Larrivee LV-05 and Taylor 414CE: How do they compare?

[lalowdwn1]

Originally Posted by Big_Al

The flatter fretboard radius on a Larrivee...

I've seen variants of this on the AGF a few times in the past few days. This is another feature on Larrivee that often goes without notice - Larrivee uses a compound curve radius, which is a more technical feature compared to the radii used in other builders. FYI...

[Big_Al]

Originally Posted by lalowdwn1

I've seen variants of this on the AGF a few times in the past few days. This is another feature on Larrivee that often goes without notice - Larrivee uses a compound curve radius, which is a more technical feature compared to the radii used in other builders. FYI...

I believe the more technically proper term would be a conical fretboard although most refer to it as a compound curve. This would compensate for the fact that the strings are spaced further apart at the bridge than at the nut and should make the guitar play easier further up the neck. Near the nut, it has about a 16" radius gradually flattening to about a 21" radius further down the neck. In general though, the fretboard does feel flatter to me than some other brands . . . not that this is a problem.

[AZLiberty]

Originally Posted by Big_Al

Near the nut, it has about a 16" radius gradually flattening to about a 21" radius further down the neck. In general though, the fretboard does feel flatter to me than some other brands . . . not that this is a problem.

My Larrivees do not feel noticeably any flatter than my Martins. 17" compound to 21" vs 16".

Some of my Guilds with the 12" radius are really hard to play.

[lalowdwn1]

Originally Posted by Big_Al

I believe the more technically proper term would be a conical fretboard although most refer to it as a compound curve. This would compensate for the fact that the strings are spaced further apart at the bridge than at the nut and should make the guitar play easier further up the neck. Near the nut, it has about a 16" radius gradually flattening to about a 21" radius further down the neck. In general though, the fretboard does feel flatter to me than some other brands . . . not that this is a problem.

Agreed, and I was actually regretting my perpetuating the term. And yes, Larrivee is still flatter, though I was just pointing out that many folks miss the nuance without appreciating the fact that the "compound" is a bonus feature.

[Jim]

Originally Posted by liltiki

The Taylor knocked me out. My 314ce doesn't sound as nice as that 414. If I hadn't looked I would have thought it was Taylor, but a rosewood for sure.

The Taylor 400 series including the 414 are not rosewood - they are ovangkol. There have been a couple of the 400 series limited editions that were made with Indian rosewood, but the standard wood is ovangkol. Ovangkol is a very nice alternative and tonewood that in some ways sounds like rosewood. It is also less expensive so they can keep the price of the 400 series affordable.