Looking for a Larrivee

Cellie

If anyone sees a good second hand example or even a new one somewhere I'd appreciate a heads up. I'm keen on something along the lines of a LV-05/9. Thanks. ?

Bob-Dubery

Cellie wrote If anyone sees a good second hand example or even a new one somewhere I'd appreciate a heads up. I'm keen on something along the lines of a LV-05/9. Thanks. ?

I suggest you contact Andy McGibbons Guitar World (see http://www.andymcgibbons.co.za/). They are the Larrivee agents and have either just received or will soon be receiving a new shipment.

I recently got an LV-05. Way cool guitar.

andrewjbryson

Hey Cel

Excellent choice!

Are you gonna sell the Takamine?

Trying to find a Larrivee in P.E is like trying to find a Virgin in Vegas...

But once you have your Larrivee, bring her round to my house for some recording ?

Cellie

@Bob - Thanks, I'll give them a call.

@Andrew - Nah, I'll never sell it - it's just starting to play better and better. ? Yeah, P.E.'s a bit barren guitar wise. I'll pop around some time. I need some help recording a few things as I'm a bit behind on that front. :?

Edit: Just spoke to Chris at Andy's. The shipment hasn't arrived yet, but there's a LV-05 coming in. They'll get back to me on a price. 8)

Bob-Dubery

I see Hugh's Fine Guitars (www.hughsfineguitars.co.za) have two Larrivees in their "consignment" section. These will both be 2nd hand.

One is an LV-10, so that will be rosewood back and sides (the LV-05 has mahogany) and a higher level of bling than the 5.

The other is a slot-head dreadnought with 12 frets clear of the body.

Cellie

Thanks Bob. Just e-mailed them. Haven't heard anything from Andy's.

andrewjbryson

That 2005 Larrivee LV10e is the Bomb , yo

Bob-Dubery

andrewjbryson wrote That 2005 Larrivee LV10e is the Bomb , yo

Personally I prefer the 9s and 5s. I don't like the inlays on the 10. But
a) That's just me
b) It doesn't effect the sound.

I have experience of
1) Morgan OM (very similar to Larrivee) with rosewood back and sides
2) Larrivee OM with mahogany back and sides
3) Larrivee L with mahogany back and sides
4) Larrivee JCL30 (this is the L shape) with rosewood back and sides.

The tonewood seems to make quite a large difference. Rosewood is darker, more complex. Mahogany is brighter.

The body shape makes a difference too. Volume wise the Ls most definitely have it. The balance across the strings and across registers varies with the shape - which is better is a subjective matter.

But my main point here is that a 10 or 9 would be a distinctly different beast from the 5 - rosewood V mahogany. So if your heart is set on the 5 then the 9/10 will be a different beast - I'm not saying better or worse, but it will be different.

[deleted]

andrewjbryson wrote That 2005 Larrivee LV10e is the Bomb , yo

+1

Nothing wrong with the inlays IMO ? I love it!

That's my Bambino ?

Cellie

Okay, so the LV-10 is about 10 grand more than what I'm willing to spend. ☹

BUT

Hugh suggested a Martin DC1E which seems to be a perfect fit for what I'm looking for. I still need to hear back from Andy and Co. regarding LV-05, so depending on what they conjure up I'll make a decision by tomorrow. ?

DC1E:
http://www.hughsfineguitars.co.za/new-martinDC1E.htm

Any comments/advice/testimonials?

Bob-Dubery

Cellie wrote Okay, so the LV-10 is about 10 grand more than what I'm willing to spend. ☹

BUT

Hugh suggested a Martin DC1E which seems to be a perfect fit for what I'm looking for. I still need to hear back from Andy and Co. regarding LV-05, so depending on what they conjure up I'll make a decision by tomorrow. ?

DC1E:
http://www.hughsfineguitars.co.za/new-martinDC1E.htm

Any comments/advice/testimonials?

Looking at street price (as opposed to list price) for a Martin DC1E and a Larrivee LV05 in the USA, the Larry is about twice the price of the Martin. You might want to consider a 3-series Larry - they are plainer than the 5s (satin finish rather than gloss) but still have good wood, good construction and good tone. When Andy's call you back discuss pricing of other models with them.

We are not comparing apples with apples here. The DC1E is nowhere near the top of the Martin range, the LV05 is more luxuriously appointed. Personally I consider the Larry to be a better instrument, but money is always a consideration.

Martins usually have a good resale value, but I don't know if that applies to low-end models like the DC1 that have a laminate neck.

I've said it before, I'll say it again. Consider a good 2nd hand instrument - you can get a lot more guitaring bang for your buck that way.

Andrew will tell you good things about Taylor. Maybe that's a brand you want to consider.

Hard to say more without knowing what your budget is.

Since you seem to be brave and not fased at buying "remote" and thus not having touched and heard the instrument you might want to give Music Connection in Jo'burg a call and ask about their Breedlove range.

Ask about setups as well. Based on previous dealings I would expect Andy to include a setup with a Larrivee - and he has a good workshop. Music Connection have a very good guitar tech (Mando Silva) and may throw in a setup depending on what you spend. I don't know what Hugh offers in this regard - so ask.

andrewjbryson

X-rated Bob wrote
Andrew will tell you good things about Taylor. Maybe that's a brand you want to consider.

Cellie actually played on my Taylor. And if I recall correctly he was quite impressed with it.

Cellie , I think you should consider the style of music you play
(You play an incredible version of Tommy Emmanuel' - Lewis & Clark b.t.w)

You should go for an instrument that would be easy to play(in all terms) and allow you to fret tricky chords without much fuss
and also allow for hybrid picking.

andrewjbryson

btw.

Tommy uses Maton guitars (made in Aus)

http://www.maton.com.au/

Cellie

It seems I'm not giving this nearly the amount of thought required. The 3-series Larrivees look like pretty good instruments and I really had my heart set on a Larrivee from the beginning. I'll ask them about their second hand instruments/pricing on the 3's when they get back to me. I'll give Music Connection a call too. I asked and Hugh includes a setup with his guitars.

My max budget is R15k. I'm pretty sure I can get a more than decent instrument for this price.

I loved Andrew's Taylor. That guitar is so good it practically plays itself! Great sounding and I love the look. I haven't considered the Taylor range yet, but I should probably give the site a run-through. Breedlove is another one that never came to mind - not all too familiar with them.

Those Maton's are awesome hey. ?

racman

If you enjoy the Taylor then the Larrivee will prbably be more to your liking than the Breedlove. I played a few of the Breedlove guitars at MC and just didn't enjoy the feel or the sound very much at all - but that's just me ?

Bob-Dubery

Ja. They have some bad habits at MC. They don't set up the guitars before they put them out there for customers to assess. The first time I saw my Larrivee it was hanging on the wall with the neck bowed like a banana and rusty strings on it. No wonder they were struggling to sell it.

I moaned. They put on new strings, tweaked the truss rod and bingo!

Some people might find the Larrivee neck to be a little on the wide side. Certainly it will be wider at the nut than a Taylor Big Baby. Again this is not good or bad but a matter of taste and preference. I like the extra width. I think that difference will amount to 1/8 inch, which isn't much on paper but you will feel the difference.

Bob-Dubery

Cellie wrote Any comments/advice/testimonials?

McGibbons advertised a Martin OM1CE on special. This was in the 2009 Xmas specials thread. They priced it at R11995.

This would be the same level of appointments as the D1CE, but a different body shape and maybe a longer scale length.

Sorry. Forgot about that one. Should have mentioned it earlier.

Cellie

Bob, did you get your Larrivee from MC? If so, I think I actually played on it back when I was over there in July. I remember something switching me off when I played it - probably the lack of a proper setup. I was actually close to buying it. I carry almost no knowledge of setting up guitars so I wouldn't even have noticed anything out of place - except for the fact that it didn't feel right in the condition I played it in. Nice price iirc. ?

Still waiting for a reply from Andy's. I think I'll inquire about their other stock before they get back to me. Will keep you posted.

Bob-Dubery

Cellie wrote Bob, did you get your Larrivee from MC? If so, I think I actually played on it back when I was over there in July. I remember something switching me off when I played it - probably the lack of a proper setup. I was actually close to buying it. I carry almost no knowledge of setting up guitars so I wouldn't even have noticed anything out of place - except for the fact that it didn't feel right in the condition I played it in. Nice price iirc. ?

Sounds like mine. There was nothing seriously wrong with it, they just needed to adjust the truss rod and some new strings wouldn't have hurt.

Oh... and the price got nicer. 8)

You really should familiarise yourself with the rudiments of guitar setup. I'm no expert, but one can learn as one goes along and you learn to spot some things and then know that all this guitar needs is ....

Frets.com might be a useful reference site.

We had a fab GFSA workhop up here in Jo'burg earlier this year, at McGibbons. Andy McGibbon is a real good guitar tech and he gave a workshop over 2 nights covering a whole bunch of issues on guitar setup. I think some of us are a little better equipped now ?

SvR65

@ zohn - Glad you came to your senses because Larrivees are utterly beautiful guitars with superb tone & playability for the price.

@ Cellie - Have you found a guitar yet? Have you considered other brands like Tacoma or Guild (Just for interest sake?)