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

[William2]

My 2004 D-03R was super loud. I had more that one person tell me it was the loudest acoustic they ever heard. And of course it had that beautiful, balanced Larrivee sound! I guess some are better than others...Mine WAS the best guitar in the World!

Well, I just got the instrument a while ago and am very happy with it. I agree with you, it is a loud instrument. Mine is as loud as any of my other three dreadnoughts. I do agree it has a nice balanced sound, and I particularly like the lower register of the instrument. This instrument has really got me re-thinking the non-scalloped bracing. But I think mine has to be the best guitar in the world LOL.

[Silence Dogood]

William2, thanks for listening!

[B0WIE]

The dreadnought is one of the most versatile body shapes for multiple playing styles.

I personally disagree, but it really depends on what one means by multiple styles. The dread is a more bass-heavy guitar and they never have the immediacy of attack that a smaller or even mid-sized instrument has. They just can't because of the physics involved in body shapes. If you're looking at popular music, it's definitely versatile. No doubt. If you're looking at a wider range, I feel it lacks the versatility of an OM, L, etc.

[StringPicker6]

OBVIOUSLY, the only solution is to own ALL the body sizes!   

[William2]

I get up early and usually use my morning coffee to play studies on the guitar. Today I compared the D-40R with the new D-03R. There is a difference in their sound which makes me happy that I didn't buy a repeat instrument. I find the D-03R to be more articulate than the D-40R. This particularly evident in arpeggios and tremolo studies like the Brouwer Etudes #3 and #6 as well as the Villa lobos #1 and Carcassi Study in a minor. The bass notes are more are to my ear cleaner or clearer. I really like this a lot. The D-03R reminds me of my Martin 000-15SM. That mahogany has such a clarity of notes except in the lower register. But the D-03R has that clarity throughout its compas plus the prettiness of the spruce top. I may not need the Martin anymore LOL. I don't notice any difference in the picking hand needing more effort to get a certain volume on either instrument. My D-40R has those magical first and second strings that just have such a nice sustain, but the new D-03R is no slouch either and hasn't been played daily for three years either. I may end up becoming a non-scalloped player.

[Silence Dogood]

I have to admit, over the years I've become a lot more interested in 00-, 000-, OM-sized, etc. guitars.  The smaller body is more comfortable to play than a dread, and sometimes they just look cooler.  As an example, I really love the Larrivee 00-03 model, but I would want one that joins at the 14th because I like playing way up on the board.  It seems like lots of smaller guitars join at the 12th for some reason.

[Silence Dogood]

I get up early and usually use my morning coffee to play studies on the guitar. Today I compared the D-40R with the new D-03R. There is a difference in their sound which makes me happy that I didn't buy a repeat instrument. I find the D-03R to be more articulate than the D-40R. This particularly evident in arpeggios and tremolo studies like the Brouwer Etudes #3 and #6 as well as the Villa lobos #1 and Carcassi Study in a minor. The bass notes are more are to my ear cleaner or clearer. I really like this a lot. The D-03R reminds me of my Martin 000-15SM. That mahogany has such a clarity of notes except in the lower register. But the D-03R has that clarity throughout its compas plus the prettiness of the spruce top. I may not need the Martin anymore LOL. I don't notice any difference in the picking hand needing more effort to get a certain volume on either instrument. My D-40R has those magical first and second strings that just have such a nice sustain, but the new D-03R is no slouch either and hasn't been played daily for three years either. I may end up becoming a non-scalloped player.

The D03R sounds like a keeper for sure!  I have always like the look of RW back and sides up next to a mahogany neck, particularly on a Larrivee since they seem to have the most beautiful mahogany necks around.  I don't know if it's the particular way they stain them or what, but the neck wood on my guitar has always been one of my favorite things about it.  I would love to hear some samples of your Larrivees if you ever wish to do a recording. 

[Silence Dogood]

William,

Congratulations on finding a guitar to enhance your playing style. From previous posts, it's clear that you have put a lot of thought and research into your decision. Here's hoping that this D-03 brings you years of enjoyment.

The dreadnought is one of the most versatile body shapes for multiple playing styles. I learned to fingerpick on a straight braced, Martin rosewood dread and it was my only guitar from 1977 to 2004. When I want/need more volume, I use a Fishman Humbucking soundhole pickup and run it through a 60 watt  Loudbox Mini acoustic amp.

If you want to try something different once you get your new guitar, buy a set of S.I.T. Royal Bronze Acoustic Strings RL1254 for $8.99. S.I.T. means "Stay in Tune and the string company was founded in Akron, OH in 1980 by the people that run Lay's Guitar Shop founded in 1962. I use light gauge strings on most of my guitars and I've used 2-3 sets of SIT Strings.

www.sitstrings.com

I currently have five Larrivees, three Martins plus an Alvarez Artist and a few other miscellaneous instruments. In my case, it's not a fear of my wife having me committed. It's more a case of running out of space in my guitar room.

I've not seen a set of S.I.T. strings for a long time.  A few years ago at the Dallas Guitar Show there was a rep there from S.I.T.  He was selling sets of strings for something like $5.  I picked up some, and if memory serves I liked them ok.  I'm not sure if I achieved superior tuning stability or not, but they did seem to work just fine. 

I remember back in the 80s and early 90s, those strings were always in the guitar mags.  All the rockers from my time (80s) seemed to be endorsed by them. I guess their focus is more on the international side these days since I hardly ever see mention of them in the States anymore.  Great big world out there with lots of pickers!

[teh]

 I'd be willing to bet that the Dreadnought is the most prevalent  body shape available today.

SD,
Larrivee would probably build you a 00 with a 14 fret neck if you asked and were patient. I think a 00 cutaway is rare because it's harder to build. Both of my L bodies have a Venetian cutaway that I paid a $250 upcharge for so I can play all the way up the neck. I never waited longer than seven months, even during COVID, for any of my three Larrivees with minor custom modifications.

None of my guitars are an exact duplicate of any of the others. The closest match would be the wood choices in two of my Martins. Both have a Sitka spruce top and three piece Indian Rosewood back and sides, 14 fret, 25.5" scale and a sunburst finish.

That's where the similarities end. The tonal differences between the two are that my 48 year old D-35 sounds like my 18 year old OM-35 on steroids. I also have seven other guitars with various wood combinations, body shapes, scale length and bracing. Having said that, my D-35 would be the last guitar to leave the field for several reasons:

1) It's my first good guitar purchased new almost 49 years ago.
2) It's my oldest guitar. The wood has aged well and settled in nicely.
3) It's easy to play and rings like a bell.
4) It's versatile, the one I learned to fingerpick on and is a great rhythm guitar.
5) I can tune my D-35 down one or two steps to get close to the sound of a baritone.
6) It's the reason I bought a dreadnought first.

Respectfully Bowie, Some of my earliest influences primarily played a 6 string dreadnought including Gordon Lightfoot (D-18, D-28, D-35, D-45, Custom McGlincy Dread); Michael Hedges used a D-28 as his main stage guitar; Jim Croce (D-21, D-35) and his lead guitarist Maury Muehleisen also used a D-18 and D-35 for composing and recording; John Fahey also played a D-35. There is also a YouTube clip of Roy Clark playing the classical song Malagueña using a steel string D-35 on The Odd Couple TV show for Tony Randall and Jack Klugman.

In closing, the SD-24 caught my eye when this series was first introduced earlier this year but an all mahogany 00 was on the top of my wish list.

[B0WIE]

I do agree that the dread is the most popular body size. It's the guitar of the baby boomers, the generation that really popularized the acoustic guitar and have kept acoustic sales strong.

I've seen guitar dealers on AGF say that dreads no longer dominate sales, and that it's pretty well spread out across body sizes with the OM being the biggest seller now. But, I think that may be for the mid level to high end market. I'd bet that dreads still sell the best across all price ranges. Doesn't change my thoughts on versatility but they are the most iconic acoustic and the only one that sold in any real volume for decades.

[StringPicker6]

Personally, I'd take a Larrivee L over an OM size guitar. The L just has a bit more bass but still comfy.

[William2]

Well. this is day 4 of my new D-03R. I have to say this is now maybe my favorite Larrivee. I absolutely love the clarity in the lower register compared with my D-40R. I love how my D-40 mahogany sounds with its note separation. This D-30R has that and also has that sound that rosewood gives. Comparing the D-03 with the D-03R, I also was more attracted to the sound of the 03R on videos. It is a richer sound. And this 03R has that richness, plus the clarity and note separation I get with my D-40. So, I have to say, you non-scalloped brace D-03 lovers know what you are talking about LOL.

[teh]

Congratulations. There's no better feeling than getting a guitar that checks all of the boxes on your wish list. Glad to hear you are enjoying it. This guitar will make the Wisconsin winter fly by.

[jweave69]

So, I have to say, you non-scalloped brace D-03 lovers know what you are talking about LOL.

Why yes we do...  

[Queequeg]

I'm just finally getting caught up here.
Silence Dogood: Very nice video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx9gKG60G9Y 
William: Congratulations on your new D-03R, and may it bring you many years of pleasure playing it. 

[Silence Dogood]

I'm just finally getting caught up here.
Silence Dogood: Very nice video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx9gKG60G9Y 

Wow, thanks, man!  I came up with that little piece and grabbed it real quick with my iPhone.  There is a little chorus effect at the end of the video that I still can't figure out how I did.  I will say that the video really does capture the sound of my guitar very well.  It sounds just like that in real life.  Kind of jangly and bassy all at once. I love it. 

[guitarman001]

So far, the OM is my favourite... sits well, does fingerstyle and chords well, not too big, no overpowering bass.
I have yet to try a Larrivee OO...

[Queequeg]

So far, the OM is my favourite... sits well, does fingerstyle and chords well, not too big, no overpowering bass.
I have yet to try a Larrivee OO...

I'm a big fan of OMs, too.
The thing about that "overpowering bass" is that it is easily controlled with the right hand technique.
There, when you want and need it, lighter, when you don't.

[William2]

I'm a big fan of OMs, too.
The thing about that "overpowering bass" is that it is easily controlled with the right-hand technique.
There, when you want and need it, lighter, when you don't.

Well said. It's all about technique. I will say that this D-03 is the most balanced of my dreadnoughts. There is no overpowering bass, just very balanced.

[guitarman001]

Damn... Obviously I've not been playing them right ;)

Technique can control bass but it can't make an L or D sound like an OM.