In Acoustic Guitar, Larrivee, guitar on August 29, 2009 by alvinjismyl
Larrivee L-10
Yesterday, got a call from a young chap, asking about my L-10. Malcolm had told him about my intention to sell it. So we arrange to meet this morning.
He came with his father, albeit later than agreed. Anyway, it turns out that his dad knew my brother (from the same church previously). And he has seen me before when we visited their church sometime back. I didn’t ask anything further as the conversation kept getting disrupted here and there.
Anyway, the chap likes the guitar though he was thinking it came with a electronics pickup but was satisfied to know that Malcolm could install it for him easily. He likes the setup, action and all. So the deal was completed pretty quickly (partly due to his dad being in a hurry to get to somewhere).
SO….. I’ve sold my Larrivee L-10 and hopefully, with D03-R soon to follow. This is the shortest time I’ve own a guitar. Less than 3 months. Had it been L-09, I would not be thinking of selling at all. Maybe I’ll get a L03-R. I am thinking perhaps I could now get the Goodall Grand Concert…… since I strained my right shoulder muscle over a week ago, it was a pain to play dreadnought. Just a thought.
In Acoustic Guitar, Larrivee, guitar on August 18, 2009 by alvinjismyl
Since my last post on L-10, I’ve brought it to my good and trustworthy luthier, Malcolm, for corrective action. Previoulsy, the guitar was sent to Jarvis for saddle replacement to FMI. Somehow, it didn’t feel right — no scientific data to show just a guitarist gut-feeling — that’s why I decided to go to Malcolm.
As it turns out, the filing work down on the FMI saddle was uneven, to say the least. Anyway, had the original bone saddle placed back and added shim to bring it to the level that I was comfortable with. And as predictably, the guitar was much playable since. Nice feel to it. It could be further improved later on.
Well, I use Martin SP+ PB strings light gauge on it. The 5th and 6th strings are more “intense” so to speak. I’m likely going to change it to EXP 11 (80/20) and think it’ll be to my liking. I’m starting to enjoy this piece more and more. Who knows, I might decide to keep it and upgrade it to improve its tone and all. Will update.
In Acoustic Guitar, Larrivee, Takamine, Yamaha, guitar on August 6, 2009 by alvinjismyl
In the last couple of days, I managed to sell away two nice guitars: Takamine EN-15 (cedar-top/rosewood.MIJ) and Yamaha LJ-16 (solid spruce/rosewood). I’ve enjoyed both guitars but sensibilities demand that I trim my collection since I’ve essentially acquired my “ideal” tone guitar (Goodall Standard). My good friend, Malcolm, also suggested that I do so. In fact, he was more radical – sell all except the Goodall!
No way I would agree to that! Firstly, I need a guitar for Sunday school and church related activities! Second, I hate to lug guitars around every week! Thirdly, I enjoy different tonewood sound every now and then. So I’ve decided to trim it to minimally 2 pieces, but preferably 3.
Back to the guitars, I’ve sold. The Taka was sold to an NTU prof of social science, a Serbian, according to him. We had a nice chat and all. The LJ-16 was sold to a younger man, Paul, who was modest to say he doesn’t play well. He was delibearting between the LL-16 and LJ-16 that I had before him. So it was an A/B tryout but either way, it was a win-win situation for him because models were similar but differ only on body design. Both were less than a year old, and well toned.
In the end, Paul chose the LJ-16 because of the look, and personally I like that too. I think for his usage, it’d be nice as well. He was pleasantly surprised, I think, to realize that he had just purchased a solid spruce top and solid rosewood back and side, guitar. Someone might have told him it was laminated. Hope he would treasure his new acquisition and played to his heart’s content.
Of all guitars that I have left, I would most like to sell off the Larrivee L-10 – only because of the trimmings that it had. I guess it’s my preference for simple design that is in the way of my accepting this guitar. Why did I buy it in the first place? Well, I had placed the order cos I thought all along it was an L-9 (similar stuff minus the blings). Since the ordered took place, I didn’t want to back out but to honor the sale. Anyway, hope to find a buyer for it soon. In fact, Malcolm had helped to upgrade and improved the action and setup etc that it sounded much “sweeter” than when I first got it. Maybe, one day the blings will grow on me. Probably not, but who knows? 
In Acoustic Guitar, guitar on July 6, 2009 by alvinjismyl Tagged: Goodall
This morning, the much anticipated Goodall arrived. Frankly, I was bracing myself up for major disappointment because of the problem encountered with the klutz who messed up the shipping besides being non-communicative throughout. I was dreading the need to call credit card company and Paypal to get my money back.
So as I was opening up the box, then the hard-case, I was almost going to say, “I knew it!” Well, I am glad to say that the Goodall was beautiful and much cheaper than Guitar Gallery would sell it! Emailed James Goodall to ascertain the year built but I’m glad that it was in excellent condition as promised. I think it’s an elixir new strings, so will wait a week or so before bringing to Malcolm to do setup. I know what he’ll say to me. Don’t think he’ll complain about me giving him business!
Interesting that the inside of the body states not only the serial number but also the material: rosewood; sitka (spruce). My guess is that this particular piece was made in 2004. It did have 3 flea sized dings on the arm rest section of the lower bout but nothing damaging to the overall aesthetics from I can see. Tone-wise it is loud when lightly picked or strummed. Sparkly tone I might add.
I suppose my GAS would stop now, and now time to up my finger-picking skill up another notch. Found a wonderful site that provides nice ditty tune pieces and tab to learn and play. Need to learn new stuff to keep the brain cells alive and kickin’
In Acoustic Guitar, Larrivee, guitar, music on June 27, 2009 by alvinjismyl
The DHL guy came this morning and delivered my Larrivee L-10 this morning. Didn’t know what to expect when opening the box. Reason? I bought it from EBay so didn’t have to raise my expectations too high lest I get disappointed and unable to appreciate the guitar for its worth. Thankfully, it was as the seller described. Nice finishing; nice arch top OHSC which I personally prefer flat ones. Anyway it was nice conditioned.
Tried to tune it and perhaps in my eagerness I overtuned the G string and it snapped. Anyway, I had planned to drop the guitar at Jarvis to upgrade saddle to FMI so might as well have him do it. One reason is to see his quality of workmanship for myself. Since G4C speaks so highly of him.
Bought this in spur of moment; maybe due to missed opportunity to get the L-09 instead. I’m glad the bling isn’t as bad as I had imagined. Looks like a good keep. Now perhaps to offload L guitars.
In Acoustic Guitar, Ovation, guitar on May 14, 2009 by alvinjismyl
Today, I sold two of my Ovation guitars to an Australian working in kindergarten here. I think he is an administrator vocationally speaking.
Concert Classic 1116
The Ovation sold are Concert Classic 1116 and ‘97 Collectors Edition (parlor). The latter was earlier sold to a friend but she decided to return it after few months as she didn’t really use it and kind of ‘iffy’ about keeping it despite my encouragement to her about keeping it. Anyway, didn’t want to impose on her.
Due to different things that cropped up last weekend and the day before, I was only able to pick up the Parlor from her this afternoon. Boy, it was moldy on the OHSC. I was apprehensive about selling it off since i noticed the body top is slightly bloated (sign of too much moisture). Thankfully I use some window glass cleaning solution to clean off the mold on the OHSC, and bought some lighter fluid to clean the guitar top as well as the tuners. Did as much as i could to make it much nicer. Frankly I was kind of skeptical about offloading this Parlor though nice piece it is.
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!['97 Collectors Edition [Parlor]](http://alvinjismyl.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/ovation-97-020.jpg?w=300&h=225 "Ovation.97 020")
'97 Collectors Edition [Parlor
As for the 1116, never an issue as it was still in pristine condition.
Well, as things turned out, the guy played both guitars and like them and decided to buy both. I think the total time taken to transact this deal was less than 15 minutes. Not bad for a sale of two guitars! Enough recouped for next foray to another headstock
Seriously speaking, I think I’ll acquire another Ovation but this time, it’s the Custom Legend, the very model that I played with when living in IA with the Mulders. Who knows Jon might consider selling it to me if I’d ask him.
In Acoustic Guitar, Takamine, guitar on April 15, 2009 by alvinjismyl Tagged: Takamine
Two days ago I browsed AdPost to see what’s new on their musical instrument section. Saw a guy wanting to sell his Takamine for $128. Probing further saw a blurred picture. I thought maybe it might be good to get one for “rough use” – like picnic at park located near the sea for instance. Or bring it to church camp and wouldn’t worry about being stolen etc.
Sms the guy and he emailed additional pictures. Two other pics were electric guitar and amplifier which I was uninterested. Both pics were sharp. Unfortunately the acoustic guitar was still blur. 
Decided to drop by his place to check it out.
I did- today. It was a discontinued Takamine EN15. It’s not well cared for and the tuners were and end pin were oxidized along with deep dirt. I don’t care for the electronics since I don’t plug it anyway. Countered offer of $80 (which should’ve been lower) and after a brief argy bargy, the man agreed. He was probably about late 50s or early 60s man living alone. He claimed to want to get rid of his stuff as he’s moving out of his flat.
Anyway, brought it over to Malcolm to spruce it up. The setup cost more than the guitar! No need to change tuners he advised. Just cleaned it up and strung new strings along with truss rod adjustments. Brought it home but the semi-hardcase for the LL-16 doesn’t fit this guitar.
Surf Takamine website’s archive page but couldn’t locate specifications about this guitar. The closest model was EN-18. Dropped a note to their customer service about this model. The reply was that it’s an ‘85 model with piezzo electronics, and it’s solid cedar top but laminated back and sides.
Took some pics using my phone camera. Not too great when viewed from notebook.
In Acoustic Guitar, Yamaha, guitar on April 1, 2009 by alvinjismyl
LL-16 taken with phone camera
Finally got the chance to take some pictures of my Yamaha LL-16. It wasn’t the best but working with a phone camera is something else. Anyway, it’s just for personal enjoyment.
It sounds different from the LJ-16 when played. This LL-16 is louder and “twangs” nicely with bass and treble in right balance. Whereas the LJ-16 sounds very nice when fingerpicked. The bass is punchy. However I haven’t sent the LL-16 for bone saddle upgrade yet. It’s still using factory installed tusq saddle. Yet, the sustaining tone is still great. No complaints.
LJ-16 taken without flash at home
In Acoustic Guitar, Larrivee, Yamaha, guitar on March 27, 2009 by alvinjismyl
Yamaha LJ-16 (left); Larrivee D-03R (right)
Managed a couple of minutes to take a picture of the Yamaha LJ-16 and Larrivee D-03R next to each other. Not much of a photographer myself, I like the shape of the LJ-16. It’s really Japanese artwork if I might add.
Both are solid rosewood back and sides though tops are different. The LJ-16’s top is Engleman spruce whereas D-03R uses Canadian Sitka Spruce, I believe. Finishing wise, the LJ-16 is gloss whereas D-03R is satin finished.
In Acoustic Guitar, Larrivee, guitar on March 26, 2009 by alvinjismyl
Got this information about the Larrivee D-03R from their website: “All Solid wood Construction, Single Piece Mahogany Neck, Canadian Sitka Spruce Sound Board & Bracing, African Ebony Fretboard & Bridge, Canadian Maple Body Binding, Rosewood Back & Sides, Symmetrical Parabolic X-Bracing, Hand fit Dovetail Neck Joint, Rounded Larrivee Headstock, White Inlaid Larrivee Logo, Multi-Strip Inlaid Rosette, Ping Tuners w/ 18:1 Ratio, Ivoroid Fretboard Binding, Exclusive Beveled Tortis pickguard, Microdot Fretboard Markers.”
