Modding a Acoustic

[Mindseyes]

Hey guy's just wanted to see what you guys think about my plan, I have a Larrivee D-03 acoustic that I want to get re-fretted and a new pickup system installed.

First off I love its acoustic tone, I got rid of a nice Taylor and Gibson when I picked this one up because its acoustic tone just walked all over the others.

The bad, the pickup and the electronics in it SUCK and the frets on it are a little to small for my liking....I really have trouble playing barre chords on it and im pretty sure its because of the small lowish frets, I dont have problems playing the same chords on my electric guitars with larger frets.

So what do you guys think, will it be worth the trouble of getting a fret job and new electronics or should I just look for a new guitar?

[murkat]

Sounds like ( no pun intended ) you answered your own question.

If you like what you hear, and knowing that it could be better

for you in the long run, go for it. can only get better for you.

Do it!

[Mindseyes]

Sounds like ( no pun intended ) you answered your own question.

If you like what you hear, and knowing that it could be better

for you in the long run, go for it. can only get better for you.

Do it!

Going with new larger frets will mean a new nut and saddle, correct?......will this have a big impact on the sound of the guitar?

[murkat]

yes

yes

maybe...

the "wood tone" that you like will always be there.

A "big impact"? not really

[Jimbilly]

I totally believe you about the tone, I had a Larivee that sounded really 'right' to me. I only sold it because I found a cheap/rough Martin D-28P that sounded even a little more 'right'. I've been told that Larivee has a bit of a gift for choosing the right woods. I've only played a couple Larivee's but they were all great. I think the LR Baggs I-beam is still pretty well liked?, they are less than $200 installed iirc.

Can you email Larivee about the fret issue?, maybe they have a similar model with larger frets, or could offer some insight about how the D-03 might behave with larger frets.

[Mindseyes]

I totally believe you about the tone, I had a Larivee that sounded really 'right' to me. I only sold it because I found a cheap/rough Martin D-28P that sounded even a little more 'right'. I've been told that Larivee has a bit of a gift for choosing the right woods. I've only played a couple Larivee's but they were all great. I think the LR Baggs I-beam is still pretty well liked?, they are less than $200 installed iirc.

Can you email Larivee about the fret issue?, maybe they have a similar model with larger frets, or could offer some insight about how the D-03 might behave with larger frets.

Jim, this Larivee has blown me away from the tone compared to some way more expensive guitars I have played....I bought it used for next to nothing it's quality is top notch for its price point.....could they be the Hamer of the acoustic world?

I'd really like to try some others out but there is no dealers that carry them anywhere close to me.

Thanks for the advice guys!

[cynic]

...could they be the Hamer of the acoustic world?

This has been my experience. I have a LV-03 and its sound is as good as any <$2500 range guitar I've played. My frets don't seem particularly small though. Comparing them to the frets on my Tally, they seem very similar in the size dept...maybe a very thin hair shorter if anything, but nothing I'd consider low.

Larrivee's electrics aren't bad either. I've got one of their tele styles, and you won't find anything with similar factory Callaham and SD custom shop components at or near the same price-point. I had some concerns when I took delivery, and within a few hours I had an email from Matt Larrivee asking for my number. He personally called and insisted I let him have the guitar picked up and returned to the factory so he could inspect it, take some measurements and get to the bottom of what was going on. In addition to the offer, he kept me on the phone for maybe a half hour talking guitars and basically shooting the shit like a couple of old friends. Of course, I agreed to send it back, and he followed through with everything he promised. It's a stand up company.

[Mindseyes]

How does around $250 but not to exceed $300 for the refret new nut and saddle plus set up work sound for a project like this?

[Uncle Thor's Hamer]

Sometimes it isn't about the numerical $ put into a project, it is about the value of the enjoyment you get out of it.

[murkat]

you are close Gray in the coin amount.

depends on your luthier to translate the task on a budget.

UTH is on money thou....

[Jimbilly]

You can find the odd Larivee bass for dirt cheap, my friend has one I found for him, they're a lot like Chap 4 bolt ons iirc.