View Full Version : Larrivee F-33 ...long term experiences...
Aside from the idiosyncratic scroll (discussed at length in prior threads), wondering if anyone has had any longer term experience (good or bad) with Larrivee's F-33, i.e. has substantial playing yielded some good sounds? Really interested to hear if some time i the saddle, so to speak, has paid off for anyone on one of these instruments.
I have a line on a used one and am seriously considering.
Thanks,
David
Big Joe
May-24-2010, 9:20am
David...no one has long term experience with these. They have only been on the market a couple of years. However, all the ones I've seen were well made and did sound pretty good. They can be made to play great if it does not already. I have never had one around for very long, but the ones I've seen did impress me. Are they the only choice? Of course not, but if the price is right, it could be a great choice.
allenhopkins
May-24-2010, 8:57pm
All I can tell you about Larrivee mandolins, is that they were in the "development stage" so long, that when one arrived recently at Stutzman's Guitar Center, (http://www.stutzmansguitarcenter.com/) Dave had no idea that he'd ordered it many years ago! I played the A-style Larrivee Dave had, not the F-33, and found it meticulously crafted and finished, but fairly undistinguished as to sound. Not the model you're considering, and I agree with Big Joe that it'll be awhile before we have any substantial user feedback on Larrivees.
Thanks Big Je and Allen for your objective opinions. Appreciated.
I have a line on one (unused/used if that makes sense) and may take a chance on her......
So maybe it will be me answering my own post dow the road.
Thanks again.
Have to say that the Sumi Big Joe and I talked about is pretty tempting.....
Well she is in my hands; have until Tues to pull trigger or bail.
Neck is V shaped as reported but pretty deep and feels a bit chunky in my hands.
To keep her I would def remove the varnish on the back of the neck and probably remove some wood as well.
The fretboard is radiused (gently) but the saddle is dead level across all 4 courses. Strange. That's an easy fix but I'm wondering if removing the finish from the neck and shaving it down a bit will hurt the value too much.
Sounds a little constrained, would not call it thin. Some hints of magic there if I were to wail on her for some months......
Fit/finish not quite as sanitary as the Collings but very high, and seems to have some more soul courtesy of Jean and his helpers.
Whaddayall think about neck mods such as this?
David
sgarrity
May-29-2010, 3:33pm
Don't keep a mandolin that you think will sound better with more playing. In many instances they will sound the same no matter what you do. As far as the neck mods.........if you do that to the Larrivee, expect to own it for a very long time or sell it at a loss. I happen to like bare necks but many people think it "destroys" the instrument.
red7flag
May-29-2010, 4:19pm
I tend to agree with Shaun on both points. If you are not completely satisfied...you probably never will be. I am not saying that an instrument does not sound better in time, but if it is not there in the beginning... Both the Stanley and Ellis were very strong when I got them and I was very satisfied from the start. When they opened up, I was just amazed were there went. On the second point, reworking the neck might make you happy would greatly lower disireability when you want to resell it. Bottom line for me, I want to be completely satisfied with an instrument before I buy it. I don't want to have to make adjustments to make an instrument what I want it to be.
Thank you gents. Well, I gave it a solid 2 to 3 days of playing and find that it does not talk to me. She'll be on her way Tues AM....
The low end seems a bit thin. That said, the A and E courses were very fine sounding and precise in terms of playability.
Nothing ventured nothing gained I guess.
I appreciate your insights. The quest continues.
Best,
D
frankenstein
May-31-2010, 3:21am
G. Sumi's are great mando's, also consider an Ellis A if the feel of the neck is an issue..
Geiss
May-31-2010, 12:57pm
Good advice, and thanks.
Will seek out an Ellis.
There's also a used Heiden A in Boston area...mucho dinero but maybe worth a look as well.
The UPS, try and return thing is getting old....bird in hand is maybe way to go forward.
Best,
David
ooops....see that the Heiden is sold.
May be time for a trip to Ederly or Nashville...Big Joes has some Sumi instruments in hand/DES
sgarrity
May-31-2010, 3:09pm
That's a good deal on the Heiden. It really doesn't get much better. And yes, I own one.