the closest Collings dealer to me.

[Danny]

  That is a nice looking 00, but the nut is small. Only 1 23/32" .

[KenHolden]

1 23/32" is right in between 1 11/16" and 1 3/4"  which could be the best of both worlds.   

Collings gives all 3 nut widths as options.  but that might come at a bigger cost than the standard 1 11/16"

times like this make me appreciate the metric system.

[cke]

Are you sure you are making an apt comparison? The LS is the size of an OM (mid-sized), the Martin is a 00, and the Collings is a parlor size. That's a pretty broad range of tones and characters.  All are good, but I would approach it by selecting the size I wanted first. If  it's big sound/ small size the most likely of the 3 you named to satisfy is the Martin. I played a 00-28vs and it was incredible, full and rich  (but not so the 0-28vs -bassy but not that interesting comparatively>), but I would never mistake it for an OM. YMMV   
all

[Big Eric]

Another who would argue they are all different animals.  Have played a Collings parlor size, and it is loud for the size.  But not in "louder than a D" category. 

Even the 12th Fret mentions the Bourgeois is not as loud as the bigger body cousins. 

Not saying you can't find a small guitar that competes.  (My 00-21 copy can do that.)  Just might have to look at different guitars.  Would maybe suggest the Collings 00 series 12 fret.  Have played a couple over the years.  Would easily recommend one of those.  (Or an H&D which someone else mentioned.  Those are also quite nice.)

[Randy_R]

Here's a members youtube playing a Collings 01

http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/index.php?topic=31037.new#new

Its much more substantial than a Larrivee parlor I believe.

[Strings4Him]

As I acquire various guitars, it seems to me that the best-sounding guitar is the one you play most often.  Yes, this is a bit simplistic but I think there is truth in it.  It might be like exercise.  What's the best exercise?  The one you do most often.

I am not diminishing the subtle nuances of various tonewoods and structural characteristics.  But, I think Martins and Collings are over-priced when compared to Larrivee's.

[Michael T]

When I bought my DV09 I drove a hundred miles to A/B Collings (my 1st choice from reviews), Taylor, and Martin dreads at the closet store that had them all. The salesperson brought me the DV09 and after several hours it came home. Price was not a consideration, I went to buy the Collings but wanted to be sure, I was, Larrivee for me.