Larrivee L03

With a size somewhere between a dreadnaught and a jumbo, this is a very straightforward guitar in terms of cosmetic features, however the materials are top-shelf in every particular. Made with all solid woods, the canadian sitka top on mine has a very fine flame pattern and very tight grain, and the mahogany back and sides are perfectly bookmatched. The maple binding is seamlessly fit around top and back, as is the ivoroid binding on the fretboard. The interior is as neat as it can be, with no evidence of excess glue or sloppy application on any of the braces. The ebony fretboard is a joy to play and the frets are well-dressed and polished. The intonation is spot on and playability is great. VERY loud guitar, tight lows, punchy mids and crisp highs without being overly boomy sounding, and it sustains FOREVER. The L03 can be played very hard without compressing too much or getting in it's own way it's actually a better guitar for aggressive flat-picking styles than it is for fingerstyle, although playing an aggressive fingerstyle can still pull some gorgeous tones out of it. Incredible tone in open tunings, regardless of pick or finger style. The tone isn't as detailed with a capo as it is in open position, especially when compared with my Taylor, but my L03 is only 1 year old and these upper registers likely will attain more sparkle, warmth and detail as the wood seasons. All-around excellent gigging axe, easily the match of any Martin costing twice as much. This baby really growls, and promises to get way better as the years pass.