Two 'Month Review of the Larrivee D-03R

[StringPicker6]

I do not like the Martin low oval profile neck either. Too skinny.

[jweave69]

I'll put up a DO3R against a Martin D 28 any day
Exceptional guitars

I concur...did a side by side with my old D-03r. My Larry was louder and of course had better clarity than the D-28. Martins sound kinda muddy to me after play Larrivees. 

[teh]

It's interesting to note that there is only a $50 difference in the list price posted on the company websites between a new D-03R and a D-28. Both guitars have a satin finish and scalloped bracing. While both companies offer the option of a gloss finish, I would give the edge to Larrivee's satin finish. This is in part because I haven't played a satin finished D-28 but I've owned two satin finish Larrivees for 20 years. My personal observations are that Larrivee's satin finish is extremely durable, feels better to hold and produces a great tone. My Vancouver built P-03 and LV-03, still look brand new after 20 years while my gloss D-35 looks well played.

Another difference, Martin's Golden Era scalloped bracing uses Adirondack Spruce but I'm not sure what Larrivee uses. I do know that Larrivee used Moonwood Spruce for the bracing on my 00-24. 49 years ago, I chose a straight braced D-35 over the D-28, HD-28 and D-18. I believe the thinner 1/4" top bracing used in the D-35 was the key driver to my decision back then. I played a bunch of different guitars at the time including Martin, Gibson, Guild and Alvarez but I kept coming back to Martin.

If I'd had access to Larrivee guitars in 1976, this may have been a much different post. My son's brother in law chose a D-05 over a D-18 in part as a result of seeing and playing my two Larrivees.

[Silence Dogood]

I have never owned a Martin but have played some great ones in shops over the years.  There was a D18 I picked up in a local shop a few years ago that was one of the nicest guitar I've ever played or heard.  Better than my Larrivee?  Yeah, I'd say so for sure as far as just raw power and huge sound. 

But that isn't the only thing I'm looking for in a guitar.  My Larrivee has clarity and nuance and I have learned how to coax out of it just what I want over the years.  I have played it for over twenty years and the same would probably be true of any good guitar owned for that long.  That megaphone Martin D18 could probably be tamed down a bit when taught some manners.  Who knows.  But I doubt it would ever have the clarity of my Larrivee. 

[William2]

I have never owned a Martin but have played some great ones in shops over the years.  There was a D18 I picked up in a local shop a few years ago that was one of the nicest guitar I've ever played or heard.  Better than my Larrivee?  Yeah, I'd say so for sure as far as just raw power and huge sound. 

But that isn't the only thing I'm looking for in a guitar.  My Larrivee has clarity and nuance and I have learned how to coax out of it just what I want over the years.  I have played it for over twenty years and the same would probably be true of any good guitar owned for that long.  That megaphone Martin D18 could probably be tamed down a bit when taught some manners.  Who knows.  But I doubt it would ever have the clarity of my Larrivee. 

Well, I've owned the Martin DSS-17 twice and also the Martin D-15 and now the Martin 000-15SM. Martin can make a powerful instrument. That is what attracted me to the DSS-17. It just didn't have the quality of sound I wanted from an instrument regardless the strings I used. I have no issues with the 15 series, however.  In fact, it was the Larrivee D-40 that made me sell the DSS-17. I now have the mahogany sound I need for my style of playing. Getting back to the D-03 and comparing it with my D-40R, The D-03R doesn't have a sweetness of sound I get from the D-40R, but maybe that is because it is new and the D-40R is over 3 years old and is played daily. I will say the both have equal sustain and the D-03R has better note clarity of separation. I love both for different reasons. I'd say right now if I had to choose between them as a keeper glad, I don't have to), I'd probably go with the D-03R because of the clarity of the notes. I don't find any adjustments in my technique are necessary between the two instruments.

[guitarman001]

I've banged on plenty about the original bracing. Massive, massive fan. All my Larrivee's, and my Northwood I believe, have this

Martin can make a good guitar but I've genuinely always preferred my Larrivee's. The bridge spacing is so damn narrow but this year I think the high end OM18 has 2 1/4" spacing so that'll be interesting... However I think it'll cost a fortune.

I actually long for the days when I just had my OM02. Too many guitars is a distraction, for me.

[teh]

I agree that too many guitars can sometimes be distracting but I keep them all in the rotation and switch up the batting order on a regular basis.

During this afternoon's heat wave (+20 degrees Fahrenheit), I was looking at the Larrivee and Martin company websites.

I noticed that Martin has 32 guitars listed as "New for 2025" including a significant number of guitars with a satin finish and/or Golden Era bracing. I think their vast number of choices would be overwhelming for a lot of buyers.

OTOH, Larrivee offers a wide range of choices and a model comparison tab that makes it easier to narrow down the choices. Larrivee also offers a OM, OMV and 000 in most of their series. Right now, they are also offering a free installation of a pickup system. While I would take a hard pass on the "barndoor" pickup, I had the Anthem pickup installed in my last two Larrivee acoustics.

My Martin rosewood OM-35 and mahogany 000 both have a 1 & 3/4" neck and 2 & 5/32" string spacing at the bridge. My right hand technique isn't sophisticated enough to tell the difference between 2 & 5/32" and 2 & 1/4" (4/32") at the bridge. If I was doing a do over today, I would be looking at the 24 and 40 series OMs.

[Silence Dogood]

Trying to make sense of Martin's lineup is like trying to figure out Fender's. I mean, we are supposed to believe there are really 500 different kinds of unique Strats?   Same with Martin.  I think it's a little silly at this point. 

[William2]

Trying to make sense of Martin's lineup is like trying to figure out Fender's. I mean, we are supposed to believe there are really 500 different kinds of unique Strats?   Same with Martin.  I think it's a little silly at this point. 

I totally agree. Martin and Taylor keep playing games with new models every year. like why would I be interested in a CEO model LOL? I was reading on AGF forum a comment saying Andy's Taylor ideas keep getting replaced and only Mr. Taylors ideas like the neck are still in production. And these artist instruments, I wonder how many people buy a guitar just because someone's name is on it. I like that Larrivee has standard models and when they come out with something, it really is different from what they currently offer like the 24 series.

[Pilgrim]

Having a large selection of models seems to be commonplace with the factory makers nowadays.  Martin and Taylor appear to offer over 200.  But most of the smaller factories, including Larrivee, offer around 100 or more.  Apparently the costs associated with offering a large choice of models are justified.

[Silence Dogood]

I totally agree. Martin and Taylor keep playing games with new models every year. like why would I be interested in a CEO model LOL? I was reading on AGF forum a comment saying Andy's Taylor ideas keep getting replaced and only Mr. Taylors ideas like the neck are still in production. And these artist instruments, I wonder how many people buy a guitar just because someone's name is on it. I like that Larrivee has standard models and when they come out with something, it really is different from what they currently offer like the 24 series.

I like the Taylor Guitar Co., so keep that in mind as you read my comments.  Taylor is a true American Dream company if there ever was one.  Think of a guy starting in his garage or home shop and in his own lifetime having guitars in the hands of people (famous and not) all over the world.  Some will say it was mere marketing.  Well, ok, if you say so.  But marketing only gets you so far.  The instruments themselves apparently inspire a lot of people to buy and play them.  I have put Taylor guitars in my hands over the years that have completely blown me away.

I don't know Andy and have nothing against him, but when he took over, I sort of lost interest in the company and stopped paying attention.  I think the same thing might happen if Mr. Larrivee retired and no other member of his family took over.  A Taylor running things makes a Taylor guitar more interesting to me.  Same goes for Larrivee.  Martin, Fender, Gibson -- they are just names to me at this point.  Sure, names with a lot of history attached, but to me it's like buying some Nike shoes or a Chevy.  Cool stuff, and good quality, but just a name ran by some faceless corporation.  In fairness, Martin seems less faceless than Nike or Chevy, but still it's a machine at this point. 

All these different mind-numbing model numbers surely work or Taylor would stop doing it.  The collectors will have to have one of everything, and the average buyer will think he's missing out and keep buying and selling through much of the lineup. 

As far as signature models, I absolutely believe people buy them because of the name on them.  I've played a lot of those Clapton Martins in GC over the years.  Every one of them felt really tight and uncomfortable to play.  But they sell all of them.  I played a Nancy Wilson model Martin once that was one of the best guitars I've ever played.  The only thing I didn't like was that her name was on it.  Go figure. 
 

[William2]

I got nothing for or against Taylor. They just don't sound very good. This AGF post had a guy who just pointed out that everything Powers has initiated is now not being produced. He implied that the V brace is now changing. The only guitar they ever made that somewhat interested me was the American Dream and that was because of its price and mat finish. That is also now discontinued. As a lefty player, I started out buying from Jerry's Lefty Guitars in Florida. He said Taylor was great beginner guitar because of its neck. He also said that it is most often guitar that owes in for trades. When I told Dave I was considering an American Dream, he said friends don't let friends buy Taylor LOL. He also said there are so many out there he can't give much for trade ins. To me it is just Taylor and Martin competing on new offerings each year.

[teh]

For many years, Martin, Gibson and Guild were often considered the big three among U.S. acoustic guitar builders and then in the 70's Taylor joined the party. One thing these four companies have in common is the fact they have either brought in non-family members to help run the company or they have been sold multiple times.

Then along came Canadian builder Jean Larrivee who systematically built his company from the ground up including moves from Toronto to British Columbia and then to Southern California. He has mentored and trained some great luthiers who started their own companies. At the same time, Jean and Wendy have trained John Jr. and Matthew to support and continue the family tradition. They have a good business model and it's interesting to note that my first Larrivee built in 2004 has a serial number around #70,000. 20 years later, my most recent Larrivee built in 2024 has a serial number around 142,000. Contrast that with Martin who built guitar number 2.5 million in 2022 and their 3 millionth guitar in late 2024.

[William2]

For many years, Martin, Gibson and Guild were often considered the big three among U.S. acoustic guitar builders and then in the 70's Taylor joined the party. One thing these four companies have in common is the fact they have either brought in non-family members to help run the company or they have been sold multiple times.

Then along came Canadian builder Jean Larrivee who systematically built his company from the ground up including moves from Toronto to British Columbia and then to Southern California. He has mentored and trained some great luthiers who started their own companies. At the same time, Jean and Wendy have trained John Jr. and Matthew to support and continue the family tradition. They have a good business model and it's interesting to note that my first Larrivee built in 2004 has a serial number around #70,000. 20 years later, my most recent Larrivee built in 2024 has a serial number around 142,000. Contrast that with Martin who built guitar number 2.5 million in 2022 and their 3 millionth guitar in late 2024.

I totally agree with you. I'm so glad I found Larrivee Guitars. I'd never sell them unlike the other brands I've owned. In fact, the Martin 000-15S I own, I will probably be selling sometime this year. Nothing wrong with the instrument, I just don't play it as much as the Larrivee's. And there might be another Larrivee to replace it like another 03 or that Tommy Emmanuel model.

[mike in lytle]

I'm so glad I found Larrivee Guitars. I'd never sell them unlike the other brands I've owned.

I am glad you found Larrivee as well.
Mike

[StringPicker6]

I'm glad we all found larrivee.