LTB: D-03 (R?)

[smdodd]

Hey all,

I'm new to this forum, having just found it through a link from the Harmony-Central boards.  I posted a message over there that I was in search of an acoustic guitar because of my recent involvement in the church orchestra, and being asked to do some acoustic playing with vocalists/ensembles.  This will be in a fairly large church, so the guitar will be mic'd, I won't have to beat it to death!  This guitar, of course, will also be for my own enjoyment, and I've read nothing but praise regarding the D-03. 

Also, in my search, I have a question regarding the mohogany vs. rosewood back/sides.  I've searched and haven't found a satisfactory answer as to why some guys are mohogany favorites and others prefer rosewood.  Other than the expense what is the reason for choosing one over the other?

Thanks for reading this and replying!  It seems that I just missed a D-03 at elderley's shop ($595) so I'm assuming a used one would be in a similar price range?  Rosewood maybe a hundred dollars more?  I'm also guessing that is a used deal, I assume someone wanting to help a guy out could do a little better?  (hehe)

Look forward to your responses

Steve

[oldrockfan]

Steve the back/side wood will influence the voice your guitar has. To simplify it, the three primary woods are mahogany, rosewood and maple
mahogany = most bass woody and mellow
rosewood = middle of the road bright but still good bass
maple = most treble clear ringing bright tone

For churches, taylor seems to be the popular choice because of the bright tone they produce. Least at my church, that is the way it works...except for me of course since I prefer rosewood and play a OM-03R. I think my guitar sounds every bit as good as their taylors and mine cost 1/3 what thiers did!

If you plan to play during church service, getting electronics for the guitar would be worth considering. Playing into a mic is such a pain unless you like standing in one place and never moving when you play.

[el guitana]

Beware of opinions on back/side woods - they very subjective!

I disagree with part of what is in the above post. I think rosewood gives stronger bass, along with a chimier sound.

Of course, that's filtered through My ears and brain...other opinions may vary!

Get out and play as many types as you can. One will choose you.

[Randy_R]

welcome to the forum.

You'll likely get an offer to sell if you watch the forum regularly.

I suggest that you get BOTH a rosewood and mahogany guitar, that way you can switch back an forth until such a time as you want to add a guitar in yet a third wood   

[WVUBAMA]

Actually, I am still thinking about selling my D-03R, around $600 + FEDEX ground.  Bridge will need to be reglued at some point in the future as a piece of paper can slid under a bit. There's a J45 or Advanced Jumbo or Southern Jumbo in my future and can't justify two dreds.


Anyways, here it is:

[WVUBAMA]

Mahogany is better for the blues, smokey, wooden sound. I would like to try hog top someday. Rosewood has punch to it and really seems to be better for bluegrass, folk, ect. The Larrivee sound also has a shimmer to it which is accentuated  by the rosewood. It is all a matter of what you are into.

[MH3]

My D-03R performs quite well at church, despite my ham-fisted strumming and fumble-fingered fingerpicking.  Seriously, I find it to be very versatile for many different styles, and it sounds great plugged straight into the board with the LR Baggs I-beam I had installed.

I personally think rosewood complements the Larrivee sparkle very well, but others will say that nobody does mahogany as well as Larrivee.  My advice: try as many as you can, even if you have to go to great lengths to do so.  You'll find the one that speaks to you.