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
Didy.. great info... thanks for sharing.... BobW
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.
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. :+1:
I really appreciate the information I learn here that is not readily or easily available from other sources.
Quote from: dependan on January 30, 2016, 04:41:49 PM
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. :+1:
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.
Thanks. Very useful information for me.
Quote from: didymus21 on January 30, 2016, 11:16:00 PM
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.
Quote from: B0WIE on January 31, 2016, 02:12:53 AM
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.
Quote from: didymus21 on January 30, 2016, 01:53:07 PM
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
Quote from: B0WIE on January 31, 2016, 02:12:53 AM
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.
Quote from: tuffythepug on January 31, 2016, 11:53:00 AM
Sticky is done.
T
Thanks Tuffy... nice to have info like this that's easy to find... BobW
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.
Absolutely Great Information! Thanks for Sharing! :thumb
Thanks for sharing that information! :cheers
++++
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 :smile:
Quote from: leo.vu on August 03, 2017, 12:18:48 PM
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 :smile:
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.
I would ask why the finish needed refinishing. Abuse perhaps? I wouldn't buy that without some hands on experience.
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!
Quote from: leo.vu on August 06, 2017, 11:13:58 AM
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!
Exercise caution. I'm guessing it needed refinished. What other abuse has it been through?
Looks like a good job from that picture. Shellac is a very easy finish to repair. So it may be a good deal.
You say this is an 09, but it looks like mahogany, which makes it an 05. The 09's are usually made from rosewood.
The guitar is in excellent condition all thing considered. There is one ding that's nearly invisible and another mark up the neck which I think is justifiable since it's a 1998 model. From the series number it's definitely a rosewood b/s 09 though. Really besides the finishes I'm really happy with the guitar appearance. And it's okay if I return after checking it out for a few days so my main concern is really only about the finishes' durability since I never hear about a shellac finish before haha. Thank yall for the info!
Quote from: leo.vu on August 06, 2017, 10:33:43 PM
The guitar is in excellent condition all thing considered. There is one ding that's nearly invisible and another mark up the neck which I think is justifiable since it's a 1998 model. From the series number it's definitely a rosewood b/s 09 though. Really besides the finishes I'm really happy with the guitar appearance. And it's okay if I return after checking it out for a few days so my main concern is really only about the finishes' durability since I never hear about a shellac finish before haha. Thank yall for the info!
Please post more pics. The one you put up is not rosewood.
I just got it. That must be a pic of the top.
Yes it is :thumbsup
Quote from: leo.vu on August 06, 2017, 10:53:57 PM
Yes it is :thumbsup
You are a tricky one. That top looks fine, a nice patina.
2013 quilted mahogany with gloss finish. P o5. how to clean?
Quote from: spiderbgood on January 17, 2018, 03:22:53 PM
2013 quilted mahogany with gloss finish. P o5. how to clean?
Is it grimy or just smudged up with hand prints?
I just got it the 15th from Wildwood Guitars. No grime , perfect in every way. I wipe it down with the super duper Larrivee cloth. When the time comes what to clean/ protect it with ?
Quote from: spiderbgood on January 18, 2018, 11:46:35 AM
I just got it the 15th from Wildwood Guitars. No grime , perfect in every way. I wipe it down with the super duper Larrivee cloth. When the time comes what to clean/ protect it with ?
Martin guitar polish or D`Addario SHINE Spray Cleaner.
Quote from: spiderbgood on January 18, 2018, 11:46:35 AM
I just got it the 15th from Wildwood Guitars. No grime , perfect in every way. I wipe it down with the super duper Larrivee cloth. When the time comes what to clean/ protect it with ?
Wildwood Guitars or Wildwood Music?
I was looking at the P05 Quilted Mahogany on Wildwood Music. Spectacular guitar. I bought an LV-03RE from them just before Christmas. Great guitar.
What if anything can be used on a satin finish where there is a very shallow dime size scratch where it resembles new skin where a scab just fell off. Some kind of substance that can darken the wood a little and not make it as obvious.
Thanks!
Bill
Maybe a bit off topic but it is sort of finishes, I have LV03R and I think that this might be bear claw in the finish. Has there been a definitive answer as to whether this is a plus or a minus to the value? I am thinking of selling this to get a LV09. Sorry I am a newbie and couldn't figure how to start a new thread.
:nanadance :nanadance :nana_guitar
:donut :donut2 :coffee
(Some) People use to hate that now they love it. :cheers
Lobsters were once a nuisance thing that got caught in fishermans nets.
thrown out, or fed to the dogs. Not so much anymore.
even the ones with bear claw.... :beer
didymus21 thanks for the really useful info :guitar
Quote from: billpurcell on February 05, 2019, 08:44:33 PM
What if anything can be used on a satin finish where there is a very shallow dime size scratch where it resembles new skin where a scab just fell off. Some kind of substance that can darken the wood a little and not make it as obvious.
Thanks!
Bill
That's one of the biggest issues with satin, it doesn't repair well. I use CA glue (superglue) and sand it so that the finish is as close to the satin, in texture, as possible. It'll vary but around 1500 grit seems to do the job.
Interesting info,being totally ignorant in the science of acoustic guitar finishes,I sometimes wonder if it would possible to convert a gloss finish to a satin.
Quote from: Gill on July 13, 2024, 05:44:44 AMInteresting info,being totally ignorant in the science of acoustic guitar finishes,I sometimes wonder if it would possible to convert a gloss finish to a satin.
It's super-easy. You just scuff it. There's a number of ways to do that (paper, steel wool, compound) and the quality will depend on how you finesse it. It's entirely different than how a factory satin is done.
Quote from: B0WIE on July 13, 2024, 12:40:20 PMIt's super-easy. You just scuff it. There's a number of ways to do that (paper, steel wool, compound) and the quality will depend on how you finesse it. It's entirely different than how a factory satin is done.
Thanks for the advice,very tempted to have a go myself.
I once used green scotchbrite to take a gloss to matte on an Eastman mandolin. It really seemed to open up the sound, and it looked really cool.
I came to this forum with this exact question, thanks for a quick concise sticky that answers it for me. My two Larrivees are a 2001 Parlour, and a Hatdield Limited ISS Parlour which is basically in NOS condition. Same models same wood, just separated by 14 years.
(https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DpcOZS3zWC0PlusLkGEYZ6nXUbN8qtdM/view?usp=sharing)
-Connor
Speaking of finishes, I had never seen one of these molasses finishes on a Larrivee before today. Looks fantastic. (https://rvb-img.reverb.com/image/upload/s--gQtfvKlD--/f_auto,t_supersize/v1747343664/bexe9hgcm6emw0geu6po.jpg)
Wow!! Very cool look, wonder if that was a custom job?