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#1
08-02-2020, 03:14 PM
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NGD - Larrivee 000-50!
This year I was finally ready to get a "nice" guitar. One that was built with beautiful tonewoods, great craftsmanship, sound, and most importantly one I really connected with. Over the last several years, my every day, go-to guitar has been my Gibson F-25. This resulted in an appreciation for 12-fret acoustic guitars, along with the wider nut width.
So when it came time for me to check guitars out, I initially was thinking I'd get a 12 fret dreadnought (bigger sound, would add some tonal variety to what I own). But I checked out several slope shouldered guitars and realized that I have become a convert to slightly smaller guitar bodies as well. My search narrowed down to a smaller guitar body, either 00 or 000, a wider nut width, 12 frets preferred (but not required). I had heard really great things about the Larrivee traditional series, and even called my local dealer to get a quote on the 000-50 as well as the SD-50. Since they are part of their top-of-the-line guitars (around the $3k range), my local dealer didn't stock any, which was a bummer. I figured I'd probably not get my hands on one locally. I stopped by several local shops and tried some Martins that I really liked, along with a nice Eastman. I even wrote about it in a thread here on the forum. I also started to research some other builders, and came across Iris Guitars, based in Vermont. The specs of the Iris OG really spoke to me, and I was about to pull the trigger on a deposit for it. But I held off a few days, because the thought of paying that much for a guitar I'd never played before seemed risky. The day before I was planning on putting down a deposit, a local Craigslist post appeared with... a Larrivee 000-50! I couldn't believe it, and I contacted the seller right away. He was asking a great price, and it already had a K&K Pure Mini installed. I drove over to check it out, and instantly loved it. The neck has a 1 7/8" nut width (it's a 2005 model before they updated them with a narrower width), and a slim C-shaped profile that's in the same ballpark as my Gibson. But what I was most impressed with was the sound. This guitar sounds HUGE for a 000! It has such a nice balance to the sound, really sweet while fingerpicking. But when strummed with a pick I almost feel like it could give a dread a run for it's money. It's that beefy sounding. I went home and chatted with my wife about it. She was thrilled I found a guitar I loved locally that ended up being cheaper than the build I was planning on, so I brought her home. Here are some photos, I'm not the best photographer but tried capturing a few angles of this lovely guitar. The mahogany back is just gorgeous, and has this rich honey, golden character to it that is seriously stunning. The fit and finish on the guitar is impeccable, and I have been so pleased as I've been playing it! The lesson for me that was reinforced through this purchasing journey is this: try, try, and try more guitars in person if you're looking for a keeper. I played quite a few different guitars that seemed great "on paper" and connected to all of them very differently.        
__________________
2005 Larrivee 000-50 1964 Gibson F-25 Folksinger 1989 Yamaha FG450SA 2019 Ibanez AC340 OPN Singer Songwriter: http://benjaminkrogh.bandcamp.com 
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#3
08-02-2020, 03:23 PM
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Congratulations! As a Larrivee owner for several years, just let me say that you just bought yourself a very fine guitar.
Roger
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#7
08-02-2020, 03:51 PM
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Stunning! Congrats!
__________________
Carl ____________ Gibson Songwriter Deluxe Larivee OM-40 Guild D-125 12 NAT Yamaha CSF3M TBS USA Stratocaster Gibson les Paul Junior Custom built Thinline Tele
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#8
08-02-2020, 03:52 PM
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Hi Ben,
I had a Lwrrivee SD-50 LSH-TSB large sound hole total sunburst, 2004 model. I disdn'y buy it, I bought a Huss & Dalton that eventually went back to the dealer who gave me the Larrivee as part compensation. I had two Collings 12 fret dreads and wasn't looking for another, so plus the fact that it was so pretty, I didn't gig it that much, and eventually sold it to a good friend who was deeply in love with it. I had plenty of time to compare it with my |Collings with the same woods. For me, Collings are the ideal brand for me, my style, and my hands, but I have to say, I couldn't fault the build quality, finish, or tone of my Larrivee. I'm glad that you got the wider neck version and the pics seem to show a top that has been nicely tanned. I don't really understand why Larrivees, esp. the trad series aren't more highly regarded, but I think most that get 'em, keep em. I wish you great joy with your 000-50, I think it's gonna work out fine! (waiting for videos!)
__________________
Silly Moustache, Just an old Limey acoustic guitarist, Dobrolist, mandolier and singer. I'm here to try to help and advise and I offer one to one lessons/meetings/mentoring via Zoom!
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#10
08-02-2020, 03:59 PM
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Congrats on a beautiful instrument. Enjoy.
__________________
"All the money is down around the third fret"  A couple of good guitars Mac Computer #2 Pencil Various Scraps of Paper
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#12
08-02-2020, 05:02 PM
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Quote:
Cottonwood, Congrats on the Larrivee!
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#14
08-02-2020, 06:35 PM
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What a great find! Cool that it worked out the way it did.
__________________
Taylor 322,512ce 12 fret cedar/hog & 362ce Martin 00015SM Guild 1966 F20 Larrivee P03 sitka/hog,simple 6 OM & OM 09 Eastman E100ss-sb Gibson J185 & 2016 J35 Fender player plus telecaster & Mustang P90 Gretsch MIK 5622T
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#15
08-02-2020, 07:11 PM
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What a beautiful guitar! If that had popped up on my local CL, you’d have had to fight me for it. Glad it found a great home, congrats.
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| Tags |
| 12 fret, larrivee, larrivee 000-50, slotted headstock |
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