SeriesLarrivée 03 Recording

I wanted an all solid wood acoustic guitar. I didn't have a whole lot of money, so I figured to get an "entry" level solid wood guitar, save up, and buy a more expensive model, perhaps a Martin or Taylor. There were Martins and Taylor in my price range, so I checked them out. I compared the MArtin D16GT, Martin D15, Taylor 310 and Larrivee D-03. The Larrivee didn't enter into the picture unitl the very day I bought it actually. I went to the local music store and liked the Taylor 310 better than the MArtin D16GT, but I was gonna be stubborn and buy the MArtin anyway. C'mon, it's a Martin! So after I talked myself into commiting to the Martin over the Taylor, as well as the other MArtin, I went to the bank, and pulled out the money to buy the D16GT. When I arrived at the store, I saw a Larrivee D-03 that had just arrived. I gratuitously picked it up and started playing it. I could not believe what I heard. So I scurried about the shop and picked up every single mahogany dreadnought they had in inventory. I wanted to compare the sound of the D-03 to much more expensive models, because clearly the D16GT could not compete with the Larrivee. SO I tried a Gibson Hummingbird, J45, J50 and Working Man 45. Beleive it or not, this lowly $600 guitar sounded WAY BETTER than any of these, that were on hand. Then I tried the Martin D18, and SPD16. Again, no comparison. the Larrivee blew them away too. So then I compared the D-03 to the Larrivee D-05. Finally! I found a guitar that sounded better than the D-03. No surprise that it was a Larrivee as it turned out. But for twice the price, it didn't sound THAT MUCH BETTER, than the D-03. the choice was clear! At first, I wasn't thrilled about the clear pickguard. After all, it is kind of unconventional for a dreadnought. I guess it's something that you expect to see, but on Larrivee, it is not visible. Of course when you inspect it you can see it, but if you were one stage, it owuld be hard to see that it actually had a pickguard. The top has darkened now, and it is so beautiful. I have a few "bear claws" on mine. All in all, it is a great top. It has turned a nice pumkin like color now. After 5 years, I guess that's what you come to expect. I keep it out of the case on a guitar stand, in the living room. After five years, I still find myself admiring it. When I look at it, I just want to pick itup and play. It it a blessing that I have the abiltiy to make it come to life. The action is so good. I love the way it plays. The intonation is perfect, the tone is perfect. I have tried Elixir strings, DR, D'Addario, but have found that MArtin phosphor bronze, medium guage make this thing sound remarkable. I can't say enough about the fullness of the tone. A mahogany guitar is not supposed to be the greatest flatpicking rhythmn instrument, but I have no promblem at all playing mine. Lead or rhythmn! The construction was flawless, and the woods that were used, should have been reserved for a higher price guitar. I really think I got the better end of the deal! This guitar is worth twice what I pais for it, interms of sound, playability and appearance. It never fails...every time I take it out in public, I get comments about how great it looks and sounds. Every time. I jsut can't beleive it was 600 bucks!!! I don't like the way it sounds with light strings. I have also deisovered that I do not like elixirs on it. Medium phosphor bronze strings will make it sing. Before it really opened up, there was a period after the "honeymood", wore off, where I second guessed my purchase. In subsequent months, I had firends who had purchased the EXACT SAME guitars I compared this to. That's right. On ebuddy of mine bought the D16GT two days after I bought the Larrivee, and another friend bought the Taylro 310 a week later. Again, these were the same models I compared mine too when I was shopping. The more they played theirs, they opened up beautifully. I was very impressed with how the Martin matured, as well as the Taylor. Therefore I second guessed my purchase. Little did I know that they both thought that mine was maturing in a special way, but I guess since I played it everyday, I didn't notice it as much. The Martin and Taylor sound as good, especially since they matured. In the sotre neither sounded as good, but after they took them home, theirs are as good as mine, so ther have been times when I wondered if I would be as pleased with the AMrtin and Taylor. The quality of the instrument is absolutley flawless, in construction, and superior in the materials used. I am very pleased all around with the constructino and quality. In the five years since my purchase, I have acquired a MArtin HD28, and a Martin D18. I traded a Gibson Hummingbird for the D18. Since I was impressed with the D16GT after it matured, I would have no reason to expect different form the D18. I was right. So now I have 2 Martins and a Larrivee. You woudl think that I would never touch the Larrivee since I have two supreme Martin guitars. Think again. Though I have never timed it, I would almost guarantee I log as many hours per week with the Larrivee as I do with the two Martins. I would never sell it! I thought after I bought the Hummingbird thatI would keep it and get rid of the Larrivee, but no way! The Larrivee is now a dear friend of mine. If someone comes over to the house, and they want me to play a song, I just reach for a guitar. I don't purposley go out of my way to pick up one of the Martins. If I pick the MArtin, fine...but I lose nothing at all, when I chose the Larrivee. That says a whole lot. Five years, and getting better every day! Thank you Jean Larrivee!! This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com