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View Full Version : Have a flat top again after about 25 years

jazzrat
05-10-2011, 12:15 AM
The last acoustic I had besides my nylon string beater was an Ovation Elite
when they first came out.
Recently got to thinking I needed one as my arthritis just won't tolerate the classical width neck. After a bunch of research it was down to a Seagull artist
or a Larrivee.
Found this one on E-bay at a decent price new.
It's a D-03e. All solid woods, ebony board and bridge. Has the built-in L.R. Baggs pickup and preamp.

With the hand issues I need my guitars set up really well. I bought some of the new NewTone Heritage series Low Tension strings. These are 11-47 which I know is too light for most folks but they work for me. This guitar seem to like them. Great sustain and nice warm tone.
These strings have about 35 pounds less tension than the same gauge in D'Addario.

Spent a couple hours sanding the saddle and fine tuning the setup. It plays and sounds terrific. I'm thinking I will invest in a bone saddle at some point.
The bonus is the set of ebony buttons I had hanging around fit perfectly.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/jazzrat/Larrivee%20D-03e/DSC00929.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/jazzrat/Larrivee%20D-03e/DSC00927.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/jazzrat/Larrivee%20D-03e/DSC00926.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/jazzrat/Larrivee%20D-03e/DSC00919.jpg
scooteraz
05-10-2011, 07:13 AM
I really like the nice tight grain in the top. Looks like a keeper.
stephen
05-10-2011, 05:15 PM
NICE!
BuckyB
05-10-2011, 06:03 PM
Really nice, I hear great things about those. I always like an amplified acoustic without a cutaway. To me, it just looks more like an acoustic without the cutaway. I wonder who made up the rule that all amplified acoustics have to have a cutaway?

Great looking axe. I'll have to look into those NewTone strings for myself.
jazzrat
05-10-2011, 06:21 PM
I always like an amplified acoustic without a cutaway.

Me too...in fact I think it looks ridiculous when some country singer has a cutway.
You *know* for a fact that guitar has never been played above the third fret.
Crunchyriff
05-11-2011, 07:02 AM
Jazzrat- ANOTHER nice score!! I may have to try a set of those strings on a friend's guitar that is being loaned indefinitely to me until I get a flat top of my own again (someday)...

On another note, I like a non-cutaway as well as ones WITH a cutaway. Being a lead player I can certainly use the clearance that cutaway allows, and yes, I do use those frets if they are accessible and the guitar is actually playable in those registers.
SAguitar
05-13-2011, 04:29 AM
Congratulations, and nice choice!

I've never had an acoustic with the cutaway, so I don't miss it. You just have to climb up on top of that baby to hit those notes! Of course, I'm more of an electric player and I've only owned one acoustic for the last 30 years.
Crunchyriff
05-13-2011, 09:28 AM
Jazzra- what would be the strongest aspect of that Larrivee? That is a very clean, simple yet elegant-in-an-understated-way model there. Very very nice. I had to visit this thread again just to enjoy the pics. Happy for ya, bro!
jazzrat
05-13-2011, 01:15 PM
Jazzra- what would be the strongest aspect of that Larrivee? That is a very clean, simple yet elegant-in-an-understated-way model there. Very very nice. I had to visit this thread again just to enjoy the pics. Happy for ya, bro!

Since I've been out of the acoustic loop so long I'm not the best judge of flat tops but....
What I love about this guitar is a total absence of bling but an inclusion of obviously high quality woods constructed with care.
Setup is a biggie for me so a silky smooth truss rod is a good sign. The neck was very responsive to adjustments but stable when set. The fretwork is good enough that I have
near electric guitar action with no buzzing and a clear ringing tone.
Crunchy, it's hard to narrow down to one particular aspect but the net result is a guitar that you want to play....very inspiring.
Crunchyriff
05-13-2011, 06:13 PM
Crunchy, it's hard to narrow down to one particular aspect but the net result is a guitar that you want to play....very inspiring.

That says a mouthful right there. Very cool! Praise the Lord.
SAguitar
05-13-2011, 07:46 PM
That's about the best praise you can give a guitar! Hallelujah!
Brad
05-14-2011, 04:14 PM
Congrats JR! Understated elegance is so right......and no one seems to do it like Larrive does.

I'm blessed to have a 1978 Larrivee L-09 that was given to me by my sister in law. What it lacks in bling, it makes up in tone. Not as loud as a dreadnaught, but it still has enouch power to hang with the Martin/Taylors et al. What really sets it apart from other guitars is the beautiful, even response across the tonal spectrum. It's a finger pickers delight....that said, it also works wonderfully with a pick. The harder you strum, the louder it gets with very little top compression.

Enjoy your Larrivee...Great guitar!