How about a Forum VII?

[mike in lytle]

Back to forum guitar. I've never played one with an arm bevel. Thoughts  ?
Along the idea of no EIR, maybe we've had enough abalone, I know I have. There's some real sweet wood rosettes to opt for.

Larrivee does not build arm bevels.
Regarding rosettes, we will probably end up with whatever rosette Larrivee has for the basic model we are building from. That doesn't mean we can't change it. We had a LOT of rosette discussion for the F-VI. We ended up with the normal -03 herringbone cause that is what Jean intended for that series. The old mosaic and current -24 series rosette are both cool.
Mike

[teh]

Mike,

Thanks for weighing in with your thoughts since you were the forum contact who coordinated the Forum VI build with John to make this project a reality. In record time during the pandemic I might add. My decision to join the group and buy a Forum VI guitar was one of the best experiences I've had in 50+ years of playing and the guitar exceeded my expectations. 

[mike in lytle]

Thanks for weighing in with your thoughts since you were the forum contact who coordinated the Forum VI build with John to make this project a reality. In record time during the pandemic I might add. My decision to join the group and buy a Forum VI guitar was one of the best experiences I've had in 50+ years of playing and the guitar exceeded my expectations.

Tom,
I appreciate the enthusiasm by Ralph and yourself. I seem to be mere hours from opening a spreadsheet to keep track of our preferences. I don't need to be the one to do that, but am happy to do it. It will be up to the group, like the F-VI.
We have a couple mentions of OO, a couple mentions of 000, a couple mentions of the D-03. We will take all input seriously and who knows what will happen, but if you make a preference it will be recorded.
We need to talk about wood preferences, a well as the body style. All opinions are welcome.
I would give us 6 weeks maximum to come up with a specification to present to Larrivee for the F-VII.
Mike

[StringPicker6]

Rosewood fingerboards can be a beautiful touch.

[mike in lytle]

Rosewood fingerboards can be a beautiful touch.

And we can record your preference for rosewood over ebony for the fingerboard.
What body style and wood preferences do you have?
Mike

[Rockysdad]

You folk are just mean.         

[mike in lytle]

You folk are just mean.         

Everyone will be given every opportunity to get involved or add to the discussion about woods, etc.
Feel free to jump in.
Mike

[guitarman001]

I've got OMs coming out of my ears and anything bigger kills my ears - 12 fret (due to that amazing bass resonance) OO or LS with slot head would be super cool.

B&S rosewood (madi would look and sound killer) or walnut (Peruvian?). Have never tried Malaysian blackwood - ziricote which is also on the list is different. I was going to say Tassie Blackwood but I'm getting that on my Halcyon.

Top ... Engelmann (the stiff stuff) or cedar (not necessarily my pick) or another of these Euro spruces.

Main thing for me is the lower bridge connection for that added sustain & resonance but on a slightly bigger guitar with different woods (so that it's unique and sounds different because the top is 90% of the sound).

Gloss body, satin neck. That'll cost but would be cool.

Symettricaly braced is typically my preference and I also think the old mosaic is cool (would match slotted headstock and pyramid bridge... Slot head might have to drop as costs $$$ and would rather have the new wood type). Btw I assume UK forumites can be a part of this?

[William2]

Is there a listing of the Forum instruments that have been made so far (body style, woods, string lengths)?

[teh]

William, there is a link that lists all of the Forum guitars built to date. I'll look it up later today. The Forum III offered three choices but most Forum guitars were only one model. The Forum VI offered the options of adding a Venetian cutaway and a choice of pickups.

The two body styles missing from my small collection are a slope shouldered dreadnought and an "0"body which isn't all that different from my parlor. I've acquired three Larrivees in the past four years including two in the last 12 months so I may have to sit this one out. However, I believe I have one or two more guitars in my future so who knows. It may depend on final specs including wood choices.

After three years of playing a long scale 12 fret model, Larrivee has created a winner. My last minute decision to add a Venetian cutaway to my Forum VI when John took my order proved to be a good one. I will add that the radial wood rosette and the vine inlay on the headstock of my 00-24 really look even better in person than in the photos.

Checking out San Antonio dealer Guitar Tex, their website shows two Larrivees including one with koa back and sides and one with Silver Oak back and sides. They also have a 1955 Martin 00-17 listed which happens to be my birth year. Since my son and daughter-in-law now live in San Antonio, I may try to stop by on my next visit.

[mike in lytle]

Another idea....
If we really wanted to build an affordable F-VII, would anyone be open to the idea of basing it off the new -01 series? I sent an email to John asking if Larrivee could build a 000-01. It is not offered as part of the -01 line. Which means nobody except us would have one.
Mike

[StringPicker6]

I have played Myopic Squirrel's 000-40, and that 12 fret body and shape was very comfortable and sounded heavenly. Zebrano wood is very beautiful, but I'm not sure where it stands sonically.

[thoug]

as 001 mentioned above, if it is going to be rosewood Madagascar would be very cool

just wondering , does anybody else like the compound radius board besides me ?

like Larrivee used to make

[guitarman001]

I move between them without noticing tbh ..

[mike in lytle]

I had a good talk with John, and I will start a new thread later today with a solid idea on a Forum VII guitar based on the -01 series.
Mike