Sound of an old Larrivee?

[zen_1000]

Trawling the net, I often find videos of vintage Martins, Gibsons and, to a certain extent, taylors. How about Larrivees? Where are all the old larry's?

[leftync]

Martin and Gibson had a pretty big head start. And in addition to time, we can assume they were producing many more guitars even after Larrivee started building. That said, I bought a 15-year old Larrivee and I'd rate it better than new. Well built guitars may show a little wear, but they improve with age. Time will show more and more how well Larrivees hold up, as they add to the ranks of great vintage instruments.

[JOYCEfromNS]

For the most part the "old" Larrivees ( steel string from 70's) are likely still with the original owner or their families.

IMO for the most part a Larrivee buyer is one who puts little value on a name on Headstock ( or label in the soundhole) and more on tone and playability.

Martins and Gibsons have become somewhat a commodity of trade due to it's heritage and mainly because of someone famous who happened to play one. Larrivee marketing is certainly not their strong suit.

Personally speaking I have played many Larrivees from the 80's ( none that I am aware of from the 70's) and these guitar are very high end BUT no higher than those I have played from the 90's and 00's

[zen_1000]

 Leftsync: 15 years! Wow that is one old workhorse (but with a long, long life ahead of him of course!) If you have posted any videos or audioclips of it do let me know ;)

[L07 Shooting Star]

For the most part the "old" Larrivees ( steel string from 70's) are likely still with the original owner or their families.

IMO for the most part a Larrivee buyer is one who puts little value on a name on Headstock ( or label in the soundhole) and more on tone and playability.

Martins and Gibsons have become somewhat a commodity of trade due to it's heritage and mainly because of someone famous who happened to play one. Larrivee marketing is certainly not their strong suit.

Personally speaking I have played many Larrivees from the 80's ( none that I am aware of from the 70's) and these guitar are very high end BUT no higher than those I have played from the 90's and 00's

Joyce, I am the type of Larrivee buyer you describe.  I have 2 "old Larrivees" (if you call 25 years+ an old Larrivee).  I am the 2nd owner of both of them.  One is a 1983-84 L-07 which I bought used in 1985.  The other is a 1985 L model 12-string which I bought from the original owner this year.  They are both outstanding guitars and the only Larrivee's I've ever owned.

Kurt

[Zohn]

If they sound anything better than my 2005 models they must be darn good!!!

[sgarnett]

I have an early 90's OM-10 Deluxe. The shape of the braces is a little different from the modern Larrivees. Comparing the sound to my 12 fret mahogany b&s Forum I would be be apples-to-pineapples, though ....

[ronmac]

Here's a picture of a very well traveled Larrivee (a '79 C-72 Presentation, if I remember correctly), belonging to Canadian iconic folksinger Valdy



The picture doesn't show it, but it has "character marks" all over the front :)

...and it sounds great!

[hatofthecat]

15 years! Wow that is one old workhorse

Perhaps forumites could as a group arbitrarily decide how old a Larrivee has to be to be a "vintage Larrivee" .... my vote 18 years.... ooooo !!! mine just squeezed in 

Had a quick play on an mid 80's one a couple of years ago (was pretty beat up and overpriced, typical UK "rare" guitar shop)... did sound wonderfully complex but was top end brazilian (I think) model and I was comparing it with my "lowly" 03 series at the time.

Pete

[leftync]

@zen--here are some pix of my D-50. Trust me, you don't want to hear me play it. http://s728.photobucket.com/albums/ww289/leftync_photos/Larrivee%20D-50/

[jandrew]

I've got a 23+ year old L-07 -- is that "vintage"? Anyway, you asked what it sounds like, so here are a couple of sonic samples: a brief fingerpicked snippet of Ode to Joy, and a little flatpicking diddy I came up with:

http://vom.infocusreviews.com/index.php?p=play&id=jandrew/diddy.mp3
http://vom.infocusreviews.com/index.php?p=play&id=jandrew/odetojoy.mp3

Both recorded with a Zoom H2.

,
andrew

[ducktrapper]

I think Randy and I have the oldest ones. His is a '74, I think, and mine's a '75. I like it better than most "boutique" guitars that I've run across, most costing way more. For instance, better than either of the Ryans, the Laskin and the one Olson I've played but then, that's just my opinion.   

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[ducktrapper]

Oh ...

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[Mr_LV19E]

Oh ...

Wow, back when you could read his name.  Love your guitar BTW.

[Denis]

ducktrapper's guitar gets some play every time we start talking about older Larrivees!  I look at every shot, every time!  Nice guitar duck. 

I wonder if Sergei or Grit or Linda might have had a hand in that guitar???

[ducktrapper]

ducktrapper's guitar gets some play every time we start talking about older Larrivees!  I look at every shot, every time!  Nice guitar duck.  

I wonder if Sergei or Grit or Linda might have had a hand in that guitar???

Funny you should ask that. A few years back, well more than that actually, I ran across someone with a 1976 Manzer (lead guitarist for Tamarack) and the likeness was incredible. I emailed Linda and questioned her about my guitar. I described the guitar and a few details I knew about the original owner and about how the guitar got from Toronto to Renaissance Music in Montreal and she claimed to remember it and said something to the effect of "yeah I built that one." I hadn't actually asked her that  and not knowing her or her sense of humour (and seeing as it does have Jean's signature), I couldn't tell if she was serious or not. But there you have it.  

[Stephen Basil]

Check this beauty out from 1975.  Of course, they're not giving it away:

http://www.tfoa.eu/the_store/index.php?target=products&product_id=33285

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[Mikeymac]

Some beautiful old geetars, here.

My 18 year old OM-05 sounds rich and expressive, and it plays like butter. I need to take some better pics...

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[ducktrapper]

Check this beauty out from 1975.  Of course, they're not giving it away:

http://www.tfoa.eu/the_store/index.php?target=products&product_id=33285

They seem a tad confused about the actual age. They call it a '75 based on incidentals. I'd think not if it isn't signed. The line below the pic says 1977. Another very nice guitar, either way. A few years back, I sent mine down to the shop in Oxnard for a complete makeover. After a long period of worrying that I had done something dumb, it finally re-opened and settled down. I truly believe that it's better than ever. Especially minus the damage of 30+ years. An old friend who hadn't played it since before the operation, was just blown away with it last week. "This thing just jumps!" said he.    

[zen_1000]

Wow nice looking guitars guys!

And Jandrew, your L-07 really sounds sonorous and open! It has definitely aged gracefully. I wonder if its your guitar, dead strings or the Zoom H2 but I feel that some top-end zing is missing from the mix.

Duck: the spanish looking rosette is beautiful man. I am a fan of classical guitars as well, and I love that traditional touch on your guitar.

Its great that Jean has built structurally sound instruments that can match or out-live the lifespans of their owners. Guitars made to 'live' =)