Larrivee Acoustic Guitars Explained

Today we’re talking all about Larrivee Acoustic Guitars and what makes Larrivee one of the world’s most famous acoustic guitar makers. You’ll find out where Larrivee guitars are made; How Larrivee guitars are made and who is currently playing a Larrivee guitar.

Larrivee pride themselves on making guitars from the world’s finest solid woods available, no ply’s, laminates (layered) woods can be found on any Larrivee acoustic guitar. Larrivee use FSC woods and engage in as much selective logging as possible. Larrivee began  the guitar building process on the forest floor selecting the best woods for the job. A fantastic statement from Larrivee guitars is that above all the goal of Larrivee is to make an affordable luxury guitar; they aim to put high-end guitars into the hands of all players. Larrivee don’t want to build the most guitars; they want to build the best guitars. I think this is a fantastic statement and having had the privilege to play a number of Larrivee acoustic guitars, this is very true. 

Here at Rimmers Music we are very proud to sell Larrivee Acoustic Guitars and our aim is to give all our customers the best buying experience possible. We list all our Larrivee Acoustic Guitars on the Rimmers Music website as unique listings by serial number. We take photographs of each guitar and I do a video that accompanies each listing on our website, so you can not only see the guitar you are looking to purchase but you can also hear it as well. We also sell Larrivee in the Rimmers Music stores and we would love to see you and help to make your next or first acoustic guitar a Larrivee from Rimmers Music. 

The story of Larrivee acoustic guitars starts here.

TORONTO 1967-1977  

It’s the late 60’s. Trudeau is Prime Minister, and Johnson is president.  The hippie revolution is in full swing, and a young man, a mechanic by trade, is about to change the course of guitar making forever.   

Interested in classical guitar, Jean Larrivée attends a performance by skilled guitarist Edgar Munch Jr.  After the show, Jean meets the performer’s father – world-renowned German luthier Edgar Munch Sr.  Impressed by Larrivée’s keen interest in classical guitar making, Munch agrees to take young Jean on as an apprentice.

Jean spends his first three years working in his basement, until 1970, when he acquires his first commercial workspace on the second floor of the Tarragon Theatre.  Amidst a thriving folk music scene, and at the urging of the Toronto Folklore Center, it’s here Jean begins to explore the making of steel string-guitars.  During this time, Jean develops his unique X-bracing system – the key to the signature Larrivée tone that delivers crystal highs, soothing mids, and punchy bass.  It’s a technique still used today, not just by Jean, but by leading guitar makers around the world. 

The next several years saw steady growth and several location changes for Larrivée.  Young, now familiar, talented artists such as William “Grit” Laskin, Linda Manzer, Sergei de Jong, David Wren and Tony Duggan-Smith all grace the shop floor, lending their talented hands in creating a future legend. The most notable of all is Wendy Jones, whose skill and artistry ultimately leads to the spectacular and breathtaking inlays you still see on Larrivée guitars today.  She soon became Wendy Larrivée, Jean’s wife.

By 1977, Larrivée had  gained the respect of players and luthiers worldwide.  Bruce Cockburn and Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul, and Mary) become the first high profile artists turned on to Jean’s guitars.  Jean is now producing up to thirty guitars a month, shipping them across Canada, and exporting them to Europe.  U.S. artists are also soon making the trip North, in hopes of acquiring a Jean Larrivée guitar.  

VICTORIA 1977-1982

Seeking a warmer climate and easier access to valuable Sitka spruce, Larrivée relocates to the spectacular West Coast of Vancouver Island, bringing with him a handful of irreplaceable staff.  In Victoria, Jean begins to incorporate new ideas in tooling and manufacturing, while still creating a hand-built instrument.  Increased precision with specialised  machinery would allow him to produce more guitars – but as such equipment didn’t exist, Jean created his own.  He was soon building four guitars a day, setting him on a prolific course that would stretch for the next 20 years.

Jean also begins building relationships in the logging industry, specifically seeking access to high-performance Sitka spruce.  But Jean not only wanted the best wood, he wanted to find it himself.  He was soon exploring the rainforests of the north coast of Vancouver Island, discovering for himself some of the finest spruce in the world.

NORTH VANCOUVER 1983-1992

With direct access to spruce and a climate favourable  for building, the company continues to grow. However, it now faces the challenges of being isolated on an island.  It means relocation to the mainland. It is during this time that Jean’s oldest son, John Jr, begins working on the shop floor alongside him .  However, it’s the 80s, and the music market is trending towards electronic keyboards and flashy electric guitars.  Acoustic guitars were on the out.  But ever the pioneer, Jean quickly adapts, using his in-depth luthier knowledge to build high-end electric guitars, not just for Larrivée, but for other companies, like Kramer, Schon, and Signature.  Again, Larrivée was forging his own path, continually developing new skills that would prove invaluable down the road.

Over these years, Larrivée developed  advanced tooling and added  computer-controlled milling machines that help streamline production.  But for Jean, it’s not just about building more guitars; he wants to build them affordably.  Jean’s goal is to put high-end guitars in the hands of the everyday musician.  To this day, this remains Larrivée’s primary mission statement.

By 1991, thanks in large part to MTV’s Unplugged movement, the acoustic market was once  again thriving – and so was acoustic production.  Larrivée is now producing eight guitars a day, including several new models incorporating new wood selections. The North Vancouver shop is getting crowded. Larrivée is now employing over twenty staff members, including the last apprentice Jean would ever take on – David Iannone, who eventually goes on to pursue a successful career of his own.

VANCOUVER 1992-2013

The acoustic market is now booming, and the 16 guitars a day, 11,000 ft2 shop in North Vancouver is being pushed to its limits.  Matthew, Jean’s younger son, also joins the team to oversee the technical side of machining.  After a short, five year East Vancouver location, Jean purchases a large two-story building on Cordova St. in downtown Vancouver.  At 27,000 ft2, there’s plenty of room to soothe Jean’s growing pains.  Soon multiple computerised  milling machines were  added.  With more  than 45 staff, the production of 32 guitars a day had become a reality.

In 1997, Jean produced the first made-in-North America, all solid wood, high-end guitar for under $800.  It’s a move that changes the course of guitar history.  Initially a limited edition, the remarkable D-03 soon became  the workhorse for the Larrivée Company and players alike. Demand for the guitar is so great, more staff and computerised  milling-machines are needed. 


Jean also begins to explore a long-time dream of building guitars in the United States.  In September 2001, Jean opened the doors of a Larrivée workshop in sunny Oxnard, California.   

While his father and brother, Matthew, built in California, John Jr. stays behind to manage the Canadian operations, continuing their 13-year formula of success.  With the popular 03 line now garnering the majority of sales, the time was right to separate production.  Satin finish guitars were continually being made in Canada, while glossy guitars were now built in California. The move south further enabled the streamlining and efficiency in both lines of production.

OXNARD, CALIFORNIA 2001-Present

California is everything Jean hoped it would be.  Sunshine and a warm ocean breeze consistently fill the air.  With truckloads of supplies and machinery, Jean, a few staff, along with new friends, begins the next chapter of Larrivée.  After months of hard work, the family is ready for production once again. Soon, even mandolins were emerging from the shop floor, as well as the re-introduction of high-end electric guitars.   

Unfortunately, the global recession of 2008 catches up with the luxury guitar market, ultimately making it uneconomical to produce guitars in multiple locations.  In November of 2013, in a tough decision, Larrivée closed  the doors on its Canadian operations, merging the Vancouver shop with the newly established California location.

In California, Jean continues further experimentation in tooling and production and introduces a new bracing system, now found on the 40 series. Still flanked by his two sons, he is now able to spend more time travelling  abroad in search of increasingly hard-to-find tonewoods.  From the jungles of India to the south of Spain, Jean continues his tireless quest to secure the finest woods in the world.

Today, Jean is fresh into his mid-70s, and showing no signs of slowing down.  Take a tour of the shop floor, and you’ll still find a humble man working in the corner, covered in dust, carving necks, and still smiling.

Larrivee LV-03M Recording Series Electro Acoustic Guitar Demonstration – James ‘Rimmers Music’

Which Artists Play Larrivee Guitars?

Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Jim Kimball (Reba McIntyre), Brian Henke, Ray Scott, Mike Waldron (Lee Ann Womack), Chad Jeremy, Andy Abad (Marc Anthony,Backstreet BoysTour 2000-2001,LA session guitarist), Tarigh Akoni (Whitney Houston, Backstreet Boys, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Love Hewitt), Adam Zimmon (Shakira), David Cabrerra (Ricky Martin), Brad Davidge (Natalie MacMaster), Jason Lang (Amanda Marshall), Tim Pierce (L.A. Session guitarist), Justin King, Pete Anderson (Dwight Yoakum), Hollie Poole (Jo Dee Messina), Jonathan Auerbach, Georg Danzer, Chuck Floyd, Danny Highsmith and Mike Askew (Loose Skrews Band-Macon, Ga.), Dave Isaacs, Peter Ratzenbeck, Hans Theessink, Ed Sadler (Fear Zero), Jason Phelps / Frickin A, Adam Cohen, Steve Louvat, Jon Michaels, Sid Hagan (The Purveyors), Robert Lee Castleman, Michelle Wright, Raul Midon, Sean Smith (Michelle Wright), Bob Minner (Tim McGraw), Leslie West, Ric Molina (98 Degrees, NY session guitarist), JarettWendt (Jaid), Elston Torres (Fulano), Ramon Stagnaro (Yanni, LA session guitarist), John Sebastian, Gerard Smith, Jeff Paris (Keb Mo), Dave Shul (Spearhead), Ed Robertson (Barenaked Ladies), Todd Shay (Sonicflood), Derek Scott (Peabo Bryson, Boys 2 Men), Mae Moore, Jim Glasby (Texas State Best Flatpicking Championship 2005), Anthony Papamichael, Jeff Douglas (Oakridge Boys), Chad Jeffers (The Wilkinsons,Pinmonkey), Mark Karan (Bob Weir, The Others), Troy Lancaster (Nashville Session guitarist), John Hiatt, John Standefor (Soloist, National Fingerstyle winner 2002), Richard Smith (Soloist, National Fingerstyle winner 2001), Peter Huttlinger (Soloist, National Fingerstyle winner 2000), Scott Henderson (Soloist, Tribal Tech, Zawinul Syndicate), Paul DesLaurier (Amanda Marshall), John Paulo (The John Paulo Band), Luke Doucet (Soloist, Veal, Chantall Kreviasik), Teresa, Rene Toledo (Gloria Estefan, producer, Miami session guitarist), Tony Franklin (Jimmy Page), Tim Abraham (Toronto session guitarist), Steve Booke (NY soloist), Rory Hoffman, Peter Gouzouasis (Prof.ofMusic/Cirriculum Studies, UBC), Jay Leach (soloist), Efron Nitrauw (2MC – From Holland), Michael Thompson (LA session guitarist), Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul and Mary) & Jed Marum

The Above list is from Larrivee’s website.

To Summarise…
Larrivee Acoustic Guitars are fantastic. The build quality, along with the tone and playability make them one of the world’s best acoustic guitars. With the different body shapes and wood combinations you are sure to find the perfect Larrivee for your playing needs.

We look forward to you making your next acoustic guitar a Larrivee from Rimmers Music.
James – Rimmers Music.

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