Why I think the D-03 is the best guitar in the world.

[Silence Dogood]

We all know Larrivee makes the best guitars in the world, but I have concluded that they in fact make THE best guitar ever designed: the D-03. 

Recently I was thinking about when I first learned about Larrivee.  I guess it was around 1997 when I began seeing these very plain-looking (yet elegant) guitars on the wall of my local Guitar Center.  They were hanging on the wall next to the high-end makers, but priced at something like $450.  I could not then pronounce the name but I was intrigued.  Each time I would pick one up I would be absolutely blown away by the feel and sound.  There were usually two or three on the wall at any given time, and they were always D-03 models (I never saw the other styles till many years later). 

I was very young back then and always broke, so five bills for a guitar was a ton of money for me, plus I was mostly an electric guitarist.  I had an acoustic then, just not a very good one, and went through another lousy one before realizing I really needed something better.  With a young family and bills it was going to be near impossible to get a Taylor, Martin, Gibson, but those plain-Jane Frenchy-sounding guitars at GC were only around $500 and they sounded as good as the Taylors, et al.  I rat-holed and saved up money for a long time till I had about $600 that diapers, baby formula, and bills somehow didn't devour.   I was all set to buy a regular D-03 and finally have my "real" acoustic guitar when I found a blackwood model used for around the money I had saved.  I bought it and that was about twenty years ago now.  I don't have any more electric guitars but I still have my D-03.

So why is the D-03 the best guitar in the world? 

Versatility.  Of course anyone who can play well can play anything on any guitar, but a dread is overall a very versatile guitar.  Some would say the L-body is probably the most versatile (and a Larrivee original design gives it a cool-factor all its own), but the world over recognizes the dread as pretty much the original steel string acoustic guitar. 

Sound.  Come on, just play one. 

Aesthetics.  Being so plain and understated, they just look cool, they age well, and such a classic design will never be hipster or outdated.  They transcend all trends and will stand the test of time. 

Price.  This where the D-03 really makes sense, especially on the used market.  I still look almost daily online and on my local Craig's List at used guitars and routinely see D-03s going for well under $1000.  This makes it the most accessible high-end, small shop-made guitar in the world.  I still see them selling for around $600-$700. 

My D-03 is a lifetime guitar for me.  I love all Larrivees, and maybe some day I'll have the ability to become a collector and get a roomful of them, but I'm pretty sure my old guitar will still be my favorite.  Do you have a D-03?  What do you think?

[Mikeymac]

Good post. I'll bite!

There are now really TWO Larrivee dreadnought models: the standard D's (03, 05, 09, etc.) with traditional Larrivee bracing (horizontal braces below the sound hole across the lower bout) and 40 Series D's (40, 40R, 44, etc.) which have the *newer to Larrivee* Martin style bracing (two diagonal braces below the sound hole/bridge plate across the lower bout).

The traditional Larrivee braces tend to create a more balanced tone across the strings, even in the dreadnought body. The 40 Series braces tend to create more bass/low end, leaning more in the Martin tone direction, although they still don't sound exactly like a Martin (which is a good thing; if people want that, they'll buy a Martin).

Either way, I agree that a dread could be the only guitar you need - and during the late 60's/early 70's, they were just about all you saw (except for the new Ovations, which were a different critter).

I've owned both a D-03 and a D-03R. I don't have either of them anymore (got bit by the Martin dread bug for awhile - tried both a D-18 and a D-35, still own a Model America 1); lately I've been looking at a Larrivee D-40 with an Italian top...very tempting!

[Strings4Him]

Dreads are too big for me personally.  Love the sound of them though.


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[teh]

I can understand your passion for your D03. My first high end guitar was a new Martin D35 that I bought for $600 cash on the barrel head as they say back in 1977. My next guitar was an Ovation 12 string Pacemaker that I never really bonded with. My wife and kids bought me a Martin Backpacker in 1995 that I set up for Nashville tuning.

I got my first Larrivee, a parlor in 2004 and was so impressed I ordered a 12 string LV03  in 2005. I am patiently waiting for my 3rd Larrivee, a Forum VI.
With the exception of the Ovation, every guitar I have is a keeper. I have complete confidence that I'll feel the same about my Forum VI.

I just shoveled two feet of snow of my front porch so I can chill for a while.

[AZLiberty]

I have ended up selling almost every Dreadnought guitar I have owned.  They are just a wee too big and bulky to be comfortable.


So, obviously you meant Larrivee OM-03     

[Silence Dogood]

I have ended up selling almost every Dreadnought guitar I have owned.  They are just a wee too big and bulky to be comfortable.


So, obviously you meant Larrivee OM-03     

I see what you mean.  Maybe the rule should be: the 03 line are the absolute best all-around guitars in the world. 

[eded]

I see what you mean.  Maybe the rule should be: the 03 line are the absolute best all-around guitars in the world. 

Bang for your buck, the 03's are at the top of my list. Adding anything is icing on the cake, imo. 

I'm another "D is too big" person, but everyone should play what they want.  I'm partial to parlors, but I forget exactly who.... a diminutive woman player, Bonnie Raitt, Emylou Harris??  who plays a jumbo.  So I'm not going to say they are bad guitars. Lol

Ed

[mike in lytle]

The Larrivee L-05 is the best guitar in the world.
Mike

[Silence Dogood]

The Larrivee L-05 is the best guitar in the world.
Mike

Can you elaborate on this? 

[Strings4Him]

It's like the answer to the question about which exercise is the best.  It's the one you do consistently over time.  I've heard people make a toy guitar sound better than most other guitars.


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[Silence Dogood]

It's like the answer to the question about which exercise is the best.  It's the one you do consistently over time.  I've heard people make a toy guitar sound better than most other guitars.


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Actually, this is a bit different than saying, "This guitar is my favorite."  I tried to line out several reasons why this is the best all-around guitar as far an function, value, etc., goes.  Anyone looking for a lifelong guitar that does everything a guitar should do, will last beyond a lifetime, and doesn't cost a lot of money need look no further than a D-03.  That's not the same as saying, e.g., a Taylor 510 is the best guitar in the world because I own one. 

[Mikeymac]

I'm another "D is too big" person, but everyone should play what they want.  I'm partial to parlors, but I forget exactly who.... a diminutive woman player, Bonnie Raitt, Emylou Harris??  who plays a jumbo.  So I'm not going to say they are bad guitars. Lol

Emmylou Harris plays a Gibson J-200...big guitar. 

[DaveyO]

Wow you are on point with this one
I have had a couple of DO threes
And to my shame and embarrassment I must admit I have sold a couple but I have also given away a couple
I've given them away because I think they're such great guitars
I've sold a couple because I always thought that there was something better
But I've come to love the simpleness of the D03
And I've come not to care about fancy looks and glossy finishes
In fact I like the beauty and the simplicity of the matte finish D03
I have just bought another diesel three and it will be my last
But it won't be my last larrivee
I really believe in these guitars and I really believe in the company
You get so much for your money
And it when it really comes down with the sound of this wonderful guitar is unequaled
Yes you can get probably a slightly different sound from other brands
But I really love the balance and projection of the larrivee brand
So yes flaky as it seems I am back to the larrivee
I really like the beginning post really tells it like it is
God bless

[Silence Dogood]

Wow you are on point with this one
I have had a couple of DO threes
And to my shame and embarrassment I must admit I have sold a couple but I have also given away a couple
I've given them away because I think they're such great guitars
I've sold a couple because I always thought that there was something better
But I've come to love the simpleness of the D03
And I've come not to care about fancy looks and glossy finishes
In fact I like the beauty and the simplicity of the matte finish D03
I have just bought another diesel three and it will be my last
But it won't be my last larrivee
I really believe in these guitars and I really believe in the company
You get so much for your money
And it when it really comes down with the sound of this wonderful guitar is unequaled
Yes you can get probably a slightly different sound from other brands
But I really love the balance and projection of the larrivee brand
So yes flaky as it seems I am back to the larrivee
I really like the beginning post really tells it like it is
God bless

You've given away a couple?  WOW!  Someone got lucky there and recv'd a lifetime guitar.  What type of D-03 do you have?  Canadian-made or American, etc.?  Mine is Canadian. 

[DaveyO]

Actually I have a d02
Mahogany made in the USA
Wonderful wonderful guitar
Rosewood instead of Ebony fingerboard and bridge
But the sound is very similar to any d03 that I had before
It really could be one of the best guitars out there

[Silence Dogood]

Actually I have a d02
Mahogany made in the USA
Wonderful wonderful guitar
Rosewood instead of Ebony fingerboard and bridge
But the sound is very similar to any d03 that I had before
It really could be one of the best guitars out there

I've got a friend who owns a D-02.  I'm pretty sure his has an ebony board/bridge, but I'll look more closely next time I'm at his house.  It's more plain-Jane than my D-03 but I love his guitar. 

[Silence Dogood]

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Larrivee/Vintage-1996-D-03-Acoustic-Guitar.gc

Bumping an old thread to showcase a really good deal.  ^^^

I have long maintained that the D-03 is the best overall guitar in the world.  It's not only the best value but it's versatile and is really the only guitar most anyone would ever need.  I often cruise the GC site to look at used stuff, rare finds, and of course the occasional Larrivee arrival.  Today I came across this D03 used for a mere $809!  It goes to show that one need not spend a pile of money to get a lifelong keeper/player.  This guitar could make someone very happy.  I hope it ends up in someone's hands that will play it daily!

 

[William2]

I have always been curious about the D-03 instrument. I went with the 40 series as I was reading on the Maury's Music Blog a discussion of scalloped vs non-scalloped bracing on Martin instruments.  Maury's contention was than the top is more open with the scalloped bracing and the dealer I work with contends that the 40 series has a better sustain than the 03 instrument. As a fingerstyle player, I decided to the 40 series because of the sustain factor. I'd love to see a side by comparison of the 03 vs the D-40.

[Silence Dogood]

I have always been curious about the D-03 instrument. I went with the 40 series as I was reading on the Maury's Music Blog a discussion of scalloped vs non-scalloped bracing on Martin instruments.  Maury's contention was than the top is more open with the scalloped bracing and the dealer I work with contends that the 40 series has a better sustain than the 03 instrument. As a fingerstyle player, I decided to the 40 series because of the sustain factor. I'd love to see a side by comparison of the 03 vs the D-40.

The D03 was a gateway drug for me that ended up being all I needed. 

[StringPicker6]

It's gotta be the mahogany!  Rosewood is more beautiful, but I am learning to love mahogany so much!