Help!larrivee Lv-09e Vs Larrivee Lv-03re!

[banjomensch]

As regards the "barn door" electronics in the LV03e, Jason at Notable Guitars had the factory put in an I-Mix before they shipped out my guitar.

Nice and unobtrusive. Unfortunately, I haven't played it plugged-in yet, but hey, I know where those little knobs are!

/john

[Randy_R]

I've often used the the humor line on a player with a Baggs "Hey, the warning light on your guitar is on" to refer to the the red led that is visible through the soundhole when plugged in.

So far I haven't had anyone make the same remark to me...  :mellow:

[mrrinse]

I'll second mark's comments. Bone saddle and nut apart, the differences are aethetic - even the differences in wood are based on aesthetics, which don't necessarily correlate to improved tone.

Personally I'd get electronics without a barndoor on either guitar - Larrivee will fit them for you (e.g. they put an A2.2 in my LV-09), although I think they're now doing Baggs pickups (exclusively?). Alternatively, consider and aftermarket pickup.

Dan

[mazareth]

I forgot to mention in my post that I had the Bband A2.2 installed in my D-09 at the factory. The upcharge for that was under $200...

Mark

[LV03E]

Hey you got the extra dough?? Got for the 9's...Aesthetic issues are the last thing in my quest.Tone has to be first,before you match it with the body style and appointments.My Stock LV03E never failed me gig after gig.Very reliable.Mhght chage the tuners to ebony later on though,just for aesthetic reason Thats all!! :GRN>

Cheers!!

[therma]

So what did you decide?
I was all set to go for the LV-03re but then I tried a used LV-09 they had in the shop. I couldn't believe the difference. The sound was so much richer! A gorgeous sound. The 03 sounded good, but the 09 made you feel like you were in a studio. Was that due to the guitar (wood, construction, lack of electronics) or perhaps because it was used and therefore opened up?

[prof_stack]

I was all set to go for the LV-03re but then I tried a used LV-09 they had in the shop. I couldn't believe the difference. The sound was so much richer! A gorgeous sound. The 03 sounded good, but the 09 made you feel like you were in a studio.

Yeah, I had the same experience a while back.  That made me believe there was more to it than just wood selection.  Perhaps tusq vs bone saddle? 

[pickngrin]

I can't speak for the 09s but I marvel at the high quality of wood that's on my LV-03RE.