Larrivee - the irony (apologies for the epic saga)

[Myopic Squirrel]

When I stopped playing the guitar there were basically only 3 main brands - Martin, Guild, & Gibson. So when I reopened the guitar case a couple of years ago and wandered over to the AGF, was floored by the proliferation of others. Strumming my $75 "Lawsuit" Takamine (another story) figured now that I can afford a "nice" guitar, which will it be? Eastman was getting a lot of praise so I got an E20D-TC only to discover my shoulder didn't like dreads, so switched to an OM. Eastman necks are hand carved, and the OM felt like a Louisville slugger. Back to AGF, and after reading about Larrivee bought an '05 OM-05 from GC. WOW!! So began the Larrivee journey - OM, Parlor, 00, and currently 000-40MH. Impressed with the guitars, read about JCL and the impact he's had on the Canadian builders (Wren, Manzer, Bond, McQuarrie, et al) who worked for him, and the quality of their guitars.

Am extremely happy with the 000 - the tone is incredible & the aesthetics are beautiful. Honestly believed this one is it! (I'm certain you're laughing). Then I found a 10 year old Halcyon (Ed Bond) short scale mahogany/Adi 000. Long story short they both sound great - different - but great and I prefer the short scale. Unfortunately not enough different to make a difference. It's 1 in - 1 out. Kudos to JCL's factory built guitar that IMO sounds every bit as good as a custom built guitar costing nearly 2x as much!

Had I not gone down the Larrivee rabbit hole and learned about JCL's pupils, I wonder if I would have strayed. Considering their price points, let alone their wait lists, highly unlikely.

[William2]

I can't remember how I got introduced to Larrivee guitars. The dealer I work with plays lefty and carries them so that is probably how it happened. I do like the Larrivee neck profile. I'm kind of like you and your 000 and "this is the one" but mine is the dreadnought and a rosewood body dreadnought specifically. I have been thinking about an all-hog dreadnought, but I keep wondering if it will be used like my rosewood dreads, so I keep balking at going through with this. I think Eastman makes a good guitar and I've never had an issue with their necks. My issue is the very limited number of models they will make left-handed. That's why I sold my last one. I thought screw you Eastman. And you really take a bath on the resale of an Eastman. Looking at the prices of the n new Eastman's at my dealer's shop they are getting into mid to upper $2000 territory. Why not go American?

[Silence Dogood]

I learned about Larrivee circa mid to late 90s when I started seeing them in my local GC. The thing that blew me away was the huge sound that came from such a plain-looking guitar.  Back then, at least in my GC, all they had were the lower-end models like the D-03.  Seems like they were selling for $499 or something crazy like that.  I didn't get one till the summer of 2003. 

[Myopic Squirrel]

One important thing I forgot to mention: had a couple of conversations with Ed Bond and the only 2 things he brought from his 18 years at Larrivee are the neck shape and a compound radius fretboard. That's why the Halcyon felt so natural in my hands - who certainly appreciate the short scale.

[guitarman001]

I like the compound radius fingerboard.
I'm still waiting for my Halcyon but have yet to decide on a spec !
I didn't understand form the original post - did you keep the Halcyon or Larrivee?

[Myopic Squirrel]

Was wistfully saying while IMO both guitars look and sound great the Halcyon got the nod.

[guitarman001]

Gotcha :)

[BlueBowman]

Was wistfully saying while IMO both guitars look and sound great the Halcyon got the nod.

I also had a Halcyon and Larrivee at the same time, both Slope D 12-fretters. I got a deal on the Larrivee used, and, man, did it punch way above its weight considering what I paid. Lovely guitar. Of course, I think most Larrivee 12-fretters are great. But the Halcyon was a step above to my ears. Quite responsive. Ed builds them light. Only negative for me was the neck (too narrow and thin in profile). I just couldn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to, so I passed it on. Congrats on your guitar, MS.

[Myopic Squirrel]

Hi BB,

Great hearing from you and thank you. We had quite a few Larrivee discussions. The good news is as of now it's still in the family with my son.

Quite frankly never expected to own a Hal for 2 reasons: 1. current wait list is now 3 years  and 2. I'm already past my acturial "sell by" date. Ed even agreed it might not have been a good financial decision.