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

[Silence Dogood]

I was cruising my local "for sale" spaces this AM and saw a mint D-03 for $800, and I bet the fellow could be talked down a bit from there.  For less than the average car payment these days, one could have a lifetime guitar (beyond a lifetime actually since it could be passed down and played for many more years).  The D-03 really is the best guitar in the world. 
 

[William2]

We all know the D-03 is the best guitar in the world, but I wonder if Larrivee keeps track on what is their bestselling instrument?

[StringPicker6]

They don't need to keep track. It's obviously the LV-09, since that is the REAL greatest guitar in the world. 

[Silence Dogood]

It would be cool to know what their best-selling model is.  I'd think the D03 for the price, but then again, they aren't nearly as cheap as they used to be. 

[StringPicker6]

The P-03 is also a popular model, as well as the OM-03 and OM-40R

[guitarman001]

God yeah, the p-03 is great.

I'm not a rosewood guy but the new moon spruce and rosewood parlour I got from them is AMAZING.

Let's face it, they're all just fantastic!

[Guera94 - LarriGuee]

Hey, I am new, this is my 1st message ever in a forum (Add a choco version please      ).
I tryed so many dreadnought guitars in the last months looking for an high end dreadnaught and I really liked the Larrive D03 Deluxe SE, I can buy one for around 2900 euro (I am in Italy) but i can't find any informations about how limited this run is, how many D03 Deluxe SE exist? And also, what are the differences besides aesthetics compared to a normal D03? Is it worth it?
I love vintage guitars but since I don't have money in my account I can't buy from a private individual, I can only buy in monthly installments in the shop. Thanks guys!

[jweave69]

Hey, I am new, this is my 1st message ever in a forum (Add a choco version please      ).
I tryed so many dreadnought guitars in the last months looking for an high end dreadnaught and I really liked the Larrive D03 Deluxe SE, I can buy one for around 2900 euro (I am in Italy) but i can't find any informations about how limited this run is, how many D03 Deluxe SE exist? And also, what are the differences besides aesthetics compared to a normal D03? Is it worth it?
I love vintage guitars but since I don't have money in my account I can't buy from a private individual, I can only buy in monthly installments in the shop. Thanks guys!

I've never heard of a deluxe SE, but the D-03 can be had with a StagePro Element. Maybe that's the SE designation.(?) If that's the case, I wouldn't consider it a limited run. It would be the same as a regular D-03 but with the pickup. I'm sure others will chime in with more Larrivee experience than myself. Anyway, welcome to the forum...and if you haven't heard, that guitar you're considering is the BEST guitar in the world!

[guitarman001]

I think he might be referring to the D03R worth vine inlay?

[teh]

Guera94

First, welcome to the Larrivee Guitar Forum.

You can find a lot of good information and gain a lot of insight from regular participants. Also review the Larrivee Guitar website as an additional resource and there are some nice videos from the Larrivee family discussing the history of the company and their designs.

The D-03 would be an excellent choice for your first Larrivee and I am a big fan of their satin finish models and as a result I have four of them. As you can see from this thread, the D-03 is a popular model. I am not familiar with the pricing and availability of Larrivee Guitars outside of the U.S. and Canada but their quality is unsurpassed. One factor that sets Larrivee apart is their selection and preparation of the wood used in their guitars.

From my experience, I am not a fan of "barn door" pickups like the Stage Pro Element referenced in one of the posts but many people love them. I prefer non-invasive pickups with soundhole controls and an endpin jack. I also use a Fishman Humbucker soundhole pickup for some of my other guitars.

Keep us posted on your decision and visit the Larrivee Forum on a regular basis. 

[Silence Dogood]

Hey, I am new, this is my 1st message ever in a forum (Add a choco version please      ).
I tryed so many dreadnought guitars in the last months looking for an high end dreadnaught and I really liked the Larrive D03 Deluxe SE, I can buy one for around 2900 euro (I am in Italy) but i can't find any informations about how limited this run is, how many D03 Deluxe SE exist? And also, what are the differences besides aesthetics compared to a normal D03? Is it worth it?
I love vintage guitars but since I don't have money in my account I can't buy from a private individual, I can only buy in monthly installments in the shop. Thanks guys!

Hello, and welcome to the Larrivee obsession!  In my experience, every D03 model will sound a little different, so there's no way to say which one to get over another.  But one thing is for sure: ANY D03 will sound great because it's impossible to get bad results with the perfect ingredients.  My son has a D03 (though his has mahogany back/sides and mine has blackwood) and it sounds very different than my guitar.  I think his sounds better (louder with more overall punch, but mine is warmer and more mature-sounding), but I like mine more because it's mine.  But either of them would be a fine choice for a lifetime guitar. 

The bottom line is: the D03 is the best guitar in the world.  Full stop.  End of discussion.   

I say get one (any of them) and play it in good health for many years to come. 

[teh]

Here's a cool story and a bit of interesting trivia for D-03 owners and potential buyers. 

I pulled my Summer-Fall 2005 Larrivee Catalog which has a two page history summarizing some of the high points of the company. This included a paragraph on the development and introduction of the D-03 back in 1997. Jean's vision was to produce an all solid wood guitar with a single piece neck for under $1,000. The D-03 was originally scheduled for a limited run of 1,000 guitars but demand led the company to make it a standard model.The simplicity of the 03 series with its satin finish, dovetail joint and maple body binding make it a great value.

In the interest of full disclosure: For both sentimental and practical reasons, I will never part with my 1976 Martin D-35 that was the first good guitar I purchased new in early 1977. I also have an OM-35 purchased 30 years later to complement the D-35. Both have spruce tops and rosewood back and sides, 14 fret guitars with 1/4" top bracing but the OM-35 has scalloped bracing and a 1 & 3/4" neck.

[Silence Dogood]

Larrivee might consider changing their "Makers of Fine Guitar for Over 50 Years" to:

"Makers of the Best Guitar in the World." 

 

[jweave69]

      

[Guera94 - LarriGuee]

I think he might be referring to the D03R worth vine inlay?

Yeah, the D03 Deluxe SE (SE is for special edition) is a special D03 with vine inlays on the neck, bridge and head and amplified with L.R. Baggs in the hole.
There are only 6 in the world, it's a very limited edition. Now I am very undecided, my big doubt is whether to buy this D03 Deluxe SE new, in installments from the shop for 2900 euros or a 1989 D10 Custom from a guy near me for about the same price. Both are aesthetically spectacular, the D10 even has a griffin on the head.
This D10 features a Fishman under the bridge added years later (I don't know how invasive this modification is, it certainly compromises the originality of the guitar, is it such a bad thing in your opinion?)
Now, from what I know, the D10 is much more expensive new than the D03, so I wonder, is the difference really that big? Are the woods really that much better?
Thanks in advance for the advice and for the welcome, you are a beautiful group, even if I don't have one yet I'm already in love with these guitars!
 

[StringPicker6]

From what I have learned on this forum, Larrivee wood is always highest quality, but they may use better looking wood visually on the 10 series, as well as more design and inlays, and also the gloss finish.

[guitarman001]

I've had an OM-02, OM-03 and OM-05 all the exact same model and woods.
The OM-05 is by far the best of the lot.
The OM-03 I sold.
The OM-02 (original factory, I think) being satin has a deeper bass but overall the bass response isn't as full as the OM-05.
Larrivee say that the higher series use better woods and I believe, strongly, that these models are an upgrade.
My OM-05 really is noticeably "better" - it feels alive.

[William2]

So, the 05 is the greatest guitar in the world? It gets back to this question I always have, Is the gloss finish responsible for this superior sound? I just don't like gloss finish. And if gloss yields a better sound, I may have to re-think my ideas. I have even considered a higher end model without the gloss finish, but not if the finish is the secret.

[guitarman001]

I didn't think I'd be into the gloss finish but it's really nice on the OM-05.

Maybe it is the finish, I don't know.

I think Jean was quoted as saying that they might take more time to open up due to the gloss but that the better quality wood will shine through eventually. That's been bang on re my OM05 as sounded tight at first then 2-3 weeks of ToneRite and it's a MONSTER. Sometimes you get e.g. the G on low-E string being a bit thuddy with some guitars but all the notes on mine ring true and sustain forever.

I like satin for the parlours because they are a bit more open with initial more thump in the bass.

Are you near many shops? I was at my local this lunchtime.... because I am spec'ing a Halcyon and wanted to try different body shapes, woods etc. This is what I found.


It was an Aladdin's cave - so many guitars today.

Martin OO-18V I keep reading is great as has the same bridge spacing as Larrivee unlike the rest, which feel cramped for fingerstyle to me. I felt this guitar was a bit lifeless.

Multiple Martin OO-18 and OO-28... all felt different and had a different sound, not overly consistent. I wanted to specifically try the 24.9" scale OO 12 frets and I got to do that with OO-18, OO-28 Deluxe and also a Collings OO sitka/rosewood. I preferred the Martin to the Collings (!) but the lower scale length really resulted in a lot less bass oomph than the 14 fret OO but I just read that they are the same scale length (sure didn't feel like it).

Basically, I prefer the way Larrivee does it, moving the bridge down as opposed to bringing the shoulders up. Even on my parlours, the bass and overall tone is better than the 24.9" 12 fret Martin/Collings OO which both appeared to just move the shoulders up. I felt like Martin, Collings, Bourgeouis were almost replicas. None were as comfy as Larrivee to play. Got to try an adi/bubinga Bourgeouis -> nice enough tone (more mids than EIR) but I prefer the Bhilwara and Borneo rosewood I've got.

A Taylor Amazon rosewood sounded decent. Couldn't find any Madagascar.

There was a used LV-03R. Didn't sound shrill in the highs at all (usually how it sounds on videos) but it confirmed to me that whilst lovely, it might be a step far if I got the OM-10 since I already have the very similar OM-05.

I tried a Cole Clark (iirc) all-Tassie-Blackwood guitar. I loved it... the trebles sound so different to anything else. This is definitely the back & sides wood I will get on the Halcyon.

So - now I am set on the back & sides wood and a longer scale.

Anyway....... coming back home, I pulled all my guitars out. Absolutely no contest -> my Larrivee & Northwood just kill everything else in terms of looks, comfort, playability, quality (control), resonance and tone. Initially I was lured by that deep-ish Martin bass but when I went back after playing the LV-03R, I knew what I preferred...


Anyway, apologies. Suggest going to try all these even if it means a day trip - could be fun! :)

[teh]

Guera94

Either guitar would be a good choice but here's a two factors to consider.

1) The D-03 is a great choice and buying an extremely limited edition (1 of 6) would be appealing. Larrivee also does a satin finish better than anyone so there's that to consider too.

2) The D-10 is part of Larrivee's top of the line series. In addition to a guitar with a headstock featuring Wendy Larrivee's art, you would be getting a guitar with 36 year old wood. I'll bet it sounds great.

3) I am unclear about what you mean about an L.R. BAGGS pickup "in the hole" on the D-03 Deluxe SE or the Fishman "under the bridge" in the D-10 Custom so I can't offer any input. I did add factory installed "no cut" Anthem pickups to my last two new Larrivee guitar purchases (LSV-03 and 00-24). If I decided to remove or replace either pickup, these pickups were minimally invasive as opposed to a "barn door" pickup.

Best of luck with your decision if you choose one of these guitars.