Larrivee L-09

[Jimi2]

Anyone play one of these and have an opinion? There’s one on clearance for $1000 off, about an hours drive away, and I’m debating whether I should go and play it. I really don’t need anything new right now - have a Christmas present NGD on the way in a couple weeks - but I love my Larrivee L bodied twelve string, though I do tend toward smaller guitars for finger style. I could trade some stuff in though if I really fell in love with it. Any thoughts?

[Wade Hampton]

Go check it out, see what you think. The Larrivee L body guitars are excellent instruments.

Anyway, to answer your question, yes, I’ve played a few of them and liked them.

whm

[FatFingerCharli]

Have one and love it.

[Rockysdad]

Yes!
Go check it out, I have an L-10 (same woods and body combo) I’ll not part with it.
L bodies are great

[brancher]

I have one -er, I had one until recently -- it is an excellent guitar, very good quality tone, projection, etc. But - It is a Larrivee, not a Martin or Gibson, and behaves as such. Beautiful balance and tone. Mine was a 2005, which is before Larrivee reshaped the necks to a 16" radius. My personal preference is for the 16" radiuses neck, but many folks love the older neck shape. Not sure what year they changed it out - maybe around 2015?

In any case, you are getting a very nice instrument if you purchase. But before you write the check, go to Reverb.com and check out the current prices on these. It will give you an idea of market expectations. And I would definitely go and check it out in person - for more than a few minutes. The ride is (always!) worth it.

Good Luck!!

[DownUpDave]

Where I live in the greater Toronto area most people have to drive over one hour in grid lock traffic just to go to work. Driving one hour to check out a guitar, go fishing, golfing, hiking etc is a non-issue in my book.

I own a Larrivee L body and love it.

[Proclaimer888]

Luv my L03rw. Cannot go wrong and Larrivee guitars are becoming quite popular these days.

[jandrew]

Absolutely check it out --- I have an L-07 (discontinued in the 80's, but same woods as the L-09) that I would never part with.

[mawmow]

I got a few larrivees and they were good to excellent acoustic guitars.

I had a rare L-03koa : The shape is not very far from an OM.

I also had an OM-09 : It made me discover I am a Mahogany guy
since this great acoustic delivered way too much overtones for me.

I had an OM-03R before the OM-09, and it did not sound that good to me.

The price, for a 09 series, appears ridiculously low to me :
Look at it with scrutiny.

But it is probably worth to be seen and tried anyway.

[DanR]

In my experience, and I had a L-03R, the 'L' body is a very versatile guitar as far as fingerpicking and flat pick strumming.

[Jimi2]

Thanks all. So what differentiates the higher series Larrivees from the lower ones? I looked up the L09 on reverb, and it looks pretty plain. That’s a good thing for me - I don’t like bling - but I’m wondering how it’s different from from other Larrivees.

[Jimi2]

Originally Posted by mawmow

I got a few larrivees and they were good to excellent acoustic guitars.

I had a rare L-03koa : The shape is not very far from an OM.

I also had an OM-09 : It made me discover I am a Mahogany guy
since this great acoustic delivered way too much overtones for me.

I had an OM-03R before the OM-09, and it did not sound that good to me.

The price, for a 09 series, appears ridiculously low to me :
Look at it with scrutiny.

But it is probably worth to be seen and tried anyway.

It’s at Manchester Music Mill as part of a big clearance sale - I’ve bought a couple of guitars from them and they are great. Sometimes they offer ridiculous deals- I got a Martin Omc 28e for $1200 on clearance a few years ago and it’s a lifer.

[Rockysdad]

Originally Posted by Jimi2

Thanks all. So what differentiates the higher series Larrivees from the lower ones? I looked up the L09 on reverb, and it looks pretty plain. That’s a good thing for me - I don’t like bling - but I’m wondering how it’s different from from other Larrivees.

I don't think there's a *big* difference, 03 series are matte finish, 05 are gloss Mahogany, 09 series are gloss Rosewood, 10 series are their top grade woods with some bling than 09.

Larrivée just wants to build great guitars for guitar players, not looking to maximize profits.
I'm a believer.

[247hoopsfan]

L09 is the quintessential, original Larrivee. Gloss finish, subdued appointments, phenomenal sound and quality.

[AZLiberty]

The -09 series is Gloss Rosewood

The big price difference between the 03R and the 09 is that it costs a lot of labor to do a gloss finish.

Other difference is the 05 and 09 have a silver inlay border on the headstock which is not on the 03/03R