Has your Larrivee significantly improved with age?

[BlueBowman]

The guitar has always sounded great to me, but only recently has it seemed to change drastically.  It's always been very "sparkly" but now it's got a deeper and more seasoned sound overall.  But who can describe sound. 

That tracks with what I've experienced, too. I think it has to do with the main resonant frequencies of the guitar's top lowering over time. String tension doing its thing.

In your clip, it definitely sounds very articulate, a big plus in my book!

[Silence Dogood]

That tracks with what I've experienced, too. I think it has to do with the main resonant frequencies of the guitar's top lowering over time. String tension doing its thing.

In your clip, it definitely sounds very articulate, a big plus in my book!

That clip isn't best example because I'm capo'd and the guitar is being choked a bit, but you can hear its clarity for sure.  I'm still kind of amazed at the quality of the mic and recordings that can be captured via smartphone. 

[Gill]

My 2004 000-60 (EIR) was already " played in" when I purchased it from the seller five  years ago,he'd toured the world with it since buying it new ( he played and sung at Church of England Faith concerts for years) amazingly, the guitar would travel in its hardcase in the luggage hold, and seemingly (miraculously,if you ask me) never had a mishap,nor any problems with the wood regarding humidity or temperature fluctuations- sheer luck I'd say,when I played it first before buying it sounded really resonant, with great sustain, playing it nowadays though, I can't really tell if it's gotten any better- if that makes any sense.

[B0WIE]

Thin pieces of wood move and warp over time to conform to pressures. That's why we often hear a "stiffness" in newer guitars, and a relaxed, deeper sound in older ones. I don't think it's the wood aging as much as conforming. How long? I think it's a slow process but I notice a difference in Larrivees that are 20 years + vs newer ones. Neither sounds bad, just a tad different. It's nothing to wait for or try to rush. If you like it now you'll love it later.

[BlueBowman]

Thin pieces of wood move and warp over time to conform to pressures. That's why we often hear a "stiffness" in newer guitars, and a relaxed, deeper sound in older ones. I don't think it's the wood aging as much as conforming.

I totally agree.

How long? I think it's a slow process but I notice a difference in Larrivees that are 20 years + vs newer ones. Neither sounds bad, just a tad different. It's nothing to wait for or try to rush. If you like it now you'll love it later.

The more I learn about guitar building (and guitar discovery as a player), the more I see the wisdom in building a little on the stiff side. Yes, the guitars may, or may not, be a bit tight sounding at the beginning, but it gives the guitars somewhere to go once the inevitable string tension starts pulling on the woods. The "optimization" for tone comes down the road. Conversely, guitars that have that punch and warmth and depth from day one will usually end up being too muddy sounding over time, not to mention possible structural issues. Boy, guitar building has a lot of art in it! Experience counts for so much in this game.

[nobodeuno]

I just bought a 20 year old D03R that was well cared for and the previous owner played mostly gospel chords in church (often & allot) and after seeing him play on a few videos, he was a a big hard strummer. This guitar resonates forever and has allot of chime. I feel it all over the back and sides!  Like someone said all guitars get better with age and playing, but I think allot has to do with top woods.  Jean Larrivee I read was a stickler for stunning Canadian spruce.  When I see most all Larrivee's they have nice wide aged grain and my recent acquisition does and has touches of bearclaw and lots of silk. It is a loud resonant monster, but is super responsive with a light touch too. I noticed recent Oxnard examples using moon spruce and other spruces are lighter in color, so not sure if Canadian builds were tinted back them?  I'm stoked with its tone and volume   

The real reasons guitars get better with age: • Resin Crystallization: The natural resins and saps inside the wood fibers crystallize and harden over time, which changes how the soundboard flexes and responds.
• Fiber Compression: Decades of pulling string tension (hundreds of pounds of force) compress the wood fibers. This helps the guitar settle into a balanced, resonant state.
• The Role of Playing: Vibrations from actually playing the guitar "loosen up" the wood fibers and internal adhesives, helping the instrument break in and become more supple.

[winkyplayer]

My 2001 D-09 remains great. Has it improved over those 25 years? Dunno, as I don't have a good recall of exactly what it was like when new. I only recall that I liked it from the start.

[BlueBowman]

My 000 is less than a year old, and I have noticed what I think is a certain amount of "opening up." But as I wrote in another thread, it could also be the drop in relative humidity (most likely the cause). Either way, it sounds...grander. I plan on keeping it for a good long way and look forward to any changes. Even if it doesn't change one iota in tone, I'd be totally fine with that. It might just be my favorite Larrivee I've played. Drop C# is where it lives at the moment, and that guitar sounds positively huge when played with my fingerpicks. We've become a real team this past month.

[BlueBowman]

My 2001 D-09 remains great. Has it improved over those 25 years? Dunno, as I don't have a good recall of exactly what it was like when new. I only recall that I liked it from the start.

That's the only way to pick out a guitar. Buy a great one. It's mostly likely only going to get better.

Welcome to the forum!