Product: Larrivee CCR-09
Price Paid: US $1,100
Submitted
10/13/2000
at
02:35pm
by
Bill Finlay
Email: whf751 at cs<dot>com
Features
:
8
Bought this used from a dealer a couple of mos. ago. According to Larrivee, it was manufactured in Canada in Sept., 1992. It's a "Venetian" (sharp) single cutaway, mid size (16 1/2" lower bout) body.
I haven't run across another yet, as it has a CEDAR (vs Larrivee's much better known Sitka Spruce) top, w/ Indian Rosewood sides and back and a mahogany neck. The cedar gives it (to my ear) a much warmer sound but preserves the clear highs and lots of bottom, too. The midrange is probably a little thinner than w/ spruce, but it's a minute difference.
It's not at all flashy, but the tone is great.
Sound
:
10
It's well suited to my eclectic folk and folk-rock style. I love the ability to "get up there" on the fret board without sacrificing tone. I did have my tech (Carl MacIntyre of Mooresville, NC, who works on Doc Watson's guitars when Doc's in the area) compensate the bridge, and the intonation is improved as a result. He also installed a osundboard transducer pickup, which so far I like a lot.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
9
Plain; no fancy inlays, etc., but very pretty and professional clear finish, with a clear plastic (and almost invisible) pickguard. Tuners are (I assume factory installed) sealed Schallers (chrome). The deep redness of the rosewood, lighetr red of the cedar and the mahogany all blend really well.
Reliability/Durability
:
No Opinion
Only had it a couple of months, but it was either VERY sparingly played by the prior owner or is VERY durable.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Very helpful and friendly so far.
Overall Rating
:
9
I'd definitely buy another. I was in the market for a Taylor or Martin, but passed them both up once I heard this instrument. Probably oculdnt't afford a new one, though, and I'm getting the impression that used ones of this vinatge and model a pretty rare.
