Larrivee d03 all mahogany

[DaveyO]

Looking to buy this guitar, maybe
I'm curious to see if anybody has an all mahogany dreadnought
And what it sounds like
Would it be more mellow than a regular DO three?

[B0WIE]

I believe you're in luck as someone just posted one in the For Trade section. Perhaps they might consider a straight sale?

[Silence Dogood]

Every all-mahogany guitar I've ever played by any maker was always more mellow than its spruce-top counterpart.  They look cool but I don't care for the sound.  YMMV. 

[B0WIE]

Every all-mahogany guitar I've ever played by any maker was always more mellow than its spruce-top counterpart.  They look cool but I don't care for the sound.  YMMV. 

I used to think that until I played a SCGC all-mahogany. When the builder works around the wood, the perceptions of what a wood is supposed to sound like can change a lot.
I've never tried a hog-top Larrivee so I can't comment there.

[William2]

I think it depends on the type of music you play. I've owned 2 Martin D-15 instruments. I really liked them for jazz ballad tunes but not for classical pieces which form a lot of what I play. I remember listening to a blind sound test of a Martin D-15 vs a Martin DSS-17 (spruce / mahogany) at Maury's Music. I chose the DSS-17. I must really prefer a spruce top. I might even get another in the future if my interest in classical pieces wanes. That said, I've also owned the Martin 000-15SM. I heard all this raving about how great this instrument was. Well, some people just don't know. This so called 12-fretter lacked everything I think a 12-fret instrument should have. It wasn't bad but didn't come close to any of the Martin 000-15 (14-fret) instrument videos I've watched. And I think for an all-hog instrument at least for me, I really prefer the bigger air volume of a dreadnought body. It really makes up for what a mahogany top might lack for me. I probably would have bought another Martin this year, but it was never resolved as to whether they were going to move the 15 series to Mexico and make the 17 series in the USA? I wonder if they couldn't convince the public to pay an extra $500 for a scalloped instrument and 1.75" neck. I haven't heard anything about this, and I've seen the 17 series drop their prices a couple of hundred bucks. Now have a Sitka, Moon spruce, and Adi topped instruments, all I really need is a hog top.

[StringPicker6]

In my opinion, hog tops have a lovely warm sound. Several times I almost pulled the trigger on a Guild M-20 guitar in a store near me, but the size of the body was just too close to my Larrivee P-03. The all hog body sounded like velvet.

[teh]

Over the years, I've come to realize that a mahogany top and a 12 fret, short scale neck isn't for everyone but I'm one of the exceptions. Between my two Larrivee all mahogany guitars, my 12 fret hog top 00-24 spent most of this week out of her case. The combination of the 24.75" scale, Martin Retro strings and Anthem SL pickup run through a Fishman Loudbox Mini amp seemed to bring out the best from this guitar. Until you have one in your hands, the clarity and balanced tone from a 00 body shape has to be played to be appreciated.

I should add that my 21 year old, mahogany topped, 14 fret LV-03 12 string is all I need for strumming and fingerpicking 12 string tunes. It gives the fullness of a 12 string without the jangle of a spruce top. I keep mine tuned down to dropped D or tuned down a whole step.

[Gill]

Different strokes etc.. my Larrivee OM-03 12 -fret all Hog plays like velvet,and has a lovely warm tone/ sound, it's a nice contrast to a Spruce top,plus the quality of the woods used never ceases to amaze me how Larrivee do it at the price,I've never tried an all Hog parlour,but I'm looking at one for sale online just now..

[BlueBowman]

I used to think that until I played a SCGC all-mahogany. When the builder works around the wood, the perceptions of what a wood is supposed to sound like can change a lot.
I've never tried a hog-top Larrivee so I can't comment there.

No one does mahogany-topped guitars like Richard and Co. The 1929 00 is a wonderful guitar that breaks all the "hardwood top" myths. Bright, crisp, woody, and very responsive.

[teh]

The Santa Cruz 1929 models look really appealing except for one thing. The price of a new or used model takes me outside of my comfort zone. The cost is generally 2-3 times what I paid for my new mahogany topped, short scale Larrivee 00. I could probably buy one with a lot of belt tightening but I'm not sure that my skill level or ear would find it to be 2-3 times better than my Larrivee 00 or my Martin custom shop, 000-12 fret model. YMMV.

[B0WIE]

The Santa Cruz 1929 models look really appealing except for one thing. The price of a new or used model takes me outside of my comfort zone. The cost is generally 2-3 times what I paid for my new mahogany topped, short scale Larrivee 00. I could probably buy one with a lot of belt tightening but I'm not sure that my skill level or ear would find it to be 2-3 times better than my Larrivee 00 or my Martin custom shop, 000-12 fret model. YMMV.

If it's something that interests you, keep an eye out. A couple years ago I scored an excellent SCGC 00 for $2k on Reverb. A couple of H13s (one all mahogany) for around $3k. All with very little fret wear and no scars. The trick is to watch the listings. The good deals go within a few hours while everything else sits and makes us think they're just too expensive.

As far as how much better they are or aren't, that's up to the individual to decide. For what I play and how I play it, I've never played a Martin (vintage or modern) that was even half as good. But, we all need to find what satisfies our own tastes.