Larrivee 12 String

[Greg Curtis]

Anyone own a Larrivee 12 string. How do they play and how do they stack up against other brands of 12 strings.

[Greg Curtis]

Is that an older model 12. I don't see it listed on the Larrivee website.

[PortHueneme]

I have a D-09 it is something special too.
Plays like butter and the rosewood rings forever.
What amazes me more is the way it stays in tune, most of the time 1 or 2 strings need a little adjustment out of the case.
Mine was a blem (back when they sold them) It was a lot more guitar then I anticipated buying, but it was love at first strum.
I had played a few Taylors, but the only one I liked was $3,000.
Since the 12 string is not my primary guitar, I just could not see spending that much.
I have heard good things about the OM-12's, small bodied 12 strings are a cool sound.
Good luck play a few and pick what you like. Used 12's sometimes go for less than a 6 because they are not as popular.
Old Guilds have a great sound too.

[Michael T]

Greg, I got a L05-12 from Jim at Trinity this August. Sold my Koa Taylor T5-12 string after playing one. The L has the South American Mahogany back & sides and a gorgeous Sitka top. Very balanced and one of the best neck feels I've come across, definitely a top line instrument. I started out on the hunt for a LKSM, but after playing both, no contest, I love my Larri.

I do have to admit I was pretty concerned about the standard set up for the octave string course after having a compensated saddle on the T5-12 (octave string height level at the top of the strings across the fretboard). I play flesh (no pick), and a kind of combo flatpick/fingerstlye which uses a lot of up stroke attack. With the standard 12's the string height on most brands has the octave course lower which is fine for strumming, but for me at least, leaves a lot out on the picking & upstrokes (ref: pick hole). Anyway after quite a bit of discussion with Bob Colosi and Jim Holler (both fantastic gentlemen BTW), I got it worked out & Jim hand compensated the octaves in a bone saddle for me and slotted a new bone nut. The intonation is perfect even with a capo, and what a sound!!! The saddle looks like a saw blade, but if you experienced the level strings it'd be hard to go back to the standard offset courses (IMO). I am soooo spoiled.  

   

[Tycho]

I have a D-03-12E that I like a lot.

Today at the Twelfth Fret, I saw a used D-03R-12.  Now that's a rare bird, I think.  Excellent price, too.

[teh]

Like Lawn Jockey, I have an all mahogany 12 string that I special ordered in November 2005 from Trinity Guitars and that has a bone saddle and L.R. Baggs I Beam that Jim Holler installed when I got it. This is a dream guitar but if you get a chance, check out the LV-09QM on Trinity's web site. I played this and it would be worth selling some body parts for, believe me. Michael's 12 string mentioned in an earlier post is pretty amazing too. I can only imagine how it plays after Jim's tune-up to Michael's specifications.

Here's the e-mail verification of the build date and number of 12 string Mahogany Topped 12 strings made from Luke @ Larrivee. Mine is a venetian cutaway.


From: Luke Ralston <luke@larrivee.com>
Subject: FW: Serial Number Lookup request
Date: Monday, February 25, 2008, 12:17 PM

Dear Thomas,
Thanks for your time and for choosing Larrivee.

Our records indicate that your LV-03-12 was built on 02/08/2006.
Only about 30 of your guitars were made.

Please let me know if there is anything else I can assist you with.
Thanks again for choosing Larrivee!
Luke

[Johnny M]

OM-03-12 here!   

I've had this over a year and have brought it to weekly jams and everyone loves it.  By far the best playing and sounding 12 I've played, and I sold a '78 Guild 12 string that didn't stack up.  You can't go wrong with a Larrivee 12 string, especially if done with hog.

John

[sixpickn]

For a time I owned a Blackwood L-03-12 along with my D-05 12 string, and having to choose one kept the D over the L.  The main reason was that the D-neck is slightly narrower which to me was just more comfortable.  I like the wider necks of an OM or L for fingerstyle but not on a 12, even though the action was fine.  weird.  Both had excellent intonation and tone, the hog D being warmer and the blackwood L being louder and more punchy.   Couldn't go wrong with either one though.

[Randy_R]

For a time I owned a Blackwood L-03-12 along with my D-05 12 string, and having to choose one kept the D over the L.  The main reason was that the D-neck is slightly narrower which to me was just more comfortable. 

Is that so? I've always thought all the 12 string necks were the same, 1-7/8 inch, irrespective of whether or not it was a D, L, OM, J, or what have-you?

btw, I have a D-03-12 and an J10-12maple. Both are outstanding guitars, the D03-12 was my first Larrivee, and what has led me down this path.

[NotRevGDavis]

L-05-12 and a OM-03R-12 I tried hard to like them- nice sound but not enough volume. I would have probably been happy with a J but I couldn't find one and even though I have never been a Taylor fan I ended up with a Taylor 355 that is the best 12 I have ever played.

[Randy_R]

L-05-12 and a OM-03R-12 I tried hard to like them- nice sound but not enough volume. I would have probably been happy with a J but I couldn't find one and even though I have never been a Taylor fan I ended up with a Taylor 355 that is the best 12 I have ever played.

Try a D body if you get the chance. btw. I played a friend's Leo Kotke signature Taylor 12-string last week, and was very impressed with it.

[Nmbr5]

Just two weeks ago I stumbled on a used (3 months) D-03R-12 in a local shop here in Victoria BC...they could have sold it as new.
Strummed the first few bars of "Give a Little Bit" and promptly bought it for $1,000 C.
The previous owner "traded up" to a Guild 12 but I can't beleive the quality of the Larry and the D model rings for days.
My favourite guitar buys are those used finds that came in the day before you showed up 

My next issue is micing her.  I'll start another thread for that though.

[sixpickn]

Is that so? I've always thought all the 12 string necks were the same, 1-7/8 inch, irrespective of whether or not it was a D, L, OM, J, or what have-you?

btw, I have a D-03-12 and an J10-12maple. Both are outstanding guitars, the D03-12 was my first Larrivee, and what has led me down this path.

Randy, I measured my D-05-12 nut and you are correct - it's 1 7/8".  The L-03-BW is gone, perhap the current owner is lurking and can weigh in.  But both of my hands thought the L was wider, flatpicking rolls and individual string pair attacks mis-fired from playing a few years on the dread first, and I had to reach farther, albeit slightly, with the left hand .  I wonder if the nut was cut differently . . . . . . .  It's a mystery now, but not one to lose sleep over.  The D-05-12 was my first Larrivee too.  sweet sweet sound and bright orange hued mahogany.   

[dbirchett]

I have an LV-03-12. Beautiful Honduran Mahogany. Fantastic sound and plays great. I sold a very nice Mossman 12 to get it and do not regret the deal at all.

[NotRevGDavis]

Try a D body if you get the chance. btw. I played a friend's Leo Kotke signature Taylor 12-string last week, and was very impressed with it.

I have never been able to comfortable with a D body, no real reason I can pin down. Was the Kottke tuned way down like C or C#? I keep my 355 tuned to Standard in D because it sounds waaay cool and I use Dean Markley Vintage Bronze 12 String Mediums 12/12-54/30.

[Randy_R]

I have never been able to comfortable with a D body, no real reason I can pin down. Was the Kottke tuned way down like C or C#? I keep my 355 tuned to Standard in D because it sounds waaay cool and I use Dean Markley Vintage Bronze 12 String Mediums 12/12-54/30.

yes the Kottke was tuned down to C. It belonged to Joe Carpenter who has a few youtubes available.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Tenntoad

[Dale_I]

I had a C-15 up until a couple weeks ago. Previously I had a Takamine 12 string. Both guitars from the mid to late 80's. The Takamine was a sound cannon, but not near as balanced and articulate as the Larrivee. The Tak was a dred and the Larry was an L body florentine cut away. Although the shear volume of the Tak gave it a larger presence, you could hear every note on every string of the Larrivee. I wouldn't have sold the C-15 had I not received an offer I couldn't refuse. But, I've regretted it a couple times since I shipped it, and I'm sure I'll regret it a couple more times before I find a replacement.