Main Forums => Larrivée Guitars => Topic started by: superdave on May 23, 2012, 09:05:43 AM

Title: New SD-03R
Post by: superdave on May 23, 2012, 09:05:43 AM
I called Jason at Notable Guitar last week looking for a SD-03R since I know at one time he had a few. He said that Larrivee had shipped him I believe 4 and they were all gone. He wished me luck on my search. Later that day I got a call back from Jason telling me that a Fed EX. truck had just dropped off a fresh new SD-03R ! I guess he had ordered 5 but only got 4 and figured that was the last of them. Needless to say it's on it's way. I have become a big fan of the 1 13/16" nut and that's why I was looking for a SD-03 vs an SD-60. It should be a good weekend.
Thanks, Dave
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: GeeNorm on May 23, 2012, 11:54:09 AM
Gonna be a  :nice guitar:

Norman
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: dr.underhill on May 23, 2012, 02:38:28 PM
clearly meant to be. congrats on the new addition. :thumb
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: edgeguy on May 23, 2012, 03:38:40 PM
Good news!  You will have to send photos of the new addition.  :thumb
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: superdave on May 26, 2012, 07:22:35 PM
It's here and it's everything and more that I thought it would be. I can't understand why Larrivee hasn't built more of them. I'm sure they could sell every last one of them.
Thanks, Dave
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: Danny on May 26, 2012, 07:30:12 PM
   Nice find. If I could play dreads this is the Larrivee model I'd like. I have several dreads and don't play any though.

   Oh and, yes I miss the 00. :blush:
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: prof_stack on May 26, 2012, 08:24:39 PM
Oh yeah, the sweet rumble of rosewood in that slope-shoulder 12-fret design!   :thumbsup

Congrats!

Lights or mediums, the SD will always sing.   :guitar
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: broKen on May 26, 2012, 11:20:44 PM
Quote from: dependan on May 26, 2012, 07:30:12 PM
   Nice find. If I could play dreads this is the Larrivee model I'd like. I have several dreads and don't play any though.

   Oh and, yes I miss the 00. :blush:

Danny, have you played an SD? They don't feel like a dred.
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: superdave on May 27, 2012, 05:44:55 AM
I have to agree. It feels different than a Dread. especially with the 12 fret join, and yes it has that Rosewood rumble. I play alot of old time music with fiddler's and banjo, so the walking bass single notes explode out of this guitar.  I think I will now call it the SD ( SUPERDAVE) model ! LOL. OH yeah, and as a bonus it arrived in one of Larrivee's super deluxe arc top cases.
Thanks, Dave
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: Strings4Him on May 27, 2012, 06:34:36 AM
Look forward to some pics.   :nice guitar:
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: Danny on May 27, 2012, 08:35:41 AM
Quote from: broKen on May 26, 2012, 11:20:44 PM
Danny, have you played an SD? They don't feel like a dred.
Haven't had the pleasure, but since my shoulder is worsening and playing my 000 is difficult, I don't think any deeper body model will be comfortable.
       Unfortunately my pain has increased a lot and playing has diminished. I hope after we are through moving and I get to rest my beat up body for several months, I can play everyday again.

      I'm glad this SD is fitting your need Dave, it sounds like a cool guitar.
Quote from: Strings4Him on May 27, 2012, 06:34:36 AM
Look forward to some pics.   :nice guitar:
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: superdave on May 27, 2012, 08:46:46 AM
Yep, for single string walking bass it's great, and if you just hold back alittle on the right hand it can double with it's 1 13/16 nut as a great fingerstyle guitar as well. Think like Doc Watson stuff. It still blows me away how Larrivee can build such great guitars in the 03 series.
Thanks, Dave
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: GeeNorm on May 27, 2012, 08:56:52 PM
OK, now this is too much. I already said  :nice guitar: and now I have to say,

"I WANT ONE!!"  :drool:

Norman
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: bigbluesdaddy on May 27, 2012, 09:41:49 PM
 :nice guitar:
:nice guitar:
Beautiful guitar, I'm a big fan of the rosewood, the wood larrivee uses always seems to be top notch, and it is matched perfectly, congrats on the new addition.
:+1:
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: carruth on May 27, 2012, 10:40:42 PM
 :nice guitar:
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: edgeguy on May 28, 2012, 12:13:56 AM
Just what these guitars were made for - old time music!
:nice guitar:
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: superdave on May 28, 2012, 07:32:30 AM
Jason at Notable Guitars set this guitar up great for me. I asked to keep the med. gauge stings on it but lower the action if needed. It's a powerhouse when flatpicked and still fingerstyle friendly. He said he was looking into if Larrivee was going to build anymore of these.
Thanks, Dave
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: superdave on May 31, 2012, 04:30:53 AM
Well it's been a week since I recieved this special guitar and I'm still amazed every time I pick it up and play it how powerful it sounds.
Thanks, Dave
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: broKen on May 31, 2012, 11:27:30 AM
Hey Dave, glad you're pleased with the rosewood SD. I wonder if I'd prefer that to my walnut model. Sheesh, it never ends....
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: leftync on May 31, 2012, 11:47:49 AM
If the SD-03R had been available when I was buying, I'm sure that would have been my purchase. I tried an L for its wider frets and greater comfort, but I prefer the sound of Larrivee's (or most anyone's) dreads. But I'm "stuck" w/ my 90s D-50. It's a big guitar but I've found it to be very comfortable, and I attribute that it its neck profile, thin like the Taylors of a few years back. We hear a lot about body size and neck width in relation to the fret width, but I don't think people consider neck profile enough in discussions about comfort.
Enjoy that SD-03.
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: superdave on June 03, 2012, 08:45:05 AM
I know that Larrivee's gloss guitars are suppose to be an upgrade from the satin 03 models, but I am hooked on the satin finish after having had both. Yes I know the wood takes on a different shimmer when glossed but for playability and ease of use Larrivee's satin finish seems to be very practical on on my new SD-03R it seems to allow the guitar to really vibrate if that makes any sense.
Thanks, Dave
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: LeftyBlake on June 03, 2012, 08:38:17 PM
Wow! I've never seen this model before. Looks stellar! I would love to try one. I love 12 fretters and dreads, so this seems like a perfect combo.
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: superdave on June 04, 2012, 04:41:44 AM
I always wanted a Martin slope dread. but just never could seem to find a good deal on one. So when Larrivee came out with these in the 03 series it got my attention. Jason at Notable Guitars said he was looking into if Larrivee was planning on building any more of them.
Thanks, Dave
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: Tuba Mike on June 04, 2012, 06:59:30 AM
Quote from: superdave on May 27, 2012, 05:44:55 AMI think I will now call it the SD ( SUPERDAVE) model ! LOL.
Thanks, Dave

Gotta like that!  My OM-50 could easily be called the "Old Mike (over) 50" model.   I played Queequeg's SD 12-fret and it felt (and sounded) great.  A great addition to anyone's arsenal.  Enjoy that guitar.  :smile:
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: superdave on June 08, 2012, 06:39:33 AM
I talked to Jason at Notable Guitars this week about my warranty card and he said the last of the 5 SD03R's came in right after mine and someone here from the Forum snatched it up. Would love to know who that was and what your's looks and sounds like. I'm still on the honeymoon with mine. I did get the Forum IV out last night for a late night picking session. I love them both.
Thanks, Dave
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: solo7 on June 09, 2012, 11:42:11 AM
     Yeah man, that was me! I just unpacked it like, um, 16 hours and 17 minutes ago, and I'm here to tell ya'll it's one exceedingly bodacious guitar! Thanks so much for posting this thread. I had given up finding an affordable 12 fret dred with a wide neck and was ready to pull the trigger on an L-03R when I saw your post.

    This guitar has everything an Old Time String Band musician with fat fingertips and finger style blues tendencies could ever want. It sounds awesome and plays like a dream, people. With the 1 & 13/16" nut and 2 & 3/8" saddle spacing the SD-03R has all the room I need to fret chords without damping adjacent strings, and grab strings with the right hand when I switch from flat pick to finger style. It's got an absolutely beautiful tone with great projection and sustain too. Let's see, there's the part about how cool it is to look at too!

   I played guitar duets with one of my buds last night, swapping back and forth with his Martin D-28 and my SD-03R. We played both flat pick and finger style and the Larrivee had every bit as much horsepower as the Martin, while being more comfortable for me to play. The Larrivee definitely has a more open, ringing sound than the Martin and as my friend mentioned, it has a more even tonal balance from top to bottom. Don't get me wrong here, I am absolutely, positively not putting down the D-28! Just making a quasi-objective comparison for scientific purposes. Different guitars have their own distinctive voice and feel; what you like is entirely personal. All's I'm saying is that I'm totally stoked about my new guitar!

    I corresponded with many dealers while trying to round up a new guitar and Jason at Notable Guitars was great. After reading this thread I called to ask him about SD-03R availability; turns out he had just got in one more! Yes!!! I asked him to send me pics of the instrument, which he did, and I immediately knew that I was looking at the guitar I'd been searching for. I also decided to stay with the medium gauge strings which Larrivee calls for on this instrument even though I normally use lights,(J-16). I let Jason know that I play pretty aggressively in an Old Time String Band, in addition to  finger style blues, and the setup he did was right on. You can't completely do a Pete Townsend wind up on it but you can flat pick pretty hard and still get some finger style nuance going on too. He also included a set of J-16's in case I want to go back to lights. We'll see how I'm doing after our three hour gig tomorrow. If there's no blood I might consider staying with mediums.
   
    Okay, enough running at the mouth for now. I've got to get out in the garden since my wife just reminded me that my endless "research" and correspondence was supposed to subside after I got the guitar. I'll post pics soon-
     

     
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: unclrob on June 09, 2012, 11:54:48 AM
Solo7 I'll post these for you since you forgot but are forgiven because you got so excited about your guitar and the wife is on you. :wave :donut :donut :donut
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: JOYCEfromNS on June 09, 2012, 12:16:27 PM
 :welcome: solo7

Very nice intro and sounds like you have yourself a keeper!!!

We luv pics here something you will be enabled to do once you have 10 posts.

Please give the Forum Rules (http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/index.php?page=7) a read only takes 2 or 3 minutes and forms the basis to who we all are here.

:gotdonuts:

:smile: once again  :welcome:
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: Mr_LV19E on June 09, 2012, 12:21:00 PM
Quote from: solo7 on June 09, 2012, 11:42:11 AM

     Okay, enough running at the mouth for now. I've got to get out in the garden since my wife just reminded me that my endless "research" and correspondence was supposed to subside after I got the guitar. I'll post pics soon-
     

     

It never ends, it may subside for a while but it never ends. Now you have to become a regular at the Larrivee Forum, but try to stay clear of the" For Sale" section.
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: solo7 on June 09, 2012, 05:38:59 PM
Ok, right, I read the rules and here's some donuts everyone, hope there's enough to go around- :donut :donut :donut :donut2 :donut2 :donut2 :donut2 :donut :donut. And cheers to everyone as well ! :cheers
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: unclrob on June 09, 2012, 08:50:40 PM
 :wave   :bowdown:    :cheers
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: Mr_LV19E on June 09, 2012, 11:36:44 PM
Quote from: solo7 on June 09, 2012, 05:38:59 PM
Ok, right, I read the rules and here's some donuts everyone, hope there's enough to go around- :donut :donut :donut :donut2 :donut2 :donut2 :donut2 :donut :donut. And cheers to everyone as well ! :cheers

Thanks!     :welcome: and enjoy that new SD     :nice guitar:
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: superdave on June 10, 2012, 11:00:20 AM
Between my Forum IV and my New SD03R I have satisfied my GAS. I have all I need to be able to cover just about any thing at this point. Solo 7 please do post some pics. I'll be curious to see how much your's and mine look alike. Glad I was able to put you onto the trail of your new guitar.
Thanks, Dave
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: Denis on June 11, 2012, 07:19:04 AM
Quote from: superdave on June 10, 2012, 11:00:20 AM
Between my Forum IV and my New SD03R I have satisfied my GAS.

:+1:
I have the FIV, now all I need is the SD-03R!
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: superdave on June 11, 2012, 02:24:24 PM
Denis I'm sure you would love it and you probably could make it really talk, especially in altered tunings. Solo7 still waiting for pics. of yours.
Thanks, Dave
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: solo7 on June 11, 2012, 03:49:18 PM
Looks like I'll have to post a few more times before I can share pics. Mine is very similar to yours and another one that you can see on ebay. I also got the nice archtop case.
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: solo7 on June 11, 2012, 04:59:39 PM
     So, after rigorous field testing of my new SD-03R, the preliminary sonic results are in:

    As I mentioned previously there was the tete-a-tete with a Martin D-28 on Friday night, an hour after I unpacked it.  I'm saying we've got equal horsepower with the D-28, though I found out later it was strung up with lights and the SD-03R had mediums. That D-28 has been played and gigged regularly by the original owner for over 30 years though. Might have to go for a rematch on that one, but for now I'm calling it a draw volume-wise. Tone-wise both guitars are beautiful.

    Then there was the jam session at my house Saturday night where the SD kept up easily volume wise with a fiddle, mandolin, harmonica, and silver flute. The fiddler commented that it was  just like Larrivee had made that guitar for me to my exact specs. Everyone agreed it played and sounded really good.

    Last night the SD earned street cred big time at my bands regular gig.  We're an Old Time String Band with 2 fiddles, banjo, bass, and guitar. After the guitar got passed around for everyone to try out and slobber over how pretty it was, we got down to business busting out some fiddle tunes. Man, that thing has got a real set of pipes on it! It's got great dynamic range and some real power when you need it. I know it's a brand new guitar but it's already got some seriously nice tone too. The banjo player recommended that somebody needs to really wail on it for awhile so as to loosen it up some. I'm thinking I'll have no problem doing just that!

:thumbsup


Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: solo7 on June 11, 2012, 08:20:29 PM
SuperDave-

    Just re-read your comment about how you always wanted a Martin slope dread. Ditto on that, man. Ever since I played an old one 20 years ago I've always thought that was the ideal guitar for me. (That particular guitar was rumored to have been the one the Stones used to record on Wild Horses). One of my friends had  a new one for a while in his search for "the" guitar and playing that instrument confirmed two things for me : 1), that wide 12 fret neck with a dread body had the playability and mojo I was looking for, &  2), there was no way I could afford one! So, thanks again for the heads up on this great guitar. And hats off to Larrivee for putting instruments of this quality in the hands of the working man. ( huge crowd roar with clenched fists raised in the air!).

cheers-
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: solo7 on June 18, 2012, 08:55:34 PM
Ok, so let's give these pics a try
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: solo7 on June 18, 2012, 09:00:37 PM
Here it is :
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: broKen on June 18, 2012, 11:24:44 PM
Very nice! The back certainly is unique.
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: superdave on June 19, 2012, 05:05:08 AM
Solo 7 the back of yours is very similar to mine less the two small figured patches on each lower bout of mine. Tops look very much alike. Took mine to Elderly last night to get a strap pin installed and the guys there really went nuts over the guitar. I think you and I really got lucky finding these two jewels. Also took the plunge and bought a fiddle while I was there ! You'll be able to find me over at the fiddle hangout too from now on I'm sure.
Thanks, Dave
Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: solo7 on June 19, 2012, 11:44:42 PM
SD-
    Yeah, we got lucky for sure! The tops on both our guitars are nice wide, straight grained sitka and the rosewood backs have a very even, wide grained structure as well. I'm thinking they could easily be from the same logs. In any event, the sound is fantastic and the workmanship is superb. If you check out the one on ebay you'll see the same wide grained structure on the top and a similar but finer grained structure on the back. I have no idea how many of these guitars were made in this run, but judging from the three examples that I've seen so far it seems like Larivee had a plan going on regarding the characteristics of the wood they selected. That may be a pretty small and biased sample, but to me this translates as a particular sonic profile they were aiming for. If so, they pretty much hit a home run in that regard and the instruments are beautiful to the eye as well. All right, enough gushing for now; I'm trying to maintain my dignity but still struggling with that part seeing as how this is the guitar I've been searching for the last couple of decades. Shoot fire boys and girls, they even smell good too! No kiddin'!


Title: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: superdave on June 22, 2012, 08:47:34 AM
Went down to Elderly and had them install a strap pin on the neck. Big difference playing this guitar standing up vs sitting down. I was afraid with the wider neck this would be a problem, but the only real problem was reaching around the back of the guitar to the front with my right arm. Barely make it to the sound hole but still feels good paying it this way. It can't be any worse than trying to learn the Fiddle !
Thanks, Dave
Title: Re: Re: New SD-03R
Post by: Strings4Him on June 22, 2012, 09:13:08 AM
Living near Elderly would be dangerous!