In search of a warmer climate and easier access to valuable Sitka spruce wood, Larrivée moves to the spectacular west coast of Vancouver Island in 1977. In Victoria, Jean Larrivée begins to develop new ideas for tooling and manufacturing while continuing to produce a handmade instrument. Greater precision with specialized machinery would allow him to produce more guitars - but since such equipment did not exist, Jean developed his own. He was soon building four guitars a day, setting in motion a productive development that would extend over the next 20 years.

Jean also began to develop relationships with the timber industry, particularly seeking access to high quality Sitka spruce. But not only did he want the best wood, he also wanted to find it himself. He soon explored the rainforests on the north coast of Vancouver Island and discovered an incredible supply of the coveted wood.

As the company continued to grow, new challenges arose. In 1983, Larrivée is faced with isolation on an island. This meant a complete relocation to the mainland. During this time, Jean's eldest son John Jr. began working alongside him in the workshop. But the 80s are characterized by electronic keyboards and flashy electric guitars. Acoustic guitars lost a large share of the market. Jean Larrivée did not give up, he quickly adapted and used his in-depth knowledge as a guitar maker. He developed a range of high-quality electric guitars not only for his label (Larrivée), but also for other well-known companies such as Kramer and Schon. Here too, Larrivée went his own way, constantly developing new skills that would later prove invaluable.

In 1991, MTV's unplugged movement breathed new life into the acoustic market and the production of acoustic guitars took off. Larrivée seizes the opportunity to expand its range and produces several new models with different types of wood - with success. The workshop in North Vancouver becomes increasingly full and Larrivée soon employs more than twenty people, including David Iannone, who later starts his own successful career.

The growth of guitar production in North Vancouver continues unabated. Every day, 16 guitars are produced, and the 11,000 ft2 workshop is close to its capacity limit. That's why Matthew, Jean's younger son, joins the team to oversee the technical side of machining. After a five-year stint in East Vancouver, Jean returns to downtown Vancouver in 1992 and buys a large two-story building on Cordova St., with 27,000 ft2 of space - enough room to alleviate Jean's growing pains. Soon, several computerized milling machines are added. Now with more than 45 employees, production of 32 guitars per day has become a reality.

In 1997, Jean produced the first high-end solid wood guitar made in North America for a price that was unbeatable at the time. This action fundamentally changed the guitar industry. Initially produced in limited editions, the remarkable D-03 soon became the most widely used instrument by the Larrivée company and players. The demand for this guitar was so great that they needed more employees and computer-controlled milling machines.

Jean also began to realize a long-held dream - to build guitars in the United States. In 2001, he opened the doors of his Larrivée workshop in sunny Oxnard, California.

While his father and brother Matthew build in California, John Jr. stays behind to run the Canadian operation and continue the 13-year success story.  With the popular 03 line now accounting for the majority of sales, it was time to separate production.  Satin guitars continued to be made in Canada, while the gloss guitars were now made in California. The move south allowed for further streamlining and efficiency in both production lines.

Oxnard, California 2001, with truckloads of supplies and machinery, Jean, a few employees and new friends begin the next chapter of Larrivée.  After months of hard work, the family is ready for production again. Soon even mandolins are made and the production of high-quality electric guitars is resumed. 

The global economic crisis of 2008 also hit the market for luxury guitars. Due to the rising costs of production at several locations, the Larrivée company decided to announce its closure in November 2013.

In California, Jean continues to experiment with tools and production and introduces a new bracing system that can now be found in the 40 series. Jean travels abroad in search of increasingly difficult-to-find tonewoods.  From the jungles of India to southern Spain, Jean continues his tireless search for the best woods in the world.  

Today, Jean is already in his mid-70s and shows no signs of slowing down.  Take a tour of the workshop and you'll still see a humble man working in a corner, covered in dust, carving necks and still smiling.