Why Are Larrivee's So Affordable??

[sc morris]

i've heard that it has something to do with a trade agreement loophole or something.  i won't even pretend to understand all the laws.  but why is a standard Taylor dread around $1000, the entry level all solid wood Martin goes for just under $1000, but the Larrivee is usually at least $200 lower?  is it just because they are not as well known?  i know the quality is there since i own one.  when i was buying my guitar i was leary....you know, the whole "get whatcha pay for" thing.  but i read endlessly about Larrivee and was just simply baffled that people are paying the prices for "other" brands, when Larrivee is hundreds of dollars cheaper in most cases!  

just think, for the money that some people spend on a Martin D-45, you could buy 3 or maybe 4 Larrivee's!!!  

any clue about the prices out there???

[guitaradoptions]

In my opinion, it's because Jean Larrivee and Family love what they do. And they do it out of passion, not profit. That's not to say they don't want to make a profit, but they are good people who believe in giving their customers an amazing product at an affordable price.
I have so much respect for the Larrivee Family and the wonderful folks who work with them! And it's an honor to be associated with such fine people.
Just my 2 cents...
-Dave

[sc morris]

In my opinion, it's because Jean Larrivee and Family love what they do. And they do it out of passion, not profit. That's not to say they don't want to make a profit, but they are good people who believe in giving their customers an amazing product at an affordable price.
I have so much respect for the Larrivee Family and the wonderful folks who work with them! And it's an honor to be associated with such fine people.
Just my 2 cents...
-Dave

cool..... so it's just that they want to keep them available for most players.  that's great.  i was just wondering.  i mean, it's just strange that they are so much cheaper.  it just goes to show that some of the other makers must be pulling in HUGE profits and doing very well, financially.  i've heard about all the Mercedes and BMW's in the executive parking lot at the Taylor factory.  heck, i'm all for people making a profit.  that's what business is all about.  i'm sure the Mr. Larrivee makes a nice profit too...and rightly so.  i was just curious. for whatever the reason is, i'm glad they are more affordable and still quality.  that will allow me to (hopefully) purchase another Larrivee later in the year.  

[Fstpicker]

Could part of it be that Larrivee, like LaSiDo, is able to get their wood from those really old trees in Canada, and the wood is supplemented by the Canadian Government or they get it at a discount or something? I may not have it correct, but I've heard something to that effect anyway. Anyone else heard this or something similar?

Honestly, I don't really care how they get the wood! Larrivees just sound so good and they are able to pass on the value to the customer so we can enjoy it also!

Works for me!

Jeff

[sc morris]

Could part of it be that Larrivee, like LaSiDo, is able to get their wood from those really old trees in Canada, and the wood is supplemented by the Canadian Government or they get it at a discount or something?
Jeff

i'm pretty ignorant of the laws and things of that nature up in Canada, but that might make sense.  but at the same time, it seems like the Gov. would be trying to hang onto the old trees and preserve them?  i'm not sure about special interest groups and things of that nature up there, but i know here there are certain groups who would love to see guitar builders not get their hands on any more wood.  some of these groups are encouraging alternate materials to be used, such as Martin's Micarta and that green looking stuff they use on the "X" models.  i don't know what it is, but it sounds pretty good.

what is the deal with LaSiDo??  this is the first i've heard of this term/group/whatever it is.

[Zach]

LaSiDo is the parent company of Seagull, Godin, Art & Lutherie, Norman, Simon & Patrick, etc.

[Fstpicker]

i'm pretty ignorant of the laws and things of that nature up in Canada, but that might make sense.  but at the same time, it seems like the Gov. would be trying to hang onto the old trees and preserve them?  i'm not sure about special interest groups and things of that nature up there, but i know here there are certain groups who would love to see guitar builders not get their hands on any more wood.  some of these groups are encouraging alternate materials to be used, such as Martin's Micarta and that green looking stuff they use on the "X" models.  i don't know what it is, but it sounds pretty good.

what is the deal with LaSiDo??  this is the first i've heard of this term/group/whatever it is.

LaSiDo is the parent company that owns and makes Seagull, Simon and Patrick, Art & Lutherie, Godin, Norman, and La Patrie guitars in Quebec, Canada. They are another excellent Canadian guitar maker and an excellent value for the money.
http://www.lasido.com/
Jeff

[Fstpicker]

Oops...Zach beat me to the reply! Sorry.

Jeff

[sc morris]

thanks for the info guys.  learn something new everyday.... :D  

[Daddyo]

The big reason is that the Canadian $$ is worth only about .$72 US. So a Canadian worker getting $20 an hour is getting only $14.40 hr US. That makes the guitars cheaper as our wage scales are similar. At one time last year, the Can $ was only $.62 US. Also, Canada has cheaper, better wood. Tone wood isn't subsidized - arguably only dimension lumber for houses is. It's just Canada is a larger country covered in trees with only 1/9th the population of the US. However, on my Larrivee L-03R, neither the mahogany neck or rosewood back and sides came from Canada - only the Sitka spruce top. US companies can also buy the same Canadian spruce for the same price. I still say it's the labour. Godin group uses indigenous woods like maple to save money. Also, companies like Martin and taylor gouge their customers. Tacoma is an affordable US guitar.

[Fingertwister]

It may well be that to Larrivee, profit isn't the be-all & end-all; there ARE such folks in this world - I'm lucky enough to live (off music) in a location where several music venues operate on the basis of the owners just wanting live music in their establishments & who aren't overly concerned about the economic bottom-line;I seem to sense a similar vibe among  Messrs L ( all power to'em!)..

[poki]

I've wondered about this same thing especially when you consider that Larrivee is now producing guitars in California (someone at Larrivee told me all their glossy guitars are now being made in California and the satin ones are still being made in BC)...i think part of the reason for their user friendly prices is due to that fact they have their own saw mill and can buy whole logs rather than already cut peices at higher costs.  Their saw mill capability is why many other guitar makers have Larrivee produce guitar tops for them...but the main reason may just be that Larrivee doesn't have the "snob" factor like some other big name companies.

[sc morris]

lots of good info and input.  and lots of my questions were answered.  thanks guys....