• Original photos
  • Rare guitars & accordions
  • Own professional workshop

The fabulous Larrivee story since 1967

In the late 1960s, Jean Larrivée is a young mechanic, about to change the evolution of guitar making forever.

In 1967, Jean Larrivée attends a performance by veteran guitarist Edgar Munch Jr. Impressed by Larrivée's keen interest in classical guitar making, Munch agrees to take young Jean on as an apprentice.

In 1970, Jean acquires his first commercial workspace on the second floor of the Tarragon Theater. During this time, on the second floor of the Tarragon Theater, he develops his unique X-Bracing system - the key to Larrivée's signature tone, which delivers crystal clear highs, smooth mids and punchy bass.

Over the next few years, Larrivée became more and more famous and successful, and today its guitars are a legend. Meanwhile, the guitar company employs well-known and talented artists such as William "Grit" Laskin, Linda Manzer, Sergei de Jong, David Wren and Tony Duggan-Smith. The most notable of all is Wendy Jones, whose skill and artistry eventually lead to the spectacular and stunning inlays still seen on Larrivée guitars today.

In search of a warmer climate and easier access to valuable Sitka spruce, 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 make a handmade instrument. Higher precision with special machines would allow him to produce more guitars - but since such equipment did not exist, Jean developed his own. Soon he was building four guitars a day, setting in motion a productive trend that would last for the next 20 years.

Jean also began to build relationships with the lumber industry, seeking access to high-quality Sitka spruce wood in particular. But he didn't just want the best lumber, no, he wanted to find it himself. Soon he was exploring the rainforests on the north coast of Vancouver Island and discovered an incredible supply of the coveted wood.

As the company continues to grow, new challenges arise. In 1983, for example, Larrivée is faced with isolation on an island. This means a complete relocation to the mainland. During this time, Jean's oldest son John Jr. begins working alongside him in the workshop. But the 80s are marked by electronic keyboards and flashy electric guitars. Acoustic guitars have lost big market share. Jean Larrivée does not give up, he quickly adapts and uses his profound 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 like Kramer and Schon. Again, Larrivée goes his own way, constantly developing new skills that would later prove invaluable.

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

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 ease Jean's growing pains. Soon, several computer-controlled 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 all-wood guitar produced in North America for what was, in its time, an unbeatable price. This action fundamentally changed the guitar industry. Initially produced in limited editions, the remarkable D-03 soon became the most widely used instrument by Larrivée and players. Demand for this guitar was so great that they needed more employees and computerized 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 operation in Canada 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 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 Larrivée's next chapter.  After months of hard work, the family is ready for production again. Soon, even mandolins are made and production of high-end electric guitars resumes. 

The global economic crisis of 2008 also hit the luxury guitar market. Due to the rising cost of production in several locations, the Larrivée company has come to the decision to announce a closure in November 2013.

In California, Jean continues to experiment with tooling and production, introducing a new bracing system now 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, dust-covered, working in a corner, carving necks and still smiling.

Above all, our goal is 'affordable luxury'

- we aim to put high-end guitars into the hands of all players.

Larrivee OM-40R
Takamine CRNTS1
  • Brand New
  • Video
  • Original Photos
Special Price €1,429.00 approx. £1,235.61, SEK 16,670.34 Regular Price €1,799.00 approx. £1,555.54, SEK 20,986.66

Takamine CRNTS1

Thermal Top Series

Ready to ship immediately - delivery time 3 - 4 working days

Godin Metropolis LTD
  • Brand New
  • Original Photos
€1,349.00 approx. £1,166.44, SEK 15,737.08

Godin Metropolis LTD

Natural HG EQ L.R. Baggs

not available optionally on request

All acoustic guitars from Larrivee

Makers of fine Guitars for over 50 years

Set Descending Direction
Larrivee P-03 Parlor
  • Brand New
  • New in Shop
€2,999.00 approx. £2,593.14, SEK 34,985.54

Larrivee P-03 Parlor

Recording Series

Available immediately - delivery time 1 - 3 business days

Larrivee 00-40R
  • Brand New
  • Original Photos
€3,799.00 approx. £3,284.88, SEK 44,318.13

Larrivee 00-40R

Legacy Series

Available immediately - delivery time 1 - 3 business days

Larrivee D-60E
  • Brand New
  • Original Photos
Special Price €6,299.00 approx. £5,446.55, SEK 73,482.47 Regular Price €6,799.00 approx. £5,878.88, SEK 79,315.34

Larrivee D-60E

Rosewood Traditional Serie

Ready to ship immediately - delivery time 3 - 4 working days

Larrivee BT-03E
  • Brand New
  • Video
  • Original Photos
€3,999.00 approx. £3,457.81, SEK 46,651.28

Larrivee BT-03E

Mahogany Serie Baritone

Ready to ship immediately - delivery time 3 - 4 working days

216833_1
  • Brand New
  • Original Photos
€5,199.00 approx. £4,495.41, SEK 60,650.16

Larrivee L-09

Rosewood Artist Serie

Ready to ship immediately - delivery time 3 - 4 working days

Larrivee C-09
  • Brand New
  • Video
Special Price €3,499.00 approx. £3,025.48, SEK 40,818.41 Regular Price €5,799.00 approx. £5,014.22, SEK 67,649.60

Larrivee C-09

Florentine Cut Artist Series

Available immediately - delivery time 1 - 3 business days

Larrivee L-10
  • Brand New
  • Original Photos
€5,699.00 approx. £4,927.75, SEK 66,483.03

Larrivee L-10

Larrivée Body Rosewood Deluxe

not available optionally on request

Larrivee L-72E
  • Brand New
€12,999.00 approx. £11,239.83, SEK 151,642.90

Larrivee L-72E

Presentation Serie

not available optionally on request

Larrivee LV-10E
  • Brand New
€8,299.00 approx. £7,175.89, SEK 96,813.94

Larrivee LV-10E

Rosewood Deluxe Serie

not available optionally on request

Larrivee D-10E
  • Brand New
€7,499.00 approx. £6,484.15, SEK 87,481.35

Larrivee D-10E

Rosewood Deluxe Serie

Ready to ship immediately - delivery time 3 - 4 working days

Larrivee D-09E
  • Brand New
€5,699.00 approx. £4,927.75, SEK 66,483.03

Larrivee D-09E

Rosewood Artist Serie

Ready to ship immediately - delivery time 3 - 4 working days

Larrivee D-50E
  • Brand New
€6,299.00 approx. £5,446.55, SEK 73,482.47

Larrivee D-50E

Mahogany Traditional Serie

Ready to ship immediately - delivery time 3 - 4 working days

Larrivee L-09E
  • Brand New
€5,699.00 approx. £4,927.75, SEK 66,483.03

Larrivee L-09E

Rosewood Artist Serie

Ready to ship immediately - delivery time 3 - 4 working days

Larrivee OOO40RE
  • Brand New
€4,199.00 approx. £3,630.75, SEK 48,984.43

Larrivee OOO40RE

Rosewood Legacy Serie

Ready to ship immediately - delivery time 3 - 4 working days

Larrivee D-09
  • Brand New
€5,199.00 approx. £4,495.41, SEK 60,650.16

Larrivee D-09

Rosewood Artist Serie

not available optionally on request

Larrivee D-40R
  • Brand New
€3,799.00 approx. £3,284.88, SEK 44,318.13

Larrivee D-40R

Rosewood Legacy Serie

Available immediately - delivery time 1 - 3 business days

Larrivee D-40RE
  • Brand New
€4,199.00 approx. £3,630.75, SEK 48,984.43

Larrivee D-40RE

Rosewood Legacy Serie

Ready to ship immediately - delivery time 3 - 4 working days

Larrivee OM-40RE
  • Brand New
€4,199.00 approx. £3,630.75, SEK 48,984.43

Larrivee OM-40RE

Rosewood Legacy Serie

Ready to ship immediately - delivery time 3 - 4 working days

Larrivee BT-40RE Baritone
  • Brand New
€4,799.00 approx. £4,149.55, SEK 55,983.87

Larrivee BT-40RE Baritone

Rosewood Legacy Serie

Ready to ship immediately - delivery time 3 - 4 working days

Larrivee OM-03E
  • Brand New
€3,599.00 approx. £3,111.94, SEK 41,984.98

Larrivee OM-03E

Mahogany Serie

Ready to ship immediately - delivery time 3 - 4 working days

Larrivee L-03E
  • Brand New
€3,499.00 approx. £3,025.48, SEK 40,818.41

Larrivee L-03E

Mahogany Serie

Ready to ship immediately - delivery time 3 - 4 working days

Larrivee LV-03E
  • Brand New
€3,999.00 approx. £3,457.81, SEK 46,651.28

Larrivee LV-03E

Mahogany Serie

not available optionally on request

Larrivee J-03E Jumbo
  • Brand New
€3,899.00 approx. £3,371.34, SEK 45,484.70

Larrivee J-03E Jumbo

Mahogany Serie

Ready to ship immediately - delivery time 3 - 4 working days

Set in the specialist workshop

All Larrivee acoustic guitars are fully adjusted in our professional workshop before safe shipment. The neck curvature is adjusted, the nut notches and bridge inlay are adjusted. We pay attention to a very good playability of the instruments. We are happy to take your playing preferences into account when adjusting your Larrivee acoustic guitar. For this you can contact us after your order.

Things to know about Larrivee guitars

The 03 Recording Series

The 03 is made in America from solid wood and features a handcrafted dovetail neck joint for superior fit and sustain. This series leads the industry in price and quality. The 03 Rosewood Series is built from solid East Indian rosewood and can be upgraded with any of our available tonewood options. Maple sides, herringbone inlay, rosette and satin finish are standard features of the 03 Series.

The 40 Mahogany Legacy Series

The brand new Series 40 from Larrivée is revolutionary and features unique "Scalloped Parabolic Hybrid" bracing system. Based on proven "X-Brace" designs, Jean has combined an asymmetrical, scalloped lateral cross-bracing pattern with standard X-Brace. This means maximum strength with the least amount of material. This design allows the soundboard to vibrate even more while still providing controlled dynamic bass response. Like all Larrivée guitars, the 40 Series is made in America from solid wood and features brand new upgrades like bone saddles, diamond fingerboard dots and 18:1 open-back tuners. Jean's revolutionary new bracing design provides a robust and distinctive tone that will delight both traditional and longtime Larrivée players. Solid East Indian rosewood is used for construction and a variety of tonewood options can be booked to include. Maple sides, herringbone inlay, rosette and satin finish are standard on this model.

The 60 Rosewood Traditional Series

The development of the Traditional Series was based on two things. It was to create an instrument with traditional features reminiscent of "vintage" products. These include flat headstocks, hand-carved volutes and diamond inlays. At the same time, the tonal balance of the symmetrical, parabolic standard larvée bracing system was to be maintained. An enlarged sound hole adds punch to the midrange, emphasizes the low end, and increases overall volume. The 60 Series features premium rosewood, herringbone trim, a traditional angled bone nut and is available in a Custom Vintage Tobacco Sunburst finish. The cast bronze open-back tuners feature an engraving of Wendy Larrivée - one of the many fine details that put this series in a category all its own.

The Baritones

Larrivée baritone guitars are built to order and are available in all tonewoods and all series. This means you can get the exact guitar you want - and know it will be perfect for your style and needs. In addition, Larrivée guitars are known for their exceptional build quality.

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