Better Guitar

player opinions

Name: Lou Ferguson
Model Year: 2002
Price Paid: $2200 with Fishman dual mic/bridge system
Performance
Well I couldn’t put it down after I tried it out. I have owned some nice guitars but when I played the L09 it was a dream. I wasn’t even shopping really, just spending some time in the store. Maybe I got lucky with this one, don’t know, but it sure loves me.
Performance Rating: 10
Sound Quality
The tone, the tone and the tone. Every string came to the surface, on every fret. The response to my playing especially finger style was just unbelievable.
Sound Quality Rating: 10
Construction
Well my favorite since 1977 was my Guild D25 Tobacco that I bought new then. The finish is a lot tougher on this unit, definitely.
Construction Rating: 10

Name: Otis Poon
Band: Snuggly Beer-Belly Boys
Model Year: 1980
Price Paid: $1000
Performance
It works well and is easy to play. I beg your pardon, I wasn’t promised a rose garden. Otherwise, it does a beautiful job of making lovely music.
Performance Rating: 10
Sound Quality
It is loud when I want, and sensitive and quiet when I want to. Good separation of string tones, it sounds like I’m playing through sunshine.
Sound Quality Rating: 10
Construction
Built like a brick shot glass.
Construction Rating: 10

Name: Rory J. Sallis
Band: Edmonton Firefighters Dance band
Model Year: 1979
Price Paid: $900 Canadian
Performance
This instrument has been my main steel string acoustic since its purchase. In that 20 years it has remained an inspirational performer that has remained stable, stays in tune, has not suffered any finish checking, top cracks, loose braces, or in fact any problems at all, other than normal fret wear.
Performance Rating: 10
Sound Quality
Very loud instrument that usually cuts through any others at acoustic jams.
Sound Quality Rating: 10
Construction
As solid as the proverbial “Rock of Gibraltar.” Highly recommended as a main acoustic steel string.
Construction Rating: 10

Name: Bill Friggle
Band: Front Pew Boys
Price Paid: Traded a Martin OM-21
Performance
In one word: Awesome. It is beautiful to look at, and inspiring to play. Its tone is the best I have ever heard. I had played one over 4 years ago and finally got one. Its finish is great, it has a Maple binding that offsets the dark Rosewood. Pearl inlay is perfect. I can’t believe the price Buffalo Bros. sells them at. Try one and I know you will want one.
Performance Rating: 10
Sound Quality
The tone is very well balanced. I fingerpick and flatpick. This is the only guitar I have played that when I fingerpick an arrangement I wrote, I can hear the D string when I pluck it at the same time as the high E while playing a Bm chord. In every other guitar the high E drowns out the D. Great tight low end which is also clear. Mids are clear and bright, and the highs are perfectly mixed with the low and high. AWESOME!
Sound Quality Rating: 10
Construction
Seems to be a higher priced instrument then it is. I could easily see this quality of a guitar in a $3000 price range. I did have a problem with the first guitar that was shipped to me. The finish was bad. But it is not a common thing and it just slipped through the cracks. For my trouble I got a new one with a Fishman pickup installed. The new one is perfect. The Larrivee bracing is totally different than any other guitar. And they claim it to be stronger, but also responsible for the awesome tone.
Construction Rating: 10