If a person has a Larrivee that is extremely hard to find and they are entertaining the thought of selling it...how does one go about putting a price on it. Please don't suggest comparison pricing on Reverb, you won't find this guitar listed anywhere. How would you go about pricing it? Is there a formula? :?
What type of guitar,Whats the condition,whats the age,is it a common modal.
The price guide on Reverb. Rarity doesn't mean a lot because, unlike Martin who mostly produced the same guitars year after year, Larrivee has long created all types of variations with exotic woods, inlays, etc. If a particular kind is highly desirable, Larrivee will just make them. So, rarity has little influence on the value of a Larrivee. Yea, it can be painful, I know that first hand. But, that's one of the endearing things about the brand, that one can find so many exotic and beautiful options without spending a ton.
For pricing, don't get caught up on particular body sizes. It's more about the level of ornamentation and if it has Brazilian rosewood or Koa. Most other factors aren't going to change the value much. If you describe what it is, we can tell you what is comparable and you can find pricing comparisons.
Ok what I have is a SD 40 ME, moon spruce top, Malaysian Ebony back and sides, brass tuners on open head stock, torch inlaid on head stock, pyramid bridge.
Just my opinion; Given it has the torch, I'd try to get closer to the price of what a standard SD40 goes for new. I don't think you'll be able to get that, but it's worth trying. Keep in mind, there's SD40s in good shape that aren't selling for $1,500 so even getting $500 more than that is a big ask. But, there's something about a torch inlay... I know it has snared me into paying a lot extra before. Then again, I also had to sell a Larrivee with one of Wendy Larrivee's masterpiece inlays for peanuts so it doesn't always work out.
Bowie, that's kind of depressing. With that in mind, I might as well keep it.
Quote from: Traikat on April 12, 2026, 03:24:29 PMBowie, that's kind of depressing. With that in mind, I might as well keep it.
You may well be correct. If I were in your shoes and I was fond of it, I doubt I'd entertain selling it at all. I mean it was hard enough for me to find my perfect OM-05.
However, if I had a "need" to sell it, I'd price it to sell. If I had only a "desire" to sell it, I'd price it at what I want and entertain offers. A good sales pitch with audio recording and pictures can accomplish a lot. You never know if someone has been looking for that guitar for years and will happily pay your price. There is only one way to know.
Best wishes in your choice.
Thank you John for your opinion. That's why I like this site so much, everyone is helpful and courteous. Speaks well for the Larrivee community!! ;)
In my opinion, I'd keep it if I were you. Sadly, the world is sometimes ignorant of the Larrivee brand and you might end up selling for a lot less than it's worth.
Quote from: Traikat on April 12, 2026, 03:24:29 PMBowie, that's kind of depressing. With that in mind, I might as well keep it.
Sorry to hear that. But, I would definitely advise keeping it. A few years ago, I would have LOVED to have had a Larrivee SD in those woods with a torch. I'm not joking, that would have been a dream guitar.
With a lot of guitars, just because they aren't particularly pricey doesn't mean they aren't precious and beautiful (for the eyes and ears). Several of my favorite guitars are ones that I was going to sell but they weren't worth a lot. Now, I literally cringe when I think I almost let those ones go.
Give it some time, I think you may end up being glad you hung onto it.
Quote from: B0WIE on April 12, 2026, 09:17:24 PMSorry to hear that. But, I would definitely advise keeping it. A few years ago, I would have LOVED to have had a Larrivee SD in those woods with a torch. I'm not joking, that would have been a dream guitar.
With a lot of guitars, just because they aren't particularly pricey doesn't mean they are precious and beautiful (for the eyes and ears). Several of my favorite guitars are ones that I was going to sell but they weren't worth a lot. Now, I literally cringe when I think I almost let those ones go.
Give it some time, I think you may end up being glad you hung onto it.
Me too.
I had an SD and it was really a fantastic guitar.
I think you've got a wonderful instrument there, irrespective of the resale value.
just to follow up on queequeg's post. I had a Collings OM2 that (using John Lee lingo) I was interested in selling. 8 months and 0 offers later I pulled it out of consignment and played it again. I have no idea what I was thinking. Nope not for sale. Sometimes you can drive yourself nuts when you should just be playing.
john
Quote from: John in Charm City on April 13, 2026, 06:05:18 PMjust to follow up on queequeg's post. I had a Collings OM2 that (using John Lee lingo) I was interested in selling. 8 months and 0 offers later I pulled it out of consignment and played it again. I have no idea what I was thinking. Nope not for sale. Sometimes you can drive yourself nuts when you should just be playing.
john
Amen brotha!
I actually did that "what are you thinking" cycle for 2 years, every time I would think about selling my 2010 Martin 000-16GT. I'd go weeks without playing it and be thinking about selling it. The problem is that guitar possesses a fabulous Martin sitka/mahogany 000 voice. But, it has a 1-11/16" nut. The short scale wasn't an issue for me but the dreaded Martin "loose binding" lurking in the back of my head made the narrow nut intolerable.
So, I did finally sell it last January. As a result of that decision and it's revenue generation, I am the proud owner of a much, much better built, and more beautiful in every guitar way, Larrivee OM-05.
The icing on that guitar trading cake is that the gentleman who bought my Martin is as thrilled as I am about our deal.
A true win-win!
Quote from: Traikat on April 12, 2026, 05:30:45 PMThank you John for your opinion. That's why I like this site so much, everyone is helpful and courteous. Speaks well for the Larrivee community!! ;)
I hope you let us know your final decision. We're intrigued by, and living vicariously through your guitar keep/sell dilemma.
The major question I have is whether you custom ordered it for yourself. If you did then it's something you must have always wanted and you paid the premium to have it made. In that case, if you put it up for sale on the used market you would take the hit and probably regret selling it down the road. If you didn't, then you probably got it at a decent price. That being said, if it were me and I wasn't looking to get another guitar that I had to have, I'd put it away for a few weeks to see if I missed it. If I didn't, then I'd put it up at what I think the market would bear, (obviously over what I paid for it and factoring in appreciation over time) and see what happens. But looking at your current collection, do you think you can find a better dread than what you already have?
Good to see all the advice on keeping it. That's the smart play. That guitar with those woods? You'll most likely never get close to what it's worth, unfortunately. One of the very few downsides of owning a Larrivee: resale value. Of course, as the buyer it's a big plus. Definitely keep it.
Koamon, to answer your question ...No. I don't think I could find a better dread or a prettier one. I did not custom order it, but the music store I bought it from did. The problem is I love the guitar, but my shoulders don't. I just feel it would be a shame for this beautiful instrument to not be in the hands of someone who would play it every day. I'm still on the fence whether to sell it or not, no big hurry to make the decision.
My two Larrivee's. SD 40 ME on the left, and 000 40 Maple on the right.
Wow. Sorry you have shoulder pain. Is there any kind of physical therapy that will relieve the pain?
Sorry to hear about the shoulder. If it helps, one thing that made SDs very comfortable to play for me is holding them in classical position. In fact, I started doing that when I was mostly playing SDs and now I play every guitar like that. Easier on the shoulders and also gives more control.
You're not alone with shoulder pain with a dread, especially while sitting. Do you have any local small music shops near you that might take it in on consignment if you do decide to sell it?
Quote from: B0WIE on April 15, 2026, 06:27:30 PMSorry to hear about the shoulder. If it helps, one thing that made SDs very comfortable to play for me is holding them in classical position. In fact, I started doing that when I was mostly playing SDs and now I play every guitar like that. Easier on the shoulders and also gives more control.
I hold my guitars in classical position too. Never any pain.
Quote from: B0WIE on April 15, 2026, 06:27:30 PMSorry to hear about the shoulder. If it helps, one thing that made SDs very comfortable to play for me is holding them in classical position. In fact, I started doing that when I was mostly playing SDs and now I play every guitar like that. Easier on the shoulders and also gives more control.
Given the shoulder pain, I would advise the OP to seriously consider this. I spent most of my life playing in the non-classical position. I now split my time 50/50 between "traditional" and "classical," the style of music being the determining factor of which position I choose. If you do any kind of fingerstyle playing, the net positives in the classical position are overwhelming: the entire body is in a more natural (less stressful) playing position. Translation: more comfort, less pain. For myself, it really helped my tendonitis remain dormant, probably due to the more natural playing position of my right shoulder/forearm/wrist/fingers.
Historically, those classical players have had a much longer time to dial in ideal body posture while interfacing the guitar. It works quite well.