Forum VII guitar based on Larrivee -01 or -03

[mike in lytle]

John Jr and I talked about a Forum VII based on the new Larrivee -01 series.
We came up with the following specifications and prices.

1. Forum VII will be offered in both 00-01 and 000-01 models, both are 12 fret.
2. Upgrade to bone bridge pins
3. "VII" inlay at the 12 fret
4. Upgrade to JCL tuners
5. Custom label inside guitar

The top will be sitka, with mahogany, rosewood, or walnut back and sides.
Prices as follows:
Mahogany - $1399
Rosewood - $1599
Walnut - $1799

This gives us 6 different variations from which to choose.
A forum guitar in 2 different body styles will be a first.
All other specs for the guitars will be the same as listed on the Larrivee website.

Mike

[jazzereh]

Amazing, Mike.  Many thanks for jumping on this.  These choices and pricing sound great.

[teh]

Mike,

Nice job on coordinating the specs for the Forum VII with John Larrivee.

For those who are new to the Forum or unfamiliar with the tradition and history of the Larrivee Forum Guitars. In addition to competitive pricing, the variety of Forum VII guitars and wood choices will stack up against the competition.

[StringPicker6]

Nice work, thanks! So, should we consider this the finalized build offer, or is it still open to feedback and suggestions?

[mike in lytle]

Nice work, thanks! So, should we consider this the finalized build offer, or is it still open to feedback and suggestions?

Feedback, suggestions and discussion are always welcome, of course.
The idea is to offer a very affordable guitar with limited options.
For example, no rosette changes.
Mike

[William2]

For me, the 01 series is a little too plain looking. I want binding on my instruments. If I wanted a 00 or 000, I'd get a 03 or 40 series instrument. There seems to be a real interest in 12-fret instruments on this site. Why not something like a 12-fret L model or a 12-fret D model? It would at least be different.

[guitarman001]

Interesting that walnut is more expensive than the rosewood - do you know which variety of walnut?

They are great prices.

And an OO would be great.

I'm on the fence as I'm sort of with William re the 01 - my 05 is probably my best Larrivee so I'm geared toward the "higher end" yet I've spent an absurd amount of $ on an absurd number of guitars recently, and still have a Halcyon on order.

The recent flame Austrian walnut Larrivée I tried were amazing.

Mike, this is great of you to be putting across!

[mike in lytle]

Interesting that walnut is more expensive than the rosewood - do you know which variety of walnut?

Wood upgrades are based as an upcharge to the "rosewood" model.
So the walnut price is a 200 dollar upcharge over the -01R version.
The custom price list says American Walnut.
I am sure John could clarify. He will pop in at some point.
Mike

[mike in lytle]

For me, the 01 series is a little too plain looking. I want binding on my instruments. If I wanted a 00 or 000, I'd get a 03 or 40 series instrument. There seems to be a real interest in 12-fret instruments on this site. Why not something like a 12-fret L model or a 12-fret D model? It would at least be different.

You are free to purchase or promote any instrument you like.
I don't know what else to say.
Mike

[teh]

For anyone interested in the history of Forum Guitars, Queequeg posted this link to provide easy access to previous Forum Guitar builds.

https://www.larriveeforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=45711.

Over the years, I have not found another guitar company like Larrivee that will work with a dealer or a forum to develop specs for a limited run of guitars. Since 2005, I've ordered three custom guitars including two Larrivees (and one Martin) that I would consider "one offs" because of my requested specifications. I also ordered a Forum VI which was a very different guitar from what I originally envisioned. Moonwood Spruce, Walnut and a 12 fret long scale neck were not even on my radar and my participation was a complete leap of faith. As others with a Forum VI have stated, these guitars are magical.

With all four guitars, I have been completely satisfied with both the process and the final result. At the same time, I didn't have to go to a boutique builder and sell either a kidney or rob a bank to pay for it or wait several years for my guitar to be built. In every instance, the dealer, the forum and Larrivee have been great to work with. The icing on the cake is the fact that your Larrivee guitar has been touched by one or more persons whose name is on the headstock throughout the process.

In the case of the Forum VI, both Mike from the Forum and John Larrivee made this a great experience. It also ultimately paved the way for me to find two more unique Larrivees (A mahogany topped 00-24 and a Quilted Maple Baker T-Pro), when John arranged a tour of the Oxnard factory for my son and me with Matthew in June 2024.

[Riverbend]

 "As others with a Forum VI have stated, these guitars are magical.


In the case of the Forum VI, both Mike from the Forum and John Larrivee made this a great experience."
I could not agree more!!    

[William2]

Thanks for the link teh. That is a really interesting history read.

[thoug]

Curious, have other details been put on paper such as scale length and board radius, string spacing.

Maybe just me, but lately those are the things I look at before what woods or inlays

[mike in lytle]

Curious, have other details been put on paper such as scale length and board radius, string spacing.

The specs are the same as any 00 or 000 and they are all shown on the Larrivee website as part of the description for any particular guitar.
Nut width 1.75, board radius 16.00, string spacing 2.25, scale 25.5.
Mike

[StringPicker6]

Any opportunity to discuss which bracing will be used? (40 series vs standard?)

[mike in lytle]

Any opportunity to discuss which bracing will be used? (40 series vs standard?)

The -01 series has standard bracing. We can't make that change.
The equivalent guitar in -40 bracing would be the Simple 6, which is also a "plain" guitar.
Mike

[Pilgrim]

It's good to see interest in another Forum guitar, and Larrivee's willingness to support it.  I might be interested, though I'm not particularly keen on unbound satin.  At any rate, I hope it is a success.

[mike in lytle]

It's good to see interest in another Forum guitar, and Larrivee's willingness to support it.  I might be interested, though I'm not particularly keen on unbound satin.  At any rate, I hope it is a success.

I appreciate that. I am also not keen on unbound guitar bodies, but that isn't the point.
The point is to be able to get a 12 fret 00-01 or 000-01 (neither of which is in production) at a really good price.
And even to be able to get a walnut version for 200 dollars less than a stock 00-03 or 000-03 in mahogany.
For all previous Forum acoustic guitars, except the F-VI, the primary and first consideration was price.
Mike

[thoug]

Ah shoot,  but it'll be fun to see it anyways

[mike in lytle]

For me, the 01 series is a little too plain looking. I want binding on my instruments. If I wanted a 00 or 000, I'd get a 03 or 40 series instrument. There seems to be a real interest in 12-fret instruments on this site. Why not something like a 12-fret L model or a 12-fret D model? It would at least be different.

I  was thinking about this. Since MAP pricing is now shown on the Larrivee site, we can discuss it openly.
A 12 fret L-03 or D-03 in mahogany would be $2299.
A 12 fret L-03 or D-03 in rosewood would be $2649.
The walnut version of either would be $2949.
Add $350 if you want a LV or DV version.
You can order any of these without it being a forum guitar.
Mike