“In terms of construction and playability, it's very difficult to fault, with a satisfying tone both unplugged and plugged in.

The latest Larrivee model, the 2008 Marquetry Limited edition of the LV-03RE, has had its first exclusive review in the latest issue of Guitar Buyer Magazine.

The LV-03RE ME improves on the already hugely successful LV-03 RE model by adding Bubinga binding to the front and back, a rectangular, classical styled clear pickguard and a pearl Larrivee logo on the headstock.  The Marquetry edition takes it name however from the marquetry 'mosaic' rosette around the soundhole, “…the ME's centrepiece”.

“The fingerboard features some immaculate ivoroid binding, with the no less perfectly finished frets extending over the top of it”.

“Picking up the LV-03RE ME, it immediately feels comfortable and familiar.  The relatively shallow mahogany neck, with its satin finish and smooth ivoroid binding, is very friendly to the left hand and then excellent setup and fretwork make for a very easy playing experience…access to the dusty end of the fingerboard is much better here than on the majority of cutaway - equipped acoustics we've seen”.

The Larrivee also excels in the sound department, '…the guitar boasts an excellent string-to-string volume balance and accurate intonation right up the neck.  The mid-range is full and well developed, but not at the expense of the high or low end.  The overall tonal balance is good, with a lively muscular tone.

“The overall tone feels fresh and new, but we feel there is more sustain, more depth and more dynamic range waiting to develop”. 

The Larrivee LV-03RE ME is available now at £1399 RRP.

To read the full review, pick up the October Issue (Issue 86) of Guitar Buyer.