The August Issue of Guitarist magazine includes a fantastic round up of 4 of the latest Larrivee guitars and not one but two receive Guitarist Choice Awards. Put in the spotlight are the L-03, D-05, LV-09 Aura and the OM-10, with the L-03 and the OM-10 picking up the prestigious accolades.

Available in either Soild African Sapele or Solid Indian Rosewood (the model reviewed here is Sapele), the -03 Series (like the other models on review here) is constructed of all Solid Wood: Sitka spruce soundboard, single piece mahogany neck, ebony fretboard and bridge.

"Helped no doubt by its light-coat satin lacquer, the guitar is an ebullient strummer...theres a pleasant woody warmth in the mids and lows that helps flesh things out nicely for a balanced, well articulated delivery".

Specifications of the US production -05 series are as above but with the inclusion of a gloss finish, abalone rosette, solid maple purflings, ebony bridge pins with abalone center, exclusive Larrivee bevelled pickguard and headstock displaying a sterling silver border surrounding a mother of pearl logo.

The D-05 has "...an appealing, more shimmery edge across the strings, coupled with an attractively snappy attack when digging in and an openly voiced, precisely defined bottom end".

Cosmetics and specs on the -09 Series are identical to the -05 Series, the constructional difference is rosewood rather than mahogany back and sides.

"...there is no doubting the guitars excellent unplugged poise and integration. The brightish, precise tone is beautifully balanced across the strings, providing clear definition for picking and allied to good strumming dynamics".

And the fishman system? "...the Aura proves a lot more versatile and controllable than mic-loaded blender systems...and pickup performance (in the LV-09) is unequivocally high quality.

Part of the -10 Deluxe Series this guitar features deluxe abalone inlays decorating the ebony fretboard and bridge. Abalone is also used to enhance the purfling around the soundboard and sound hole.

"It might be thanks to the supposedly superior-grade timbers-but the fact is that this OM is the most responsive sounding model on test. It matches, even exceeds, the larger bodied LV-09 for punch, and there's a suppleness in the dynamics and sustain..."

Jim Chapman's verdict concludes a fantastic review. "Indeed, nearly everything about these Larrivees' presentation is exemplary-not only visually but for playability and all-round detailed precision. All up they make fine flag-wavers for the companys acoustic making prowess, whether from Canada or Califonia".

All models are available now. L-03 £899 RRP. D-05 £1399 RRP. LV-09 Aura £2199 RRP. OM-10 £2099 RRP.

To read the full review, pick up the August Issue (Issue 305) of Guitarist.