Larrivée D-03E

I purchased this Larrivee D-03E online from E.M.Shorts in Wichita, Kansas, since there are no "local" Larrivee dealers. I've been looking for about 5 years for an acoustic that had the quality tone and construction that wouldn't break your pocketbook. This wonderful guitar only cost me $771.00 including shipping and the Deluxe Larrivee case!

The best thing I like about my Larrivee is the sound: Rich, full, deep, resonant with alot of sustain, clear, bell-like tone with a really deep and tight bass. Tone is balanced and keeps opening up more and more the longer I play it. The construction is very durable and solid with no glue marks or bad frets. The intonation is perfect all the way up the neck.

The only thing that I had to do when I received it was take it to my local luthier to have the action lowered to my liking. I flatpick and I like the action high enough so it won't buzz, but low enough that it is not too tiring to play for several hours (like I do!)

As mentioned above the construction is very solid. The satin finish is very durable and seems to ward off most "bumps" quite well. I only have put on a couple very minute dings since I got it. The fretboard and bridge are made from high quality ebony. The guitar is made of all solid woods: Sitka spruce top, Mahogany back/sides/neck. Great chrome tuners that work really well. Mine has the factory installed Fishman Prefix Plus w/EQ hookup. It sounds great plugged in at church with a nice true "acoustic" tone; not an "electric" sound unless you want it to.

I'm so sold on Larrivees now even more since I've bought mine. They are truly wonderfully made guitars that rival Martin, Taylor, Gibson, Tacoma for their sound and their value for the money. I've had many guitar players say how nice my guitar sounds. Many haven't heard of Larrivees or seen them in person so they are amazed at how good they sound. Jean Larrivee has done us such a valuable service by making high end quality made and sounding guitars at such an affordable price for the working musician!

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Fabiruque in Canada
Channel 22 boxes
Pr-fishman amp, volume control, bass and treble

UTILIZATION

Guitar "hard". It must violate a little, and especially if it climbs Elixir strings.

Access in acute is that of a pan shot acoustque without a little difficult.

Ergonomics is trs classic, well balanced and pluttlgre.

SOUNDS

It would be somewhat the opposite of a Takamine acoustic acoustque on the instrument. More Rock "FM"

OVERALL OPINION

Uses for 8 years, I have yet to find better, if it is a MODEL of the brand more upscale, and certainly more expensive, so I will not change for any other.

Made in Canada "by hand" according Larrivée
Ebony fingerboard
Cedar Table
Rosewood body
Preamp Fishman Piezo Sensor

UTILIZATION

Handle very playable, relatively thin and soft touch
This guitar is relatively light

SOUNDS

Its round and warm with a frequency balance terrible, but nothing beyond it, it's a pure mind-blowing. Good projection also violating the a little more

OVERALL OPINION

One month of use and I already know that I could do without the more theoretically sound gets better with time (everything goes will ....). For a price close to 1300 euros for trying quite a few other models before buying, I have not found better, or in Guild, Taylor or Martin (let alone at this price)