L-03 vs L-03R

[benitogilmore]

Hello,


I am considering the L-03 vs the L-03R.

I am leaning towards the warmth, "woodiness" and midrange of the mahogany over rosewood, but I have heard rosewood is generally louder and projects better.

Do people feel the L-03 has enough volume and projection for most situations?

What are peoples' thoughts or preferences regarding comparing these two guitars?

I am mostly a strummer and flatpicker, but am doing more and more fingerstyle, thus I am leaning towards the L body shape for its reported versatility. I loved the tone of Gibson's new J35 reissue (one reason I'm leaning towards the spruce/hog combo), but the neck profile was way too chunky for me.

Thanks everyone in advance,

BG

[L07 Shooting Star]

Hi and welcome.  

The differences will be subtle.  Don't buy into the hype that one body wood species is better for fingerstyle and another is better for using a pick.  You will get recommendations for both, I suspect.

If at all possible, you should try them both side by side and pick the one that calls to you.  Also have a friend/helper play them to you so you can hear them from a listeners point of view.  Have you listened to the sound clips here? http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/index.php?topic=5947.0  Might give you some insight if you can't audition them in person.

Personally, I prefer rosewood.  I'm a strummer/flatpicker and not much of a finger picker.  When I do venture into finger pickin on my rosewood L-07, it sounds just fine.  I don't have a lot of experience with mahogany back and sides guitars, though.

Regardless of the body wood used, the L model is indeed a very versatile guitar that is well-balanced and covers all the bases.

Hope this helps.

[JohnM2001]

Lots of opinions on the Hog vs RW tonal difference.  Some think that a hog back & sides sounds better to the player, while a RW projects more and sounds better to listeners out front (if there are any besides your dog  )    Also many think that Larrivee does mahogany better than most, if not best.  Personally, I'm a Larrivee hog or sapele guy, that after a few forays into the Larrivee RW world with an L10SE, and an older L19.  The warmth, jangle and presence of hog or sapele just does it for me, at least in the L and D sizes.  

I found the RW to have more overtones and not as warm as I like, and a bit metallic sounding to my ear.  YMMV. If I ever go smaller (00, 0M or LS) I'd like to try RW again.   Agreed that the best course is to do a side by side comparison, and go with what sounds best to you (and your friend out front; also be sure to sit out front while she/she plays too!)  

[Gary787]

I tried to hear a difference as a player and I tried to hear the difference as a listener. My decision was I like dark wood guitars and the rosewood from Larrivee is stunning.

[carruth]

Both are very fine guitars. I think I prefer Mahogany, and then I play a Rosewood that knocks my socks off.   

[Riverbend]

The L is a great body style for most playing styles. Mine is rosewood, but I'd be just as happy with mahogany I suspect.

[benitogilmore]

Thanks everyone! Unfortunately I don't think I'll get the chance to A/B them because limited dealers in my area.

My one concern about the L-03 mahogany (love the tone on the sound clips) is it not being loud as I would want. Any thoughts or experiences regarding volume differences between L-03 and L-03R?

[carruth]

No absolute difference in volume as regards Mahogony v Rosewood.  Depends on the guitar. The top wood is far more important than the back and sides.   

[broKen]

If you want loud get a walnut or silver oak (australian lacewood).

[malone]

i own the L03R and its underwhelming. mellow and tubby. Just wondering if this is the norm or did i get a bad one. with a pick its hollow and with fingers its more percussive than tuneful. I have trie both .12s and .13s neither really improve the sound.
I have LOTS of guitars in all price and vintage ranges and this one is the least impressive.  I even have a Seagull folk here that is easily twice as loud and much clearer. Over all I'm a Larrivee fan but this L is not doing what it is advertised to be good at (for me).
thanks

[broKen]

Try replacing the saddle,  but first remove the shims.

[L07 Shooting Star]

Try replacing the saddle,  but first remove the shims.

Definitely not the norm, malone.  I like broken's advice.  Check if the nut and saddle are perfectly fitted and see if that makes an improvement.  Also check that the nut slots aren't pinching any strings and there are no nicks in the saddle where the strings cross.

[benitogilmore]

Appreciate everyone's insights!

So those of you who have owned or played the L-03 hog/spruce, good experiences? enough volume and projection? Thanks again

[broKen]

Appreciate everyone's insights!

So those of you who have owned or played the L-03 hog/spruce, good experiences? enough volume and projection? Thanks again

I will add that it sounds like your guitar might be over humidified. Where do you reside?

[cke]

Appreciate everyone's insights!

So those of you who have owned or played the L-03 hog/spruce, good experiences? enough volume and projection? Thanks again

my taste runs to the EIR model, but the hog back is a great guitar. The L's are big box guitars with volume about on par with dreads.  Unless you are trying to fill Dodger Stadium without amplification, I would expect it will be fine. Fo most anything.

[broKen]

I will add that it sounds like your guitar might be over humidified. Where do you reside?

Oops. I meant this comment to be for Malone.