Solid mahogany guitar experience

[B0WIE]

LOL!!! The Martin D-15 is definitely loud enough.  My question about a hog guitar is that you always hear it has a compressed even sound without a lot of overtones. that being the case, do you need a non-scalloped instrument or is this type of bracing overkill?

I'd offer that mahogany doesn't always sound dry and compressed. I would also argue that the ideas some have about the mahogany sound come from builders using a thick piece of mahogany. It can also sometimes be from the bracing. It's popular to have guitars that resemble dust bowl era instruments that were made cheap and have a unique, dry sound. One of the most complex and dynamic guitars I have is all mahogany.

Mahogany tends to sound richer than spruce, but in the midrange. Spruce tends to have more overtones in the highs. This type of thing applies to the loudness issue,as a guitar can be very loud in one range but weaker in others. I do think that the stereotype of mahogany being dark and boxy comes from builders using it that way to get a certain sound. When I played Martin 15 series I thought that was the sound of mahogany. The first time I realized it could be sparkly and complex was hearing a mahogany topped Larrivee.

[StringPicker6]

Beyond Larrivee (The Best!), I would say Guild is the next best in all hog guitars, if you try some of their USA builds.

[William2]

For me, it is either a D-03mh or a D-40mh. I am also considering an L-03mh. My D-40 is so light weight and responsive compared to my D-03R, I am wondering if there is a build difference between the 03 series and the 40 series. Is the Larrivee concept of a traditional model one of a lighter build weight? They both sound great. Which way should I go, scalloped or non-scalloped?

[B0WIE]

Rosewood is a lot more dense and therefore weighs more than mahogany.

[teh]

If you use the comparison feature on Larrivee's website and choose both the 03 and 40 series you can get a side by side look at the similarities and the differences between the two models. You could also add an L bodied guitar for comparison. On the standard D models, there is a $100 price difference but the dimensions are identical. The 40 series has scalloped bracing, open back 18:1 tuners, bold rope rosette/purfling and maple heel cap etc. I imagine there is an upcharge for adding a mahogany top.

Given the choices, I'd lean toward the 40 series because of the scalloped bracing. Four of my eight acoustics that include two Martins have scalloped bracing while four don't. I've said this in other posts but in the past, I had the opportunity to play a variety of mahogany topped Larrivees in a variety of body shapes. Early on, I never gave too much thought to bracing patterns until I bought my OM-35 in early 2007. My next three guitars, a Custom Martin 000, Forum VI and 00-24 all had scalloped bracing and a 12 fret neck. I would also guess that over the years the L body has historically been one of Larrivee's best sellers. Other body shapes (i.e. D, OM) are probably giving the L a run for its money.

Pick the guitar that YOU want but I would encourage you to consider upgrading from the Flattop to Archtop case. My three Larrivees with Archtop cases from the Pro Shop each fit like a glove.

[Gill]

One thing ab

Very cool.  I'm guessing it's the OM body built with a 12 fret neck.  I love how Larrivee can make custom builds like that.

out

Yes,especially when the guitar I purchased was used,with a new store price of less than the cost of a Sitka -topped OM-03,and it came with an archtop Larrivee case,everyone gives compliments on this Hog topped Larry's sound when I take it along to jams,I don't know how Larrivee do it at this price point,though I think this particular model may have been discontinued now.

[Koamon]

I recently got a used 2015 000-40MT. Twelve fret, Mahogany top, enlarged soundhole with Waverly tuners. I agree with Bowie's assessment about it's midrange tone. It articulates well fingerstyle unlike a spruce top it stays in its lane as it lacks the treble overtones and the 12 fret body with the larger soundhole gives it a bass response like that of a larger body guitar. It came with a LR Baggs Ibeam so I added a condenser lavalier soundhole mic and wired it stereo out to my Fishman Pocket Blender. Plugged it, with some balancing and EQ, it sounds very warm and natural. It came with the deluxe Larrivee case for just under $1,500. Considering the sunburst ones are identical and sell new north of $2,500, it's a no brainer. I got it to replace my all 2002 all Koa parlor, I like the 000 bigger sound better. The parlor compressed too much when driven hard.