"New" Larrivee vs "Old"

[jefft54]

So I pulled the trigger yesterday on a Larrivee L-03E from Jason at Notable Guitars. Here's my question. I had the choice of a "new" L-03E with the Sapele back and sides/LR Baggs element or "old" with SA Mahogany back and sides/B-Band A5 system. I took the latter but it was more a guess based on the woods. Curious what the Larrivee pros would have done.

[knockwood]

I'd have done the same. I have nothing against Sapele. Good stuff, IMO. But if I were buying sight-unseen (as I just did recently [D-60 from Notable]) and the choices were mahogany or Sapele, I'd have gone for mahogany. I'm more familiar with it, know I like what it does, and it may not be available too much longer.

[eor]

old like new old stock or used? either way, eor would go old. old = more better.

 

love,

eor

[jefft54]

old like new old stock or used? either way, eor would go old. old = more better. love, eor

Both new, I think, but it's the last of the Mahogany 03's.

[Fred Fartboski]

So I pulled the trigger yesterday on a Larrivee L-03E from Jason at Notable Guitars. Here's my question. I had the choice of a "new" L-03E with the Sapele back and sides/LR Baggs element or "old" with SA Mahogany back and sides/B-Band A5 system. I took the latter but it was more a guess based on the woods. Curious what the Larrivee pros would have done.

As long as you chose the one that felt, sounded, and played the best for you, you made the right choice.

[Hudman]

You made an excellent decision buying your guitar from Jason at Notable Guitars. I bought two Larrivee guitars from Jason. He's the best.

 

I'm not a pro, but I think mahogany was the better choice. I have the mahogany and I love it.

[kwakatak]

Never played a sapele one but have played one NOS mahogany at a local shop on a couple o occasions and it was damn fine guitar - nice warm tone with ample bass for fingerstyle/moderate strumming. The only sapele guitar I ever played was a Taylor 214 but that's like comparing apples and oranges.

[simplygoodmusic]

I've been told before that they sound indistinguishable, but I wouldn't know.

 

I hope so, because I won't buy mine for another two months, and I don't want to end up with an inferior product.

[bigmo66]

I have bought 2 guitars from Jason with the latest being an OM-03 Quilted mahogany model. Given the choice you can't go wrong with Mahogany. Folks are going to defend Sapele and partially because that is what we will be offered when the Mahogany dries up. Sapele might just be a fine tonewood, but Mahogany has been time tested and proven to be a premier tonewood. Good choice!

[WolfBoy]

Well, I'm not a Larrivee pro by any means (just got my first one a week ago) but I ended up going with a D-03SPE (Sapele w/pickup). I did try an older mahogany model (without electronics) and really couldn't tell the difference. I suspect someone with a better ear may be able to tell though.

 

I'm sure if there were an older D-03E vs. the newer D-03SPE, I'd have done the same, simply because of the reason why they changed woods. Because it was a supply issue and the perception - real or not - is that sapele is inferior, we tend to want the mahogany.

 

In any case, I don't at all feel like I got an inferior guitar because of the wood. I love it and I'm sure you'll love yours as well. Enjoy!

[Queequeg]

you did good, man.

relax.

and play.

The opposite of a correct statement is a false statement. But the opposite of a profound truth may well be another profound truth.

- Niels Bohr

[jefft54]

As told by Jason, the Sapele is a similar tonewood in properties and sound to mahogany but made it clear that although it's referred to as African Mahogany, it is not mahogany at all as it is in a different species of wood. However, he said there is not a lot of difference in sound but given a choice, based on the woods only would go with the mahog. He also felt that the baggs had a slight edge on the A5. My question would be how does the Sapele age compared to the mahog. I assume though that if Larrivee is using it, it can't be too bad. It's going on the fedex truck today so I'll let everyone know my impressions when I get it.

[Tony Burns]

Sapele is very common and Mahogany is getting very scarce - I also feel the mahogany will not be available in the very near future where as sapel will be - go with the Mahogany --

[Abando]

Jeff, I would have chosen the Sapele guitar. It has Larrivee's newer system. I also slightly prefer the sound of sapele over mahogany. Just slightly. Most people can't tell the difference. The differences between them are very slight.

On the other hand, you might prefer the mahogany sound. Also, your guitar might be worth more in the future because they will no longer be making them...................................Let's just assume you like the sound of both guitars equally unplugged. You then have to ask yourself if the rarity of the mahogany wood outweighs the inferior system you will be getting. Larrivee changed from B-Band to Baggs because they think it is an improvement.

If you plan to own the guitar for a lifetime, the sytem isn't really that important. In five years, both will be out of date. You can always change the B-band in the future. Some things to think about. Either way, you can't make a bad decision.

 

Abando

[kwakatak]

 

Jeff, I would have chosen the Sapele guitar. It has Larrivee's newer system. I also slightly prefer the sound of sapele over mahogany. Just slightly. Most people can't tell the difference. The differences between them are very slight. On the other hand, you might prefer the mahogany sound. Also, your guitar might be worth more in the future because they will no longer be making them...................................Let's just assume you like the sound of both guitars equally unplugged. You then have to ask yourself if the rarity of the mahogany wood outweighs the inferior system you will be getting. Larrivee changed from B-Band to Baggs because they think it is an improvement. If you plan to own the guitar for a lifetime, the sytem isn't really that important. In five years, both will be out of date. You can always change the B-band in the future. Some things to think about. Either way, you can't make a bad decision. Abando

 

 

Yeah, but Larrivee went from Gotoh tuners to Ping tuners too!

 

My vote would have been to forgo having the pre-installed electronics altogether and shopping around for an aftermarket alternative. I just don't like the idea of cutting into the side of a guitar for a component that's probably not going to last the life of the guitar it's implanted into. YMMV.

[etemkin]

What is this newer system you speak of, Abando?

 

Also, are Larrivee and/or Notable that consistent as to support guitar ecommerce? Just about everything I've read on this forum is that you should play all that you can 'til you find the guitar that speaks to you and that the internet is the worst possible place to but a guitar. But, there's the glaring exception of Larrivee. They seem to be backed with almost universal praise, and plenty of you seem to have dealt with Jason at Notable without ever playing the instrument before paying for it. Is Larrivee that good? Is Notable? I know his prices are great, but is there a chance you'll end up with a lemon? (doesn't sound like it from what I've read)

 

Finally, is the rosewood upgrade worth considering on an L-03? I see plenty of debate over mahogany versus sapele, but is it correct most folks stick with the 03 rather than the 03R?

 

Thanks for your answers? I know the best solution is to play for yourself and decide, but I haven't been able to get out to a good Larrivee dealer and play many. But, according to this forum, the L-03(R?) sounds almost exactly what I'm looking for, and now that I've got my tax refund, I'm getting some serious GAS. The constant praise of Larrivee and Notable has me leaning towards just ordering an L-03, and figuring I'll love it when it shows up. It's just that in just about every other situation, this forum espouses "play before you leap." Is this really a safe exception?

[Abando]

Hello, Etemkin. Larrivee is currently using LR Baggs as their pickup/preamp system. They were using B-Band A5 from 2002 to 2006. That's what I am referring to when I am talking about the newer system.

 

If you are asking if I have ever run across a dud Larrivee, the answer is yes. The guitar just didn't project well and the tone was what I consider below average on a good guitar. However, most Larrivees are very good and consistent. One of the most consistent lines I have come across. It's a pretty safe bet you will receive a good one without playing it.

 

Jason gets high praise in here and other guitar forums. Very easy to deal with. He also makes sure your guitar is setup in a way that you want. He is reliable.

 

As to buying a guitar that you have never played before, it's always a risk. You could get one that sounds perfectly fine to Jason or any other dealer, but it might sound bad to you. That doesn't mean it's a lemon. It's always best to check a guitar out in person. This allows you to check the body size, neck feel and overall sound. This way you can pick something that is great for you.

 

Whether you should pick a mahogany or rosewood 03 model depends on which wood you usually prefer. No two guitars sound exactly the same even when looking at two that are made from the same company and are the same model. If you were to play two Larrivees at one store, you might think the rosewood guitar sounds better than the mahogany. You could go to another store the very same day and compare another two Larrivees and think the mahogany version sounds better. Someone can tell you what a rosewood guitar should sound like vs a mahogany, but I have found such generalities inadequate. The best Martin dread I have ever heard had a Rosewood back. On the other hand, the best Larrivee dread I ever heard had a mahogany back. Rosewood still costs more on most guitars. That doesn't necessarily mean it's going to sound better to you. One day mahogany might cost more than rosewood because it could very well become the rarer wood.

 

I love Larrivees, but I know great guitar players who have been around guitars their whole lives who don't like them. You might love the Martin sound.

Larrivees generally don't sound like Martins. You might think Larrivees have too much of a piano sound to them. You might think they might sound to clear and clean for playing your favorite type of music. You should be aware, Etemkin, there are people who don't like the Larrivee sound.

 

Etemkin, if you feel like you must buy online, Jason is a great bet. The guitar you receive will probably be in great shape and be setup well. Just be aware that you take risks in buying a guitar untried.

 

Abando

[jefft54]

Jeff, I would have chosen the Sapele guitar. It has Larrivee's newer system. I also slightly prefer the sound of sapele over mahogany. Just slightly. Most people can't tell the difference. The differences between them are very slight. On the other hand, you might prefer the mahogany sound. Also, your guitar might be worth more in the future because they will no longer be making them...................................Let's just assume you like the sound of both guitars equally unplugged. You then have to ask yourself if the rarity of the mahogany wood outweighs the inferior system you will be getting. Larrivee changed from B-Band to Baggs because they think it is an improvement. If you plan to own the guitar for a lifetime, the sytem isn't really that important. In five years, both will be out of date. You can always change the B-band in the future. Some things to think about. Either way, you can't make a bad decision. Abando

After talking to Jason on these 2 subjects, I wouldn't call the A5 inferior, neither did Jason. His take on the elecs was he personally preferred the baggs system because of the feedback control of the baggs. Since they were both the same price I chose based on the wood (see OP). As you said, the elecs can always be changed, not so the wood. I hadn't considered the rarity of mahog but that's a good point. I should find out by tommorrow if the A5 is good or not.

[sub rosa]

 

They were using B-Band A5 from 2002 to 2006.

 

 

Fishman pickups were used prior to B-Band which came in around 2003/2004 if I remember correctly.

 

The LR Baggs stuff is pretty damn decent.

[jefft54]

Etemkin, one thing to keep in mind if you decided to buy from Notable is 1st, Jason actually inspects and sets up the instrument. He's not just the middleman but actually opens the box. 2nd, he gives you a 3 day evaluation. If you don't like it, return it, no questions asked (you do pay for shipping). I've bought lots of gear on-line and have usually been happy. Duds do happen, as said above. I just sent back a beautiful Godin Artist series because of a bad preamp. But Jason's policy tells me that he's pretty confident you'll get a good instrument. Just my 2c.

[Grayson73]

Any other recommendations between Mahogany/B-Band vs. Sapele/LR Baggs?

[sub rosa]

 

Any other recommendations between Mahogany/B-Band vs. Sapele/LR Baggs?

 

 

I think the pickup systems should be taken out of the evaluation, in fact I'd say buy a guitar without any added system - thats just me. Then you can decide what brand of system you may like to use. Personally I'd also opt for the one that doesn't required modification to the guitar. To that end I'd recommend the LR Baggs iBeam. It fixes under the bridge inside the guitar and as the Larrivee strap button is already a pre-drilled hole for an endpin no other drilling is required.

[Cldplytkmn]

I love larrivee and how they operate, etc... and i'm sure they feel that the Baggs systems are the right choice, but their switch to Baggs in no ways should be taken to mean that the BBand stuff is now "inferior"... there's no reason to say that. I would have a hard time even saying that the switch is because they think the Baggs is better... it may be cheaper, easier to install, or simply be what the customer wants because most people have never played BBand.

 

given the choice, i'd say you chose well... i'd take hog/bband over sap/baggs all day long and twice on sundays. And it has nothing to do with the pickups... i've had great experiences with Baggs and never touched a BBand, but the wood is what matters.

[t60 fan]

I'd have gone mahogany too 'cause I'm pretty sure I know how to pronounce mahogany correctly.