What makes my larrivee feel heavy?

[StringPicker6]

I quite enjoy the substantial heft that my L has, but it does feel to me that it's heavier than other brands in a similiar size.  Is it the non scalloped bracing? My theory is that the finish is heavier than say a nitro finish.  Any ideas?

[William2]

Did you weigh the instrument? My 3 Larrivee's weigh D-40RW = #4 3oz., SD-40RW = #4 3oz., D-40 = #4.0. If I pick up two instruments at once, I can feel that 3oz difference LOL. And if I pick up the two rosewood instruments, for a moment the SD-40RW feels heavier. Then I realize they weigh the same. I think it is because the bouts on it are smaller. I just assume if should feel lighter. But it is a longer instrument. I also wonder if weight influences the quality of tone of an instrument. My Martin DSS-17 which I just sold had a weight of #3 12oz. Comparing it with my new Larrivee D-40, the Larrivee has a much fuller and richer sound than the Martin which has kind of what I call an old timey sound that I think is suited to blues style. I hear that same sound in Waterloo and Iris instruments and these also are light weight instruments. The nice thing I like is that my new Larrivee D-40 has the easy response and sustain I want coupled with a more pleasant quality of tone. I'd go to Sweetwater and check out Larrivee instruments. They always give the weight of the ones in stock and see how they compare to yours and other Larrivee models scalloped vs non-scalloped. I was surprised that my Martin DSS-17 weighed less than their flagship D-18.

[StringPicker6]

I only have a bathroom scale, so I don't think that would work. I just feel like Larrivee guitars are very sturdy and built like a tank. The best part is that they also sound fantastic. 

[guitarman001]

Defo tad heavier than some others but not always a bad thing e.g. some makers use double sides which can help tone but adds weight. Saying this, my best sounding ones are lighter. Canadian one is lightest of the lot. I think just built a bit sturdier but as you say, the tone is to die for. I'd rather have that than a lighter one that needs neck resets and bridge bulge issues.

[B0WIE]

Not the bracing. They are spruce and contribute barely anything to the weight. The term "lightly braced" isn't about the weight of the braces so much as how rigid they make the top.

Larrivee tops aren't very thick and, again, spruce is super light. The backs and sides can be a bit weighty. Sometimes, not always. The finishes are by no means light.

 Larrivee necks are fairly slim, but necks weight can vary a lot depending on the rods used, and if extra supporting rods are added.

My general impression would be back/sides and finish, though I don't find Larrivees to be particularly heavy.

[StringPicker6]

I would agree with you, it could be back and sides plus the finish. I'm definitely not complaining about the weight, just something I perceived. 

On a side note, a friend of mine had a fender strat player model made in Mexico, and I was surprised how heavy it was.  It also looked like it was encased in about an 1/8" thick of plastic. 

[guitarman001]

My most recent OM03 burst top is my heaviest guitar. I think it's the back and sides (it's also a touch larger depth) - heavier than my Bhilwara and L05. My OM05 is almost as light as my good old OM02. Strangely the Bhilwara rosewood is lighter than the OM05!

Here are some of the measures:

OM02    1.87kg / 4.12lb
OM03MH  2.13kg / 4.7lb
OM05       2kg / 4.41lb
OM03BH  1.98kg / 4.365lb
L-05   2.127kg / 4.68lb

[jazzereh]

Maybe you need to pump some iron and build up those biceps!   
 

[B0WIE]

I would agree with you, it could be back and sides plus the finish. I'm definitely not complaining about the weight, just something I perceived. 

On a side note, a friend of mine had a fender strat player model made in Mexico, and I was surprised how heavy it was.  It also looked like it was encased in about an 1/8" thick of plastic. 

Last time I shopped for a Fender was around 2006 and I remember the Mexican made ones were lighter back then. I owned a couple but hated the "spongy" low end from the less dense woods. Eventually bought an American Tele and that's all I've needed since.
Agreed about the finish. My tele has a thin finish but a lot of those can get pretty thick and nasty. I love Ibanez guitars but they are one of the worst offenders when it comes to thick finishes.

[ducktrapper]

Is your cat missing?

[William2]

I was on the Sweetwater site this morning looking at Larrivee guitars. I clicked on a Simple Six dreadnought. They had 4 and they ranged in weight from #4 1oz to #4 10oz. So, there is some variation in the same instrument.

[StringPicker6]

Rosewood is typically heavier/denser than mahogany, right?

[guitarman001]

Yep.
Anybody else got theirs weighed?

[mike in lytle]

My own OM-03 laurel is 4 pounds, 7 ounces. The OM-03 mahogany is 4 pounds, one ounce.
I just weighed those two for "same body" comparison.

[ducktrapper]

I'm starting to believe acoustic players are sissies. Grab an RS-4 or a Les Paul and man up!   

[StringPicker6]

Acoustic strings hurt my fingertips!!   

[guitarman001]

Wow that's a light mahogany. I wonder if the 0.3b delta between my 02 and 05 is due to the gloss. I'll never know.

Re steel strings... I sometimes think about a nylon as I hit them with my nails a lot and yowza, it destroys them.

[StringPicker6]

I love the sound of nylon guitars (especially Willie Nelson!), but every time I try one it feels like the strings are rubber bands. 

[B0WIE]

I love the sound of nylon guitars (especially Willie Nelson!), but every time I try one it feels like the strings are rubber bands. 

In stores, you're trying low tension strings. Med tension have a lot of snap to them. I personally think classicals sound and play nicer than steel strings but I am hooked on that metallic sparkle steel strings give.

[247hoopsfan]

I love the sound of nylon guitars (especially Willie Nelson!), but every time I try one it feels like the strings are rubber bands. 

Have you ever played a Kala bass?  Those acually ARE rubber band strings! My cousin has one, they actually sound pretty good through an amp.