Why I think the D-03 is the best guitar in the world.

[Silence Dogood]

The thing about that "overpowering bass" is that it is easily controlled with the right hand technique.
There, when you want and need it, lighter, when you don't.

I wholeheartedly agree with this.  And this is one of the advantages of playing just one guitar for many years as well: you get to learn every little nuance of the instrument and how to get out of it just what you want.  If I had a room full of nice guitars (which I would enjoy having!) I'd never have had to figure out my guitar so thoroughly and completely. 

[Queequeg]

Damn... Obviously I've not been playing them right ;)

Technique can control bass but it can't make an L or D sound like an OM.

mkay.

[guitarman001]

Well, it's true :)

Btw does anybody here tune to non-A440? The G on one of my is hitting that "dead band" and I find if I just tune it out a bit, it resonates gloriously once again :D

[Silence Dogood]

Well, it's true :)

Btw does anybody here tune to non-A440? The G on one of my is hitting that "dead band" and I find if I just tune it out a bit, it resonates gloriously once again :D

I usually keep my guitar in 432 Hz tuned a whole step down.  I love that tuning. 

[B0WIE]

I almost never tune to standard. Usually half a step down, sometimes a whole. Whichever sounds best on that particular instrument.

[William2]

When I took an 11-year sabbatical from guitar and took up the recorder, I got involved in these different pitches.
I had a set of renaissance instruments built for me at466Hz in mean tone tuning, a standard 440 set, and a baroque set pitched at 415. On these wind instruments it really can add to the flavor of the music. From what I am seeing is that now recorder builders are upping the ante and making them at 442 pitches. Ultimately, it became apparent Americans aren't sophisticated enough to buy pro instruments. I pianist friend said she always liked the guitar and with that I sold my recorders and now have the best guitar in the world, the Larrivee D-03.  I've never had that urge to change pitches with the guitar. My ear is tuned to E 440 pitch. I would think you would get into a lot of string issues with the guitar. And it doesn't enhance the music on the guitar, but that is my ear. The other thing for me is that at least half of my repertoire consists of music in non-guitar keys (Ab.Eb,Db,} so maybe I am getting the effect that many guitar players seek changing their guitar pitch. I've also never been a fan of alternative. maybe it is laziness, but to me it looks like and easy way to get something done.  But on the D-03 you only need one pitch, 440 and you will be just fine LOL.

[guitarman001]

Is there a particular tuner you can use for A432, maybe a Stroboclip? And do you use a higher gauge string set since tuning down gives less tension?

I'm mainly doing it to get the sustain back on the G note for one or two guitars.

11 years is some break, wow! So you're liking the symmetrical bracing, great!

[Silence Dogood]

When I took an 11-year sabbatical from guitar and took up the recorder, I got involved in these different pitches.
I had a set of renaissance instruments built for me, a standard 440 set, and a baroque set pitched at 415. On these wind instruments it really can add to the flavor of the music. From what I am seeing is that now recorder builders are upping the ante and making them at 442 pitches. Ultimately, it became apparent Americans aren't sophisticated enough to buy pro instruments. I pianist friend said she alw3ays liked the guitar and with that I sold my recorders and now have the best guitar in the world, the Larrivee D-03.  I've never had that urge to change pitches with the guitar. My ear is tuned to E 440 pitch. I would think you would get into a lot of string issues with the guitar. And it doesn't enhance the music on the guitar, but that is my ear. The other thing for me is that at least half of my repertoire consists of music in non-guitar keys (Ab.Eb,Db,} so maybe I am getting the effect that many guitar players seek changing their guitar pitch. I've also never been a fan of alternative. maybe it is laziness, but to me it looks like and easy way to get something done. tunings for the most part. But on the D-03 you only need one pitch, 440 and you will be just fine LOL.

First off, you are correct that the D03 is the best guitar in the world.  Glad that is firmly settled! 
 The Larrivee company should pick up on this and add it to their marketing.


I can only go by my own experience, but for me, tuning down to 432 Hz really does enhance the music.  It seems to have a "lush" quality to it.  I use that word 'lush' on purpose, because it literally means "rich and providing great sensory pleasure."  That is the best way I can describe that tuning on my guitar.  It takes away the tightness of 440 and seems to let the guitar breathe a bit more, relax more. 

I won't spend my time on the conspiracies behind all this and how it does this or that to the brain/body: I just don't live life in that way, though I have people close to me that do.  But I have to admit, the only reason I heard about 432 was from these "ideas" and it got me curious enough to try it out.  Paul Davids (hot shot YouTuber) even has a nicely done video on this that I watched (I admit I skipped all the talk and went straight to the sound samples though).  Here it is in case anyone is curious:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt3EAPDn-Ug

There are many things in life I cannot fully explain but just accept, and I suppose this tuning became one of them.  I don't know just what it does or why exactly, but I loved it and enjoyed playing my guitar more, so I ended up sticking with it.  The slightly less tension is also part of the equation.  Not all guitars are setup the same way, and sometimes I think a particular guitar wants to be played in a certain way.  I can say for sure that my guitar seems to have been built for lower tunings.  In this way it was serendipitous for this guitar to find its way into my hands, or what Dr. Jung would have called synchronicity. 

I was reading something recently about mandolins, the Gibson F-style in particular.  It seems like the article stated that when that design from Mr. Loar came about, the standard pitch of the day was something like 427 Hz. I don't trust my memory on this, but I do know it was less than 440 but it also wasn't 432.  I'm not sure how people landed on 432 being the "magic" number; finding that out would require me to go down rabbit holes and reddit posts, and like I said, that's not my thang!

As a strange side note I'll give you personal story: Each year my wife and I go to a friend's Christmas party and sing carols. My wife's sister comes along and provides harmony.  We usually get together a couple times before the party just to be on the same page.  I didn't tell them the other day that my guitar was in 432, but as we went through the list of songs, they kept saying that something was just off a bit.  Their harmonies weren't the same and they couldn't put a finger on it.  I tuned back up to 440 and the problem was solved.  Perhaps their ears and brains are tuned to 440?  I don't know!   
 

Anyway, I say enjoy whatever tuning you like and play your guitar in good health. 

[Silence Dogood]

Is there a particular tuner you can use for A432, maybe a Stroboclip? And do you use a higher gauge string set since tuning down gives less tension?

I'm mainly doing it to get the sustain back on the G note for one or two guitars.

11 years is some break, wow! So you're liking the symmetrical bracing, great!

https://www.guitarcenter.com/DAddario-Planet-Waves/NS-Micro-Headstock-Tuner-1375800279142.gc?template=0y7n73MAL4Km&cntry=us&source=4WWRWXGP&utm_medium=paid-search&utm_channel=paid-search&utm_source=google&utm_platform=google&utm_campaign=GC_G_NTM_PLA-PMX_N_Accessories&utm_ct=pla&utm_tactic=prospecting&utm_segment=accessory&utm_term=&utm_content=1375800279142&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAr7C6BhDRARIsAOUKifjTqGiTblsLQLFvYb1cK5DOB4Zfiyd7s1NDqpLi6wyhisPwNmphtwUaAhHREALw_wcB

^^^ This is the tuner I use.  There are some buttons that go side to side that allow you to choose a certain  pitch.  Around the time I got interested in 432 Hz I realized this tuner (that I already owned) could do this.  Again, another example of synchronicity? 
 

Years ago when I started tuning down a whole step, I took my guitar to the luthier and had him set it up for lower tuning with medium strings (in 440 because that's all I knew at the time).  I can go down from there into 432 Hz (and even play in drop D from there) and still have enough tension and no buzzing.  Maybe it was just the way he set up the guitar, or like I said in my previous post to William2, perhaps my guitar was just made to be played this way? 

At any rate, give some of this stuff a try if you are curious, especially if you have more than one guitar.  You've got nothing to lose and you might find something you love. 

[ronmac]

Experimentation should be encouraged, if only to rule out an idea that "might work, for me".

Think of all of the crazy new ideas that have helped form the instrument as we now know it.

Steel strings?

New body sizes?

Different bracing patterns?

Finger picks?

Electric pickups?

Alternate tunings???? 

[B0WIE]

 Many phone app tuners (most of which are free) will let you tune off of 440. You don't need a special tuner.
I don't tune like this because I sing and I absolutely do not want to train my ears and vocal muscle memory to be off from the rest of the world. But, some people prefer it for their own reasons.

[William2]

I was thinking about the original post on the D-03 and why it is the BEST guitar in the world (Versatility, Sound, Aesthetics, Price). Daisy chain playing through my 4 Larrivee dreadnoughts I am thinking the D-03 is taking first place. This says a lot since it is so new. It might be the most powerful and it has great note separation and sustain that I really like. I'm anxious to hear how it in a couple of years. I 've played a lot of sized guitars in the last years and classicals when I was young. The poster is correct when he said you can play anything on any guitar, but the dreadnought has so many possibilities. I understand if you are a singer, you may want something doesn't overwhelm your voice and is comfortable to hold. And there are some singers like that Quinton on Acoustic letter that wants to hide his voice behind the dreadnought LOL. But playing some studies this morning, I was impressed by how nice the instrument sounds at low volume. I have that extra something if I need it, but it isn't a main treason I play this instrument. I've actually come to like the looks of the square shoulder dreadnought body style more than the traditional figure 8 shape. And I kind of view the L and SD bodies as a somewhat niche thing and not quite delivering all the goods a square shoulder dread can. I've owned several burst instruments, but over time I just became tired of the look. I like the plain non-burst look. And as far as price, This new D-03 sounds better that all the past 16 guitars over the last 7 years. If you aren't a singer, but a player, I'd really consider owning a D-03.

[Silence Dogood]

I'm a singer and a player and still say it's the best guitar in the world.
 

[William2]

I'm a singer and a player and still say it's the best guitar in the world.
 

LOL!!!

[Silence Dogood]

Singing is an interesting topic though.  It took me a lot of years to know just how to properly sing and play guitar. For more years than I care to admit, it never occurred to me that this was even an issue or a cause for concern.  Everyone starts out just sawing away at the chords and often times drowning out the vocals, me included.  But somewhere along the way I learned to dial things back and play with more nuance and became a much better performer.

These days I could sing with a quieter guitar or a banjo-killer.  It's figuring out the particular dynamics of any given instrument that is key.  YMMV.

[guitarman001]

William it's great to hear your take on the symmetrical series - I was keen to see what you thought as you praised the 40 highly but symmetrical has always been my fave by a long shot.

Good points earlier - some guitars might suit other tunings / uses etc than others... And it pays to experiment. Thanks for the tuner link!

[Silence Dogood]

Just bumping this thread up so the world will know. 
 

[William2]

LOL!!! I really love mine. In fact, it is my D-03R that has really made me question getting a 24 series. I would like a 12-fret dreadnought and if I decide to do this, it will be with the non-scalloped bracing (a D-03R 12-fret). And if I don't get a 12-fretter, I'll probably get another D-03 al mahogany dreadnought.

[B0WIE]

I still miss mine. It was an old 90's rosewood model that had resided in St Pete's and the humidity made the braces and bridge come loose. I fixed everything with hide glue and glossed up the satin, which made the already thin finish paper-thin. After that, it had such an airy, mellow tone. The overtones from the rosewood were glassy and beautiful. But, I had just discovered the SDs. The D03 whispered compared to their roar so I sold it to someone on here for way too little. Can't keep em all I suppose....

[guitarman001]

I knew you'd little the original symmetrical bracing. Best for sustain and complexity of notes. 12 fret even better for sustain.

OM05, though, has to take top spot for me. Something really magical about it and I've got the 02 and had the 03 equivalent.