Matthew Larrivee Alamo music interview

[shellback]

I am currently watching Alamo music fellas interviewing Matthew Larrivee,I think this is new? My first time seeing it & in this interview,Matthew mentions the LJ Larrivee body wonder if the LJ was ever a Forum guitar limited build,or if they might make more L Jumbos and what others experienced with them?

[Rockysdad]

I am currently watching Alamo music fellas interviewing Matthew Larrivee,I think this is new? My first time seeing it & in this interview,Matthew mentions the LJ Larrivee body wonder if the LJ was ever a Forum guitar limited build,or if they might make more L Jumbos and what others experienced with them?

Maybe a link?

[B0WIE]

You can likely have one custom made. You won't see them unless an individual or a shop has one made.

[mike in lytle]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sS9trlvoQ1M
The best Larrivee interview ever been made.
Just a few days old, Matt does an outstanding job.
I could comment endlessly, but won't.
Nearly an hour, worth every minute.
Mike

[Myopic Squirrel]

Was pretty much familiar with the company genesis but what I found most interesting:

- Matt's philosophy on bracing
- that the Larrivee bracing is moonspruce
- using the Santa Ana winds daily to condition their wood and the resultant crack free tops

Can't wait to hear more!

[guitarman001]

Really enjoyed that and commented on the YouTube video.
- Has moon spruce bracing been used since the very first days?? Did not know that.
Could make a million more comments but shall leave it there.

Better than watching a feature-length film - really enjoyed it.
Makes me want (yet another...) Larrivee !

--> For any mods.. I am unable to login via my phone (I'm on desktop right now) owing to having to check "cookie settings" but 3rd party cookies are allowed on phone. Hmm..

[Riverbend]

--> For any mods.. I am unable to login via my phone (I'm on desktop right now) owing to having to check "cookie settings" but 3rd party cookies are allowed on phone. Hmm..
[/quote]
I am only logged in on my phone, as I've fallen prey to the "cookie settings" black hole. No matter what I do with my cookie settings, I am always logged out and go thru the same hassle, which I've given up on. Been this way for months. Sorry for the highjack.

[William2]

I found this a fascinating interveiw. I learned so much about Larrivee guitars, enjoyed the stories, and the humorous interactions between Matt and Chris.

[jazzereh]

Just watched the video.  Lots of amazing information there and I learned a LOT about what Larrivee does and what they put into building a guitar.  Truly fascinating. 

[mike in lytle]

And there is just now... another long Matt interview at Alamo Music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iw8q0k2WbQo&t=1033s
"The Top 5 Larrivee Guitars", its great.
Mike

[Rockysdad]

A couple of very informative videos.

Thanks for the links.

[William2]

It sounds like the OM-40R is their top selling instrument. Matt even mentions that one first in the second video.

[B0WIE]

Thanks for the link. I've found Matt's interviews in the past couple years to be really great. He shares the passion and likes to give information that's actually interesting to hear. Not the typical brand representative reciting marketing literature.

[shellback]

Apologies for not sending link for the Alamo interview;did enjoy it,the happy accidents of wood chipping Matthew touched upon,I'm still trying to wrap my head around the comment about the bracing not being necessarily as significant as ( a non luthier ) I always believed it was.So the Stiffness to weight ratio of the moonspruce bracing is what's significant? Above and below the soundboard I love the look of it,the moonspruce that is.

[teh]

I just finished the second interview conducted by Alamo Music with Matt Larrivee and they discussed a lot of what I wanted to know more about including Matt's thought provoking comments about the impact of tariffs on business and future potential material costs.

In June 2024, I took a road trip down the Pacific Coast Highway with my son who was moving from Olympia, WA to San Antonio, TX. The trip included a stop in Oxnard and a personal tour of the factory with Matt that his brother John set up for us. I got to see the progress on my 00-24 and actually hold some of the moonwood spruce braces. My only regret was that I missed meeting John, Jean and Wendy who were on their way to Vancouver. As the owner of five Larrivees including a parlor and LV (12 string) made in Vancouver, BC and an LSV (Forum VI), 00 and Baker T Pro made in Oxnard, CA, I can confirm that each of my guitars is truly unique. Last night, I played the Baker T Pro (my first and only electric guitar), and it was hard to put down. Matt's description of that guitar is spot on and the design and quality of the Baker T is obvious as soon as you open the case.

Two topics that were discussed in the video focused on pickups and cases. Based on John's recommendation, I added factory installed "no cut" pickups to my LSV and 00 and upgraded to the Larrivee arch top hard shell case. For those of you who are waiting patiently (or restlessly) for your Forum VII guitar, buckle up and prepare yourselves to be wowed. For context, I held the top,  back and body of my 00 in my hands on June 25th and the finished guitar arrived at my house on October 3, 2024. In all fairness, the Baker T Matt sold me was delivered the first week of July 2024 to distract me from the wait. 

[StringPicker6]

Fascinating videos, watching them now! 

Thanks for the warning, TEH, I am estimating December for the forum VII's to ship...   

[StringPicker6]

After watching these videos, I really do appreciate the time it is taking to build the forum VII. You can't rush perfection. 

[VinhoTinto]

I really enjoyed both interviews and truly thought Matt's hamburger analogy in the top 5 interview was insightful.  If you haven't listened or viewed the interviews, they are worth the time. The hour-long interview is available on Alamo's podcast, The Fretboard Confessional in the event one wants to listen accordingly.

Keep strumming!

[Riverbend]

Very insightful stuff, and Matt is incredibly well spoken. I'll bet the guys at Alamo Music really enjoyed their time with him. Thanks for sharing!

[Silence Dogood]

I listened to both interviews.  Very informative, particularly the (brief) history of Mr Larrivee (the elder and original) and his life.  Sounds like he had a rough start but made it through with hard work and determination.  I personally would enjoy learning more about that.  It must be an amazing life story. 

Maybe it was just Matthew's choice of words or just his conversational style, but it sounds like it's now his shop and he's running it and making decisions? ("The woods I choose, how I wind pickups, one of my designs," etc)  What role does Mr Larrivee still play?  As well as John Larrivee? etc.  Is it still a family-run company or has it become Matthew Larrivee Guitars?