Larrivee D-03R

Vancouver, B.C. dreadnought, bought in late summer 2000 from Guitar Center. Solid spruce top, solid rosewood back and sides, mahogany neck, ebony bridge, ebony fretboard, and ebony headstock overlay. Satin finish. Not flashy, but this guitar is a diamond in the rough. I was amazed at how good this guitar was for the money I paid. Came with good stock Larrivee tuners and Elixer lights (.12).

This is one of the greatest sounding guitars I've played. I like a deep bass response and the rosewood gives it. But still, it doesn't skimp on the mids and highs. Classic rich, full solid rosewood sound. I strum a lot and this baby lets you hear every string. I had to play a $1,400 Taylor to find something that sounded better. Truely a wonderful sounding instrument. I look forward to micing it in the studio one day.

The action came quite low. Super fast. I recently raised the action a bit and like it much better this way. The neck is fast and thin, and the satin finish allows for quick hand movement. It's now hard for me to play anything with a glossy neck. Great craftsmanship, too.

This guitar seems about as any solid wood acoustic. The neck joint is a true dovetail, making it very sturdy, but not as easily adjustable. I had a strap button put on the heel, since it didn't come with one. Both buttons are still solid.

I have had only casual contact with Larrivee through e-mail support. They were very kind and helpful. Every Larrivee has a lifetime warranty for the original owner. The online warranty registration was simple.

I have only been playing a year, but I have played lots of guitars, and I know what I like. This guitar is what I like. The value is unbeatable. As I mentioned before, I had to play something that was $600 more to get a better guitar. I compare it with a Taylor 810, giving the 810 a slight lead. I wouldn't trade this guitar for the world. This D-03R and I had a connection in the store. Maybe you know what I'm talking about. It's hard to explain. I LOVE THIS GUITAR!! Please consider a Larrivee for your own collection. But don't listen to me, go play one. These Harmony Central reviews can be kind of iffy sometimes.

Canadian made, manufactured 10/2000. All solid rosewood, spruce and ebony. Satin finish, thin neck and nice Ping tuners.

Well balanced, crisp highs and deep bass. The best sounding guitar. It sounds as good as much more expensive Taylors. Blows away any guitar in it's price range.

Great quality craftsmanship. Very small amount of glue on neck binding was the only flaw.

Any fine instrument is fragile. I am very careful with it, because I value it. I think it would last a life time if properly cared for.

I bought mine at the Guitar Center. They back their stuff. NO dealings with Larrivee though.

I had to negotiate the good price on this guitar. They normally sell for about $1000 w/dhsc.This is the best guitar I know of in this price range. I played Martin, Taylor, Ovation etc. and found it to be superior to the other fine guitars in this price range. The Taylor Big baby is an excellent value though, but is lamenated back and sides. I actually liked my lower end Larrivee compared to the high dollar ones. I will probably add a Fishman pickup with an outboard preamp. I would probably buy this guitar all over if it were to be lost. Some people like the gloss rather than the satin finish. I think the satin allows the sound to resonate through the wood. I prefer the sound, the gloss is sharper looking. However, I also like the understated looks of my D03R. Oh yeah, I've been playing for 25 years. I play finger style and pick strumming. No cutaway, to me it only allowed 1 or 2 fret reach more and not worth the tone compromise.
Very pleased with my purchase.

All solid wood model, with rosewood back and sides, spruce top and ebony peghead overlay, fretboard and bridge. The tuners are manufactured by Ping and are pro quality. The frets are thin. This guitar is beautifully plain with a lovely satin finish. I desire no other feature and with the great price being considered it deserves a 10.

This is a light guitar and the satin finish allows the sound to breath through the wood. This is a bassy yet very balanced sound. I like the way you can feel the sound resonate through your body when you play. There are no tinny overtones that have always annoyed me with other guitars. It is a very smooth sounding instrument. The bass string (as another reviewer mentioned) is boomy when fingerpicked with the flesh of your thumb. And I'm not sure this would be the best guitar for fingerstyle recording, smaller body guitars are more suited for that. I considered all of this before I purchased it. Changing to different strings, pick and technique can rectify the boomy bass. But, the tight bass and elequently balanced treble strings outshined all of the high dollar Larrivees, Taylors and Martins I played for about half the price. The satin verses high gloss makes the clear difference in the big sound of the D03R.

Absolutely flawless! Beautiful craftmanship and action. Plays like a dream.

Every Acoustic guitar must be taken care of. Temp, humidity and exposure must be monitored and considered. I must rate it a 10 with the thought in mind that a fine wood instrument is delicate and the owner should be responsible for proper care. With proper care this guitar could be passed down to another generation.

Have not contacted Larrivee for any reason yet.

I looked around for about a year and considered Taylor (overpriced)and Tacoma (great sound and value). The Larrivee struck me as looking and sounding elegant. It was the big beautiful sound I was looking for a fantastic price. I did have to negotiate this price being the dealer had it in stock and others would have to order it. Came with great deluxe hardshell case. I have not found a better guitar and better value.

This is an all solid wood Dreadnuaght Guitar.. top, sides and back...Mahogany neck..Rosewood Back and sides...Spruce top..Ebony fingerboard and bridge...Ebony Headstock overlay and Ivroid neck binding.(Ivroid??? whatever)Tuners are????but they are good..Hand Fit Dovetail neck joint..Satin Finish..Elixir strings... Transparent Pick guard....Well if you want more details go to their website..great site

The sound...wow...incredible ..I have only been playing for about a year....well playing seriously...and I went through a few cheaper ..and what I though were ok sounding acoustics...I was tired of getting nosebleeds from that Cheap Guitar high action crap.. so I went on a mission to find my last good true acoustic(well thats what I told my wife anyway)
Went all over and played a lot of 500-800 Guitars...Martins seemed like the way to go..solid top and if your lucky a solid back..
fairly low action and ok sound.(if you played them hard) No extras on a 500-800 Martin...After playing quite a few Guitars I could afford..and a few I couldn't, I was getting up to leave when the guy said I can't let you go without trying this Larrivee D-02..
I did and wow,the action was greatand the sound was better than the cheap martins..He then told me it was all solid Mahogany..I was really impressed... Then looked around for other Larrivees..
Thats when I saw the rosewood D-03.. This was incredible...Tone that projects..wow. Tight deep bass clear highs and great mids...and sounds sweet played soft too..The rosewood is well worth the extra...This is the least expensive model Larrivee puts rosewood on. You must hear this one .....

All Larrivees are built the same..Nice to know that this Guitar was given the same attention as a 4000.00 model and it shows..
Action is great...fit and finish is beautiful...no flaws...but then again I have never owned an acoustic that costs this much ...maybe this is what you would expect

I dont gig... this one doesnt leave the house...or my hands for that matter....seems solid.. but still light ...Satin Finish maybe? The again if I wanted a Tank I would have bought a Guild...

I registered the guitar on line.. very convienient...and emailed Larrivee with a question on the care and feeding of the Satin finish,
and a few other questions.....The very next day I had an email from them... I dont expect to have any problems but if I do I think they will be great to deal with...Lifetime Warranty....if you dont let it dry out....Get a Damp-it Humidifier.....Ten Bucks to save a great guitar

Been playing seriously for a year....Own a Strat..(doesnt everyone?)and a DeArmond Starfire.(Great guitar)... Peavey Delta Blues Amp (tube)...Best sounding Acoustic I have played...this guitar sings so sweetly...Larrivee has to be one of the best kept secrets... the rosewood is a must...nothing else in this or even the next price range compares...this guitar even makes a novice sound good..
I was told that they were going to discontinue the Rosewood on the 03 model and make it only as an option on the higher models....if thats the case this would be then out of my reach...play one and maybe buy one... before they get out of everyones reach....

1997 Model. Dreadnaught, with modest appointments. I find all the Larrivee lower end guitars to be understatedly elegant. Good groveresque tuners, satin finish. All the Larrivees are solid wood guitars. The D03 stock guitar has solid spruce top, w/ mahogany sides and back; they offer a rosewood upgrade, hence the "R" at the end of the model #. Ebony fingerboard and bridge.

I've been looking at and playing a LOT of guitars lately, and this is the one I was looking for. I'd been seeking that D-28 sound that D-28's don't seem to provide anymore.This stacks up to any Martin, I've ever played, and beats the Taylors, which to me have no guts. This one's the proverbial 'cannon'

The action is just what I was looking for; medium height(with medium gauge strings) with headroom up and down on the saddle. It plays perfectly. The top, sides ,and back are nicely bookmatched for the price. The rosewood is very nicely figured

I had more fun banging on this thing the first time I played it out than I think I've ever had playing anything. I felt like Jorma Kaukonen (without the chops). I bought it used, and the satin finish is getting shiny in some spots, but the guitar is beautiful.
It seems very light and delicate, until you play it. Then it seems the more you lean on it, the more it responds. We'll see how it lasts.

Amazing folks - as I said, I bought it used, and I needed replacement bridge pins, and a truss rod adjuster. I emailed the company to ask how I could order these items, and they sent them to me immediately, no charge! I feel like it's still under warranty.
By the way, the folks at Randy's Pawn shop (thanks, mike), whom I had never met, were outstanding!

I've played pro for almost 30 years; researched and played a lot of guitars, and this is one of the best. Given the consistent good quality of the Larrivees I've played, I would definitely buy another one, it this one disappeared. I may get another one, anyway. I love the way it plays and sounds. As i said before, it compares well to that nebulous D-28 sound we all remember, but can't saeem to come up with. I tried out the Larrivee J-09, which is their close to the top-of-the-line Jumbo, and this one sounds as good or better.
Get one.

Year 2000, solid rosewood back and sides, spruce top.
The plain jane of Dreads. Dove tail joint and awesome craftmanship.
No pearls, no Abalone, no Thrills, just a hardworking blue collar dread. Great case included to house this satin finish beauty.
It is the girl next door guitar, simple elegance beauty and natural curves. This is the one you take home to Mom.

A cross between Taylor 710's and Martin D-28's
Somewhere in the middle. Super even and clean. No big booms or shrilling highs. I played about 40 guitars before buying this one.
I think these guitars blow away any Martin 1200$ and below and any Taylor 1200$ and below.

Jean is the man, or at least his workers.
Super playability, Taylor style on the action.

We will see, It seams a little lite without all that heavy varnish.
Can't wait to put some years on it and see how the resin ages.
Hopefully its soul will develop with some scraps and nicks. ( I like that, it shows character)
Great stage guitar if you put a fishman in it.

So far so good.
Cool web site

I have been playing for 8 years. I have learned to appreciate good wood guitars. Solid rosewood sounds so good I would love to panel my living room with it. For 800 dollars this is the best guitar out there flat down, no questions asked. If I had more dough I would like to get a D-35 and record it over top a Larrivee. Very important to play many guitars and you will find one that speaks to you, but I would feel fully confident on ordering mail order as long as you have the option to return. Also, I think Shawn Mullins uses the D-9, so listen to his early stuff to understand the Larrivee sound. Man I love this guitar.

Dreadnought style with Solid Spruce top, Solid Rosewood back and sides, Mahogany neck, Ebony fretboard and bridge. Made in Canada, perhaps in 1999 or early 2000. Top and fretboard are bound. Satin finish, clear pickguard and absolutely no abalone. Larrivee chrome tuners (made by gotoh ?). In terms of looks, the understated elegance of this guitar is awesome. Standard 25.5" scale, and 1 11/16" neckwidth at nut (typical of dreadnoughts). Giving this a 10 because I don't expect any more features in a dreadnought acoustic.

Use this guitar primarily to strum or fingerpick accompaniments for a small prayer group (unamplified). The tone is gorgeous - crisp, sweet, with clear highs and deep lows - just as I would imagine a spruce/ rosewood dreadnought to sound. It is also fairly responsive to fingerpicking - perhaps not as responsive as smaller guitars, but more responsive than the typical dreadnought. Also, compared to less expensive Mahogany bodied guitars, Rosewood was clearly the choice for me. Great bass and clear trebles, big sustain - seems to forgive my sloppy technique ! Giving a 9 because 10 means perfect, and I don't know what that might be.

Came fitted with Elixir light gauge strings (12s). Low action all the way to the 14th fret. Couldn't find any flaws. Overall, very clean workmanship.

Looks solid and reliable. Would exercise the same amount of care as when handling other acoustic guitars.

They have a good website and respond to emails fairly fast. No other interaction with the company.

I've been playing ~14 years, and my other guitars include a Godin LGXT, Yamaha Pacifica, Godin Multiac nylon, and a Lowden S25J (nylon). I love to use the Larrivee for strumming chords and general song accompaniment. When shopping for this guitar, I ruled out Tacoma and Taylor since they seemed excessively bright for my tastes. Low-end Martins sound okay but the thicker neck, and high price for models with solid back/sides put me off. Generally I liked Seagulls, but they don't have a comparable Spruce/Rosewood model. Simon $ Patrick was also good, but I felt the Larrivee D was more balanced and a bit more responsive. The D03R has a great tone that is hard to beat, even in guitars costing thrice as much. If lost or stolen, I'd get another one right away.

Made in Vancouver, Canada, All solid wood guitar: spruce top, indian rosewood sides and back, mahogany neck. unstained ebony fingerboard and bridge. Satin Finish. I love the understated beauty of the guitar, but have not made up my mind if I like the clear pickguard or not.

Lean towards bluegrass and folk/rock. I was drawn by the complexity and depth of the rosewood. Would love to own the mahogany version also, but had to have the rosewood (my wife even agreed after listening to both, knowing it would cost $100-200 more) I have restrung the D-03R with a set of John Pearse 80/20's, which compliments the guitar very nicely.

I lowered the action a little, due to the factory set-up being hire than my liking. The nut seems to be high, making fretting in the first position more difficult than up the neck. Two fairly large dings in the neck (does not affect playability)-unsure if shipped from the factory like this or whether they were obtained in the showroom (annoying either way). Most of the other Larrivee's I have looked at have been flawless.

The guitar seems pretty light, unsure of the durability. I assume it is on average with most solid wood guitars. No current plans on banging it around.

Have answered question via e-mail in a timely manner, seem to be very friendly. Sent neck adjustment tool upon request.

I have been playing about seventeen years. Also own a Takamine f-341, Baby Taylor, and japanese Telecaster. In my opinion this guitar could compete with many guitar's costing twice as much. I would definitely purchase this guitar again if lost or stolen. An affordable solid wood guitar. Will probable have a bone saddle and nut made for the guitar in the near future.

Made in 1996 in Vancouver, BC, Canada all solid woods: rosewood back and sides, spruce top, ebony fretboard clear pickguard, mellow finish, minimal decorations. Hard case included. Paid 1300 Canadian dollars, but after the tax return and exchange rate it ended up costing about 900-1000 US Dollars. Bought at Italmelodie in montreal

I play all kinds of acoustic music, folk, jazzy, celtic, middle eastern. I use the skin of my fingers for fingerstyle and a heavy pick otherwise. This guitar is well suited for all styles but i would say it is better suited for flatpicking in terms of the tone. I find that unless i capo up my bass is a little muddy when finger picking the low e and a strings. This is becasue i use just my fingers and the rosewood responds beatufully but needs a little more punch to get the volume up in the bass. Overall the tone on this guitar is absolutely gorgeous!!!! It responds to every nuance you can come up with in terms of how and where you hit the strings. When flat picking the bass is thick and strong but the middles don't get muddled out. the highs are crystal clear. Although in the higher frets the higher notes seem to kind of echo inside the guitar rather than resonate out of it, if that makes any sense...I have to say the depth and variety of sounds that can be made with this instrument are huge and it is still teaching me things daily.

the action was just right, i like it a little low. The guitar looks great, very toned down chilled out look no fancy inlays, harldy any decoration but it looks real smooth and understated, you are paying for the exceptional sound and playsability not the looks. One flaw is that the finish is kind of peeling from the side of the fretboard at one point but it was like that when i bought it about a year ago and it hasn't gotten any worse.

I play live with the thing and it stays in tune forever. I take it in and out of the cold car and warm stage and the thing stays in tune, don't ask me how. The tuners are solid, no frills tuners they do the trick. I can't say if this guitar will last through the years like a pre-war martin but it seems to have been constructed very carefully and solidly.

haven't had much interaction with the company.

Overall I absolutely adore this guitar. i have been playing for about four years. i shopped around for a while and played martis and taylors and I have some friends with martins and those are beautiful guitars but i do like the particular quality of the tone of my larrivee, very well defined notes,extremely resonant and responsive, opens up your creativity I love the way this thing sounds! the one thing i am regretting is the muddyness of the low e string when i fingerpick. trhough i think that if i learned to use a thumbpick this problem would be solved, becasue flatpicking the balance is perfect. I have played orchestra model martins and larrivee and I decided to go for the boom of the rosewood and dreadnaught shape but there is something to be said for a clean OM/Mahogany sound, i got carried away loking for the boomiest bass sound i could find. If it was stoelon i would look for the exact same guitar, but maybe give the mahogany version a try at the store to see how it responded to fingerpicking. Plus its cool that it is a canadian guitar and if you are american you get a good deal buying it in canada and its good to support our northerly and more enlightened neighbors. If you are canadian, sore-ee abute your econamy eh?