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Post subject: Martin vs Larrivée?
Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 5:23 pm
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I know that it's a Fender forum, but I could use some help making a decision.
At my local guitar store there is a used left-handed Larrivée guitar. It has an MSRP of over $2000, and they are selling it for $800. It is this one here (but lefty): http://www.larrivee.com/instruments/acoustics/LV3E.php
Now, here is my dilemma. I have been saving for a Martin 000-15SM for a couple of months now, and really do want to get one eventually, but this Larrivée seems like too good of a deal to pass up!

What do you guys think?


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Post subject: Re: Martin vs Larrivée?
Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 5:51 pm
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Even though the Larrivée is a great and wonderful sounding guitar and it's made by a fellow Canuck,I'd go for the Martin if it were me.Absolutely nothing sounds like a Martin and they are pretty well the epitome of acoustic guitars unless you get into those handmade by the top luthiers. Marty Stuart pretty well summed it all up when I had a brief chat with him after a concert and told him how great the D-28s that he and Kenny were playing sounded and told him that I had always wanted one: "Everybody should own a Martin." and I agree with him 100% and hope to have one myself before I leave this mortal coil.

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Post subject: Re: Martin vs Larrivée?
Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 6:21 pm
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+2 on the Martin.


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Post subject: Re: Martin vs Larrivée?
Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 6:33 pm
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There are a boatload of great acoustic guitars out there, but for me it's Martin. D-18GE, D-35, 000-16 cutaway.


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Post subject: Re: Martin vs Larrivée?
Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 7:27 pm
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if you would take a chance on an acoustic guitar, why not try a Fender acoustic guitar.
Realistically a parlor guitar like this one could become an inspiration:

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The Basics
With a petite Martin “0” size body, this is the smallest full size body we offer. This model features with a 12-fret slotted head.

List Price: $4,599.00 Left Friendly

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Post subject: Re: Martin vs Larrivée?
Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 7:49 pm
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Tough choice... Larrivee is a terrific guitar !

But, Martin (in their 180th year) is pretty much the standard by which all other manufactured acoustics are measured, even Gibson. If this is going to be your one quality acoustic, I'd say go Martin (though I may be a bit prejudiced).

There is no shortage of great acoustic guitars, in fact we may be in the Golden Age for acoustics. This is especially true if you consider the increasing scarcity of commercial quantities of traditional tonewoods. If anyone was ever considering buying a quality acoustic, the next few years may be the only time to do so.

Not forecasting Doom & Gloom here, it's just reality. Adirondack Spruce, Indian Rosewood, Brazillian Rosewood (pre-endangered ban) are simply not available on a scale where large instrument makers can commit to a series or design longterm. Several makers, Gibson and Martin amongst them, are exploring different woods and synthetic materials to fill the gap, if for nothing else as a means of self-preservation.

Undoubtedly, there will be new guitars coming forth, but with non-traditional woods (we're already seeing this). Some may be as good or better, but there's no guarantee. Current all-solid wood guitars in traditional woods are really gonna hold their value as the years pass.

If you read my recent GXD post, you'll see that I just traded an all-solid wood Blueridge for a Martin DC-1E, fewer frills and a neck of engineered Birch.

I like the Blueridge alot, but this Martin has a tone that's just incredible, not waaay better than the Blueridge, but better. Also, it has the best sustain of any acoustic I've ever played (not that I'm the consumate master or anything).

The one difference between the Blueridge and the DC-1E which I can't ignore is the DC-1E says Made in Nazareth, PA on the label and C.F.Martin & Co. on the headstock.

I never thought I would own a Martin because I play mostly electrics and couldn't really justify a Martin's cost. So when the chance came to get one, I jumped on it and am very happy with my choice. Owning a Martin, albeit far from the top of the line, motivates me to become a better player.

I could have easily been happy for a lifetime with the Blueridge, if it worked for me, but it didn't. The Martin I got in exchange, (because it's a 5y.o. NOS) was an amazing deal.

cheers!

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Last edited by Lightnin MN on Sat Jun 29, 2013 2:16 am, edited 5 times in total.

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Post subject: Re: Martin vs Larrivée?
Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 7:57 pm
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Thanks guys! I'm still in talks with the store, trying to get them to come down on the price a little bit more. If I can get the Larrivée for around $600 I will be more than happy to buy it, but anything more than that and I'll just keep saving for a Martin. I offered $600 in cash, plus an MXR Carbon Copy Analog Delay, and I am now waiting on a reply.

SBLS, quite honestly I'm not big on the Fender acoustics that are offered left-handed. As for that Martin you posted, it is one I have actually looked at before, but it is way beyond what I would be looking to spend. The one I really want is the Martin 000-15SM. You can get them new for around $1400.
The one thing I love about Martin is that all of their guitars are offered left-handed!


Lightnin MN: great post! Personally I'm not a big fan of rosewood acoustics, much prefer mahogany. Also, this will not be my "one quality acoustic". I'm pretty well done with buying electric guitars (there's really only one more I want), so my attention is turning to acoustics. I actually think that acoustics work better for my playing style anyways. I eventually want to have both a Martin and a Larrivée. My problem is deciding which to buy first ... keep saving for a Martin, or pull the trigger on a Larrivée this weekend.


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Post subject: Re: Martin vs Larrivée?
Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 5:21 am
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Martin hands down. Mine in a Performing Artist OMCPA4 and it's an incredible instrument made in Nazareth Pa. It's hard to beat over 180 years of experience. Fender has never been known for its acoustic guitars. They just started getting serious about acoustics what, about a year ago.

Take a tour of the Martin factory and you'll see why the cost is justified. I took my Martin to the factory when it was new because the action was a little bit high for my playing style. They treated me not only like part of the family, but adjusted the action to my liking while I waited. There was no way I was letting the clowns at Guitar Center touch my guitar.

Larrivee's are nice guitars, but to my ears Martin is tough to beat.

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Post subject: Re: Martin vs Larrivée?
Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 1:44 pm
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I think you can't go wrong with a Martin (I wish I had one, or a dozen :P,) but if the other one is really calling you more, then get what you like the best. If you can, I'd suggest playing both of them side by side and really decide. It's better to do that, then having buyer's remorse later and lose your $@! trying to sell it if you wind up not wanting to keep it.

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Post subject: Re: Martin vs Larrivée?
Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 3:46 pm
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I'll play Devil's Advocate and advise going with the Larrivee. I don't agree that you can't go wrong with a Martin. I am not a fan. My opinion of course.

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Post subject: Re: Martin vs Larrivée?
Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 9:17 pm
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BMW-KTM wrote:
I'll play Devil's Advocate and advise going with the Larrivee. I don't agree that you can't go wrong with a Martin. I am not a fan. My opinion of course.


Agreed - Used high end L'arrivee or a 15 series Martin? Absolutely no contest in my book, the Martin won't stand a chance. The Canadian will be built far better, sound far better, and play far better.

I've had a few Martins over the years - decent enough, and a really good Martin will be one of the finest guitars you could ever play, but you're not going to find one of those with even a remotely sensible price tag. ;)


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Post subject: Re: Martin vs Larrivée?
Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2013 9:47 am
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Vulpinity wrote:
BMW-KTM wrote:
I'll play Devil's Advocate and advise going with the Larrivee. I don't agree that you can't go wrong with a Martin. I am not a fan. My opinion of course.


Agreed - Used high end L'arrivee or a 15 series Martin? Absolutely no contest in my book, the Martin won't stand a chance. The Canadian will be built far better, sound far better, and play far better.

I've had a few Martins over the years - decent enough, and a really good Martin will be one of the finest guitars you could ever play, but you're not going to find one of those with even a remotely sensible price tag. ;)


Just your opinion of course. :wink:
And no you don't need a seriously high end Martin to get a seriously fine sounding and playing instrument. I go to the Martin factory in Nazareth Pa. every couple of months just to try something new or different and get questions properly answered, not by a salesman, but by the people who build them. Some I like, some I don't care for at all. But they all sound fine. Some of the necks kill it for me, but they are incredibly built. I'm not totally sold on the HPL guitars though, even though some of the play really nice. When I bought mine, I tried many different brands including Taylor, Breedlove, Gibson and Epi Master Built and came home with the Martin. I'm not a bling kind of person, I just look for playability and tone. I have always found Martin to rise well above "decent enough". You don't stay in business 180 years by being just decent enough.

Side by side is still your best bet and let your own ears and fingers decide.

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Post subject: Re: Martin vs Larrivée?
Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2013 12:39 pm
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Perhaps we can agree on the following:
A majority of guitarists like Martins and a minority do not.

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Post subject: Re: Martin vs Larrivée?
Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2013 1:32 pm
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BMW-KTM wrote:
Perhaps we can agree on the following:
A majority of guitarists like Martins and a minority do not.


I tried a Martin D45s Authentic 1936 at the Martin factory. It was close to $60,000 and I didn't like the neck or the tone all that much. :lol: I like the D28 much more, it seemed way more tonally balanced.
The D45s was real pretty though.

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Post subject: Re: Martin vs Larrivée?
Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2013 4:21 pm
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I played every Martin in the city of Edmonton at least five times each over the course of about 7 weekends back in 2002 when I decided it was finally time to buy that Martin I'd always wanted. Hadda be at least 30 Martins I tried of all price ranges over the seven major stores in town. Alfie's, Giovanni's, Avenue, Axe, Mothers', Lilo's & L&M. I hated every single one of them. Dull. Thudding. Lifeless. It was a salesman in L&M who had been watching me through the glass walls in the acoustic room as I pulled each Martin off the wall and hung it back up in disappoinment who came in and suggested I try a Taylor. He spent some time with me and told me about Bob Taylor who'd worked for Martin and quit because they refused to upgrade their methods and improve their designs. They had 8 Taylors and I liked them all. I walked out with the one I thought was best and put and end to almost 2 months of disappointment. In my mind Martins are way over rated.

Way.

And I mean way.


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