Help: Guitar Choice Larrivee L-09 & Eastman E-10d

[Grantgreen42]

Ok, I confess I am certifiably crazy! I had a beautiful 2014 Martin D-18 that I traded in + cash for a Martin 00-28. I love the Martin 00-28 and it is going no where (at least not for now). Well in any event, I decided I want another guitar with some bottom and clarity and have the following options. ( I don't want to get another D-18 nor do I necessarily want to go back and repurchase my D-18 which is being sold for much more money then what I got for trade in value towards the OM).

Option A - Larrivee L-09 in Excellent Condition, I have played it several times (can be had for $1,100):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkqQAmn0qqg

Option B - Eastman E10d (2012 for $1,050 slotted headstock on reverb have not tried it only 3 were made): $950 (used floor model in this video from 2015 have played it) or $750 (guitarcenter online have not tried it))
https://youtu.be/4J-wvlun9ao

The one in the above video is an unsold store model that is from 2015. That retailer is asking $950 out the door. There is another one on reverb from 2012 with a slotted headstock and with a Schertler pickup system that is supposedly in mint condition. That seller is asking $1,050 + shipping. I have not tried this out but love the look of it and there are only 3 models that Eastman made as demo production model so it is supposedly rare.. see https://reverb.com/item/15269325-rar...e-natural-mint

FYI...I own a Martin 00-28 and a Taylor 514ce FM Limited and various archtop and electric guitars (Fender, Gibson, D'angelico). I play mostly fingerstyle jazz but also play bebop jazz and pop with a pick as well. I own several archtops and I am looking for something with bottom that can take a pick and strumming (bluegrass like, Gypsy, Freddy Green etc...) My 2 current acoustics shine at fingerstyle but missing that umph...Oh yay, I still want to play fingerstyle on whatever I get.

So shoot away. Which is the best option...they all speak to me that I have tried.

[Rockysdad]

Larrivees are very good, the L-09 is a great guitar, top grade woods, well built. You might also check the 40 series Larrivees. They have a bit more bottom end as I understand it, due to a different bracing than the 09.
If it were me, the L-09.

[Jeff Scott]

No brainer here, go for the Larrivée.

[Johan Madsen]

Why not getting a Furch instead, IMO you get more for your money than with Larrivee, and are playing in a higher league than Eastman

[Zissou Intern]

I sold off my 2016 D18 last summer and haven't looked back. You might want to take a look at a 40 Series Larrivée, as Rockysdad mentioned. They do have more bass response than the other series from Larrivée. A D40 or D40R or the 12 fret versions SD40 or SD40R would all be great choices. The latter have 1 3/4" nuts if that's important to you. I haven't played a L40, and it's been a long time since I played an L05 or L09.

I have also owned an Eastman E20D and two E10Ds. They are both very nice but aren't in the same realm as the Larrivées. Larrivée's fit and finish and playability is as good as it gets, like at the same level as Collings.

[der Geist]

I can’t speak for the Eastman though i understand many people love them especially here on AGF. I do have a Larrivee P-10. I understand the 10’s are the same as the 09’s but with a bit more bling. Everything about a Larrivee blows me away. The sound, the attention to detail, the build quality is 2nd to none. You cannot go wrong with a Larrivee.

[Nctom]

I own an older L-09 and, as nice as it is, it is far from a D-18. The bass response, while chest-rumbling, does not have the same effect. It is probably due to the difference between rosewood and mahogany. That said, the L-09 is an outstanding guitar but I'm not sure that it can be directly compared to either the Martin or Eastman dreads.

I know which one I prefer, but you have that decision to make.

[billder99]

I've owned them both, and both are great guitars... choose the one that appeals to you most, you will be happy either way.

[docwatsonfan]

Those E10D's sound pretty open from the get go

with that said, I would go with the Larrivee for incredible clarity

an L03R would work as well as the L09 mentioned if you don't mind no frills

have you considered a Larrivee slope shoulder?

the SD60 is one fine instrument

I really like Larrivees, my OM40 is quickly becoming my #1

[DukeX]

I'm a Larrivee guy, have owned four, but I would just buy the guitar I like best. Like some have suggested, the Larrivee 40 series are great guitars, and you can get them (mahogany) new for < $1,200. I had an SD-40 that I loved, loved, but it was too loud for my tinnitus.

[Rogerblair]

Larrivee IMO. Great guitars.

Rb

[Gordon Currie]

Go for the Larrivee. The most versatile brand I've ever encountered.

I incorporate a ton of jazz in my own playing, and my Larrivees keep close and dissonant voicings clear and the notes separate. Many other guitars (including Martins and Gibsons) can 'mush' the notes together too much in my experience.

The Eastmans I've played have been good across the board, but I don't get a strong sense of sonic identity.

If you perform, the Larrivee will (IMHO) help you define your own sound and style AND project it into the audience.

[AZLiberty]

Larrivee. Easy choice.

I might consider an Eastman Fiddle, but their guitars do nothing for me.

[Daveyo]

Larrivee for sure,great guitars,special tone,just about perfect to my ears

[musicwu]

Both guitars are going to be fine for what you need, but I would suggest Larrivee for the following reasons:

A).Eastman's consistency is not as good as Larrivee (just from my limited experience), I'm not only talking about the factory set-up, but also the durability in the long run.

B). You've already had a Martin. Why get another Martin copy?

just my 2 cents