The Loar LH-300, LH-309, and LH-600 opinion

**sansa** · 02-07-2025, 03:52 PM

Hey everyone,

Did anybody try the Loar 300, 309 or 600? these are made in China instruments. some models are from the 2010s and the new ones have some differences. since I don't have the opportunity to try any of them and the only way is to buy online I wanted to have more opinions about that.

Thanks

**Cunamara** · 02-08-2025, 01:59 PM

Historically the 300/309 have been considered "iffy" guitars due to QC problems. The 600 and 700 tend to be better. I have really liked the tone of the 700 in a number of videos that I have seen, but if I was to get one I'd want an earlier one with the C shape rather than more recent vintage V shaped neck (if I understand the timeline of that correctly). I don't like V shaped necks. That's what has stopped me from seeking out a vintage Gibson 16 inch arch top guitar, too. Although locally there's an L 50 from 1950 for sale, I don't know if those are a V shape or C shaped neck.

**jazzshrink** · 02-08-2025, 02:26 PM

There have been many discussions about Loar archtops. Take the time to read some of them. There's a lot of valuable information here from real musicians.

**mr. beaumont** · 02-08-2025, 03:38 PM

I owned a 600 for a while. Great sounding instrument. Had a few high frets but overall quality was good. I just couldn't get used to the V neck. Actually, it was great for swing rhythm playing, but the guitar sounded good playing leads and solo arrangements and i ended up growing frustrated with the fact it was uncomfortable to play those styles on...

Years later i played 2 different 309s at a shop and they were terrible. Awful weak buzzy P-90, terrible setup. Kinda forgot about the brand after that.

**2bornot2bop** · 02-08-2025, 05:34 PM

The best single Loar, imo, is the LH650. No V neck. Simply pure joy with a floating pickup.

The Loar LH-300, LH-309, and LH-600 opinion-img_2937-jpeg

**garybaldy** · 02-08-2025, 09:50 PM

I have the 700. I was aware of the supposed V neck issue but the first time I played it, because of my eager anticipation, it wasn't in the forefront of my mind. The guitar was really comfortable to play. Recently, I made a template of the profile of the neck (yes I know!!) and it really was a very gentle V. May be my Loar is different to most.

**digger** · 02-09-2025, 05:44 AM

You could also include the LH400 and LH500 in your considerations. The 500 is the predecessor of the 600, made in Korea before production moved to China (the 400 is in round-hole version of the same). I have the 400 and the neck is beautiful - so I assume the 500 would give you all the good things of the 600 without the chunky neck.

Derek

**sansa** · 02-09-2025, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by digger

You could also include the LH400 and LH500 in your considerations. The 500 is the predecessor of the 600, made in Korea before production moved to China (the 400 is in round-hole version of the same). I have the 400 and the neck is beautiful - so I assume the 500 would give you all the good things of the 600 without the chunky neck.

Derek

Originally Posted by garybaldy

I have the 700. I was aware of the supposed V neck issue but the first time I played it, because of my eager anticipation, it wasn't in the forefront of my mind. The guitar was really comfortable to play. Recently, I made a template of the profile of the neck (yes I know!!) and it really was a very gentle V. May be my Loar is different to most.

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

I owned a 600 for a while. Great sounding instrument. Had a few high frets but overall quality was good. I just couldn't get used to the V neck. Actually, it was great for swing rhythm playing, but the guitar sounded good playing leads and solo arrangements and i ended up growing frustrated with the fact it was uncomfortable to play those styles on...

Years later i played 2 different 309s at a shop and they were terrible. Awful weak buzzy P-90, terrible setup. Kinda forgot about the brand after that.

yeah so I guess the old Korean production was another beast. now the most available model is the lh 309 indeed.... made in china and opinions are not good at all.

**Dean_G** · 02-09-2025, 09:40 PM

I liked my loar 309 quite a bit. But I had to mess with it and shave down the bridge base a lot to compensate for the bad neck angle. So I wouldn't recommend one unless you can play it first. Once the quirks were worked out it seemed very stable. String spacing was quite wide and I liked the v neck profile and found it fast to play. The P90 was ok. Unless you can find one at a very low price though, not a great option..

**RJVB** · 02-10-2025, 09:48 AM

If you can afford the LH600, go for that model as it's all-solid & fully carved and will give the best acoustic tone (supposing that's what you're after).

I haven't read anything about QC issues with new instruments built in recent years but you can always try to ask for photos showing the neck angle and whether or not there's a "hump" in the fretboard extension.

**kebbs** · 07-02-2025, 12:07 AM

I have both LH-309 and LH-600. Big difference - the latter is a significantly better instrument on all fronts. I keep the former around as a 'beater' although it inspires a different kind of playing. Overall, quite happy with both but especially the LH-600.

**Christian Miller** · 07-02-2025, 04:15 AM

I wasn’t nearly as impressed by the 300 as I was with the 600. I ended up buying the 600 and it’s only got better over time

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**sansa** · 07-03-2025, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by kebbs

I have both LH-309 and LH-600. Big difference - the latter is a significantly better instrument on all fronts. I keep the former around as a 'beater' although it inspires a different kind of playing. Overall, quite happy with both but especially the LH-600.

thanks a lot for your reply. I'll take a look on that lh-600.
btw I really liked this thread The Loar LH-600