Newbie question

[Godfather]

I know tone is a totally subjective topic but, I have never played a Larrivee or heard any in person. Martin and Taylor have "their" distinct sound. Where does Larrivee fit in the tonal spectrum, brighter than Martin but not as bright as Taylor, more bass than Taylor but not as deep as Martin, etc...you know what I mean. I am looking for a parlor but do not have the convenience of local music stores to compare the brands, sizes, woods. The closest is 3 hours away (Elderly). Can anyone help me?

[Danny]

I know tone is a totally subjective topic but, I have never played a Larrivee or heard any in person. Martin and Taylor have "their" distinct sound. Where does Larrivee fit in the tonal spectrum, brighter than Martin but not as bright as Taylor, more bass than Taylor but not as deep as Martin, etc...you know what I mean. I am looking for a parlor but do not have the convenience of local music stores to compare the brands, sizes, woods. The closest is 3 hours away (Elderly). Can anyone help me?

It totally depends on the Larrivee model you choose. Some Larrivees and Taylors sound very similar, Martins don't sound as good in their cheaper models. But the standard Martin Models and above with the scalloped X bracing will generally have a fuller bass tone, where a Larrivee will be more balanced.
    Some Taylors sound "tinny" or thin. Others are cannons and excellent guitars. Those are usually above 2K at least. The lesser models don't appeal much to me. I'd rather have a Larrivee.

   But all these issues change with 12 fret, 14 fret, type of woods used, what the sounding board type is and "the player".       A good player can make an old Harmony sound beautiful.

   I have a couple of Martins and I really like my OM-21, but my Larrivees are excellent guitars and better in my view than anything equivalent in a Martin and a Taylor. I ordered the all mahogany 00 Forum IV partially out of dissatisfaction with the small bodied all mahogany Martins.
   To me the Larrivees I own are tone rich, resonant, full of warmth and can sparkle as well. The best buy in an all solid wood North American made guitar.

[HAMFIST]

Indeed. Tone is subjective, to a large extent. And different body styles of Larrivee will sound different.

On the whole, the word "balanced" is a good blanket descriptors for Larrivees. I have had a number of acoustics over the years. Some favored the mids, some the bass. Some offered more of a scopped midrange and accentuated treble and bass. With both of my Larries and others I have played, the whole spectrum is there. They record well for me because of this, and can be EQed easily. You can't pot up a frequency that isn't there to begin with!

Larrivees to my ears also seem to have a more even attack profile, which again makes them easier to record. Either with a mic or through a piezo, many acoustics have a really strong front end smack that spikes the volume ... and then the signal kind of peters out. Larrivees seem to avoid this somehow. Some people describe the resulting sound as "silky." Dunno. It becomes ad copy at that point. I just think they are nice instruments you won't regret having!

[Mr_LV19E]

The closest is 3 hours away (Elderly). Can anyone help me?

Where are you located? Somewhere in MI?

[Godfather]

Between Manistee and Cadillac...

  :donut

[Mr_LV19E]

Between Manistee and Cadillac...

  :donut

Is it really 3 hrs to Lansing taking 115 to 127? Seems like it should be closer to two.  I know its still a long drive when you consider round trip, but nothing beats hearing for yourself.

[Godfather]

...my daughter was at MSU for several years (before my taking interest in playing) and I have made several trips to Lansing.  We are a bit closer to Manistee and I usually do the speed limit  ...LOL If I push it, I can do  the trip in   2-1/2 hrs.

I have been checking their web site, a lot, and nothing there in the used Larrivee parlor market right now.

[Mr_LV19E]

There is a used 00V-03 short scale advertised on e-Bay right now out of Traverse City.
Link here.

[Godfather]

  :donut

Thank you very much. I just sent a message to the seller.