Larrivee 44 series limited edition

[teh]

I just opened my Larrivee newsletter and they announced a Limited Silver Oak with an Ice Tea burst and rosewood binding that looks pretty sweet. A total of 16 guitars are available in OM, 00 and 000 body styles. There's also a nice demo of a jumbo at Tune Up guitars and they also have a nice 00-40 with Moonwood Spruce and Walnut available. That's a nice combo.

I'd like to hear other reactions but Larrivee always keeps coming up with nice surprises.

[StringPicker6]

I got the newsletter email also, and that is a beautiful looking guitar!!

[Pilgrim]

The guitar definitely appeals to me, but not at anywhere near the asking price.  Nicely built, appointed, and finished guitars made in the US seem to be climbing quickly in price (not just Larrivee). 

[fantex]

I knew the Ice Tea burst was awesome... that guitar looks sweet!

[teh]

Regarding the list price of the Limited Edition Silver Oak Burst, I would respectfully disagree about the asking price. I went to Larrivee's website and did a little quick math:

Larrivee offers a 00-44 with mahogany back and sides for $3,249 and then I went to the custom options tab. The up charge for an Alpine top is $100, a Silver Oak back and sides is $300 more and a full ice tea sunburst is a $1,000 up charge. If I did my math right, those three upgrades alone put the full list price at $4,649. Adding a vine inlay to the headstock and rosewood binding would probably add a couple hundred bucks to the final list price. I imagine some dealers may offer some kind of a discount to pull the price down. I also take comfort in the fact that multiple members of the Larrivee family had their hands on any guitar they make at some point during the build process. For that reason alone, every guitar that comes out their door is special.

On a related note, I ordered my Forum VI guitar in June 2021. When Jr. called to confirm my order and collect my deposit, I decided to upgrade to a Venetian cutaway for a $250 up charge. I also added a factory installed Anthem dual source pickup and Jr. agreed to let me upgrade to an arch top case. When I ordered my custom "All Mahogany" 12 string (LV-03MT) with a Venetian cutaway and an archtop case in 2005, I knew I had picked myself a winner. I felt the same way when I opened the case in early 2022 for my Moonwood/Walnut LSV-03.

To my eye and from an aesthetic and functional standpoint, the Larrivee L, LS and OM bodies are ideally suited for a Venetian cutaway and nobody does it better. On the subject of cases, all three of my Larrivee archtop cases are quality construction and a perfect fit.

[Pilgrim]

Another aspect of the math is, you can buy a lot of nice guitars for $4700, subject one included.  Though Larrivee makes superb guitars, they simply are no longer the great value they once were. 

[Silence Dogood]

Though Larrivee makes superb guitars, they simply are no longer the great value they once were. 

The best value in a new guitar for many, many years were always the stripped-down, plain-jane satin 03 guitars.  They are pretty pricey now when new (to me anyway).  I get it: prices increase, and businesses have to stay profitable.  It happens.  The best guitar values now are the 03 guitars on the used market.  I still see them for really great deals.  They don't look as fancy as the higher-end models, but they sound just as good. 

As far as the subject guitar goes, I saw the newsletter too.  A very cool model.

[B0WIE]

Another aspect of the math is, you can buy a lot of nice guitars for $4700, subject one included.  Though Larrivee makes superb guitars, they simply are no longer the great value they once were. 

Relative to comparable guitars, I'd say they are still the best value. If look at the new price of a Larrivee 03 vs a martin D18, we're talking a thousand dollars. More than 50% more expensive. Granted, there are differences. The Martin has a nicer finish but they also have poor quality binding that's notorious for lifting. The overall quality is considered comparable and the value proposition with the Larrivee is incredible.

Once you get in the $4k+ range on a factory guitar, cosmetics are coming into play. Nothing has changed about that and I personally don't think value and cosmetics belong in the same discussion because cosmetics are the antithesis of value. There's a lot of cheap imports with insane cosmetics that look great from 15' away, but when you hold them it's not the same as what the American makers are offering. Not to my eyes.

[Pilgrim]

Martin problems aside, Larrivee 03 to D18 is apples to oranges.  D-03E ($2749) to D-16E Mahogany ($2049) is a much closer comparison.  Years ago, the Larrivee would have been hundreds less than the Martin.

[B0WIE]

Martin problems aside, Larrivee 03 to D18 is apples to oranges.  D-03E ($2749) to D-16E Mahogany ($2049) is a much closer comparison.  Years ago, the Larrivee would have been hundreds less than the Martin.

The 16 series are not full sized guitars though. They have a shallow depth. The braces have been modified and they are generally thought to be a downgrade from a 18/28, sonically. Larrivee doesn't have that same distinct drop off in sound quality from an 09 to an 03.
If you see it differently, that's perfectly ok. There's no strict apples-to-apples comparison that can be made. I do feel that Marin will not sell an lower-priced guitar without intentionally compromising the sound whereas Larrivee make a very respectable effort to remove cosmetic features that don't harm the sound, and still offer the core experience at many price ranges. Guitars used to be sold like this but competition with imports can caused a number of companies to change their approach.

[Pilgrim]

D-18 satin $2499, D-03 $2449. 

D-18 gloss $2899, D-05 $3849,

000-18 $2899, OM-44 $3249, OM-05 $3849

D-28 gloss $3299, D-09 $4399

OM-28 $3499, OM-09 $4399

Less than 20 years ago, a D-03 was priced only 5% higher than a D-15.  Today the D-03 is priced 44% higher.  Some of today's far greater price difference is that the D-15 now comes with a gig bag instead of a hardshell case.  But even factoring that in, the D-03 is still priced $500+ higher.

I'm not suggesting that Larrivees are not fairly priced today.  As always, they offer a good combination of features, appointments and quaiity for the price.  But, they simply are not the great value they once were.  I think the fact that their guitars command today's prices is a tribute to their dedication to excellence.

[fantex]

$2449 is MSRP. A D-03 at Sweetwater is $1883.89.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/D03--larrivee-d-03-mahogany-recording-series-acoustic-guitar-natural-satin

[Pilgrim]

So the D-03 street price is still 10+% higher than the D-15M MSRP(or MAP, or whatever it is).  Would need street price for both for a proper comparison (keeping in mind that Martin cheaps out with a gig bag). 

[William2]

I think guitars in general are a great value if you compare them to other instruments. Before I returned to the guitar and played recorder, all my handmade recorders were over $2000 each. And there is a lot less material involved with them. You can't compare a D-03 to a D-15. The neck join, binding, less quality issues, and the fact that the D-03 is the best guitar in the world.

[fantex]

The comparison should be the Martin D-15M to a Larrivee Simple 6... no binding, no top purfling.

Martin D-15M street is $1699.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/D15M--martin-d-15m-natural

The Simple 6 MSRP is $1996 - street price is $1549.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/S6DNat--larrivee-simple-6-d-acoustic-guitar-natural

[Pilgrim]

Except historically the D-03 price was close to the D-15 price.  No longer true.  Now it's a lesser Larrivee to compete.

[Silence Dogood]

...and the fact that the D-03 is the best guitar in the world.

The word is out!  (We should have t-shirts made...)
 

[teh]

I'm close to running out of closet space for any more guitars or t-shirts but I'd like to add a slope shouldered dread to the mix. 🤔

The SD-24 is on my short list because I think the 24 series with Larrivee's satin finish is one of the best and most well designed series available. As a follow up to my opening post, I still think the new Limited Series Silver Oak edition is extremely cool too but I already have a 00-24 and a Martin OM and 000 that I would be unable to part with.

[William2]

The word is out!  (We should have t-shirts made...)
 

LOL!!!

[J M Larrivée]

D-18 satin $2499, D-03 $2449. 

D-18 gloss $2899, D-05 $3849,

000-18 $2899, OM-44 $3249, OM-05 $3849

D-28 gloss $3299, D-09 $4399

OM-28 $3499, OM-09 $4399

I need to step in here and clear things up. These comparisons are not accurate and misleading. Martin is using MAP pricing, Larrivée is currently using MSRP on the website. If you adjust Larrivée's pricing to MAP, you will have a much more transparent comparison. MAP is generally 25% below MSRP. So try Pilgrims comparison chart and subtract 25% from our pricing to get a more accurate comparison.
Larrivée plans to convert to MAP pricing on the website beginning this May as we introduce new 2025 pricing. This will illustrate the true price of what you can expect at the dealer. Whatch for the pricing adjustments in the coming week. You'll notice we have already replaced the "MSRP" with "USD" in preparation.

Regards
- john jr.