Larrivee Parlor revisited

Subject: RE: Larrivee Parlor revisited
From: GUEST,Fattigmann
Date: 06 Oct 13 - 11:22 PM

All these hand built guitars use cnc machines. This is the golden age of guitars. There's always a bit of luck as to why akin guitar speaks to you, but for sheer volume of consistent enjoyment, hand builders got nothing on the majors.

Subject: RE: Larrivee Parlor revisited
From: GUEST,Fattigmann
Date: 06 Oct 13 - 11:16 PM

Agreed. I have 2 larrivees of the same model and the difference is huge. I used to own a 98 Taylor 310-- loved it. I used to pull an old stratocaster stage trick on it, bending the neck at the headstock for a tremolo effect. You could never do that with a dovetail neck.

Subject: RE: Larrivee Parlor revisited
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Oct 13 - 01:30 PM

Every guitar is different, especially of made by hand.

Subject: RE: Larrivee Parlor revisited
From: GUEST,Fattigmann
Date: 06 Oct 13 - 10:34 AM

Debunked? There is a difference between dovetailed and bolt on necks. It's a matter of preference. If you like the bright Taylor sound or rich Martin sound. Yes, collings can approximate the Martin sound, but imagine if collings used a dovetail

Subject: RE: Larrivee Parlor revisited
From: GUEST,guest,jack
Date: 19 Aug 01 - 01:49 PM

That Larrivee parlor I've just read about sure seems to be a lot of guitar for the money.The specs say it has a dovetailed neck joint. Since most acoustic guitars at some time are going to need a neck reset, I'm wondering what some of you folks think of the bolt-on neck.Years ago there was an arguement that a bolt-on just didn't sound as good as the dovetail joint, but that has sort of been de-bunked over the last 20+ years (maybe to a large part thanks to Taylor).It would seem that if sound were not hampered by the bolt-on,and it were easier to reset the neck(probably less expensive also )the bolt on might be the "way to go".What do you think Rick? jack

Subject: RE: Larrivee Parlor revisited
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 19 Aug 01 - 11:19 AM

Actually Murray, I bought it for a student, BUT if I could have snuck one more into the house, I WOULD have grabbed any of the three that the store had. Don't mean to be alarmist, 'cause my evaluation (in the above post) was based on a "Parlor" that I tried about six weeks ago and another that I tried last week. (Don't Think they were the same one)

Hope someone else sees this, who's played one recently.

Rick

Subject: RE: Larrivee Parlor revisited
From: JedMarum
Date: 19 Aug 01 - 10:48 AM

ah! After Viewing the source and comparing the hyper text links I attempted to post to Larrivee, I see I made a fat fingered error; I used "herf" instead of "href" to link in the original post! So, once again, I say the worst thing about computers is that tey do exactly what you tell 'em!!

Subject: RE: Larrivee Parlor revisited
From: JedMarum
Date: 19 Aug 01 - 10:43 AM

hmmmm, I'm not sure what happened, I tried to put a link to Larrivee in the last post but it didn't appear, so just in case you have an interest in checking out their website, they are here http://www.larrivee.com/

Subject: RE: Larrivee Parlor revisited
From: JedMarum
Date: 19 Aug 01 - 10:39 AM

Sorry to hear Rick's comments, but not too surprised. Even though Larrivee is producing a high volume of these instruments, they are still made by hand and I am not surprised that some will not be quality instruments - or even that the entire line might not loose some quality. I guess, if you're looking at the instruments, Murray - you'll have to judge each one on its own. Still, Larrivee is a top manufacturer and if you have any troubles with the instrument you should have no probs getting it fixed.

As I said, I don't have the same need for mine that I used to, but it is still a fine guitar and has only gotten better in the couple of years I've owned it.

Subject: RE: Larrivee Parlor revisited
From:
Date: 19 Aug 01 - 08:06 AM

Thanks Jed and Rick. Rick, what you tell me is interesting, If I remember correctly, you said yo got one for yoursel about a year or so. I would also be interested in what you think of the old one now that you have got to play it for a while.

Murray

Subject: RE: Larrivee Parlor revisited
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 18 Aug 01 - 12:18 PM

Nope Jed and Murray, the price IS a little less modest....but there's something else. I was visiting my local (music store, not pub) with a student a couple of weeks ago, and saw they had a new "parlor" on the wall. As you know, I raved about this model, and found it far superior to the Taylor and Takoma equivalents, so I took it down to show my student.

Didn't like it at all. The neck angle seemed all wrong (inviting an early neck reset), and the tone was thin. It didn't play easily, and I certainly wouldn't have recommended it.

Hope this isn't a trend. Remember that Guitar companies go through their "glory days", often get very popular, and then perhaps build (or ship) too quickly without enough quality control. My feeling is that if the same person who played one of the earlier "parlors" before shipping, played this one, they would have rejected it, but there it was waiting for a customer.

Rick

Subject: RE: Larrivee Parlor revisited
From: JedMarum
Date: 18 Aug 01 - 11:43 AM

I am one of those enthusiastic owners. I bought the guitar when I was working a travellin day job while playing part time as a musician - so this guitar was a great choice; I could take it anytime, anywhere and it is a beautiful guitar. I have since switched to music full time and have no day job, travelling or otherwsie. So I no longer have the need for this guitar that I had - in fact, it is currently at my eldest son's house for his use and I have not played it for months.

I would use it still, for certain situations, but would probably not use it much for performance, simply because my other instruments are setup for that purpose (pick ups, etc). But the guitar is quite capable of being used for that purpose.

I must say that I also like to use a particular instrument for performance. While I love playing other guitars, and experimenting - when I am working I like the comfort of knowing well the instrument I am playing. I do not play the Larrivee Parlor enough to have that level of comfort.

So after all this time is my enthusiam dampened? No. This is a fine instrument and well worth its modest price (although I see that price is no longer so modest). But I have to admit I would not buy one today, simpy because I no longer have the need for it.

Subject: Larrivee Parlor revisited
From:
Date: 18 Aug 01 - 05:54 AM

I was reminded of this while I was composing the papoose thread.

Some time ago there was a lot of talk and enthusiasm about the Larrivee Parlor Guitar. A number of people seem to have gotten one and were happy.

I would be interested if those who were enthusiastic still like theirs. (and if not, why not?)

Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be one in my future. I am just interested in following it up.

Thanks,

Murray