Larrivee D-03RE

Same as everyone said before me.

THIS IS WHERE I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS THING GETS A HIGH RATING. YES I BOUGHT ONE OF THESE WITHOUT PLAYING IT FIRST...BIG MISTAKE! SURE IT SOUNDED ALRIGHT BUT NOT AS GOOD AS EVERYONE HERE MAKES IT OUT TO BE. I WAS TO SAY THE LEAST DISAPPOINTED AND PISSED OFF WHEN I RECEIVED IT. A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE IS AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SO I GOT A GOOD DEAL ON IT AND HE SWORE IT WOULD BE BETTER THAN THE TAYLOR I WAS GOING TO BUY...NOT SO. I WISHED TO GOD I WOULD HAVE JUST WENT WITH MY GUT AND GOT THE TAYLOR, IT WOULD HAVE SAVED ME A LOT OF SICK FEELINGS AND HEART ACHE. THIS GUITAR MAY SOUND GOOD TO OTHERS AND IF YOU HAVE ONE AND ARE HAPPY WITH IT THEN, GREAT!, GOD BLESS. I ON THE OTHER HAND WILL NEVER BUY ANY GUITAR WITHOUT PLAYING IT FOR A GOOD WHILE FIRST AND NEVER SIGHT UNSEEN. I PROBABLY WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER LARRIVEE AGAIN EITHER, ALL THOUGH THE MAHOGANY ONES I HAVE HEARD ARE KINDA O.K. THIS IS JUST MY OPINION AND I AM NOT MEANING TO KNOCK ANYONE WHO OWNS THIS GUITAR, I JUST DID NOT LIKE IT. THE SOUND WAS NOT THAT OF QUALITY, THE BASS WAS THUMPY AND MUDDY, THE MIDS WHERE O.K. AND THE HIGHS NOT AT ALL SPARKLING. YES I DID TRADE IT OFF FOR A TAYLOR AND HAVE NEVER BEEN AS HAPPY WITH MY SOUND. I KNOW THAT SOME OF YOU ARE THINKING , THIS GUY JUST DOSENT KNOW WHAT GOOD TONE IS. BULL@#$%! I HAVE BEEN PLAYING FOR OVER 25 YEARS AND BEEN A WORKING MUSICIAN MOST OF THEM, I EVEN TEACH GUITAR AT A LOCAL MUSIC STUDIO. I KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT.

I WILL SAY THIS GUITAR WAS WELL BUILT AND FINISHED IT ALSO PLAYED EXTREMELY WELL.

COULDN'T STAND THE SOUND OF IT LONG ENOUGH TO KEEP IT TO FIND OUT

IF YOU LIKE THE SOUND OF IT THEN CONGRATULATIONS, AS FOR ME I WILL SPEND MY MONEY WITH OTHER GUITAR MAKERS...TAYLOR OR HUSS & DALTON.

I'll give an eight here only because I am taking to acount the number of features as well as the quality. While there are not a huge amount of features and the guitar has a beautiful understated look, the quality of all of the features is amazing. The Solid Rosewood back/sides are perfect and smell great and the satin finish is flawless. I'm also glad to say that the new models now have Schaller tuners and you no longer have to take the strings off to replace the battery in the L.R. Baggs preamp. However the lack of a strap button at the heel of the neck is a bit annoying but common. So it doesn't have a huge number of inlays and other fancy decorations, but what it has is of the highest quality and to me gives the guitar only more charm when you hear and play it.

An absolute 10 here. Keep in mind that I bought this new, so it hasn't fully opened up yet. I played a lot of guitars on my hunt for this including the Martin D16 and Taylor 300 series which offer the same wood combinations. I have to admit that before I started my search I had never even heard of Larrivee. When I found it, it just blew me away. Really had a more full and balanced tone compared to the Martin and Taylor which were priced about $300 more with our any electronics. I think the satin finish may allow the wood to vibrate more freely when new. I play a combination of flat picking and finger picking and this guitar sound great for both. The highs really shine and the lows boom. The overtones and harmonics produced by the Rosewood are killer as well. Plug it in and you have some real control over the sound you get from the L.R. Baggs pickup. Turn up the high end and you get some realy bright tones to accent any fingerpicking and the notch control works great for playing at high volumes. Bottom line is this guitar sounds like a million $

When I bought the guitar is was sitting in the back room of the shop still in it's box that it was shipped from the factory in so the shop techs did nothing to it. The setup was perfect for what I wanted. If you really get aggressive and pluck the low E very hard you can manage to get some buzz... but the nice low action is every bit as nice the the Taylor 300 series I played. The size, profile and finish on the mohogany neck is super comfortable as well. The satin finish is flawless and I love the mapel binding around the body, but it does look a little out of place againts the white ivoriod binding on the neck. The frets are finished great with now sharp edges. There is a bit of bear claw on the spuce soundboard which it didn't like at first, but have come to love it as it is unique to my baby.

Well it seems to be built like a tank. The Shaller tuners are solid and hold tune great. The construction is sound. As beautiful as the Satin finish is, it will be interesting to see how it holds up to the test of time and grime. But I always liked the look of a worn guitar. So many stories scratched into the top. While it's never a good idea to gig without a backup, I wouldn't turn around to go get a backup if I forgot it on the way to a gig.

I haven't had to deal with them but I have seen Matt Larrivee (Jean's son) personaly respond to questions on various guitar fourms. Larrivee also has its own discussion foum that has a crap load of great information and you can have just about any questions answered in a matter of minutes if you post on there. Plus there's a limited lift time warranty so you know that counts for something.

I've been playing for about 6 years and this is my first high end acoustic. I've been playing a cheaper Yamaha and beating the piss out of it since I started. I also own a Godin Exit-22 electric. While this is my first high end acoustic, it took me about a year an a half of hunting to find the one I needed to have. If it were lost or stolen I would first hunt the bastard down, but if that didn't work I would buy another. I lover everything about it and can only complain about the lack of the strap button at the heel of the neck. My favorite feature has to be the finish...something about the satin finish just says "I look great, but wait til you hear me, that's what I was made for". I compared a lot of other guitars over my year and a half hunt and was almost convinced on getting a Martin D16 until I saw my Larry. In my opinion, when you compare this guitar or any Larrivee -03 series to what you get from other companies like Taylor and Martin for the same price, this guitar is extremely under priced (like $400 - $500). If you haven't played one, get out and find one, they are without a doubt the best value you will find when it comes to an all solid wood guitar. Thanks Larrivee.

Nothing besides what you need. Tiny dot inlays, solid tuners, satin finish on absolutely beautiful solid spruce and rosewood body, tortise pickguard. Mine has B-Band electronics which sound good. It is necessary to take the strings off to change the battery; somewhat annoying but I plug it in rarely so it doesn't matter. This category is definitely this guitar's weak spot, but who cares?

Sounds as good as any other guitar I've heard. I looked around and played some more expensive Martins, Taylors, Gibsons, Takamines, etc before I was blown away by this model and it's price. I play fingerstyle and flatpick, but almost any style would sound great on this guitar I believe. This guitar can be really loud if you are an aggressive picker. Dreadnought body gives great bass response, mids and highs are clear and rich. Sounds Great!

I bought it from Spruce Tree Music in Madison, WI. They set up all of their instruments (and do repair work) very well. My Larrivee was no exception, the action is great. False harmonics sound great. Only great craftsmanship and solid woods went into my guitar, I've yet to find a flaw.

Seems sturdy to me. Ive listened to its sound open up for more than 6 months without any problems. I try to treat it like a baby so it can keep sounding great forever! I won't rate this category because I haven't had this guitar long enough to know.

Have not delt with the Larrivee people, but the limited lifetime warranty is nice. If it did break I would take it to the people at Spruce Tree, who are very nice and knowledgeable. Again I will not give a rating here as I have no experience.

Ive been playing guitar for 4 years now, I own a fender 12string and a mexican strat as well as a cheap acoustic that was replaced with the Larrivee. Everyone I know who knows anything about guitars has given me only compliments on it's sound, often threatening to kill me and steal it in jealousy.
Overall extremely happy with my larry. It sounds great for a very reasonable price, which is just what I wanted. If it was stolen I would cry while I began saving money to replace it.

Same features as below but mine is a 2006 model and comes with a awesome tortise pickguard...much better than the plain clear one. It is still kind of understated looking but I love it!, rating will still only be 7

Well it darn well deserves a 10 here, I have only had it two weeks but it is really opening up at an amazing rate. Better every time I play it, beautiful full rich rosewood sound it sounds great in any musical situation...unreal that it is so reasonably priced..god bless you and yours Mr. Larrivee.

No flaws here...just beautiful..fantastic workmanship.

Its a high quality guitar so it will need a little TLC,but I am not afraid to play it and enjoy...thats why it was made. If you plan on not doing what the manual asks of you to properly care for it then buy a cheap piece of crap laminate..you are not ready for quality.

Not used this yet...lifetime warranty is very comforting.

I chose this over Taylor, Martin, Gibson and all import solid wood guitars..Blueridge, Epiphone..ect. Honestly I dont think there is a better value out there,try to get solid rosewood back and sides on any of the big three guitars mentioned above. Bet your butt you will pay a lot more and still probably wont get a better sound. I have 25 years playing behind me and this is truly an amazing value, before you buy the "name" play a Larrivee D-03RE... you will take it home.I really love this guitar get one before the price goes up or the rosewood option is discontinued on the D-03. These really sound better to me at least than the high end gloss finished Larrivees, I just cant stress enough what Great guitars these are, plays like a dream too!,YOUR STILL HERE?, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? HURRY GO GET ONE!!!!!!

2005 larrivee d-03re
Hand made in British Columbia Canada
Sitka Spruce solid top
Rosewood sides and back (brazilian I believe)
Ebony fingerboard, bridge, and headstock overlay
Satin finish
Onboard preamp

I play mostly acoustic rock with a wide range of strumming and finger picking.
Absolutely amazing sound. The range of this guitar is outstanding. Whether it's very subtle light strumming/fingerpicking or aggressive hard strumming, this guitar delivers!!!
The bass is great. Booming bass if you ask for it by hitting the low E hard or nice mellow low tones if you're gentler. Hit a full chord solidly and the balance is perfect. Beautiful!

I haven't fiddled with the action since bringing it home as I liked it the way it came.
I don't own an acoustic amp right now so I haven't put much time in with the guitar plugged in but I did toy with it through a fender acoustasonic junior at my local store and I was really impressed by the pickup and preamp/controls. My only complaint is - changing the battery for the pre-amp - the battery has to be changed through the sound hole and of course, the strings get in the way! It'd be nice to have the battery more easily accessible like the setups I've seen on some other preamps. However that minor item would not stop me from buying the guitar again. The sound more than makes up for it!
The woods used are beautiful and the simplicity of the appearance of the guitar just says 'I don't have to be dressed up to impress you. Just listen.'

Haven't had it long enough to know if there will be any issues but it seems like a solid, quality instrument so far.

Like someone else mentioned in their review, I'll need to get a strap button installed. So - I just play sitting down right now!

Again, haven't had it long enough but the lifetime warrantee is comforting.

I've been playing for 15 years and for pretty much all of that I've been playing on a Seagull D6. It's been my baby and I learned all I know on it but I've got to say, when I picked up the Larrivee I quickly realized that my love for the old Seagull had been blind. It was a great entry level guitar but this new one is blowing me away!

I tried out a pile of different guitars before deciding on the Larrivee - Taylors, Takamines, Gibsons, etc all in the $1000 - $1500 price range and none of them came close to giving me the goose bumps the Larrivee does.

The Larrivee D-03RE is a Canadian-made, all solid-wood dreadnought acoustic guitar. It was made within 2 years, but I am not sure when.
Here are the features (with some comments): All Solid Wood Construction Rosewood Back & Sides Solid Spruce Top Wood Fiber Binding (it looks plastic to me) Mahogany Neck Ebony Fingerboard Ebony Bridge (the bridge and fingerboard wood has some lighter brown streaks in it; they aren't perfectly black. That is the nature of Ebony, so I hear.) Transparent Satin Pickguard Adjustable Truss Rod (access is hidden in the soundhole) Hand-fit Dove-Tail Neck Joint Composite Nut & Saddle Microdot Inlay Fingerboard Satin Finish Ebony Headstock Overlay Fishman Prefix Plus Pickup
This guitar was built to sound beautiful and cost little. Upscale appointments such as abalone and other decoration were left off to shave cost. It is understated beauty, but it is still a solid rosewood dreadnought Larrivee.

I can't say enough! You have to hear it. This guitar was sought and bought as a backup for my Taylor 710ce (also a rosewood dreadnought) and the Larrivee offers so much more volume and balance. The bass is very loud and responsive, even a little boomy. It is reminiscent of a Martin Brazilian rosewood dreadnought in its volume. The spruce top balances the boomy bass and provides plenty of highs and mids projection. The bracing is lighter and the guitar has more of a classical feel in the area of weight and the sensation of vibration when playing it. It is well suited to fingerstyle, though fingerstyle is traditionally matched with smaller body guitars. It is also a joy to play with a pick, even hard strumming. It would be at home in a variety of settings. Also a word about the sound character of the pickup/preamp: I thought in the store that it was the Prefix Onboard Blender because the size and number of knobs and sliders is identical. I learned AFTER I bought it that it was not, that it did not have the microphone. I was a little diappointed, but I was still amazed at the sound. It sounded more balanced than the Taylor 710ce with the Onboard Blender and mic. The pickup signal is clear and easy to manipulate from the start. It is feature-laden it itself: Acoustic Matrix pickup, trebel and bass boost/cut, contour boost/cut with frequency slider (like a mid-sweepable EQ), brilliance control, and a phase switch and notch filter for countering feedback. Overall, I have been nothing less than satisfied with the sound of the guitar and only slightly disappointed in the pickup because of misinformation.

I am unaware of how the guitar was set up at the factory. However, I am sure that Jean Larrivee knows how to take care of it. Setup at the store, everything is fine. Action is perfect. No buzzing, but it is a little high up around the 14th fret, but it is not accessible because there is no cutaway. The spruce top is perfect as far as I can tell. There is a little hint of a swirl in one place on the grain of the side. Nothing to speak of. The finish is immaculate, as you would expect from Larrivee. There is a very tiny chip or dent near the heel on the neck that I will have to assume happened sometime during the guitar's stay on display at the store.

I have no way of knowing the extended life of this guitar. The literature included is very cautious of humidity and temperature extremes. The tuning machines were made for Larrivee by Gotoh. They are great. As good as the Grovers on my Taylor, though not as large or weighty. I would play without a backup except that I bought it as a backup in case of string breakage. Except for the occasional string breaking, it is solid.

I haven't dealt with Larrivee at all as a customer. But, I did meet a representative at a store when he was previewing some Venetian cutaway prototypes to the owner. The man was very polite and actually handed me one of the guitars! I was awestruck. He barely kept an eye on me. I had to get his attention to give him the guitar back! The warranty has no time limit. It of course does not cover normal wear and tear or abuse. It does cover manufacturing and material defects. You couldn't really ask for more.

I have been playing acoustic guitar since 1997. As mentioned earlier, I own a Taylor 710ce. I also have a Peavy Ecoustic 112 amp. I wish I had known about the preamp not being the Onboard Blender, but that was really my mistake, and I wouldn't have changed my decision. I also wish I had asked the store to put on a strap button because I forgot to look for one before I left. Not a big deal, though. I would buy this guitar again definitely. It is a great deal for the money and it sounds better (in my opinion) than my Taylor 710ce and a Taylor 810 (which has the same wood specifications and body style as the Larrivee).