MusicRadar

The B-03RE is modelled on Larivée's D-03 guitar

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• Review

Acoustic qualities

Here, the unamplified, natural voice is full and wholesome with a robust bottom-end that's powerful and very responsive. It's also notably loud.

Given the sophistication of today's electronics you'd expect a high-quality reproduction of the natural acoustic sound of the bass and this doesn't disappoint. Even with all these features, the module is very well thought out indeed, and is more than capable of producing a much wider variety of sounds than the acoustic nature of the instrument may convey.

The output from each string is very well balanced and the sheer penetration of the bottom-end is stunning. But there's also a degree of punch and a purity that will surprise many a player.

For something so friendly to play, this has quite a bite if you fancy giving it a push – even the hardened rocker will find much here to test their 'metal'. A great natural voice when amplified with the potential to nail a lot of subtly different voices.

Pleasure to play

The Larrivée B-03RE is a very well conceived instrument indeed and, although acoustic-bodied basses are often accused of not being the most comfortable to play, this is actually one of the best we've tried.

It's most comfortable played seated (Larrivée only fits the bottom strap button/ jack socket, so it seems to agree). This is one of the most rewarding acoustic bass guitars that we've ever had the pleasure of reviewing.

It might be the largest acoustic instrument that Larrivée makes, but it doesn't feel unnecessarily big. It offers a good clean playing action and great intonation and the mahogany neck feels slick and very manageable.

Okay, it's not a cheap addition to your bass guitar collection, and there are loads of cheap 'n' cheerful electro-acoustic bass guitars in the current market for the occasional user.

But if you're a serious player who wants both high quality acoustic and plugged-in electric sounds, plus all the build quality and playability that Larrivée is justly renowned for, the B-03RE has to be a good place to start your search.