New Parlor

[cc407]

2002 0-01 Koa, new to me. Very sweet!

Not new here, but gone for a while...so here's donuts:

[jpmist]

Nice and welcome back! Is that bearclaw on the spruce (?) top?

[guitarman001]

Honestly, the parlours are just amazing. Potentially my favourite model from Larrivee. I bet that rings out like nothing else.

[cc407]

Nice and welcome back! Is that bearclaw on the spruce (?) top?

Honestly, the parlours are just amazing. Potentially my favourite model from Larrivee. I bet that rings out like nothing else.

Yes, the top has loads of silking and some random bearclaw. This guitar really does ring like a bell. I had a D-03 R years ago and have regretted the loss. This cozy one stays!

[StringPicker6]

Welcome back and congrats! I played my P-03 a bit today and forgot how fun it is and such a lovely sound.

[FollowURmusic]

Ahoy StringPicker6.   I've got the Larrivee disease and have been researching frequently past my bedtime.   Ive narrowed the entire line down to two "small bodied" specimens, two models I see you own.   Can you tell me in your experience, the differences you find between the two?   I know they are different instruments   One has a 25.5" Scale, the other 24".   One has Scallop Bracing, the other is X-braced.   What's going on in my head is, do I get A or B?   Do I get both by making some financial sacrifices?    Are they very different, or is there a lot of overlap?    Appreciate your opinion, thanks, Happy Holidays.

[teh]

First, welcome to the Larrivee Forum and I encourage you to stick around. StringPicker and others will likely weigh in with some practical, first hand experience and advice.

Since I'm an early riser, I'll chime in with a couple of thoughts. In 2004, I was in the same situation you are in now. I had been playing a non-scalloped, 14 fret dreadnought w/a 25.4" scale for years when I bought my first Larrivee, a 12 fret, non-scalloped parlor with a 24" scale. Over the years, I've acquired several other guitars including my most recent acquisition, a 12 fret, 00-24 with scalloped bracing. There are a lot of variables that influence the tone, playability and sound of every guitar. These include body size, bracing patterns, neck profile, wood selection, finish and string selection just to name a few. I discovered that Larrivee has a great approach to designing and building quality guitars. Hanging around this forum and playing a lot of different guitars yourself are two of the best ways to decide what's right for you. When I bought my Sitka/Flamed Maple parlor, the 12 fret neck and the string spacing was so comfortable to play, it was an easy decision. It sounds and plays different than my Sitka/Rosewood, 14 fret dreadnought.

A lot of parlor guitar players use medium gauge strings. All of my guitars have light gauge strings but that is a matter of personal choice and playing style. If I played in a band or did a lot of flat picking, I would most likely use medium gauge strings. For less than $10, strings are an inexpensive way to enhance your guitar's tone and playability. If you want a smaller guitar that sounds bigger, you may also want to try a 00 or 000 before deciding.

Good luck with your decision.

[Silence Dogood]

  

[Queequeg]

If you want a smaller guitar that sounds bigger, you may also want to try a 00 or 000 before deciding.

Good luck with your decision.

If you want a smaller guitar that sounds bigger
This goes to eleven.

[teh]

Copy and paste this link below to hear a Larrivee parlor in action on stage. Jason Wilber played with John Prine for many years and I never saw him without a parlor close at hand for acoustic tunes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcFV5VCt92c&list=RDNcFV5VCt92c&start_radio=1

My guitars of choice for car trips and fishing vacations are either my parlor or my 00. Easy to transport and both sound great unamplified.

[FollowURmusic]

Thank you for your helpful response teh.  Yes, actually the two together on my radar are : The P-03R, and the 00-40R (for the slightly bigger sound).   Another "Q", this is also in re: to Scale Length...and the small bodied/(12 fret).   I'm settled - good to go on the 24" for the Parlor, but I'm seeing less than 25.5" offerings out there, for the general 00 size.   So far, the only Con I'm perceiving of a 24.75", is maybe a slight drop off in tone with standard chords.   If I'm on the right track, in my thinking...would the Pro then be the greater ability to reach more complex chords (or parts of)? 

Jason Wilber does have a great parlor sound, I like it.  Have a look and listen at Lee Coulter at Harry's (or Henry's?)Bar.   Someone told me they thought it was an old Martin Parlor, my intention is to roughly chase that playing style/sound in my own way.

[FollowURmusic]

This one, of Lee Coulter...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fzAXEIR4TM&list=RD5fzAXEIR4TM&start_radio=1

[teh]

FollowURmusic,

Thanks for sharing the Lee Coulter clip. I had not heard of him but links provided by members of this forum have led me to hear and see some great players. My four 12 fret, six string acoustics all have a different scale length, 1 & 3/4" neck and four distinct wood combinations. I have not detected any drop off in tone compared to each other or my 14 fret guitars with a long scale neck. My 12 fretters include:

Larrivee - all have a satin finish, a solid headstock and no pick guard
2004 Parlor - 24" scale, Sitka/Flamed Maple, non-scalloped bracing
2021 LSV (Forum VI) - 25.5" scale, Moonwood Spruce/Walnut, scalloped bracing, Venetian cutaway
2024 00-24 custom order - 24.75" scale, Mahogany top, back/sides, scalloped bracing

Martin - Gloss finish with a teardrop shaped pickguard
2015 Custom 000 - 24.9" scale, Sitka/Mahogany, scalloped bracing, slotted head stock, low profile neck 

While there are some similarities between these four guitars, there are plenty of variations in specs that bring a subtle but noticeable different sound and level of playability to each guitar. For example, the Forum VI has a Venetian cutaway which allows easy access up the neck beyond the 12th fret. My guitars are kept in a humidified guitar room and stored in their cases but rotated throughout the week to ensure that they all get played regularly. The Larrivee 00, FVI and Baker T Pro (electric) each get more than their fair share of playing time. I currently have three guitars out on loan to my son and one of my playing buddies.

[StringPicker6]

Ahoy StringPicker6.   I've got the Larrivee disease and have been researching frequently past my bedtime.   Ive narrowed the entire line down to two "small bodied" specimens, two models I see you own.   Can you tell me in your experience, the differences you find between the two?   I know they are different instruments   One has a 25.5" Scale, the other 24".   One has Scallop Bracing, the other is X-braced.   What's going on in my head is, do I get A or B?   Do I get both by making some financial sacrifices?    Are they very different, or is there a lot of overlap?    Appreciate your opinion, thanks, Happy Holidays.

For me, the 00 shape is a bit more familiar to me size-wise, because I played larger guitars for so long.  The parlor is lovely and super intimate, but the size can sometimes feel almost too small. The 00 is just a little bit more substantial heft under the right arm, which is what is lacking for me with the parlor.  So in my opinion, it's more about size than tone.  Parlors sound really amazing at what they do, but when I sit with mine, I really end up curling up around it.  The 00 sits in the lap really comfortably.  Also, if you're a heavy strummer, the 00 can take heavy strumming and still sound great.  I mostly fingerpick my parlor or play quietly.  Also, I'm 5'8", so not a huge guy.  Hope that helps!

[FollowURmusic]

I've come to the right place.   Thank you StringPicker6, and teh!   For your insights/experience, which have reinforced my (2) upcoming choices (P-03R, AND the 00-40R) in the L. Line.   All the best in the New Year...

[StringPicker6]

I prefer long 25.5" scale length in general, so I enjoy the tighter strings of the 00. More power!! 

[guitarman001]

Never get any OOs in the UK. I love my little parlours like they're collectibles. Love the size and the throaty compressed sound. But I get the OO love, too. It's all good!

An oo40 Vs po3. I love the little guy, I have to say!

https://youtu.be/xUfRgBuYdmM?si=lrs6NjxHpf0Dmb7A

https://youtu.be/eJINlyovWmY?si=r6TlmlLZxPhm9yk-

I've not typically been big on the 40 sound but the o40r and o40 moon spruce / walnut demos sound epic.

This has to be the best Larrivee parlour I've ever heard: https://youtu.be/RwL__J18HzQ?si=ojPSoyXN48G9Jonf

[StringPicker6]

I definitely love both. It's like asking someone "what do you like better, steak or ice cream?". I love both.

[guitarman001]

Definitely!

Sort of like the old mahogany vs rosewood. The answer is to have both !

[teh]

Guitarman,

I'd be curious to know if you have ever seen or played a Moon Guitar made in Scotland?