How can something so GOOD cost so LITTLE ?
Written: Jan 24 '03 (Updated Jan 24 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Solid handmade quality, CNC accuracy, the best woods in the industry, CHEAP PRICE
Cons: Same exact guitar as the expensive model without the inlay and appointments
The Bottom Line: You cannot buy a better guitar for the price. These are better than Seagull and all the cheap brands at nearly the same price. Do yourself a favor.
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| dougmjones's Full Review: Larrivee D03r Rosewood Standard |
I have been playing guitar all my life and I cannot understand why I never heard of Larrivee sooner. Thank goodness I have found Larrivee. I have traditionally owned nothing but expensive guitars such as Martin, Gibson and a few others. They each have qualities that the other does not and give me great playing pleasure. There have also been things I did NOT like about Gibsons and Martins. I have been very happy with Larivee and their customer service.
FEATURES:
The D03 is a less fancy version of the top of the line D09 and D10s. These are dreadnought guitars which are the largest body style and usually purchased for strumming, bluegrass, rock and a variety of styles. It has a deeper bassy sound and may not be the best choice for fingerstyle playing like the OM or L series from Larrivee. The D-03 comes in several variations. The D-03R has a rosewood back and sides which give slightly less muddy bass notes and could help if you play in a bluegrass band and need the extra projection and loudness. The rosewood also makes a dreadnought able to play fingerstyle when using light gauge strings so the bass notes on you thumb do not overpower the treble strings. If you are a diehard fingerstyle player look at the L series or even the OM series instead. The D03 can play any style though if setup properly.
The D03E model has the standard mahogany back and sides with a B-Band electric pickup system installed. The D03RE has the rosewood back and sides and the pickup system.
These upgrades may vary the retail price from around 1000-1500 dollars US retail but the discounted prices should be half that or more. Yes they are a killer value ! The rosewood and the pickup system does raise the price but
well worth it in the long run.
Another highlight is the X-bracing internally which makes stronger guitar top and also louder and better sounding. They also scallop or shave the braces which is a marked improvement in tone.
You may choose to NOT waste your money on more of the Elyxr strings that come on the guitar from the factory. I replaced mine with $2.85 dollar sets from www.webstrings.com and I am getting a better sound for a 3rd of the price. Elyxr strings are coated so they do silence some string buzz but as they wear you get teflon like dandruff on your guitar like dust. Coated strings are stupid IMO.
Your guitar should play perfectly but if you really want to enjoy it I recommend a 30.00 dollar professional setup with a recognized Larrivee guitar tech after you install the strings you will play regularly. I recommend 12-54 gauge for the best sound and ease of play.
Here are the factory specs of the D03 standard:
Features:
All Solid Wood Construction
South American Mahogany Back & Sides
South American Mahogany Neck (Single Piece)
Canadian Sitka Spruce Top
African Ebony Fretboard & Bridge
Symmetrical X-Bracing
Dovetail Neck-Joint
White Wood-Fiber Body Binding
Microdot Fret Markers
White Wood Fiber Inlaid Headstock Logo
Chrome 'Ping' Tuners (18:1 Ratio)
Tusq Nut & Saddle
Specifications:
Lower Bout: 16"
Upper Bout: 11.875"
Waist: 10.875"
Depth: 5"
Scale Length: 25.5"
Nut Width: 1 & 11/16" (43mm or 1.6875")
Fretboard Radius: Compound (16" to 21")
String Gauge: Elixir Lights (Can handle Mediums)
Case: Flat-Top (Included in Price)
QUALITY:
With Larrivee I heavily demonstrated many models at a local Guitar center and found the quality to be impeccable. Much better finishing and precision construction than even Gibson and rivaling some of the best Martin's. Unlike the Gibson's the Larrivee guitars were much more consistent and flawless. The fretwork and setup was much better from the factory even though any new guitar should require re-setup because of shipping, settling and environmental changes. The woods and grains on the Larrivee were every bit as tight, straight and high quality as the Gibsons and came very close to the finest Martins. I have to admit a 1000.00 Larrivee is not as nice as a 4000.00 Martin but the difference is not huge. I guess the 1/10000th of an inch computer CNC machines at Larrivee pay of when it comes to a precision made instrument. None of the slop that Gibson sometimes ships.
APPOINTMENTS:
Larrivee does something I like. They build each series with the same quality and the price only varies when they add more inlay and other expensive enhancements. So if you buy a low end D03, L03 or OM03 you are getting a guitar of similar quality as the most expensive D10, L10 and OM10 without the extras.
HEAVILY DISCOUNTED:
All Larrivees seem to be tremendously discounted so you can find these brand new on Ebay and the internet for amazingly low prices. You may find a 2400 dollar D09 or D10 for as low as 1000.00 dollars. It is amazing how good this value is for the quality you get. I bought two Larrivees that retailed for 2200.00 each for 1500.00 for BOTH. Then I sold one of them on ebay for 1200.00 and now I have a 2200.00 guitar for a few hundred dollars. I am shocked what a well kept secret these values are.
PLAYABILITY:
My Larrivees are my favorite guitars. They get picked up and played more than any other. I even like the loudness and tone better. I think my OM model sounds and plays better than the 3800.00 Martin Eric Clapton signature model so I sold the Martin ! The neck and action is great and easy to play. I actually play BETTER on the Larrivee and miss fewer notes.
TONE WOODS:
Larrivee plain and simple has some of the best woods money can buy. In fact many manufacturers will NOT tell you that Larrive supplies their wood. From what I hear even Martin gets wood from Larrivee. My Larrivees sound very woody and airy which I like. They SOUND like an acoustic should sound. They ring with sustain and invite you to play more and more. They sound excellent in the studio also. I hate to admit this but I hated the KOA wood models, they cost way too much and the tone is too bright and rigid. Stick with the regular Larrivees.
CUSTOMER SUPPORT:
Every question or problem I have had was quickly answered and they send me new owners manual and other pieces missing in my case. They also repaired a broken latch on my case when they did not really have to. Excellent support with real humans that seem to care.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
dougmjones
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Location: Atlanta , Ga
Reviews written: 78
Trusted by: 24 members
About Me:
Computers, Music, Quality toys and gadgets. Like to review products that I demo or purchase.
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