L-05 For A New Larrivee Fan

[slowhand61]

Hi everybody, I would like to introduce myself by saying that this is my first post in this forum and I'm not a Larrivee's owner.

I own other guitars brand and I'm recently drawn to the Larrivees as well; unfortunately I didn't have the opportunity to play them a lot, because I do not have a dealer nearby where I live.

I played an OMV-09 (maybe), I remeber it was an OM w/cutway in EIR and was really impressed.

I'm looking for feed-backs upon an L-05 and an LV-05 in mahogany, since I'm pretty much covered within the EIR compartment.

How does this model plays ? What's the differences between the regular L and its cutway's sibling ?

Thanks in advance for your feed-back ..  

[slowhand61]

I'm sorry ... forgot to add .... How much do they go for ? what's the best discount you can get around over a new one ?

Thanks !

[unclrob]

Welcome to the show.
I own an L05 very nice all around responce.
I've played the LV05 it's the same as above but with a cutaway.I'm not into cutaway's myself but again a very nice all around responce.
I know ther are other tread's on this subject but hopefully cutaway owner's will chime in and give there feeling's.
Again thanks for coming in. B)  

[chuck_forbes]

I purchased an L-05 from GuitarAdoptions.com recently for $1099 w/ case. I was able to sample 2 local Larrivees, an L-03R and an LV-09. I liked the sound of the L-03R better than the LV-09. I think the cutaway took away from the big sound, but man did the LV-09 look better.

So, knowing I wouldn't be able to afford another nice guitar for awhile (and couldn't afford an LV-09 anyway) - and wanting a guitar with a gloss finish, I compromised for the L-05. I went round-n-round over whether to get the L-05 or the L-09, both non-cutaway. From what I've read, the general consensus is that the soundboard is much more influential on the guitar's sound than the back/sides, so I went with the less expensive L-05. The cutaway for my style is unnecessary, and I think it removes the boominess somewhat - even though everything I've read mentions that the upper region of the guitar is more influential on the treble in a guitar's sound. I think the loss of sound is derived more from the added rigidity in the guitar from the cutaway design, but I am definitely no luthier.

I'm very happy with this guitar. Plus the mahogany neck matches the mahogany body, which I think is cool.

If you resell your guitars, you might want the cutaway, as I think they're more dazzling to look at. But if you're looking for a keeper, I'd stay away from it.

-cf

[MJG]

I asked Matthew Larrive the following question...

4-Does the cutaway in the L make any difference in tone?

His reply below is cut and pasted from his email back to me...

4) Yes and No. I personally don't notice a difference - but since each
guitar is hand built, each is going to sound slightly different.

I thnk the LV-05 is my next guitar.

[guitarcrazy]

Hi Slowhand.  I really like the L-body's, and the 05 series is very nice.  I am getting one delivered tomorrow for inventory, call or email and I will give you more info re/ specs, pricing, etc.  Welcome to the forum.  Jason.  

[cletus_b]

Slowhand, I don't thing you could go wrong on any L-body.  I have had my LV-05 for just over a year, and wouldn't trade it for anything.  Quality material, workmanship, 1 3/4 nut (important to me), ebony fretboard, gorgeous sound - you name it.

I spent many months researching in the AG forum and playing various similar body styles at the local GC and Sams before I decided on the LV-05.  The only local shop than had Larrivee guitars was the local GC, and they were selling the last of their Larrivee stock.  They had an OM that I liked, plus I really liked the Taylor 314 and a Martin 000 slothead.  I basically liked the OM better than both the Taylor and Martin, and the day I went to buy it, it was gone.  After that, I basically leaned toward the L-body based on all the positive press it received in the AG forum.  I purchased an LV-05 'blem' from EM Shorts for 1k, and I couldn't be happier.  I still do not know what they considered a flaw, maybe something minor in the finish.  But it has been a great instrument from day one...