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.