Buyers Guides - Guitars, Amplifiers & Effects

The History of Larrivee Guitars

By Spears Music Blog / October 4th, 2023 / There are currently 0 comments

At Rimmers Music we are very proud to stock a range of Larrivee Acoustic and Electro-acoustic Guitars. Their combination of world-class craftsmanship and solid wood construction makes for an instrument of unparalleled tone and quality.

Founded in Toronto, Ontario in 1967 by master luthier Jean Larrivee, Larrivee Guitars has been producing boutique-quality acoustics for 40 years. They’ve now grown to produce a broad array of instruments, with the mission statement to put high-end guitars into the hands of the everyday musician.

When you purchase a Larivee Guitar, you are following in the footsteps of a whole cohort of famed musicians, including Tommy Emmanuel, through to Brad Paisley and James Taylor.

This blog will be an account of the unique history of the man who gave his name to Larivee Guitars. The great sound and stunning aesthetics are the product of a long development process – from 60s Toronto, to the rainforests of the Pacific Rim and ending up in sunny California.

A look into the History

Jean Larrivee’s lifetime of experiences still finds its way into every guitar that bears his name today, but where does his story begin?

Picture the scene, we’re in Toronto in the late 60s, Johnson is president and the hippie revolution is in full swing. Jean had been growing an interest in the guitar since his teenage years, and now has a keen curiosity in classical guitar making. In 1967, he attended a performance by guitarist Edgar Munch Jr, during which he talked with his father – world-renowned luthier Edgar Munch Sr. Jean made quite the impression and Munch offered to take him on as an apprentice.

He worked away in his basement for three years, the energy once spent on hours of guitar practice now directed towards learning the ways of guitar construction. After three years, he acquired his first commercial workspace on a floor of the Tarragon Theatre. Here, with a backdrop of the thriving Toronto folk music scene, young Jean set his mind to making steel string-guitars. It is at this time that he developed his unique X-bracing system, a pattern consisting of an X brace and tone bars running parallel to the bridge). It’s a technique still used today, and is responsible for the distinctive Larrivee tone of punchy bass and crisp highs.

The next few years saw steady growth and a stream of talented apprentices visit the workshop, including Lina Manzer and David Wren. Most notable was Wendy Jones, whose artistry is responsible for the beautiful inlays you’ll see on every Larrivee guitar today. She later became Jean’s wife. By 1977 Larivee Guitars was producing 30 guitars a month and had gained the respect of players across the world. Bruce Cockburn and Peter Yarrow become the first high-profile artists to endorse Jean’s guitars.

Seeking a warmer climate and closer proximity to tone woods, Jean relocated his company to Vancouver Island in 1982. Here, he began creating his own machinery to increase the precision and efficiency with which he can produce guitars. Whilst on this island, he explored the rainforests of Canada’s Pacific Rim, finding some of the world’s finest spruce and cedar for his guitars.

With direct access to these materials Larrivee Guitars continued to grow, but the isolation of Vancouver Island was now proving a challenge. In the mid 1980s Jean made the decision to relocate again to the mainland. The musical market was now trending towards electronic instruments so Jean simply adapted, now focusing on creation of electric guitars for both his own, and other, high-end companies.

By the 90s the acoustic market was in boom once again, thanks in part to the popularity of MTV Unplugged (a television series showcasing artists playing acoustic instruments). After five years in East Vancouver, Jean purchased a two story building downtown. With 27,000 ft² of workshop space and 45 staff, his company was now producing 32 guitars every day.

Now though, his mission was firmly to discover how to make his guitars more affordable. He sought to put high-end quality instruments into the hands of the everyday musician. In 1997 he did just that, breaking new ground in producing the first solid wood, high-end guitar for under 800 dollars. This is a model called the D-03 and it was originally intended to have a limited run of 1000 guitars. However, demand for this guitar exceeded expectations and by 2001 Jean had opened the doors to a second workshop in California.

The new Larrivee workshop was managed by Jean’s father and brother, while he stayed behind to supervise Canadian operations. Production is separated for the first time, with satin finish guitars produced in Canada and glossy guitars built in California. Soon the California workshop was producing everything from mandolins to electric guitars. With the dawning of the global recession in 2013, Jean made the difficult decision to close his Canadian shop, and merge operations in the Californian location.

Larrivee Guitars are still hand-made to this day in the Southern Californian shop and Jean, now into his mid 70s can be found even now, working away at a guitar in the corner.

What Makes A Larrivee Guitar Unique?

The trademark feature of Larrivee Guitars is their solid wood build and the selective logging process behind each instrument. No plys, laminates, or “layered” woods are ever used in production. Instead, the Larrivee craftsmen take time to hand-select their materials, sourcing wood from the jungles of West India to the Great Bear Rainforest. The team at Larrivee Guitars “like to be there, in the forest, personally taking part”.

The wood then arrives at the factory and is cured using a unique combination of air drying and kiln drying. Some will be left to age in the warehouse for over ten years to achieve optimum tonal properties. Therefore, when you pick up a Larivee guitar, you are entering a decades-old journey from the forest floor.

This process makes for a tone and playability unlike any other. The signature Larrivee tone delivers crystal clear high ranges, a solid bass, and great projection. Accompanying this is some of the most intricate inlay work, forming a guitar with truly striking aesthetics.

Larrivee Guitars at Rimmers

Here at Rimmers we offer a wide range of Larrivee Acoustic Guitars that boast an unparalleled sound, and we will endeavour to always carry a fantastic selection in stock for you.