Larrivée 12 string? Any experience?

[narr8or]

I’ve gone down the rabbit hole looking for a 12 string. It’d be my first 12 I’ve owned. I really like Larrivée 6 strings (I have 2) and everything I’ve read about their 12s has me looking at them.
I’m looking at an OM mahogany 12 and an older Jumbo 12.
I want what it seems every 12 player I’ve seen wants, balance. Nice low end, not too bright/jangly, and able to handle fingerstyle and capos.
Anybody have experience with Larrivée 12s? Or, better yet, the ones I’ve mentioned?

[Wade Hampton]

A friend of mine (who’s since moved away from Alaska) has a Larrivee OM-03R-12, which is a rosewood OM 12 string. It’s a great guitar. It’s plenty loud and projective.


Wade Hampton Miller

[AZLiberty]

I generally loved mine and only sold it because it was a dreadnought.

D-03R-12 bought new in 1998

if I could have found an OM-03R12 or L-03R-12 back when I bought it I would have kept it.

[tadol]

I had an LS-05-12-12 which was good, but I had concerns about the bracing and sold it - I think it was a one-off. I also had an OM-03-MT-12, which was wonderful and its one of the very few I truly regret selling. A standard L size would be an ideal 12 string - but an OM would be a darn close secod

[wonderfulremark]

The larrivee necks are paper thin... I could never get used to it.

[RP]

I have no experience with Larrivee 12-string guitars, but would suggest that you look at Taylor 12-string models as well. I purchased my third Taylor 12er (an 858e) a couple of weeks ago, and really feel that they do a great job.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by narr8or

I’m looking at an OM mahogany 12 and an older Jumbo 12.
I want what it seems every 12 player I’ve seen wants, balance. Nice low end, not too bright/jangly, and able to handle fingerstyle and capos.

I don't have experience with Larrivee guitars but I do have experience with 12-string acoustic guitars and I think you are more likely to find what you describe above in a jumbo body guitar than you will with an OM size guitar.

The 858 mentioned above is beautiful but I think the Taylor 458e-R looks like the stand out value rosewood Grand Orchestra 12-string in their line-up.

[RP]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

...The 858 mentioned above is beautiful but I think the Taylor 458e-R looks like the stand out value rosewood Grand Orchestra 12-string in their line-up.

Thanks and I agree. I was actually looking for a 458-R but the used 858 showed up at a price that was in line with used 458-R models I'd seen advertised...

[AZLiberty]

Originally Posted by wonderfulremark

The larrivee necks are paper thin... I could never get used to it.

My Larrivee neck was noticeably thicker than either my Rainsong or my Taylor.

Much thinner than my Guilds.

[coolarrow]

My L-03 12 R with solid rosewood back and sides is the best 12er I have played. So much so that I bought it back from GC for $100 more than what they gave me for it. While I was without it I bought a Guild 1512, Guild 1212, Taylor 150 and played them for a while before sending them back or selling them. I was really regretting selling the Larrivee and jumped at the chance to get it back after a year without it.

I have played so many different ones and the 03 just feel so much better than all of them. I love how the neck feels in my hand and it stays in tune very well.

Happy hunting.

CA

[lotis]

I have owned a lot of 12 strings. I have had a Larrivee Om 03 12 all mahogany for years now. I always loved the old Guilds but this one kills every acoustic 12 I have had in hand. Smooth, evenly balanced, OM body, wide thin neck. Best!