Larrivee C-03R

Like everyone else says, its a plain jane model as features go. However, its exactly what it should be. Solid spruce and rosewoodwood construction (top, back,and sides)dovetail neck joint (unlike those overpriced mass produced Taylors) ebony finger board, satin finish. Mine came with a hardshell case.

Currently, I play mainly at jam sessions and small gatherings. I own three different acoustics, a Martin 00-16DBR Limited Edition, a Hermonos Conde classical, and the Larrivee. For obvious reasons I use the Larrivee for most of my playing out. I feel very compfortable taking it camping with me. The sound is fantastic for a guitar costing three times as much. It also has very good volume, and very full sounding. It does dip a little in the mids, as do most rosewood guitars do. (So now I'm going to purchase a mahogany guitar, a Larrivee D-03). It has no electrics, so when i do need it amplified, I use a Neumann KM 184 mic and that sounds much better then any built in pick up system, in my opinion.

When I received this guitar, (it was purchased used) the set up was perfect. The action was high enough to get great tone, but still low, overall. As for the overall fit and finish, I must give it a ten. I'm not saying that the finish is as good as a $5000 Santa Cruz, I'm saying it is perfect for what it is.

I have had this guitar sence 1999 (I believe) and have played it at campfires in the mountains, I've traveled to the midwest with it. This guiter has been used (not abused) a lot, and its holding up great. This guiter is my workhorse.

I can't say, I haven't needed them yet.

I have been playing guitar over thirtyfive years. However, up until the last ten years or so, I was mainly an electric guitar guy. I own five electrics (G&L Legacy, G&L Climax base, Heritage H-555, Heritage H-150 classic, and a 1968 Epiphone Casino) six amps (Marshall, Fender, Peavy, Crate, and two Laneys) as well as the three acoustics I mentioned earlier. I have owned many other acoustics over the past ten years including a Dana Bourgeious Country Boy (mahogany), a Takamine EA-360 (flying V), a Martin HD-28P, and Two different Taylor guitars that arn't worth mentioning. If this guitar were stolen, or lossed I would definitly replace it with another D-03R, its simply the best sounding guitar in its price range made in North America (WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME)in my opinion. The thing I love about this guitar is the way it was built. Dovetail neck joint, the solid one piece neck, (as opposed to Taylors spliced on headstock) and the solid woods on the top, back, and sides. (I believe its ver important that guitar makers know that we do notice the craftmenship of their product)As you may have noticed by now, I'm not a big Taylor fan. Of the two that I have owned, one had to have the neck adjusted three times within one year (yes, that fine bolt on piece of **** neck they call superior), I sold the second one after going on a tour of the factory and seeing how they were made (mass produced). Getting back to the Larrivee, there is nothing I hate about this guitar, its simply the best price/value on the market.

The Larrivee is made in Canada. The C-03R has a solid spuce top and solid East Indian Rosewood sides and back. It has a Honduras mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard. It has a Fishman under the saddle pickup with preamp controls mounted in the side. The finish is satin and is beautifully completed. The style is dreadnougt cutaway. There is not a lot of decoration on this guitar nor does there need to be as it is very attractive without inlays and/or decorations.

I play fingerpicking blues and big band jazz. This guitar is load enough that I don't use the amplifier unless there is a lot of noise around me. When I do connect it to the amp, it sounds great and the controls on the Fishman pickup are great. The guitar has a rich bright sound accross all strings. It stays tuned forever!!

The action came from the factory with a higher action than I would have liked, however the dealer offered to adjust it for me. I declined his offer, becuase I wanted to try it for awhile before I decided to lower the action. The dealer is a long way away from me, so I decided to lower the action myself and contacted Larrivee to make sure that there wasn't something I didn't know about the building of the guitar that would cause trouble when I adjusted it. The folks at Larrivee were great. They answered my question by email the next day most times. The longest I had to wait for an answer was two days, and that was only once. Great service. Every other aspect of the fit and finish of this guitar is outstanding.

The guitar seems to be built very sturdily, but I have only had it for 3 months. I would not be afraid to take this instrument anywhere with the proper precautions that all guitars require when travelling.

The company has answered every question I have had. They have been very patient.

I have been playing for 40 years. I also own two handmade classical guitars and a Taylor 710. I would not hesitate to buy this guitar again if it were lost or stolen. I compared this guitar against many hand built guitars and found none that had a better sound. The only difference I could tell between the Larrivee and the 3000 dollar guitars was the amount of inlay and the satin finish.