00-40 Moon Spruce Rosewood v. 00-40 Mahogany - great demo!

[Myopic Squirrel]

It was really interesting sitting in front of Stringpicker 6, listening as he strummed and picked his beautifully straight grained rosewood moon spruce 00-40 and then my mahogany 00-40 (both guitars purchased June '24), clearly hearing the distinct topwood tonal difference. While the sustain was comparable, the rosewood projection sounded incredible - the moon spruce effect? Uncertain as to how much a role the strings played (intentional pun) with his John Pearse PBs v. my T/I Bronze Plectrum ac111s. In addition to the tonal difference, it was really cool the contrast you hear behind your guitar vs in front. Gave me even more appreciation of JCLs craftsmanship.

And Stringpicker6 - quite the guitar player!

[William2]

The only thing I can add to this is that I have two Larrivee D-40 dreadnoughts with moon spruce tops and one with rosewood and the other mahogany tone woods. Both very powerful and each as great sustain. The rosewood instrument has more sustain but it is 4 years old, and the mahogany instrument is 8 months old. For me, the rosewood instrument has a more piano like quality to the notes. The mahogany instrument seems to offer clearer note separation and a slightly easier attack with the picking hand. I also find I can get more of a variety of tonal colors with the D-40 by varying the placement of the picking hand. These are 14-fret instruments. Interestingly to me is that my 12-fret Larrivee SD-40R has the ability to produce those same tonal shades as the mahogany instrument with the 14-fret connection.

[StringPicker6]

It was indeed an eye-opening experiment to hear the same exact guitar model 00-40R played in mahogany and then rosewood. The mahogany definitely sounded more direct, less overlap of the ringing notes.  Myopic Squirrel's guitar has some amazing bear claw on the top, that's the first time I've ever seen significant bear claw in person, and it looks beautiful!

It was a real pleasure meeting a fellow Larrivee forum member in person!  Imagine how fun it would be if there could be an organized forum get-together at Larrivee's factory in Oxnard??  I'm sure we would buy up all their inventory!! 

[guitarman001]

Not a direct comparison since the rosewood has the moon top. All I know is my OM05 feels and sounds ALIVE. I would love an EIR rosewood but need to shift some guitars first. My Bhilwara & moon spruce is real special but I think an 09 would be an upgrade. I always feel mahogany to be more earthy, meatier mids which is the thrust of what our ears hear. I'm 40 this month. Maybe I ought to just make some (bad :( ) trades and get a rosewood OM Larrivee once and for all... Sitka top. I do wonder, though... The moon spruce pairs really, really well with Bhilwara and I wonder how it pairs with EIR.

You are all welcome to come play in Scotland!

[jweave69]

 

You are all welcome to come play in Scotland!
[/quote]
Yes please!
Love to make a trip there one day! Mom's side were Carmichael's. It would be fantastic to see the homeland; especially Iona and the Highlands!

[guitarman001]

We get guys from the US and Canada over a lot. A lot of US colleagues. When you get off the train and see Edinburgh castle it's a pretty cool sight :)

[Myopic Squirrel]

In '70 the bride and I hitchhiked around Europe on our honeymoon, and the fates of the thumb brought us to Edinburgh - a very charming city. Every night when locals discovered we were Yanks, it turned into a very entertaining evening -(if it were Ireland would be described as great craic - and no, not that kind). The most entertaining challenge was understanding some of the pronunciations, but a great time was by all.

Fast forward 10 years - we hosted an English rugby team with a Scottish scrum half. It was like he spoke in code. In the scrum the only 8 words we understood: "J. C. lads - get the f-ing ball out!" 

[guitarman001]

In '70 the bride and I hitchhiked around Europe on our honeymoon, and the fates of the thumb brought us to Edinburgh - a very charming city. Every night when locals discovered we were Yanks, it turned into a very entertaining evening -(if it were Ireland would be described as great craic - and no, not that kind). The most entertaining challenge was understanding some of the pronunciations, but a great time was by all.

Fast forward 10 years - we hosted an English rugby team with a Scottish scrum half. It was like he spoke in code. In the scrum the only 8 words we understood: "J. C. lads - get the f-ing ball out!" 

Haha brilliant!! I love the American  & Canadian : Scots/Irish mutual love

[Queequeg]

In '70 the bride and I hitchhiked around Europe on our honeymoon, and the fates of the thumb brought us to Edinburgh - a very charming city. Every night when locals discovered we were Yanks, it turned into a very entertaining evening -(if it were Ireland would be described as great craic - and no, not that kind). The most entertaining challenge was understanding some of the pronunciations, but a great time was by all.

Fast forward 10 years - we hosted an English rugby team with a Scottish scrum half. It was like he spoke in code. In the scrum the only 8 words we understood: "J. C. lads - get the f-ing ball out!" 

Great story!

Attended a house concert last Sunday with Jim Malcolm & his wife Susie from Perth Scotland. They tour the states every two years, so I guess I've seen Jim about 6 times. Only recently has his wife Susie been able to join him now that the kids are grown but she sings harmony on many of their recordings.
Man, that Scottish brogue is only just barely intelligible to my Yankee's ears.