dennis
I played a Martin D1R that was an absolute cannon. But I'm more of a
Larrivee fan, their L body has a nice sound to it, so I'd look at the
L-03 (comes in rosewood also, L-03R). Don't know diddly about the
Guild.
Greg Z
--
"I'll help you carry your load,
When you come to a turn in the road"...Steve Wariner
Larrivee! Can't speak for the Martin D1 or Guild D4.
My D-03 gets played more than my other guitars. The D-03 is a fine
fingerpicking guitar and the sound is very microphone-friendly. I do some
flatpicking on the D-03, but it can't stand up against a Martin HD-28. But,
there's a good side to everything; using the D-03 for flatpicking has taught
me to be more economical in my right-hand technique so as to get more tone
than volume from my playing.
Tom
"Dennis Lee" <den...@stanford.edu> wrote in message
news:Pine.GSO.4.31.010530...@fable20.Stanford.EDU...
>I'm deciding between a martin d1, larrivee d-03 and a guild d4.
Any>suggestions?
Well, all else being equal, the Martin D-1 has a solid back with laminated
sides, while the Larrivée D-03 is all solid wood. This shouldn't have any
major impact on the sound, it's just an issue with some folks.
It seems to me that the Guild D-4 has some laminated woods in its construction,
but I'm not 100% certain of that.
If all three are close in price, then let the sound and playability make the
decision for you. Since all three have solid spruce tops (and that's really
the determining factor in terms of tone) then all three should continue to
break and develop over time as you play the instrument.
If you like the sound of all three equally well, then buy the one with the most
comfortable neck. They are very equivilent guitars in most regards, the main
exception being the Larrivée's all-solid wood construction.
Wade Hampton Miller
Enjoy the search...
jeb
Dennis wrote...
You can't go wrong with any of them.
The Guild D-4 is the bottom of the Guild line with a list price of $799
(without case) and has an arched, laminated back.
The Larrivee D-03 is near the bottom of the Larrivee line, has solid back
and sides, with a list price of $779 (without case) with only the D-02 just
slightly below it. (though I heard there was a recent price increase ?).
The Martin D-1 is two steps up from the bottom of the line with the DX-1 at
the bottom followed by the DM, and then the D-1 and has a list price of
$1,099.00 and has solid back and laminated sides.
So because of the price differential you are not exactly comparing apples
and apples, although the similarities are that all contain a solid spruce
top, mahogany back and sides, and satin finishes.
If price is not an issue, then of the three, personally I'd go with the
Martin D-1 (better satin finish among other things) or if you can swing a
bit more, the Martin D-16GT is a great value with a list of $1,198 and
includes gloss top, all solid wood, and case).
If price is an issue, then I'd also try the Martin DX-1 (solid top), and the
Martin DM ($899 list including case), and also the Larrivee D-02, and
compare them to the Guild D-4.
Of these three, I'd prefer the Larrivee D-02. But my decision would be based
on 1) the way each sounded to me, 2) the feel (thickness, contour, and
width) of the neck; and lastly 3) appearance.
You won't go wrong with any of them, but the only way you can see which one
you like best is to play them and perhaps have others play them while you
listen.
Have fun,
Steve Traub
Dennis Lee wrote in message ...
Dennis Lee <den...@stanford.edu> wrote in message
news:Pine.GSO.4.31.010530...@fable20.Stanford.EDU...
>Dennis Lee wrote:
>
>>I'm deciding between a martin d1, larrivee d-03 and a guild d4.
>Any>suggestions?
>
>
>Well, all else being equal, the Martin D-1 has a solid back with laminated
>sides, while the Larrivée D-03 is all solid wood. This shouldn't have any
>major impact on the sound, it's just an issue with some folks.
>
>It seems to me that the Guild D-4 has some laminated woods in its construction,
>but I'm not 100% certain of that.
The D-4 is solid top & sides, laminated arched back. They do have a
flat-back model which is solid back (at an upcharge, I'm sure).
>If all three are close in price, then let the sound and playability make the
>decision for you. Since all three have solid spruce tops (and that's really
>the determining factor in terms of tone) then all three should continue to
>break and develop over time as you play the instrument.
This is sound advice. (Sorry 'bout that...)
>If you like the sound of all three equally well, then buy the one with the most
>comfortable neck. They are very equivilent guitars in most regards, the main
>exception being the Larrivée's all-solid wood construction.
>
>
>Wade Hampton Miller
As usual, Wade hit the nail squarely on the head here. I really can't
add much more.
-----
"The truth knocks on the door, and you say, 'Go away, I'm
looking for the truth,' and so it goes away. Puzzling."
--Robert M. Pirsig, "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance"
the above e-mail address remains totally fictional.
the real one is bc9424@spamTHIS!.concentric.net (if you remove spamTHIS!.)
...please check out http://www.mp3.com/BillChandler some time...
Bill Chandler
...bc...
Try the D-03R... The D-03 is very nice, The D03R is very, very, very nice!
Now that I've tried one, I'm thinking of trading up!
Tom
--------------------------------------------------------------
Dennis Lee wrote:
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Tony Rairden
First Quality Musical Supplies
www.fqms.com
"Stephen Traub" <str...@shore.net> wrote in message news:<Bv7R6.20$cN....@news.shore.net>...
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