Larrivee Finishes

[didymus21]

I received this from Larrivee customer support. I thought it'd be great information to have as a sticky, in case anyone was interested.
Edited to update as of October 19, 2023 by Queequeg per J M Larrivee.

Current Finish:
[Regards - john jr.]

Gloss Guitars: Pure Acrylic Urethane hi-sheen Topcoat (Catalyzed), over top of a Catalyzed Urethane Basecoat.
Satin: Pure Acrylic Urethane 10% Sheen Satin Finish (Catalyzed), Over top of a Catalyzed Urethane base coat
WE USE NO POLYESTER ON ANY ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENTS

2009-2013
Gloss Guitars: Urethane hi-sheen Topcoat (Catalysed), over top of a UV Polyester Basecoat
Satin: Pure Acrylic Urethane 10% Sheen Satin Finish (Catalyzed), over top of a UV Polyester Basecoat

Approx 1990-2009
Gloss Guitars: UV Polyester Topcoat, over top of a UV Polyester Basecoat
Satin: Pure Acrylic 12.5% Sheen Satin Finish (Catalyzed), over top of a UV Polyester Basecoat

Approx 1983-1990
Gloss Guitars: Catalyzed Modified Varnish Topcoat/Basecoat (Polyurethane Based)
Satin: No satin guitars made during this time

1967 to Approx 1983
Gloss Guitars: Hot Sprayed Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Satin: No satin guitars made during this time

[bobw]

Didy..  great info... thanks for sharing....  BobW 

[photomat]

That is great information.  Thanks for sharing.

So much goes into guitar building that I NEVER think about, but always appreciate knowing when I find out.

[Danny]

Thanks for this very valuable information. If I  had it a year ago it would have caused me to be more cautious in working on my newest Larrivee.  I'll print this out, but a sticky is a good idea. 

[teh]

I really appreciate the information I learn here that is not readily or easily available from other sources.

[didymus21]

Thanks for this very valuable information. If I  had it a year ago it would have caused me to be more cautious in working on my newest Larrivee.  I'll print this out, but a sticky is a good idea. 

I agree dependan. For some reason, I ran into a lot of trouble doing some CA drop fills. I have one from the polyester years that had a pretty destructive reaction. Went to razor level the fill and the finish just crumbled on me in multiple spots--down to bare wood believe it or not.

I'm going to take it as an opportunity to remove the finish completely and try my hand at refinishing. Should be fun if I spread the work out and go slow.

[L07 Shooting Star]

Thanks.  Very useful information for me.

[B0WIE]

I agree dependan. For some reason, I ran into a lot of trouble doing some CA drop fills. I have one from the polyester years that had a pretty destructive reaction. Went to razor level the fill and the finish just crumbled on me in multiple spots--down to bare wood believe it or not.

I'm going to take it as an opportunity to remove the finish completely and try my hand at refinishing. Should be fun if I spread the work out and go slow.

I CA filled a dozen or more spots on a poly era 03 (top acrylic, but base is poly and plenty of these chips went to the base) and didn't have any wind up like that.  Or, turn out anything less that great.
Very unfortunate.  I wonder what the issue was. 

[Danny]

I CA filled a dozen or more spots on a poly era 03 (top acrylic, but base is poly and plenty of these chips went to the base) and didn't have any wind up like that.  Or, turn out anything less that great.
Very unfortunate.  I wonder what the issue was. 

maybe silicone had been used as a polish?  I've repaired old finishes with shellac and had many turn out alright.  I've also used CA glue on the newer finishes (not the latest) and had fair results.
      Repairing finishes is tricky.

[tuffythepug]

I received this from Larrivee customer support. I thought it'd be great information to have as a sticky, in case anyone was interested.

Current Finish:
Gloss Guitars: Pure Acrylic Urethane hi-sheen Topcoat (Catalyzed), over top of a Catalyzed Urethane Basecoat.
Satin: Pure Acrylic Urethane 10% Sheen Satin Finish (Catalyzed), Over top of a Catalyzed Urethane base coat
WE USE NO POLYESTER ON ANY ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENTS

2009-2013
Gloss Guitars: Urethane hi-sheen Topcoat (Catalysed), over top of a UV Polyester Basecoat
Satin: Pure Acrylic Urethane 10% Sheen Satin Finish (Catalyzed), over top of a UV Polyester Basecoat

Approx 1990-2009
Gloss Guitars: UV Polyester Topcoat, over top of a UV Polyester Basecoat
Satin: Pure Acrylic 12.5% Sheen Satin Finish (Catalyzed), over top of a UV Polyester Basecoat

Approx 1983-1990
Gloss Guitars: Catalyzed Modified Varnish Topcoat/Basecoat (Polyurethane Based)
Satin: No satin guitars made during this time

1967 to Approx 1983
Gloss Guitars: Hot Sprayed Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Satin: No satin guitars made during this time

Sticky is done.

T

[didymus21]

I CA filled a dozen or more spots on a poly era 03 (top acrylic, but base is poly and plenty of these chips went to the base) and didn't have any wind up like that.  Or, turn out anything less that great.
Very unfortunate.  I wonder what the issue was. 

Yeah, very peculiar. I talked about it with another Luthier and he said he'd never seen anything like it either.

[bobw]

Sticky is done.

T

Thanks Tuffy...  nice to have info like this that's easy to find... BobW

[rodi53]

Good information, and explains the difference in finishes between my 2016 L-09 and 2007 L-05. I posted a thread on this forum about that a week or so ago. I much prefer the finish on my older L-05 to the finish on my new L-09. I had to use 0000 steel wool on the 9's neck to make it playable (at least for me). Thanks to the respondents for the advice on how to correct that too, BTW.

[George]

Absolutely Great Information!  Thanks for Sharing!   

[Burstbucker]

Thanks for sharing that information!

[pelicanhead]

++++

[leo.vu]

Hello there's a question I would like to ask.I came across this used 09 that has its finish redone to Matte/Shellac. Wonder if there's any difference in terms of sound due to this mod? I don't have a chance to play it in person so really trying to gain as much info from the knowledgeable folks here before diving into the purchase 

[Danny]

Hello there's a question I would like to ask.I came across this used 09 that has its finish redone to Matte/Shellac. Wonder if there's any difference in terms of sound due to this mod? I don't have a chance to play it in person so really trying to gain as much info from the knowledgeable folks here before diving into the purchase 

Sure like to see pics of that. A satin finish in shellac sounds interesting.
    Shellac is an age old guitar finish and should sound just fine.

[broKen]

I would ask why the finish needed refinishing. Abuse perhaps? I wouldn't buy that without some hands on experience.

[leo.vu]

This is a close up of the finish! The owner simply says he has the gloss finish refinished and now the matte/shellac allows the sound to flow out much better. I didn't consider asking him why he gets it refinished so really thanks for the important pointer! First time trying to get a Larrivee (first time trying to get a high-end guitar anway haha) so I really need much input!