The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > Custom Shop

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 12-31-2016, 09:49 PM
justonwo's Avatar
justonwo justonwo is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 7,120
Default Larson - The Real Deal vs Luthier Built

I had the great pleasure of playing this old Larson 0/00 at Schoenberg. It has Brazilian rosewood back and sides. What an incredibly powerful and soulful guitar. Exactly what a great Larson should be. The whole guitar vibrates with each pluck, and notes pretty much launch themselves off the sound board. It's very sweet all over with that seductive Larson mid range and rocket powered response.



This Schoenberg Larson-style guitar, which is the OM big brother absolutely nails that Larson sound. It's really cool to hear the real deal right next to a modern interpretation. It has much more brightness and clarity than I usually associate with Indian rosewood. The back and sides are also kind of light colored and give the guitar a great look. It's finished with French polish, which makes it feel kind of vintage right out of the gate. Huge power available on this guitar with wonderful clarity. I'm very impressed by Eric's work with Robert Anderson. The Carpathian spruce is a great blend of powerful and played-in. Absolutely nails an old Larson. Gorgeous looks and playability to boot.





Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-01-2017, 02:48 AM
DamianL DamianL is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Scotland
Posts: 734
Default

Very sweet...

Love that Larson spirit.

Which luthier made it?

Ah - the answers in the text!

Props to him...


D

Last edited by DamianL; 01-01-2017 at 04:44 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-01-2017, 10:39 AM
ChuckS's Avatar
ChuckS ChuckS is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 3,644
Default

I've never played a Larson, but the Larson inspired guitars from Hans Brentrup were great. But, I have to say that one of his later builds that was a ladder braced grand concert was my favorite (not at all what I expected from ladde bracing).
__________________
Chuck

2012 Carruth 12-fret 000 in Pernambuco and Adi
2010 Poling Sierra in Cuban Mahogany and Lutz
2015 Posch 13-fret 00 in Indian Rosewood and Adi
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-01-2017, 11:31 AM
justonwo's Avatar
justonwo justonwo is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 7,120
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ChuckS View Post
I've never played a Larson, but the Larson inspired guitars from Hans Brentrup were great. But, I have to say that one of his later builds that was a ladder braced grand concert was my favorite (not at all what I expected from ladde bracing).
Yeah, I remember his cool old school builds. Always outside of the norm. I had a Montuoro that was a gem. A nice 000-12 with koa back and sides. Wish I still had it.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-01-2017, 11:46 AM
M Sarad M Sarad is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Bakersfield!!!
Posts: 2,037
Default

Robert Anderson is my favorite of the luthiers working for Schoenberg. Alan Perlman built a Larson modeled on a vintage piece in the store and it lasted about a week. Both Alan and Robert have a knack for Larson style builds.
__________________
rubber Chicken
Plastic lobster
Jiminy Cricket.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-01-2017, 01:39 PM
maurerfan maurerfan is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 350
Default

Nice guitars .. both!

I've had the good fortune to play several vintage Larsons that truly opened my eyes and ears to qualities I immediately came to like .. and find in very few other guitar makes. Had a custom dark top 00 built that really captures the Larson tone.

Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-01-2017, 02:33 PM
justonwo's Avatar
justonwo justonwo is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 7,120
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by M Sarad View Post
Robert Anderson is my favorite of the luthiers working for Schoenberg. Alan Perlman built a Larson modeled on a vintage piece in the store and it lasted about a week. Both Alan and Robert have a knack for Larson style builds.
Oh yeah, they mentioned Alan, who I've also met. I've never played one of his guitars, though. I was REALLY impressed with Robert's work. I mean dead on Larson tone and beautiful look.

Quote:
Originally Posted by maurerfan View Post
Nice guitars .. both!

I've had the good fortune to play several vintage Larsons that truly opened my eyes and ears to qualities I immediately came to like .. and find in very few other guitar makes. Had a custom dark top 00 built that really captures the Larson tone.

Gorgeous guitar! Who built it?
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-01-2017, 04:03 PM
maurerfan maurerfan is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 350
Default

That dark-top was built by Tony Klassen, New Era Guitars .. Red Spruce top and D. Stevensonii. It projects like bullets with amazing hang-in-the-air trebles.

He used some very straight, tight-grained old growth rosewood..

Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-01-2017, 06:49 PM
Mr. Jelly's Avatar
Mr. Jelly Mr. Jelly is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Sioux City, Iowa
Posts: 7,848
Default

A Larson has always been my dream guitar. Or at least one of my dream guitars that I haven't owned yet. They are not easy to come by and I didn't have time to wait to get one built. Someday maybe.
__________________
Waterloo WL-S, K & K mini
Waterloo WL-S Deluxe, K & K mini
Iris OG, 12 fret, slot head, K & K mini

Follow The Yellow Brick Road
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-01-2017, 07:02 PM
justonwo's Avatar
justonwo justonwo is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 7,120
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by maurerfan View Post
That dark-top was built by Tony Klassen, New Era Guitars .. Red Spruce top and D. Stevensonii. It projects like bullets with amazing hang-in-the-air trebles.

He used some very straight, tight-grained old growth rosewood..

Projects like bullets . . . I love it. Pretty much defines Larson sound.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 01-01-2017, 07:03 PM
justonwo's Avatar
justonwo justonwo is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 7,120
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Jelly View Post
A Larson has always been my dream guitar. Or at least one of my dream guitars that I haven't owned yet. They are not easy to come by and I didn't have time to wait to get one built. Someday maybe.
Yeah, they are super cool. My first experience was a Montuoro that I bought used on a lark. Wish I still had it. Then a few vintage Larsons at Schoenberg. They are super cool.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 01-02-2017, 01:27 AM
JJI's Avatar
JJI JJI is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 914
Default Alan Perlman

Quote:
Originally Posted by M Sarad View Post
Robert Anderson is my favorite of the luthiers working for Schoenberg. Alan Perlman built a Larson modeled on a vintage piece in the store and it lasted about a week. Both Alan and Robert have a knack for Larson style builds.
Is a great builder. Stevie Coyle plays a Stahl style 6 recreation built by Alan that is just awesome. So beautiful and sounds exactly how you'd hope...there was a sister guitar built that was available that taunted me for quite a while.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 01-02-2017, 09:56 AM
maurerfan maurerfan is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 350
Default

Yes, the real deal originals are hard to come across, but they are out there. Here's my other luthier built ...

Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 01-02-2017, 09:57 AM
justonwo's Avatar
justonwo justonwo is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 7,120
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by maurerfan View Post
Yes, the real deal originals are hard to come across, but they are out there. Here's my other luthier built ...

Also awesome! Who made that one?
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 01-02-2017, 10:04 AM
jt1 jt1 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,062
Default

I'm also a Larson brothers fan. In particular, I like the Brazilian rosewood 12 fretters with the laminated X braces.

A clip of my 00 sized Maurer:



Here is a reproduction of my Fretboard Journal article about all of things Larson.



By Any Other Name.
__________________
John

Last edited by jt1; 01-02-2017 at 10:22 AM.
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > Custom Shop

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:49 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=