Why No ArchTop or Semi Hollow From Larrivee?????????

[JOYCEfromNS]

I know I would luv one!!! Isn't it a logical extension for the Larrivee's who have mastered both the acoustic and electric? They certainly know how to make pickups on a solid body I'd put my RS4 up against any soldbody electric, and we all are fully aware of Larrivee's mastery of the acoustic.

So why not an Archtop or Semi-hollow??? 

[jwsamuel]

So why not an Archtop or Semi-hollow??? 

They are very labor-intensive to make and have a limited market. That's my guess.

Jim

[SMan]

They are very labor-intensive to make and have a limited market. That's my guess.

Jim

I would tend to agree.

[Queequeg]

They are very labor-intensive to make and have a limited market. That's my guess.

Jim

in a nutshell.

[Michael T]

Copy from another thread, but I would be all over a Larri Archtop/semi-hollow:

My Dv-09 still is my favorite, though closely followed by my L05-12. I use the 12 more than I probably should but I do love how Jim Hollar helped me out and set it up (with no pick hole), level string tops across the octaves. I love playing that thing, it is so easy to fret and pick I find myself playing songs more suited for 6 strings on it more than I should, but then again I'm a solo occasional player now so I can pretty much pull a full set out of it with little problem and without boring the rhythm to death. The level strings allow some pretty interesting octave variations that were impossible for me with a standard offset string height.

I may be done for now as Jean and the family have not yet done an archtop, or semi hollow like a PRS, Eastman, Godin,Taylor F3, T-5, or even an Ibanez Benson model. I think I'd be all over something like that over the R-4 solid. I love to see a Archtop single lollar Imperial pick up offer even as a special order.

[jwsamuel]

The other problem Larrivee would have with archtop of semi-hollow guitars is that it is a limited marketed that already has a large numbers of makers. On the low end (under $1,000), you have Ibanez, Epiphone, the Chinese-made Gretsch and others. In the middle ($1,000 to $5,000), there is Gibson, the high-end Ibanez and high-end Gretsch. Then in the high-end ($5,000 and up)  market, there are the custom makers like B0ob Benedetto, Buscarino and Bill Moll.

Larrivee would not be able to get into the low-end market, would have difficulty in the middle and would not get the high-end buyers top look at them. So where would they fit in?

Jim

[JOYCEfromNS]

Larrivee would not be able to get into the low-end market, would have difficulty in the middle and would not get the high-end buyers top look at them. So where would they fit in?

Jim

I am the first to admit I don't know anything about building guitars or the business or business period. Tho it seems you will never fit in if you don't try. Many companies start out in one line and diversify to another similar or completely different line and end up achieving their greatest success.

Seems in a down economy with likely ample plant capacity an opportunity exists, at least to me a logical extension. They certainly have the skilled labor to pull it off whether it's labor intensive or not. One thing for sure - Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained. Maybe just wishful thinking on my part and my emotions are clouding my logic BUT I would love to get my hands on one after seeing what they were able to do to an electric.

[jwsamuel]

I am the first to admit I don't know anything about building guitars or the business or business period. Tho it seems you will never fit in if you don't try. Many companies start out in one line and diversify to another similar or completely different line and end up achieving their greatest success.

Companies that diversify meet one of two fates:

1. They find a market that is not being adequately serviced by others and prosper by filling a need.

2. They fail because they try to move into a market that already has too much competition, or they cannot offer any meaningful advantage over products ready in the marketplace.

I think if Jean Larrivee thought he could be among the first group, you'd see an archtop or semi-hollow from Larrivee.

Collings recently moved into that market. I wonder how it is doing.

Jim

[ffinke]

Business today is best described in one word: NICHE. Really large companies with lots of reserve capital can afford to experiment in fringe markets but smaller companies need to find their niche to survive. Larrivee's niche is a superb guitar at a very reasonable price point (and sometimes I think that actually hurts them). The high enders often sound about the same as a Larrivee but the prestige of owning one makes them more 'valuable'. Don't get me wrong, I like the price structure of Larrivees because more people can afford them but there's always the GAS element: 'gotta have that ________ ' (fill in the blank) because there is the status of owning one. Kinda like writing your name in the snow (won't say how).

Buy the Larrivee for what their niche is: superior instrument at very reasonable price point.

Only an opinion but at least it's mine.

f

[tadol]

an -03 series harp guitar is probably next on the list -   Tad

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[jimmyb]

Companies that diversify meet one of two fates:

1. They find a market that is not being adequately serviced by others and prosper by filling a need.

2. They fail because they try to move into a market that already has too much competition, or they cannot offer any meaningful advantage over products ready in the marketplace.

I think if Jean Larrivee thought he could be among the first group, you'd see an archtop or semi-hollow from Larrivee.

Collings recently moved into that market. I wonder how it is doing.

Jim

If you are speaking of Collings in the archtop making business, they have been in that business for many years (I believe at least 10). They don't build enough archtops to remotely fill the demand so when one comes up for sale used, they usually go for atleast their original selling price if not more. Collings archtops are as nice as their flat tops and just as carefully built.

I can't address Collings' success (or failure) in the semi-hollow biz.

Jimmy

[jwsamuel]

I can't address Collings' success (or failure) in the semi-hollow biz.

I was thinking about their semi-hollow electrics.

Jim

[jimmyb]

I was thinking about their semi-hollow electrics.

Jim

Jim,
I am a great fan of Collings, I just have no interest in electric guitars, even Collings. I have read reviews and they are typical Collings reviews (beautifully built, etc...). I don't have a Collings dealer here in town, I do notice, however, that most Collings dealers on line seem to stock alot of the electrics. Hopefully someone can weigh in.

Jimmy