What Non-Larrivee Acoustic Is On Your *DREAM* List?

[mike in lytle]

I find this kind of question/thread hard to deal with/respond to because, in part, I haven't played all the guitars that are out there.  And, frankly, don't want to.  I'm not the kind that goes into a lot of guitar stores to play stuff on the wall.  For example, I've not played a Martin orF many other mainline brands.  Don't care.  And there are so many boutique builders that are certainly not available to play around here that I'll never have a chance to play so this kind of thread becomes impossible to answer in any definitive way.

However, I've got a couple of guitars that I think are outstanding but would I buy another from the same maker.  Maybe, is the answer.  For example, I have a Halcyon and have one on order for delivery next year.  Is it a 'dream' guitar?  Maybe since I have yet to decide on woods.  I also have a Boucher and it's a great guitar but would I get another?   I have a Larrivee that I really like and I'm on board for the FVI but will it be the 'dream' guitar?  I also have a Crosby that is proving to be a reeeeally nice guitar but would I have Russel build another?

I've never played a Collings or a Santa Cruz or many other custom small volume luthiers.  How would I know?  I tend to think that not having a 'dream' guitar is likely the best way to go and just enjoy the ones I have.

Well, I don't have a dream guitar list, so I never posted to this subject, but Jamolay's post was too good to pass up.
Your own first paragraph was great. Somehow, I immediately substituted "beer" and had a laugh. Never needed to drink all of them out there.
I like your final thought, and agree. The ones we have are the ones we like. Kind of like living in the present. I would "aspire" to be a better player, because that effort lies with me, and the guitars I have now allow for that.
Mike

[eded]

I find this kind of question/thread hard to deal with/respond to because, in part, I haven't played all the guitars that are out there.  And, frankly, don't want to.  I'm not the kind that goes into a lot of guitar stores to play stuff on the wall.  For example, I've not played a Martin orF many other mainline brands.  Don't care.  And there are so many boutique builders that are certainly not available to play around here that I'll never have a chance to play so this kind of thread becomes impossible to answer in any definitive way.

However, I've got a couple of guitars that I think are outstanding but would I buy another from the same maker.  Maybe, is the answer.  For example, I have a Halcyon and have one on order for delivery next year.  Is it a 'dream' guitar?  Maybe since I have yet to decide on woods.  I also have a Boucher and it's a great guitar but would I get another?   I have a Larrivee that I really like and I'm on board for the FVI but will it be the 'dream' guitar?  I also have a Crosby that is proving to be a reeeeally nice guitar but would I have Russel build another?

I've never played a Collings or a Santa Cruz or many other custom small volume luthiers.  How would I know?  I tend to think that not having a 'dream' guitar is likely the best way to go and just enjoy the ones I have.

My only comeback for this is that at one point, Larrivee was a "boutique" guitar to me. 

I'm glad I found them.

Ed

[Adam Ag 98]

I'm constantly dreaming of guitars and a new one recently jumped to the top of the list.

I typically do not like painted acoustics, at all. Not even the tried and true sunburst. I love the uniqueness of natural wood grain.

Having said that, The Music Zoo has a custom Martin style 42 OOO painted in glossy navy blue, european flamed maple pickguard, etc.

It is beautiful. I now want to build a custom Larrivee w/similar cosmetics.

Another dream - Bedell. I played an incredible cutaway dread in Nashville w/a highly figured indian rosewood back. It played like an electric the action was so incredible.

To keep w/the format:

1. In reach - Yairi DY62C or a similar newer cutaway dread
2. Just out of reach - a custom Larrivee w/similar specs as above or the Bedell
3. Out of reach - a JOI custom built similar to his Slash guitar - The Tree back/sides and ancient sitka top.

It's been a long time since I've perused these forums. I've been thinking a lot about the custum Larrivee build I mentioned above and found this 2020 post of mine. It turns out that a few months later the Yairi DY62C I mentioned came up on reverb and was being sold from Charley's Guitar Shop in Dallas (30 minutes from my house on a Saturday AM). I called them while driving down, before they opened, and said "Don't let anyone on Reverb buy that, I'll be there in 20 minutes". Walked out w/a fantastic deal. The guitar had been purchased brand new in 2004. The seller had apparently had some medical issues that limited his playing so he was clearing the heard. He claimed it had never once been played and I have no reason to doubt it - like my Larrivee purchase it was used w/out so much as a pick scratch on the guard.

If you're familiar w/Monte Montgomery you know this is the model he plays, although his "excalibur" is from the late 80's. Yairi doesn't make this model anymore because apparently they ran out of their burled mahogany stock. It plays like youo'd expect a guitar doing what Monte does to play. Having said that - right after I got it I did a blind A/B test w/my wife and she agreed 100% the Larrive L-03R sounds much better - fuller and louder.  The Yairi is still a freaking blast to play however.

[Silence Dogood]

I love Yairis (nice find!) and don't live far from Charley's myself.  I go in there now and then and it's always fun.  They had a wall full of Larrivees for a while that someone had in there on consignment, some really nice ones.  I played some of them and could've been happy with any of them as a lifetime player.   A cool feature about that shop is that it's not just a room full of Martins and Taylors, but they have all kinds of oddball stuff every time I go in.  Rough neighborhood over there too, and no telling what you might see walking down Harry Hines. 

[Escalibore]

I have most everything I want. If I could have one more, it would definitely be a Lowden of some sort with a Redwood top and an African Blackwood back and sides.

[beginner guy]

I have most everything I want. If I could have one more, it would definitely be a Lowden of some sort with a Redwood top and an African Blackwood back and sides.

[beginner guy]

I've become interested in the carbon fibre guitars. One brand that has intrigued me is Emerald. Not sure when I can afford the configuration I want, so for now it's just a dream.

[Gill]

I've become interested in the carbon fibre guitars. One brand that has intrigued me is Emerald. Not sure when I can afford the configuration I want, so for now it's just a dream.

Bit late to this particular party I know, but I recently sold on my Emerald X-30, I'd bought it used,but it still cost me around $1700, it was comfortable to hold,given its ergonomic shape,it felt more like a dread to handle,well crafted,but it never came up to my expectations of how a jumbo should sound,a lot of players who buy Emeralds actually gig them,I don't plug in,so eventually I moved it on, these guitars are probably going to be the future,I don't deny that,but the sound takes some getting used to.

[teh]

I've been intrigued by Emerald Guitars too, especially the Amicus 12 string models but I'd have to try one to decide.

Since I already have some nice guitars including my most recent acquisition, an all mahogany 00-24, I'm pretty content.

If money was no object, I would want one of two guitars. Gordon Lightfoot's 1948 Martin D18 or his custom 1975 McGlincy Dreadnought that are both being auctioned and will be awarded on his birthday on November 17th in two weeks. Both of these iconic guitars are meant to be played and were not intended to hang on a wall in some collector's house. At the same time, each one has a lot of provenance behind it.

[Silence Dogood]

I've played a handful of composite / carbon fiber guitars over the years and some were very impressive.  About 20 years ago a local shop had a CA model that was pretty great.  I've handled a few Rainsongs that I liked (their headstock would've been a deal-breaker for me though).  The best was an Adamas 12-string that sounded like a grand piano!  Just unbelievable volume.  One thing all those guitar had in common was the huge amount of volume. 

KLOS is making composite guitars and mandolins and getting some good press on the forums.  I've not yet played one of those. 

[jazzereh]

OK, so this is an older topic but a fun one and since I posted [much] earlier, thought I'd add to the continued thread. 

I'm still not in the 'big name' manufacturers camp and still have a couple of the ones I mentioned previously including the Larrivee's but, once I got the Halcyon last year I now have another that should be on the way to me very soon.  Ed's builds are excellent and that was the reason I signed on for one of his Brazilian Rosewood builds that he posted about a few months back.  While I did sell the older Halcyon once I got the OOO 12 fret build last year, I couldn't resist getting this Braz build.  I play his guitar every day and it sounds wonderful. 

So, I guess I'd have to say that a second Halcyon was on my dream list.

[Myopic Squirrel]

Seeing the date of the 1st post made me smile because at that time I would not have thought I'd ever again play the guitar. To paraphrase the VA Slims tag "I've Come A Long Way Baby!" And it's been exciting, especially with Larrivee's.

Jazz, with Halcyon you have one of my "wish list" guitars. The other is Northwood. Since my intro to Larrivee's, really curious of the craftsmanship of those from the JCL "coaching tree". From what I've read, apparently each is distinctive.

[jazzereh]

Hi Myopic, I guess the best way to know any differences would be to play but that may be difficult.  In words, I can say that the Halcyon's that I've had, even the older one that I sold, were very light and responsive to my fingerstyle.  Ed builds for 12-53 so that's what I use.  He's completed the Braz and tells me I'll be delighted with it, no doubts from me.

As to craftsmanship, could not be better.  Very well built, care in every detail.  The apprenticeship at the Vancouver shops was obviously excellent.  Can't comment about what Ed does now vs say, bracing and structural things to current Larrivee builds, but I'd guess he has developed and improved on what he learned initially. 

The FVI that I have is the other guitar I play just about every day.

fwiw, if it helps with the sound, this is the link to my short video of the OOO 12 fret build from last year - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jh3Gtoi9fs

[Myopic Squirrel]

jazz - WOW and thank you! A beautiful walnut guitar that sounds great. Considering Ed's wait time, if I weren't so far past my actuarial sell by date I'd really be tempted. No wonder you own multiples! 

[guitarman001]

I'm also on the list for a Halcyon but keep flip flopping about what to get built. Apparently he does Lutz well! Tassie Blackwood is meant to be nice. I don't think he does the lower bridge placement like Larrivee does on 12 fret models (as his is based slightly more towards Martin type build, as I understand, who also don't move the bridge).

[StringPicker6]

I'm pretty content these days, but I'd love to try one of those big giant Gibson J guitars.  I've never seen one in person, but they sure look pretty!  Nothing like a big ugly "mustache" style bridge to make a statement.

[B0WIE]

The thing that scares me about Halcyons is how many nearly new ones I've seen offered up on AGF. I never think of a guitar as bad just because someone is selling it. But, it feels like there's a difference between expectation and reality for a lot of people just based on the number I've seen offered up after receipt. In fairness, I see this a lot with bang for the buck builds so it's not just them. Maybe it just comes down to "no free lunch".

[William2]

For a while I had an urge for a Gibson Hummingbird. I liked the look of the short scale against the dreadnought body. I mentioned this to my dealer who doesn't sell Gibson but loves the Gibson J 45. He did say that Gibson wasn't that consistent, and he ordered a couple and sent back the one he didn't like. And he said the Hummingbird to him was more of a strummer instrument. That cured my Gibson fever. I don't have time to get something I won't like. And then Dave got that D-03R in and I heard it, I'm glad I waited LOL. Dave recently sent me audios of two instruments he owns and asked which audio I liked better. He didn't tell me for a while but finally said one was the J-45 Standard, and the other was the Gibson J-45 Banner. I had picked the Standard which is much less expensive. The Standard is his new Gibson J-45, and he agreed with my choice. I also like a maker named Virgile Pilon who makes instruments under the name Blind Guitars. Unfortunately, he is a one-man shop, has a $1500 non-refundable deposit, and over a year waiting list. I'm too old for this game. If I die, I'm screwed LOL. Lindsay Straw uses these instruments in some of her videos. But watching her videos, I've decided it is her level of playing I'm attracted to not so much the guitar. I think too many people are caught up in brand names and images from the past when the player has a lot to do with the instruments sound.

[Queequeg]

Lindsay Straw uses these instruments in some of her videos. But watching her videos, I've decided it is her level of playing I'm attracted to not so much the guitar. I think too many people are caught up in brand names and images from the past when the player has a lot to do with the instruments sound.

amen, brother.

[Silence Dogood]

I'm really liking some of those Hsienmo guitars coming out of a small shop in China (not the same as a big factory churning out stuff). Depending on how one looks at it, the "copies" they're making are great or terrible. I'm actually fond of the original designs they are making.   But unfortunately, It seems like every time someone brings them up on the AGF the thread gets heated or political (or both) and then closed.