Anyone tried out (or bought) an LSV-11?

[mannish]

I am intrigued by the LSV-11, but none of the stores in my area have one.  Anyone bought or played one?  How does the overall sound/volume compare to an LV or a DV Larrivee?  Are the LSV-11's fairly comparable to the older models LSV-05 and LSV-09 in regard to physical dimensions and sound?

[Calvin]

Not yet, but I rather have a LSV-09 which has a longer scale length

[danijoe]

Hi there,

Check out my blog (which I haven't updated in a while) which covers most of what you need to know about the LSV-11E.

                         http://larrivee-lsv-11.blogspot.com/

[Mikeymac]

There is one here at the local Larrivee dealer, so I've picked it up several times (over the past 4-6 weeks that it's been there).

My honest opinion is that I wouldn't buy one; not unless I found one that sounded better than this one, or I needed the shorter scale for playing comfort.

The sound (of this particular one, at least) is not up to the usual Larrivee 'signature tone' of their other guitars.  It's not as loud, doesn't have any real bass to speak of (even for the body size), and doesn't sound very 3-dimensional...just kinda underwhelming (and I have two Larry's which I LOVE, and I really wanted to like this one, too).  However, I haven't tried it plugged in, which may be its forte (it has that nasty square hole in the side of the beautiful rosewood body - that would have to go if I ordered one, too!).  And who knows how the tone will be after it opens up for a year or two...

Today I went in and picked it up again, and once again, wasn't hearing "that tone" I wanted to hear.  Then I picked up an LV-10 and just got BLOWN AWAY!  It was incredible.  I picked up several other guitars (Martins and other Larrivees): this Larrivee was the most balanced, with incredible tight bass, and nice even trebles (without some of that tinny ringing I've heard on the B and E strings of other Larrivees).  This LV-10 was a home run - right out of the park!  Wow.  Just...wow.

So I went home and got out my LV-09 while that LV-10's tone was fresh in my mind.  Mine came very close to having all the qualities of the 10; the 10 was just a bit better balanced and tighter/controlled sounding across the board...but that little bit would've been worth every penny of extra $$!

You need to play the LSV-11 yourself (side by side with some other Larrivees) and form your own opinion, but personally, if they're all similar to the one I heard - and for pure acoustic, unplugged tone - they're not for me.

One man's opinion.

[Finalannsa]

I have had mine for a few months now and I have to agree that at first that I wasn't blown away. In fact some of the people here on the Forum might remember that i was looking for an "interesting trade" soon after I got her.  I have since changed my mind in a huge way. Talking about an instrument opening up. It was nasally at first with little boom.  It's got plenty of boom now and it has since blown it's nose, the nasalness is gone.  I feel that this is the best sounding Larry that I've owned up to this point. I had a rosewood parlor, a P05MT and an SD-60. The SD-60 was boomier but then again it was suppose to be. This one is more balanced and  is fun to play.

If you are thinking about playing one I'd say play two, or three. Maybe the lone LSV-11 that is sitting at the local store is shy. Maybe it's too new. All I have to say that it's going to take a much better guitar to make me want to give this one up. I don't plug mine in often either but when I do it sings.

Did I mention that the workmanship is superb and that the guitar is pretty near a work of art? There I said it. So, there is your alternate opinion.

[Mikeymac]

Thanks for jumping in; you were able to address the concerns I had: this one could be less than perfect, and they need time to open up...good to hear your perspective.

[bhika]

Hey Mikey, Was that a lefty you tried or was it one of those backwards model you had to play upside down?  :GRN>

[Miata13]

So..how does a guitar "blow its nose?    :GRN>
I know I've played some that were certainly "congested".

Rick

[Mikeymac]

It was a right-handed model; I was forced to do my usual 'adapting' thing...but I'm used to that. 

All I can say is that LV-10 sounded like heaven, even upside-down!!!

:rolleyes: