D 03 pickup alteration

[DrD]

 My guitar tech, like me, loves my D03, but hates the pickup system. Stock?   He demo'd the high end dominance and said "never plug it in."  His advice was to upgrade to an Anthem Stage Pro.  Other ideas? ( I have a Zoom modeling pedal.).  The tone expressiveness, and playability of this guitar blow my mind.  Any help appreciated.

[headsup]

what "stock" pick-up is it?
the Larrivee branded ( B-band) "barn door" system on the upper bout?

mid nineties Vancouver D-03 guitars had that system.

when working and set up properly, they are pretty good systems.
but there is a problem with the pre-amp that developed over time.

I fixed a few of them, and I'm happy to help you if that's the problem.

[DrD]

Thanks, headsup, it's the B band, but the guitar is dated December of 2004.  Vancouver.  Had to get home from work to confirm.  Action to take?  My guitar guy seemed to dislike the 'ribbon,' but perhaps that's not the issue....

[headsup]

well, that's when that system was being installed in those guitars.

I would consider having you play your guitar, as best as you can, unplugged, and then plugged in.
I have the identical guitar, with the identical system.
maybe experiment with the controls, through what ever system you use.

Ultimately, you might find the sound quite acceptable and good, unless, it is defective.
If it is in fact defective, in what way?
is it cutting out, weak, poor balance from string to string, try to identify the problem (if there is one).

I am merely attempting to extricate your guitar tech from the equation .

It appears he doesn't like the system for some reason or other.
so, you might want to decide how you feel about it ( the pick-up system),


we all have our likes and dislikes, around food, cars and guitar pick ups.
we can't possibly agree, or we would die of boredom.

Your tech, and any number of folks on this forum can ( and will) provide ample options around their preferences and why.

some, like me- might say- don't fix it, if it ain't broke.

[DrD]

Great advice!  The fact that I  trust my tech implicitly made me just accept his word, and I've been lazy about plugging anything in...thanks much and I'll let you know!

[Paraclete]

what "stock" pick-up is it?
the Larrivee branded ( B-band) "barn door" system on the upper bout?

mid nineties Vancouver D-03 guitars had that system.

when working and set up properly, they are pretty good systems.
but there is a problem with the pre-amp that developed over time.

I fixed a few of them, and I'm happy to help you if that's the problem.

Forgive me crashing the topic, but can you elaborate on that b-band preamp problem?  I've been trying to figure out the B-band issues on a guitar belong to the pastor at my church.  Acoustically, my LSV-11 and his L-09 sound very similar, but plugged in, his guitar is a nightmare.  Any way to get it dialed in that doesn't sound cheap and tinny?  Sometimes it seems to work and sometime it won't even amplify.

[DrD]

Hey, headsup, plugged in to the Deluxe Reverb..with bass and treble neutral on the amp, and the strings lose intensity or pop going from first to sixth.  On the B band itself I had to minimize the treble and max the bass just to get some semblance of balance.  Also, the pre-amp fader doesn't seem to make any difference at all.  Is this normal B band function?  (My LV 09 with Anthem stage pro, by comparison, is fully balanced and sounds great through the same amp.)

[rockstar_not]

Which Zoom pedal?  I have a G5 and with a bunch of parametric eqs in seriesin the G5 have gotten a decent mic'ed guitar sound by implementing a series of parametric eqs to approximate The mic'ed Sound. Have done this with both of the acoustics in my signature

[DrD]

Zoom 2.1 Nu...have used it only modeling with my Strat.
My guitar tech is anything but a hater.  He must have had prior experience with these systems not pushing bass, or popping the treble till it overwhelms.  On AGF, a lot of positive comments can be found about B band, but also the occasional defect or sound nightmare.  Supposedly the company stands behind its products and has good customer service...is this ultimately where I'll end up?  Or does someone know of a way to boost the bottom...is this common with  Larrivee B band systems?

Baby Guild
LV 09
OMV 05
D 03
Hispanic Strat
Martin Hj 28

[rockstar_not]

That zoom won't allow what I do with the G5; which is multiple parametric EQ effects in series

[DrD]

Thanks, rockstar_not, fortunately I have  options beyond the B band for amplifying...just thought the system might be tweakable for less  cash than a new system.  Otherwise the D 03 is just sweet!

[headsup]

stumped on this.
new symptoms I've not experienced.
sounds like your tech was probably right.


it's important (very) to be sure the piezo strip under the saddle is perfectly flat, and there is no dirt or anything under it or the saddle on it.
lots od down bearing pressure (strings across saddle) is helpful.

contact cleaner for the slider, new battery, the usual stuff.....

[DrD]

Thanks, headsup.  I'm seeing my tech soon about another guitar...I'll have him check the things you mentioned.