Best Sounding Larrivee for finger picking

[Ron N]

IYHO what model would you recommend as the best over all Larrivee for finger picking, folk style music?
Share the model and the characteristics that singled it out for you.

[B0WIE]

 It would depend what year you asked me. I started out with the L being the best, then a D, then the SD was THE BEST... until I tried a 000, which was the final stop... until I tried the right 00. They are all excellent at different sounds. Just as there isn't one fingerstyle sound, or even one style of finger playing, there's no best guitar for fingerstyle as a whole. If you want to sound like 70's folk legends, you will probably want a dread because that's most of them used. But, that doesn't mean it's the best folk sound and many would argue there's better options available now. A traditional Martin style dread can be bulky, boomy, and narrow to pick and fret. More and more, fingerstyle players have been opting for smaller instruments with more generous string spacing. I will say that the bigger you go, the more bass and volume you can generally expect. Smaller ones are very vocal and intimate sounding. An SD is like a lap piano, great for accompanying a vocal but maybe not as focused and tender as some would like for doing melodies.

 Once you pick your ideal body size, THEN think about the bracing and the woods. The classic Larrivee bracing is very balanced and articulate while the 40-style has more bass and is somewhat similar to brands like Martin. Then, the woods come into play. The top is the most important, then the back will either give a more direct sound (mahogany, maple, walnut) or a warmer, darker tone (rosewood). But, don't make the mistake many do of shopping for the back wood first.

[teh]

Ron

Bowie gave a pretty comprehensive answer to a complex question. I'll weigh in with my thoughts based on my past 50+ years of playing but keep in mind that these comments are based on my own personal experience so follow your own preferences and try to play a variety of guitars before making a final decision.

I learned to fingerpick on the 1976 Martin D-35 (14 fret, Sitka/Rosewood w/ 1/4" top bracing and 25.4" scale) that I bought new the year I turned 21. That was my only guitar until 2004 when I found my first Larrivee; a Special Edition Parlor (12 fret, Sitka/Flamed Maple, 24" scale). Since then, I've added a Martin OM, Custom 000 and a Larrivee LSV and most recently a 00. Each of these guitars is a keeper including a Larrivee 12 string LSV-03 with a mahogany top, back and sides. Out of those six guitars excluding the 12 string, the two that rise to the top strictly for finger picking are the Martin OM (14 fret with scalloped bracing, Spruce/Rosewood, 1/4" top bracing and 25.4" scale) and the Larrivee 00-24 (12 fret with scalloped bracing, Mahogany top back and sides and 24.75" scale). To my ear, the OM sounds better with open tunings (Dropped D, DADGAD, Open D, Open G) and has a more balanced tone across bass, mids and trebles. The 00 is more compact, really easy to play and is my number one guitar for car trips. With the scalloped bracing and mahogany top, back and sides, this guitar projects well.

Final thoughts
1) My last three 6 string guitars (000, LSV, 00) have all been 12 fret models with 1 & 3/4" necks scalloped bracing and different scale lengths (24.9", 25.5" 24.75").
2) All of my guitars are stored in their hardshell cases* in a dedicated room when not being played. I run a room humidifier and keep the RH between 45-50 and the room temperature between 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit. Over the past 6 weeks, the outside air temperature has ranged between 0 and 20 degrees so the humidifier is getting a workout.

* I upgraded all of my Larrivees except the parlor to the archtop case offered by Larrivee which are the nicest, best quality cases I have found for the money.

3) John Jr. added pickups installed at the factory on my last two guitars (Anthem Dual Source on the LSV; Anthem SL on the 00) with a smaller sound hole. I use a Fishman Humbucker sound hole pick up on the three Martins when needed.
3a) My amplifiers include a Fishman Loudbox Mini and a 50 Watt Katana Boss, both purchased used at significant discounts.

Thanks for reading my ramble and enjoy your search.

[StringPicker6]

Great summary responses. I'll second that all larrivee's are excellent finger pickers, and it will matter a lot what size guitar you want.

[Pilgrim]

All manner of guitars have been used by artists to make great music.  So I won't attempt what might be good for others.

For singing Folk music, I'd probably shy away from mahogany.  So for such use, I'd probably grab a rosewood or walnut guitar of medium to large size for myself.

[Queequeg]

Great summary responses. I'll second that all larrivee's are excellent finger pickers, and it will matter a lot what size guitar you want.

I quite agree.
I am of the opinion that over time, your ear and hands will work together to coax your best sound from that particular guitar.

[Rockysdad]

Soooo, in summary the answer is *one. of each*.   

My fav so far is the Forum VI LS-03 (Moonspruce/Black Walnut) basically unobtanium, unless of course you find a member willing to part with theirs.

[BlueBowman]

Bowie coming in with some great advice as usual! 

Soooo, in summary the answer is *one. of each*.   

Humor aside, there's a lot of truth to it. They all can make wonderful fingerstyle guitars depending upon the player's need.

Of the half dozen Larrivee's I've owned, I now only have two OMs. They are just so versatile, and they fingerpick beautifully (which is all I really play). However, I would own one of their 000-12 fret or 00-12 fret guitars if I wanted a Larrivee dedicated for fingerstyle. As it happens, I own other brands to fill the two roles, but I really think those are great fingerstyle guitars. If you must go big, then it would be the SD, which is also a 12-fretter. Buying used will net you A LOT of guitar for the money.

[John Lee Pettimore]

Newby here, 1st post.  My only Larrivee, a 2023 OM-05.  She has the most unique voice of any guitar I've played and the 6 or 7 OM-05s I've listened to.  I've also heard about as many other OMs. There was 1 05 Moon Spruce that was the only real contender on the market. 

Her eye candy completes her beauty. Talk about finely silked Spruce, and striking Mahogany, Ebony,blue Abalone,and flame Maple. WOW!  Oh and the joinery is impressively clean and tight, inside and out.  Incredibly well built guitar. 

I sold my Martin 000-16GT (amazing voice) to get it. 

Figured out how to get the pictures in.   Change file name from .jpeg to .jpg

[B0WIE]

Newby here, 1st post.  My only Larrivee, a 2023 OM-05.  She has the most unique voice of any guitar I've played and the 6 or 7 OM-05s I've listened to.  I've also heard about as many other OMs. There was 1 05 Moon Spruce that was the only real contender on the market. 

Her eye candy completes her beauty. Talk about finely silked Spruce, and striking Mahogany, Ebony,blue Abalone,and flame Maple. WOW!  Oh and the joinery is impressively clean and tight, inside and out.  Incredibly well built guitar. 

I sold my Martin 000-16GT (amazing voice) to get it. 

Welcome to the forum! That's a good comment that doesn't get brought up a lot. The joinery on Larrivee guitars. Very clean and intentional without the slop I sometimes see in the big names. Particularly in recent Larrivees. They've managed to get better without changing their pricing relative to other brands.

[StringPicker6]

Welcome! Only once did I have a chance to play a used OM-05. It was VERY impressive!!

[John Lee Pettimore]

Thanks for the welcome.  I'd post some pics but the forum doesn't like .jpeg files.  Not close enough to .jpg, I guess. 

[John Lee Pettimore]

Welcome! Only once did I have a chance to play a used OM-05. It was VERY impressive!!

They are very hard to get hands on for most of the country, minus a substantial investment.  Not too many on the market and none of them close to me. 

[John in Charm City]

No right or wrong answer here.  Just to add my $0.02, I'd say whatever guitar checks all the boxes - is comfortable to play for hours, has a sound you like for your style and music, and of course, just males you smile.  what that is for you is up to you.  for me, right now, its EIR with an Engelmann top on an OM body.  Your mileage will almost certainly vary.

John

[Ron N]

I really appreciate the many thoughts shared.    The collective wisdom is enlightening and very much appreciated.  I found it interesting in that OM style and rosewood was highlighted in the comments.  That is were I have landed as well.  I have an OM 60 and a 00-40 that have complimented each other famously in live performance and studio work,  they have both been, just excellent.

For myself, I went there because of the versatility and the tone best matched my voice and style.  I have been leaning towards a PV09e TSB parlour in maple only because I have had maple guitars in the past and have enjoyed their clarity of tone.  I like the comfort of the smaller body and wouldn't mind a different tonal palette to explore.  I can't imagine that it would be disappointing, just different.  I would hope for a conversation with Jean L Jr on this before I make a final decision and will welcome that whenever it seems best.  Until then, I will just rejoice in the joy that I have found playing Larrivee gutars.  Keep your thoughts coming!  I am interested to hear more.

[John Lee Pettimore]

These are some very impressive pictures in my book.  Clean and tight!

[StringPicker6]

Looks like modern art 

[jpmist]

John Lee P - Newby here, 1st post.  My only Larrivee, a 2023 OM-05

Sweet looking guitar. I have a similar OO-05 and so enjoy the modest bling that model offers, expecially the rosette and pearl headstock logo. Ya did good!

[jpmist]

Ron N  I really appreciate the many thoughts shared.    The collective wisdom is enlightening and very much appreciated.  I found it interesting in that OM style and rosewood was highlighted in the comments.  That is were I have landed as well.  I have an OM 60 and a 00-40 that have complimented each other famously in live performance and studio work,  they have both been, just excellent.

Appreciate you checking back! My decade long journey landed on the OO model following the F-IV offering and I've tried several of the other Larrivee sizes, but the OO suits my ear and modest playing more than others. Best of luck!

[John Lee Pettimore]

John Lee P - Newby here, 1st post.  My only Larrivee, a 2023 OM-05

Sweet looking guitar. I have a similar OO-05 and so enjoy the modest bling that model offers, expecially the rosette and pearl headstock logo. Ya did good!

I totally agree with you about the modest eye candy.  What really sold me on Larrivee in general is the impeccable joinery and how many Larrivee owners I've encountered that have said "I'll never sell my Larrivee".   In my limited experience, all of the Larrivee I've encountered have had somewhat unique voices.  The one I bought was best the market offered to my ears a month ago.  I listened to at least a dozen on the market at the time.  Never could play one because there were not any within a half day drive of me.