software

This weekend I played a Larrivee L-03 as well as a D-03. To my surprise I preferred the sound of the L-03 which isn't a dreadnaught. Up to this point I thought that I wanted a dreadnaught, but now I am not sure. Can anyone tell me how they would classify this guitar shape?

from : localhost/www.larrivee.com/data/product.../L-03/L-03.htm

It's similar in shape to Taylor's quot;auditoriumquot; guitars.

Does it really matter what it's called?

It's tone comes from the shallow draught to the ribs which de-emphasises the bass frequencies.

overall, the shape of the body looks like a scaled up classical or parlour guitar with a bit more fullness to the lower bout.

I'd call it a concert guitar...

I've played some Larivees L's that were very nice guitars. The one I love though is a Lowden O model Lowden Guitars
Personally I usually prefer a small jumbo (or a large one) to dreads for a more balanced sound.

I had the same type of experience shopping for my acoustic. Started looking only at dreadnaughts and ended up with an quot;auditoriumquot; sized Taylor 314C. It just felt and sounded right for me.

Something I didn't think about then is that the sound the audience hears may be different from what you hear while playing... Doesn't matter to me 'coz my cats don't care, but you might

Chip

If I'm not mistaken the quot;Lquot; series has its design roots in classical guitars. The shape and bracing of the top will lend it to be very verstile. A lot of people like it because it will almost do all a dreadnaught can and still maintain a good seperation of notes for fingerpicking. I have found it to be a god all round player.

The shape lends it its own voice. Some like it some don't. If its the sound you are searching for go for it. The manufacturer has a good rep, and a plant in Calif.

Good luck on the hunt.

Generally speaking, dreadnaughts tend to have more volume and more emphasis on bass tones and are the preferred weapon of choice for flatpickers, while auditorium and orchestra shapes tend to have a more balanced tonal range and are preferred by fingerpickers.

I emphasize that these are extremely gross generalizations and there are many exceptions. I for one love to fingerpick on my D-35.

BTW, if your Larrivee dealer has one be sure to try one of their OM models.


Originally Posted by JOLLYIt's similar in shape to Taylor's quot;auditoriumquot; guitars.

Yep, looks a little like my Taylor 414....

I like the sound of these things for sure...

This looks like a Grand Auditorium or Jumbo because of its 16quot; lower bout and 4.75quot; depth. Like the old Martin 0000 size or J. From the looks of the features and specifications, this should be a real good guitar if the workmanship is there.

Twitch - As others have said, I think you can safely call this a grand auditorium which has elements of concert and jumbo size in most of the examples I have played- Here's how I break out models if all other variables are the same-

Concert- Tight but relatively low bass, very little midrange, clear bell like treble- The most 'intimate' sounding size and one of the best recording sizes period- Great for finger picking and if you add a cedar top, they almost can#8217;t be beat for finger style-

Grand Aud- Keeps the tight bass and most of the aspects of the concert and picks up some of the power of the Jumbo- Tends to be good at both finger and pick styles

Jumbo- The most 'scooped' acoustic style, they have very strong deep bass, and very clear treble, they tend to have the most dynamic range of acoustics and can be played soft or loud- To me, they are the best of all worlds for good finger picking, good rhythm, and almost all of this is due to the midrange cut.

Dreadnaught- The loudest of all because they have the most midrange of any style and we hear midrange the best- Bass can be clear of flabby depending on everything else and treble can be somewhat bright or warm- As someone else mentioned, the midrange makes this very good for flat-picking and for leads, but chords have the greatest chance of mud with this style.

But keep in mind that woods can change everything- My primary acoustic is a maple dreadnaught that sounds more like a grand auditorium because of the wood.

As far as brands, I find Larrivee the best of the midrange acoustics, followed closely by Guild and Taylor.

Royd - I am also a Lowden nut and have an O32 (their original jumbo model with rosewood back and sides and spruce top)- I've put it up against Olsen#8217;s, Everett#8217;s etc, and still find it the best tone and feel..of the top end acoustics- And of the 3 o32s I have played they were all nearly exactly perfect for what I play.