Product: Larrivee C-10 Koa
Price Paid: N/A
Submitted
08/30/2001
at
08:26pm
by
Joel Edison
Email: mjedison<at>yahoo dot com
Features
:
10
2000 c-10ke made in B.C. Canada by John Larrivee, Jean's son. The top is Engleman spruce AAAAA and custom ordered high flamed Koa back and sides. It's very apparent that Jean personally selects the woods they are some of the best I've seen. All trim is abalone and the positioning of the pieces making striking in stage light. Bindings of Rosewood and Gotoh tuners round out this master piece.
Sound
:
10
The Koa back and sides in combination with the Engleman top and ebony fingerboard have a very even snappy tight tone I can only equate to the sound of a pre-war Martin D-18 {which I own}. This guitar records great and has inspired me to play all that much more. It has it's own personallity that drives you.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
No Opinion
Setup on all of the 10 series guitars is perfect, I am a guitar tech of 30 years and have yet to see a 10 series that doesn't play like a dream. I will say as a slide player that the 10 series are too low for slide work. Gee what a problem. Bass side is set at 3/64 and treble at 1/32 this is Les Paul territory not acoustic guitar. Fantastic! You can't achieve this without a perfect fret job and these are. The back on this guitar is perfectly book matched and the glue joint is invisable it looks to be one piece. If I didn't know how to book match I would swear this is a one piece back. The finish on this guitar looks factory. I have a 97 J10 that the finish turly reflects being done by one man not a factory and I much prefer the thinner finish on that guitar the top sanded to 150 grit so you can feel the grain through the top but it is on par with Collings Martin and Taylor guitars.
Reliability/Durability
:
9
Larrivee's as any solid wood guitar needs to be played and loved. It stands up to live playing very well. As a high end guitar it must be cared for ie... kept in an environment that is comfortable to you is alright for the guitar. Finish is nitro lacquer and is fragile to temp and humidity. If your a gigging player keep warm and humidified.
Customer Support
:
10
Jean stands behind his guitars 100% and informs their owners how to care for them, If your Larrivee needs repair believe me it won't be warranty, they are built to last,you could only blame you self for foolishly treating your guitar.
Overall Rating
:
No Opinion
I have been playing and repairing guitars for 32 years,in that time I have had the opportunity to own and play thousands of guitars and love them all.
