Larrivee D-0R3

As a Canadian-based manufacturer, Larrivee have a pretty stirling reputation for producing top notch acoustic guitars. They say everything is a little bit sweeter in Canada, and these hand-crafted, all solid wood instruments are no exception. In fact, Larrivee as a company were given the unique honour of producing the first guitar to be sent into space. Their Parlor model guitar accompanied Col. Chris Hadfield, the first Canadian to man the International Space Station, on his many orbits around the earth. It's slightly ironic then that, as we look at the Larrivee D-0R3 acoustic electric, it would be hard to imagine a more down to earth guitar.

As far as physical appearance goes, the D-0R3 would certainly not jump out at you sitting on the racks at your local guitar dealer. It features a simple yet subtle Canadian sitka spruce sound board and bracing that sit well with the Canadian maple body-binding and rosewood back and sides. Oh Canada, eh? These beautifully put together parts lead up to a single-piece mahogany neck with an African ebony fretboard and bridge, which allows your fingers to literally glide across it, such is its ease of use and feel. This is where the D-03R really comes into its own. It may not be amazing to look at, but man is it amazing to play. Straight out of the box the action is perfection and the complexity of sound on display after just a couple of strums is stunning. The first thing this reviewer noticed was the bass response running through the maple wood body, a balance that resonated so well I had to check my surroundings to make sure I wasn't in a cathedral (or, more realistically, a bathroom). This is tempered by a clear, crisp treble that really picks up the detail in any kind of playing. Whether you're really letting fly or just laying back and strumming a few chords, every tone produced was top notch.

This model also arrives complete with custom Larrivee pickups which, when plugged into a fairly standard home PA, sounded even and smooth. Even when pushed to breaking point, there were no problems with feedback or perceived need for a buster, which makes the D-03R a viable option as a stage guitar as well as a studio instrument. Seriously, the more you play this guitar, the more impressive it becomes. Its classic Canadian woods and handmade feel allows it to produce, sonically, something of the subtlety its exterior would never imply. It's easy to play, amazing to hear and hey, if it's sturdy enough to be played in orbit where angels fear to tread, it surely is ready for anything.