12 Fret Larrivee's and Scalloped vs non-scalloped Bracing

[William2]

I really love my SD-40R. It has such an easy response with my plucking hand and open sound. I also love my D-03R with its clear separation of voices and it's sustain. Does having non-scalloped bracing reduce the quick easy response you get with the 40 series and it's scalloped bracing? I can't compare the two instruments I have since one is a 12-fret instrument, and the other is a 14-fret instrument. I am thinking about a 12-fret non-scalloped braced 12-fret guitar if it has that quick easy response and also has that sound (voice separation and sustain), I get from my D-03R.

[B0WIE]

I would be cautious about attributing note separation and sustain to being scalloped or non. There's a number of other things that come into play as brace height, width, etc are just as impactful, if not more. I think comparing 40 series to the standard Larrivee bracing is a good way to go. The 40 series is built to sound more like offerings from other companies (specifically in the bass response) while the traditional Larrivee sound is very articulate with good note separation and balance.

 I will say that I've found Larrivee 12-fret dreads to be fuller, louder, and require less effort to produce volume. The D03 and 09 were, to me, brighter, tighter/leaner, and had a more focused voice vs the more surrounding/diffuse sound of the 12-fret dreads.

[guitarman001]

12 fret (better overall sustain) & symmetric bracing (balance & brilliance) is 100% my pick.

Saying this, I still love the OMs.

On Martin's, I find the scale length goes down if you want e.g. a 12 fret OO. But I would be VERY interested in trying a Larrivee OO with FULL scale length with the bridge moved down. I believe as scale length goes down, you get an increase in warmth at sacrifice of oomph, particularly in the bass (I counter this with 12 bluegrass on the parlours and they sound glorious).

Would also like to try a 12 fret Martin style which moves the shoulders up instead of bridge down. I think it will still give more warmth owing to increased air volume but not be as nice as with the bridge moved down, like Larrivee does. Cards on the table, I'm getting a custom Halcyon but 12 fret is shoulders up (not bridge down) so not sure whether to try that or stick with an OM!

Also, with moving the bridge down, I hear more (as well as longer sustaining) bass... It doesn't unbalance the sound, strange to say.. but it might make up for a lower perceived bass in symettric braced instruments.

I basically think Larrivee 12 fret symmetrically braced instruments are amazing (same for my Northwood deep bodied OO)

[William2]

I would be cautious about attributing note separation and sustain to being scalloped or non. There's a number of other things that come into play as brace height, width, etc are just as impactful, if not more. I think comparing 40 series to the standard Larrivee bracing is a good way to go. The 40 series is built to sound more like offerings from other companies (specifically in the bass response) while the traditional Larrivee sound is very articulate with good note separation and balance.

 I will say that I've found Larrivee 12-fret dreads to be fuller, louder, and require less effort to produce volume. The D03 and 09 were, to me, brighter, tighter/leaner, and had a more focused voice vs the more surrounding/diffuse sound of the 12-fret dreads.

I guess what I am wondering is whether this less effort is the result of the 12-fret placement and if you took the square shoulder dreadnought and made one as a 12-fret model if fuller, louder sound would be accomplished. I have to say IP really like the focused sound I get from the D-03R. I have to say I am becoming more focused on the sound when I play and in particular the sound I want to achieve. I have decided to play without nails and for me there is no other tone wood but rosewood most of the time. I get such a pretty sound out of the SD-40R and wonder if it is the 12-fret configuration. It is prettier than my D-40R or my D-03R. That is why I was wondering about a 12-fret dreadnought with the parabolic bracing (articulate and balanced) maybe giving the best of both worlds. Maybe there is no one instrument.

[B0WIE]

"Effortless" can mean a lot of things, depending what the player is really listening for. For many, it's volume. For some, it's specifically bass they are listening for (though they may not realize it). As a fingerstylist I am often listening for immediacy of response and high frequency clarity.

 I find 12-fretters to make the bass and midrange voice effortless, as well as the volume and immediacy of response. The highs are brighter and easier to evoke in a 14 fretter. I have to put in more effort to get a brilliant top end from a 12 fretter, though it's entirely possible. Regarding the bracing, Larrivee does a number of things between the various models and I think, if you're liking the SD40, a standard SD may be worth checking out. There are differences between the 03 and 50/60 series, including the soundhole that come into play as well. For me, the SD50/60 were the most effortless of the Larrivees. Lots of volume from very little work. Equal in volume to my Jumbo, but with a more clear and defined midrange. Almost the opposite of my D03 which had a pretty sound, but a comparatively soft, almost shy voice next to the SDs.

 

[guitarman001]

Imo there is no one instrument, only lots of different ones (though a 12 fret symmetrically braced Larrivee is almost perfect).
Great point about the 12 fret being good for bass/mids and 14 for the highs, I'd say that's about right.

[William2]

Imo there is no one instrument, only lots of different ones (though a 12 fret symmetrically braced Larrivee is almost perfect).
Great point about the 12 fret being good for bass/mids and 14 for the highs, I'd say that's about right.

I think you've hit the point, "there is no one instrument". I think I'll just deal with what I have and maybe someday get a smaller instrument like a 000. Mr. BOWIE really hit the point I am hearing, "12-fret being good for bass/mids and 14-fret for the highs."

[guitarman001]

Yeah, I've been wondering this about my own collection as it's grown significantly recently... But I should be able to make good music out of any guitar so.... It's just GAS :O