Forum V - The RS-4

[Cybercanyon]

B3:  This I actually liked more because the trem arm is in easy access and more towards the neck - about 1-2" closer than the B7.  The only issue is that of string angle.  I only tried this on a Gretsch hollow-body and the saddle was SUPER high (I think over an inch) so even w/o the extra bar the B7 has, the string angle was still steep enough for strings not to pop out.  Unfortunately, neither store I went to had a solid-body with a Bigsby so I couldn't get a feel for the string angle - but I will say it's gonna be much less and am still a bit worried about strings popping off the saddle on a solidbody electric.  That being said, I liked this one better still.  It also looks nicer IMO.

I am also interested in the Bigsby.   Does anyone know what bridge will be used with the B3 option on the Forum V?

The only thing that I would seriously ask you all to really consider is Callaham Bridge. Unfortunately with this option it's an all in (except the Bigsby opters) and there would be an upcharge likely close to $200,

If I didn't go with the Bigsby, I would definitely go with Callaham.

The Callaham seems sweet.  If I go tunomatic, I'll go in on that (they have it in gold?!).  If they dont have gold, and it's nickel plate maybe Larrivee can do all other HW gold and leave the bridge as nickel and I can send it to my plater (I have some other stuff I need plated anyways).

I also would like the Callaham in gold, but it would not be a deal breaker.

[bacchus]

The Callaham bridge does seem really nice.  I am less inclined towards the bigsby due to both the fact that it is a significant up-charge and just a little visually busy for my taste.  My personal preference would be for the standard bridge, but I am on board with whatever, at least until I get priced out of the discussion.   

[L07 Shooting Star]

Friends, at the end of the day it doesn't matter which choice we go with to me. As I know we will end up with a special unique guitar made only available to us.

The only thing that I would seriously ask you all to really consider is Callaham Bridge. Unfortunately with this option it's an all in (except the Bigsby opters) and there would be an upcharge likely close to $200,

I don't think there is one factor greater that we are considering that would have a greater positive effect on tone than the Callaham Bridge. The SD 35th Annniversary didn't choose this bridge by accident they chose the best available woods, hardware and builder - just like we want to do . Please read up on it and give it some thought.  

Andrew, I trust your advice in this and vote for a Callaham ABR-1 bridge and stop tailpiece.  I would want the saddles UNSLOTTED so I can customize the individual string heights to my liking.

I'm definately not in favor of a Bigsby of any kind on the proposed Forum V - RS4, for several reasons.  The string angle for one.  The inherent problems with it returning to pitch.  The added weight.  The added busy look to the guitar.  The added cost.  My feeling is this can be added later by those who want to further customize their RS4s.

And just to reiterate, the final choice of headstock is not a big deal to me.

Kurt

[PM33AUD]

The Bigsby, if offered at all is very likely to be just an option.

Really, I'd just like to see what the Larrivee folks think on the matter of string angle using the B3 on the RS4 and let them decide if it's a robust option for players on this guitar.  But either bridge I'd be happy with.

[Mikeymac]

OK ... Here's my latest two cents worth...

...I'm not interested in adding $200 to the price of the guitar for the Callaham bridge when the stock Tone Pro's bridge and stop tail piece on my current RS-4 seems to work and sound great ... and Larrivee DID choose to use it on this high quality guitars. I'd prefer to let people add a Callaham bridge as a personal aftermarket add-on choice, since it's very easy to do: no new holes to drill, etc.

The Bigsby would definitely be an option for those of us who want one; I was under the impression that the one-piece wrap around bridge was still going to be an option on these for those who want it as well? Andrew? I suspect my playing style will get along with the B3, and I'm all for a more user friendly trem arm, which it sounds like the B3 has.

It's kinda hard for me to go try one, as a lefty player, there probably aren't 2 stores in the whole country that would have TWO left-handed guitars with different Bigsby's on them in stock!!!

[PM33AUD]

OK ... Here's my latest two cents worth...

...I'm not interested in adding $200 to the price of the guitar for the Callaham bridge when the stock Tone Pro's bridge and stop tail piece on my current RS-4 seems to work and sound great ... and Larrivee DID choose to use it on this high quality guitars. I'd prefer to let people add a Callaham bridge as a personal aftermarket add-on choice, since it's very easy to do: no new holes to drill, etc.

The Bigsby would definitely be an option for those of us who want one; I was under the impression that the one-piece wrap around bridge was still going to be an option on these for those who want it as well? Andrew? I suspect my playing style will get along with the B3, and I'm all for a more user friendly trem arm, which it sounds like the B3 has.

It's kinda hard for me to go try one, as a lefty player, there probably aren't 2 stores in the whole country that would have TWO left-handed guitars with different Bigsby's on them in stock!!!

The Callaham does sound like it may be 'forcing' a rather expensive piece of HW (that is easy to install aftermarket) on some folks.  I'd still do it since I could swap it with the one on my RS4 to see if I can tell a difference.  We need a vote for consensus!

Yea the B3 was def a little nicer to play - the arm was in the right spot... The only thing is I wish I could try is one on a LP since the saddles on these aren't 'floating' and want to make sure how I play isn't going to popping the strings out right n left with the B3.

[bacchus]

I will simply affirm my preference for the tone pros.  I think that the callaham sounds great, but I would agree with Mikeymac that this could be a nice, and reasonably simple aftermarket addition.  If I were going to bump up the price at all it would probably be to do something that would add uniqueness and something that couldn't be done after the fact.

[L07 Shooting Star]

I will simply affirm my preference for the tone pros.  I think that the callaham sounds great, but I would agree with Mikeymac that this could be a nice, and reasonably simple aftermarket addition.  If I were going to bump up the price at all it would probably be to do something that would add uniqueness and something that couldn't be done after the fact.

I'm going to sound wishy washy on this, but I had not realized (or forgotten) that the stock bridge was a Tone Pros which is a very high quality bridge to begin with.  So I am going to agree with Mikeymac and bacchus that the current bridge will do just fine and the alleged benefits of the Callaham would not justify the extra cost.

[bacchus]

So what are some of the other things that need to be discussed in regards to this guitar?  Finish?  Headstock/inlays?  In general, what kinds of options are we going to have, what would be reaistic and cool to do to this guitar?  Most importantly, what decisions need to be made to move this along? 

[JOYCEfromNS]

I will simply affirm my preference for the tone pros.  I think that the callaham sounds great, but I would agree with Mikeymac that this could be a nice, and reasonably simple aftermarket addition.  If I were going to bump up the price at all it would probably be to do something that would add uniqueness and something that couldn't be done after the fact.

I think this Guitar will be unique for sure. A couple quick notes on the Callaham  it would not be a subsequent direct drop in tho somewhat painless  retro,  there would also be Zinc involved thus the tone would not likely be optimal as would a custom factory installed Callaham. Further it is available in Gold for those who desire.

Having said all this the Tone Pros is no slouch my any means and I would fully support the majority on this. Just we have an opportunity to optimize here and also add somewhat to the uniqueness of the Guitar tho somewhat covertly.

A little more to consider and think about 

[Mikeymac]

Understand what you're saying about adding the Callaham bridge, Andrew.

I just know that being able to get in on this guitar is going to be a stretch for me as is, so I don't want to put it further out of reach (although adding a Bigsby will be about the equivalent of the Callaham ...  ).

[headsup]

HI, folks, please forgive my getting lost in the thread here.
I own an RS-4 (with the Larrivee pick-ups) and  I am very pleased with it every detail.
I am trying ascertain whether anyone has actually added a bigsby to theirs or not.
and what model?
The B3?

Not terribly familiar with Forums generally, but having my fair share of Larrivee's over the years, (still have 3) and knowing Jean from 40 years ago, well, I might be a tad out of my league here.Any help around bigsby or link pointing will be greatly appreciated.
thanks ever so much.

newbie guy

I am also interested in the Bigsby.   Does anyone know what bridge will be used with the B3 option on the Forum V?

If I didn't go with the Bigsby, I would definitely go with Callaham.


I also would like the Callaham in gold, but it would not be a deal breaker.

[JOYCEfromNS]

I own an RS-4 (with the Larrivee pick-ups) and  I am very pleased with it every detail.
I am trying ascertain whether anyone has actually added a bigsby to theirs or not.
and what model?
The B3?

Not much help for you in aftermarket but factory installed Larrivee is recommending the B3. Saw a picture  from a trade show in Europe a couple years back with a bunch of electric Larrivees and one was sporting the B3. UnclRob would most likely be best qualified to comment on how invasive a retrofit would be barring nobody here has done it to their RS 4

[Walkerman]

Bigsby B7 has a "no drill" installation set.....comes in gold or nickle.  That way, if you later changed your mind, you could remove it no harm, no foul.  I am going to put one on my LP.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar_tremolos/Bigsby_Vibrato_Tailpieces/Bigsby_B7_Vibrato.html

[PM33AUD]

If they think B3 is good then awesome!  Hey, can ML maybe comment on B3 on the RS4 - in particular the 'string popping off' deal?

[bacchus]

Would it be too presumptuous to maybe determine a comfortable price range for this guitar first, and then fit the features that we want into that range?  Is this a reasonable thing to do?  I havent been involved in any of the forum guitar selection processes yet so i am not really sure how this works.  I figure this way we can then prioritize the features that we want while having a specific end goal in mind ( well, besides having a sweet guitar ).  What do you think?

[Mikeymac]

Would it be too presumptuous to maybe determine a comfortable price range for this guitar first, and then fit the features that we want into that range?  Is this a reasonable thing to do?  I havent been involved in any of the forum guitar selection processes yet so i am not really sure how this works.  I figure this way we can then prioritize the features that we want while having a specific end goal in mind ( well, besides having a sweet guitar ).  What do you think?

This will be a difficult discussion to have here online, as the dealer will set the final price of the guitar - based on MSRP and where he wants to price it to get his profit margin ... so I'm not sure we can actually set that without having the dealer involved in the conversation. We would have to know what percentage above his cost (or below MSRP) he is going to charge, etc.

Having said that, I'm hoping we can keep it pretty close to the prices I've seen online for the standard RS-4, which would "most likely" range between $2,300 and $2,500 or so (this would be before other add-ons, like the Bigsby for those of us who want it)... 

[bacchus]

This will be a difficult discussion to have here online, as the dealer will set the final price of the guitar - based on MSRP and where he wants to price it to get his profit margin ... so I'm not sure we can actually set that without having the dealer involved in the conversation. We would have to know what percentage above his cost (or below MSRP) he is going to charge, etc.

Having said that, I'm hoping we can keep it pretty close to the prices I've seen online for the standard RS-4, which would "most likely" range between $2,300 and $2,500 or so (this would be before other add-ons, like the Bigsby for those of us who want it)... 

Ok, that is fair. 

I figured that this may be the case, I guess I am just being impatient and trying to get this rolling along.  Truth be told, this will be my first real electric guitar, and I am just excited to make this happen.  I suppose I ought to just sit back and enjoy the rodeo.

[Mikeymac]

Truth be told, this will be my first real electric guitar, and I am just excited to make this happen. I suppose I ought to just sit back and enjoy the rodeo.

The anticipation and waiting makes it all the sweeter! It will be worth the wait, trust me!

[PM33AUD]

Even if this was your 100th real electric, you are still going to be blown away.  This guitar is growing on me more and more (which is a bit creepy, really).