Hunting for a lower-cost rosewood b&s dread

[Ralph124C41]

Originally Posted by PTL

Orangewood. $675 free shipping, and returns.

No rosewood back and sides that I know of unless you have a link.

[gmel555]

Originally Posted by Rockysdad

Larrivee D-40R, probably what you’re looking for, the 40 series has a bit more bottom end due to it’s bracing.

Should be able to find a used one in your range.

I second looking for a used Larrivee Spruce over Rosewood. My ‘94 D-19 sounds incredible and is as solid as the day it was made. I wouldn’t call it a “cannon” but plenty of volume, w full, articulate bass and sparkling highs. I consider it one of my “lifers”.

[Ralph124C41]

Originally Posted by gmel555

I second looking for a used Larrivee Spruce over Rosewood. My ‘94 D-19 sounds incredible and is as solid as the day it was made. I wouldn’t call it a “cannon” but plenty of volume, w full, articulate bass and sparkling highs. I consider it one of my “lifers”.

Sorry but no stores within 60 miles of me at least have a Larrivee ... of any type ... for me to play. It's hard for me to pay $1,000 sight and ear unseen for a used guitar I know nothing about except its reputation. The only saving grace would be buying from some company or person with an accommodating return policy. I don't know how it plays. I don't know how it sounds, etc. Well ... Guitar Center does have some so they are a possibility but still I have no knowledge of the brand. But then again I bought that Epi AJ500M based upon the reviews here and that worked out well so ....maybe.

And later. And it has the 1 11/16 inch nut width I prefer. I have to really think about this now ...

[RalphH]

Originally Posted by PTL

Orangewood. $675 free shipping, and returns.

oh wow, I had NEVER heard of them, but their guitars look beautiful. I'm not looking to buy a guitar right now but next time i feel that GAS itch I might have to investigate.

[GGSanders]

Originally Posted by Ralph124C41

Sorry but no stores within 60 miles of me at least have a Larrivee ... of any type ... for me to play. It's hard for me to pay $1,000 sight and ear unseen for a used guitar I know nothing about except its reputation. The only saving grace would be buying from some company or person with an accommodating return policy. I don't know how it plays. I don't know how it sounds, etc. Well ... Guitar Center does have some so they are a possibility but still I have no knowledge of the brand. But then again I bought that Epi AJ500M based upon the reviews here and that worked out well so ....maybe.

And later. And it has the 1 11/16 inch nut width I prefer. I have to really think about this now ...

The best thing about buying used from Guitar Center is their 45 day, no questions asked, return policy. Find a promising used guitar online, and they will ship it to their store nearest you. Pick it up, give it a try for up to 45 days, keep it, or return it for full refund if it's not what you want.

They have 5 Larrivee rosewood backed dreads listed for less than $1000. I recently picked up a virtually unplayed, mahogany backed L-03e, for hundreds less than that. I replaced, adusted a new saddle, and now it plays/sound really fine.

Just something to think about if you live in an area where trying one out is not possible.

[Ralph124C41]

Originally Posted by GGSanders

The best thing about buying used from Guitar Center is their 45 day, no questions asked, return policy. Find a promising used guitar online, and they will ship it to their store nearest you. Pick it up, give it a try for up to 45 days, keep it, or return it for full refund if it's not what you want.

They have 5 Larrivee rosewood backed dreads listed for less than $1000. I recently picked up a virtually unplayed, mahogany backed L-03e, for hundreds less than that. I replaced, adusted a new saddle, and now it plays/sound really fine.

Just something to think about if you live in an area where trying one out is not possible.

I know. that's how I got my Masterbilt a couple of weeks ago. In this case I had it sent to my local store and opened the box in front of the staff (actually the manager.) Why? Because if there is something visibly wrong with it I had somebody to witness it and not think I had done it myself. Also I can immediately ask for a refund. And in my case the guitar was missing the truss rod cover so the manager found a spare one and installed it for me for free. It doesn't say MASTERBILT but it does the job. I've been shopping at this store for years.

[Ralph124C41]

Hey, folks, what do you think of this? I can get an Eastman E8D (spruce over rosewood) from the folks at one of the forum's sponsors for $939 delivered to my door. A somewhat local shop can order one for me ... for about $1,100 before state tax.

I think my top two choices are:

A new Eastman E8D for $939 from an AGF sponsor (which I would like to deal with)

or

A used Martin MMV for about $1,000 or so, maybe with a case.

The Martin has a couple things going for it. It's name and that it has the slimmer nut width that I prefer. I likely will buy one from GCenter and make use of that return policy.