Claro Walnut L-03 in da howse! (grab a chair, I'm long winded)

[L07 Shooting Star]

Wait six months and see if you even notice (or care about) the tan line anymore.  Then decide.

Nice guitar and I'm glad it worked so well playing out with it first time.

[dgshoote]

I guess pick guards are subjective. I'm getting one with a clear pickguard and I'm considering removing it and putting on a tortoise shell.

[dave42]

I'm with you, dgshoote. I like pickguards.

That darn Wildwood Music! They still have the pics of the walnut Larrivee I liked. I think they are trying to make me crazy. 

[cbarclay]

  If it's not real distinct the tan line should blend in over time.

Wait six months and see if you even notice (or care about) the tan line anymore.  Then decide.

Nice guitar and I'm glad it worked so well playing out with it first time.

I think you're right.  I'm going to leave it without - it's starting to grown on me.

I guess pick guards are subjective. I'm getting one with a clear pickguard and I'm considering removing it and putting on a tortoise shell.

I like 'guards on dreads and OM's but not L's for some reason. 

[Mr_LV19E]

The tan line will fade away.

[Jan]

Last night I took off the pickguard (it now has a subtle tan line), slotted the bridge and Lowdenized the finish (gave it a nice subtle semi-gloss sheen and now the grain pops out a little better). 

nice guitar!!
hhmm Lowdenized?  thats not a term I am familiar with? The satin finish on my Lv-03r might like that too. Dont want shine as much as make the grain pop/depth. What is it you do???

[cbarclay]

nice guitar!!
hhmm Lowdenized?  thats not a term I am familiar with? The satin finish on my Lv-03r might like that too. Dont want shine as much as make the grain pop/depth. What is it you do???

Jan, I think I made up the term "Lowdenize" but my goal was not a super shiny guitar but a Lowden-like finish.  I used THIS explanation as a guide.  I'm very happy with the outcome.  It feels good and looks good.

I received some unslotted bone pins from Bob Colosi today (I ordered them Tuesday!).  I have them soaking in day old coffee right now.  I don't really like the glaring whiteness of typical bone so I soak them to make them look more 'vintage' and match the maple binding a little better.

[cbarclay]

...after soaking the pins in coffee for a few hours I dried them off and installed them and noticed a big difference.  The guitar got bigger, louder, more responsive and articulate.  The addition also brought the E, A, and the D more to the front without minimizing the top three strings - in fact the G, b and e are fatter sounding than before.  I haven't thought of this guitar as super quiet but felt it could be louder and more present and this really 'aged' the guitar and it sounds absolutely amazing!  I also like that the staining of the pins brought out some of the 'grain' of the bone.
Before:


After:

[cbarclay]

Oh yeah, for anyone who cares, I got the manufacturing date on this puppy:  11/1/2006

[dgshoote]

Those new pins look great. Plus they improve the tone. Can't beat that combination.

[kvader]

Very cool man.
After reading this thread and others about how awesome these Walnut guitars are, I went on my own quest for one. I scoured google for anyone selling a L-03W. I finally found one hidden on page 6 of my google search. It was an unused L-03W Black Walnut 2010 version at a music store. I couldn't believe it. I called the guy up and 3 days later it was in my hands!  This is my first really nice guitar.

[Danny]

Very cool man.
After reading this thread and others about how awesome these Walnut guitars are, I went on my own quest for one. I scoured google for anyone selling a L-03W. I finally found one hidden on page 6 of my google search. It was an unused L-03W Black Walnut 2010 version at a music store. I couldn't believe it. I called the guy up and 3 days later it was in my hands!  This is my first really nice guitar.

Cool, post some pix.

[cbarclay]

Very cool man.
After reading this thread and others about how awesome these Walnut guitars are, I went on my own quest for one. I scoured google for anyone selling a L-03W. I finally found one hidden on page 6 of my google search. It was an unused L-03W Black Walnut 2010 version at a music store. I couldn't believe it. I called the guy up and 3 days later it was in my hands!  This is my first really nice guitar.

Glad to hear there's another one around here.  Let us know what you think, and yes, 

[carruth]

My L03W is a keeper     Great choice for afirst good guitar.

[Mr_LV19E]

Where's the bone saddle to go with the pins?   

[cbarclay]

Where's the bone saddle to go with the pins?   

Me?  Yeah, I know.  I tried a bone saddle I made years ago but I think the fit was too tight and it didn't sound any better.  I'll sand it down a little and try it again eventually.  At this point, I don't feel like this guitar lacks anything for me - I couldn't be happier with it.

[Jscott]