LS-03 Silver Oak with Red spruce top! Larrivee answered!

[dazdarren]

Thanks in advance John for double checking the organ of this red spruce top.  I also have one of these special guitars and the more I play. It the more I love it.  Regardless of whether it's Sitka or Italian spruce it seems like a unique top in both look and sound.

[jpmist]

I confess to eyeing that LS on Notable's site for several weeks now. Had it been a cutaway it'd be in my living room as I type this.

What I'm most curious about is the string spacing at the bridge as compared to an OM model. Hard to find specs like that, but does the LS model in general have wider spacing? Also, I'm guessing the LS would have a bit richer bass and mid-range tones than the OM due to body size?

Lately I play a lot with a capo on 5 and discovered how much a bigger body helps the tone from getting thin, anybody got a Forum II with the cutaway they wanna sell?

[Mikeymac]

Hard to find specs like that, but does the LS model in general have wider spacing?

No. Wider spacing at the bridge is always a special order from Larrivee - you can check the cost of that at their website under the custom pricing section.

Also, I'm guessing the LS would have a bit richer bass and mid-range tones than the OM due to body size?

It "probably" would, BUT, every guitar has it's own voice - you'd really have to test the two guitars under consideration side by side. Now, if you had said standard L-body size, I think the answer would most certainly be yes. For example, a 40 series OM will have more bass than a standard series OM.

[jpmist]

No. Wider spacing at the bridge is always a special order from Larrivee - you can check the cost of that at their website under the custom pricing section.

It "probably" would, BUT, every guitar has it's own voice - you'd really have to test the two guitars under consideration side by side. Now, if you had said standard L-body size, I think the answer would most certainly be yes. For example, a 40 series OM will have more bass than a standard series OM.

Thanks! I appreciate the reply. I have a friend with an L model and was hoping the LS would have the same wider string spacing.

Sad reality of looking for a Larrivee is that the chances of me finding an OM and an LS to compare are slim and none, so I rely on you guys to help. The local GC gave up on stocking them a few years ago. In fact every single Larrivee I've ever owned had to be bought "sound unheard" 

[Mr_LV19E]

My L, LS  and OM all have a 1 3/4" nut. The LS and OM are similar in size but the LS with the 12 fret neck join has a little more volume and sustain.

[Mikeymac]

In fact every single Larrivee I've ever owned had to be bought "sound unheard" 

As a lefty, I'm in the same boat - can't usually try before I buy. So it's good to know Larrivee's are so consistently excellent! 

[dazdarren]

Since a picture speaks  thousand words in case the Larrivee's need a visual to settle the questions on the top in question

[J M Larrivée]

 Hi Folks,

  I spoke to Matt, he says the red spruce is definitely from one of the last Sitka logs I had acquired and cut up before closing Vancouver down. It is not from a suggested much older log. That being the case, I went into my photo archives. I/we have always photo documented every Spruce acquisition trip either myself, or Jean and I together, have been on since the 90's. I took some time this evening and went through those folders. I found what I believe to be the smoking gun. Or in this case, the smoking log. There was a particular tree with a noticeable reddish hue. The only one of the six. So, if my brother is right and it is from one of the last logs I cut. And, finding one particular log in my photos from that trip that had an unmistakable reddish hue. Well... I will leave the wood math up to you folks.  

  I have included some of the photos to help support the case.

  john jr

 

[B0WIE]

John, you rock!  Thx for being a part of the community and for going above and beyond!

[RichT54]

Since I was the OP for this topic, I would also like to thank John Larrivee for taking the time and effort to post the pics of the logs, consult with his brother and just being all around cordial in personally answering this question! The bottom line being that the Red Spruce used for the tops, as  advertised by Notable Guitars, on these ten guitars was from a Sitka spruce tree that for what  for whatever reason had a red hue. All of the Larrivee guitars that I have owned have had Sitka spruce so this one is no different! I guess I did have an OM-05 that was all mahogany. A  guitar I regret selling!   Just curious if Larrivee ever makes  guitars with tops made from Adirondack that are not special order, since that is what true Red Spruce is?

[roscoesmusic]

I have 3 with red sitka tops. L 03 Pomele Bubinga. LV 03 Pincoda. OM 03 Zebrano. All Canada made. I like the look.

[headsup]

 I was the one who wrote to Rich. The spec was not detailed when I looked up his serial number. I asked jean, he was sitting right there. He said Italian Red Spruce.


john jr.

I find this rather hard to believe, if memory serves, and if the postings I read are to be believed, Jean doesn't actually do a lot of "sitting".....

[dazdarren]

I'm curious if the original owners also still have this unique guitar.  I played mine yesterday for the first time in a but and was amazed at its sound which comes from the top being very rigid.

[jpmist]

Dang, freaks me out to see a post of mine 10 years later. But just to add that I still own a custom Wildwood model OO-05 with Italian spruce, oh, some 13 years ago (yikes) and it has no trace of red. The top is not as creamy white as when new, but is lighter in shade than my much newer OO-44 sitka spruce top.

[guitarman001]

Have you tried out a moon spruce topped guitar? Must be quite similar - I hear an extra "fizziness" with the Italian spruce

[dazdarren]

Have you tried out a moon spruce topped guitar? Must be quite similar - I hear an extra "fizziness" with the Italian spruce

I haven't had the chance to try out a moon spruce topped guitar.  Would love to one day.  But this red Sitka top is a tight sounding cannon

[Frasier1]

I'm curious if the original owners also still have this unique guitar.  I played mine yesterday for the first time in a but and was amazed at its sound which comes from the top being very rigid.

I do still have #1 of 10 and love that guitar.  Lovely guitar, sight and sound