Larrivée L-03

I've been playing acoustic guitar since 1997. Basically, I like to play folk and blues, but I also play a good deal of soft-rock. I don't play in any bands, however, in October 2006, I joined my church folk choir as a guitar accompanist and I manage to jam a little with some of my neighbours. I'm not good enough to quit my day job, but I do love to play this guitar for the pure joy of it.

I bought my Larrivée L-03 in July 2006 for $960 CDN from Long & McQuade Musical Instruments in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. Actually, I traded in a beloved Seagull S-6+ Cedar steel string and a La Patrie Etude nylon string (both previously purchased at Long & McQuade) plus a little cash.

This guitar was made in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It produces a booming, but warm, tone right through the whole range from low E to high E strings. The resonance and sustain of each string is truly remarkable. The balanced sound is clean and discernible when played quietly practicing at home, but the sound can be thunderous and clear when you have the opportunity to really let loose.
The original Larrivée setup was for light gauge strings and was perfect right out of the box. There is no fret buzz anywhere on the neck.
The tone of my Larrivée was bright, loud and full from the minute I bought it. I have played it (at least for a few minutes, but usually longer) nearly every day since I got it and the sound just keeps getting better. And I consider it to still be 'new'. Once it ‘ages’, the sound will be just awesome.
By the way, my previous steel string acoustics were all dreadnoughts. The L-series Larrivée has the same sized upper and lower bouts as does the D-series (i.e., dreadnoughts) but it has a more narrow waste. I think the L-series style is both more aesthetically pleasing and is more comfortable to play.

There is nothing I don't like about this guitar. If there was something, I would not have bought it.

My Larrivée L-03 is all solid wood construction. It has a Canadian Sitka spruce soundboard with an ebony fretboard and bridge plate. It has South American mahogany back, sides and neck and Canadian maple body binding, front and back. The bridge and nut are Tusq and the pickguard is bevelled Tortis. It has Ivroid fretboard binding and Ping tuners (18:1 ratio). The L-03 has symmetrical X-bracing and a solid dovetail neck joint. I love the satin lacquer finish on both the body and neck. I use Elixir Polyweb light or custom light strings on it.

This is a high performance guitar and I just love it. For my money there is no better guitar available. As far as I am concerned my Larrivée L-03 sounds better than comparable Martin and Taylor models. It is better made and is a much better value.

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

In which country was it made? (USA, Japan, Mexico, France ...) How many frets, what kind of microphone and their configuration and what type of bridge (Floyd, Wilkinson ...) what are the settings (volume, tone, micro switch. ..) and what type of race? *

It is a beautifully crafted guitar, handmade in Canada. It is entirely in solid wood, also of excellent quality. Spruce top, Sapele back etéclisses, mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard, ebony head veneer also ebony bridge, maple nets. Wonderful!
With the satin varnish, it is super simple, love!
Thick handle but very pleasant in the long run.

UTILIZATION

The handle is it nice? Access to acute (last string) Is it easy? Ergonomics is it good (in terms of shape, weight ...)? Gets it easy to sound good? * ...

The handle is fine, the ergonomics standard, access to acute normal for a guitar without a cutaway ...

SOUNDS

Are they suitable for your style of music what are the sounds you prefer, you hate? *

She's great in almost any style. The sound is rich, subtle and powerful. Each string is distinguished from others and take ACORDS overwhelming. The reason is very natural and pleasant. The bass is very present but watch out for game strumming, they must attack them with care. This guitar does not forgive mistakes rather then experienced guitarist.
In short, a sound extraordinarily natural incomparable with guitars composites as the cheers ...! I prefer, others less so ...

OVERALL OPINION

For how long have you been using it? What thing do you like most/least about it? Did you try many other models before getting this one? What is your opinion about the value for the price? Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice? * ...

An exceptional guitar at a fair price. I like everything about this guitar.

I tried a Martin, Gibson, Larrivee OM, Parker P8e, Takamine, Lakewood, Ovation .... Any good guitars but it is a matter of taste at that level.

I buy it back immediatly, and for you, a guitar to try it!