Members Prozak Posted July 11, 2004 Members Posted July 11, 2004 Well my guitar got here, and it really does sound beautiful, and what a difference an all solid-wood guitar makes! I'm comparing this to my Celebrity Ovation. When I strum it now, it just completely sounds like a toy. The Larrivee has a very full sound, with a nice bass which I assume is the rosewood. It is an LV-19Ca and it really is a beauty. The blue purfling around the sound whole really makes the abalone inlay stand out in a beautiful way, and the palm tree logo is really pretty. Well my MAIN problem is that the guitar buzzes on the 4th, 5th, and 6th string. I'm not entirely sure if it is my fault in a few places, but in others I know with a 100% certainty that it is not my fault. If I try to drive the guitar with any agrressive power it buzzes, not a real problem I've had before with my ovation. I don't know if a simple setup will fix this, or if it going to be a costly repair. There are also a few small blemishes it seems, but nothing major. Let me also note that I got a really great price on it, but again, I go back to the guitar buzzing. Any ideas what I should do? I got it from Guitar Adoptions and Dave has been really great so far, and I'll probably give him a call tommorrow, but I thought I'd post here and get some opinions Anyone know what hours he works? I haven't found a listing on his webpage. Thnx for the tip Randy, I get an error though that says "dynamic pages" not allowed. As far as the guitar goes, I hope it is just a simple setup issue, but I've heard sometimes it isn't a simple repair. One thing, my Ovation doesn't use bridge pins, but are the bridge pins supposed to lined up fairly straight? because they aren't here, and I wonder if that could be the source of buzzing. http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/bc/40f0c944_fcc1/bc/LV-19CA/Bridge+Pins.jpg?bfGFN8ABHtrAPCKe Ok here are a few small "Blemishes The camera makes this one look pretty bad, simple because the way the light hits it has to do with how deep you can see the gash. It's under the gloss too, so maybe it was sanded wrong or something. http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/bc/40f0c944_fcc1/bc/LV-19CA/Blemish.jpg?bfGFN8ABASc3dAZL This one on the bottom of the guitar binding, the part where your leg goes and the camera doesn't capture it all that well. http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/bc/40f0c944_fcc1/bc/LV-19CA/Another+Blemish.jpg?bfGFN8ABpb5MQzxx Here are two pictures of the action, at the nut, and 12th fret. http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/bc/40f0c944_fcc1/bc/LV-19CA/Actionnearnut.jpg?bfGFN8ABdAKSk_k7 http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/bc/40f0c944_fcc1/bc/LV-19CA/Action12fret.jpg?bfGFN8AB3gjhdOc6 I'm having a bit of trouble with the camera, but just to mention it, around the abalone near the sound hole, it seems the blue paint bled a little, there is also one slopping glue binding inside, and there are also like one or two other small nicks on the binding, you really have to look for them though, so I didn't bother photographing them. Like I said before, I got a great deal on the guitar, and my biggest concern is the buzzing it has. I think I'm gonna take it to a luthier, but I'm not sure who I should take it too. Guitar Center and Sam Ash both have one on staff, should I just go there?
Members LittleBrother Posted July 11, 2004 Members Posted July 11, 2004 You didn't by any chance install a lighter set of new strings after you got it ? Sounds like a minor setup issue. The neck relief or truss rod adjustment needs to be correct first before worrying about any other setup. Might check www.frets.com on diagnosis of buzz, checking neck relief and other goodies. You might be able to fix it easily. If not then a good luthier in town might be worth a drive over. I usually have all my guitars setup at least once. I'm getting better at doing it myself though.You have to figure that everyone plays different and that one may be setup more for gentle fingerstyle and not heavier playing. If you want to check your neck relief or truss rod adjustment that is the first place I would go.
Members LittleBrother Posted July 11, 2004 Members Posted July 11, 2004 Originally posted by Prozak . Guitar Center and Sam Ash both have one on staff, should I just go there? Oh my god no.... Call the dealer you got it from or what I like to do is lookup the nearest Martin Repair center on http://www.martinguitar.com/dealers/services.php and they always show a good repair shop in your zipcode. Never take it to in house techs. They will tell you all kinds of crazy stuff.
Members Prozak Posted July 11, 2004 Author Members Posted July 11, 2004 Hey littlebrother =) I wouldn't mind paying 50 dollars for a setup, some of the buzzing happens even with a light attack though. I've read some of the stuff over at frets on buzzing too, maybe I should give it a second read. If you are curious about the pictures, here is a link that SHOULD work this time. I got the guitar from Dave at Guitar Adoptions. I'll email him tonight and see what he has to say, btw let me know if the link works for you. http://f2.pg.briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/[email protected]/lst?.dir=/LV-19CA&.view=l Another edit. Here is a place Martin Guitar brought up.http://www.guitartraditions.com/ Ever hear of it by chance?
Members LittleBrother Posted July 11, 2004 Members Posted July 11, 2004 Hmm that action looks pretty high. It's just hard to say thru pictures but I would call Dave. You can email him 7 days a week too. I usually dont see any flaws to speak of in Larrivees. I am not sure if they gave you a special deal for that but at least see what Dave will do. I can tell you one thing between him and Larrivee support you should not have to go NEAR a Sam Ash or Guitar Center. I can almost guarantee that's not a good idea. Let Dave take first crack at this one
Members Prozak Posted July 11, 2004 Author Members Posted July 11, 2004 I'll email him and ask him for his advice. Also, normally how much should one pay for a setup?
Members LittleBrother Posted July 11, 2004 Members Posted July 11, 2004 Originally posted by Prozak I'll email him and ask him for his advice. Also, normally how much should one pay for a setup? For example my local guy hand made me a new nut and adjusted my truss rod for 50. If they get into other small adjustments it could add more. It really depends on how extensive they go. You are basically looking at things like saddle, truss rod, nut, fret dressing when needed. 20-25 bucks to just tweak the truss rod and minor tweak while you wait.
Members LittleBrother Posted July 11, 2004 Members Posted July 11, 2004 I spoke with Dave today and he looks forward to hearing from you man
Members Charlies Ghost Posted July 11, 2004 Members Posted July 11, 2004 There's as good chance that a guitar you get online won't be setup the way you like.Unless you give exact measurements.Saying thing like low,medium or low medium action is a too little vague to get accurate.A good set up might just do the trick for the action problem.The climate in you area might have something to do with it too.A guitar that's setup great in one part of the country might buzz a little in another.Sometimes it's better to wait a bit before getting it setup so the wood has a chance to adjust. I don't want bum you out,but those pictures that you posted of the blemishes look horrible.I'd have a problem with these unless i was told beforehand that i'm getting a pretty substantial discount because of blems.If it's suppose to be a brand new perfect guitar and it came like that to me I'd be like what the {censored} is this.You might consider sending it back.
Members tikabear Posted July 11, 2004 Members Posted July 11, 2004 I've got 2 Larrivee's and one was purchased off Ebay. Both came to me in fine shape. Those blemishes would bother me unless I got a really, really good deal and knew of it beforehand. You shouldn't have to deal with that when making an expensive investment. I've gotten good at setting up my Larrivees and, as LB said, your action looks high. You never said whether you changed string guages or I missed it if you did. I learned the hard way not to use anything less then 12s on mine. Good Luck!
Members Prozak Posted July 11, 2004 Author Members Posted July 11, 2004 Originally posted by tikabear I've got 2 Larrivee's and one was purchased off Ebay. Both came to me in fine shape. Those blemishes would bother me unless I got a really, really good deal and knew of it beforehand. You shouldn't have to deal with that when making an expensive investment. I've gotten good at setting up my Larrivees and, as LB said, your action looks high. You never said whether you changed string guages or I missed it if you did. I learned the hard way not to use anything less then 12s on mine. Good Luck! I haven't changed the strings, I tuned them up with a tuner and thats it. Also, I emailed Dave and he asked me to call him, but I just woke up and it looks like he isn't in, but it's sunday though, so maybe monday it'll be resolved, either way, I'll post back and let all of you know how it goes. UGB, those links aren't working I know, I don't understand yahoo. This link should work though. http://f2.pg.briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/[email protected]/lst?.dir=/LV-19CA&.view=l
Members Prozak Posted July 11, 2004 Author Members Posted July 11, 2004 Updatehttp://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=676262
Members LittleBrother Posted July 11, 2004 Members Posted July 11, 2004 I had a feeling you would get a new one. Thanks for the update
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