Larrivee D-19

This a Dreadnought design made in 1995, in Vancouver before they moved to U.S. MFG. Probably somewhere in between today's D-9 and D-10. Top is a tight grain Sitka Spruce, body solid East Indian Rosewood. Neck is solid Honduran Mahogany with Ebony fretboard. Headstock has some abalone inlay that looks Celtic(?), no Larrivee logo. Fretboard also has abalone inlay looking something like but not exactly like fleur-de-lis. Abalone rosette around sound hole. Schaller Tuners. Clear pickguard. No electronics. Based on quality of materials as "features" giving this a 9.

I do a lot of finger picking and strumming as well as well as "sing along" acoustics. Sound is great! Good balance of highs/lows with transparent mids. Sounds really good finger picking, but also strumming as well. For a dreadnought this is not an overly loud guitar though, which suits my needs, but perhaps not others.

I bought this guitar used in 2003, i.e when it was 8 years old and it was in near mint condition. It is exceptionally well made and everything, joints, etc. are tight. Holds tuning really well, Lacquer finish is beautiful. Action is reasonable low and no hint of a buzz, intonations and set up seem great, but I don't know how it came from the factory. The top is a continuous run of sitka, and back is single run rosewood so no booking needed there. All the wood grain is first rate and beautiful, but I wouldn't call it exquisite, thus I'm giving a 9 here.

9 years old and going strong, though I don't know how much use it got in the first 8 years.

Bought this used but I did send them an e-mail with the serial number asking for information (age, woods, etc.), and had a great response back with lots of information within 24 hours, so giving a 10 here.

Extremely happy with this guitar and having shopped around for Martins, Gibsons, and more exotic names, I believe that new or used Larrivees are about the best value out there, so giving a 10.