Ever had a Larivee's neck reset?

[Zohn]

Hey guys!!
I'm curious to know who had a Larrivee's neck reset, how much it cost, how long it took, and impression/s of the finished job.
Rob, Jim, have you ever done this on a Larrivee?
Thanx.
Zohn

[BluesMan1]

   Zohn, I just removed my post from the "-15 & -16 series" thread. Had posted a story about my '08 OM-05 having to have a neck reset, coming to me from Larrivee in a funky condition. I removed it from it's case, strummed it, was in total awe of the sound, checked out the tiger-striping on the neck, then noticed something odd. There was a gap where the neck joins the body, being able to slide a post-it between about 1/4", & with other noticilbe gaps. Wanted that guitar so badly I called Larrivee, getting Wendy on the phone (Greg had a dentist appt.). Told her about the issue, had an RA issued within a week or so, asked her jokingly if I could get a bone nut for my troubles, she just laughing. Sent it out, the neck was removed & reset, and when I got it back & opened the case, it had a bone nut on it also! Sold that one to Jim, a fellow Forum member buying it & loving it, thanking me for taking such good care of it, as I do all of my babies. I deleted the pics before the repair, but I'll post a few of the "new" guitar after I got it back.
   Larrivee neck resets are so rare. First one I have heard of?
     Jeff   

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[flatlander]

Larrivee resets do seem to be rare indeed. The dove tail and overall construction integrity seems to be one of thier high points. I only recall 3 in need of them on here. Bluemans and another who's weren't right from the factory. (one only got a bridge shaving instead of reset) And someone else whom I can't remember who needed it on an older one.  My 1980 L-10 is a prime example. No adjustable rod.
Never badly out  at all with action and still has as much saddle I think, as the day I got it.

[leftync]

I remember reading something, maybe in Fretboard Journal, about how Larrivee's design minimizes the need for neck resets. I wouldn't dispute flatlander's point about construction integrity either.
Mine is about 15 years old, has a very thin neck, and I know it was played a lot before I got it. I just had some fretwork done and the tech said the neck is just fine. What I've read on this thread is all I've ever seen about Larrivees needing resetting.

[unclrob]

I've never seen a Larrivee that needed a neck reset.I've glue a few headstocks,side cracks and I once placed a righty bridge on a lefty cutaway for someone,nothin due to Larrivee.OK once I shaved a bridge that was too tall but that was on a used one.

[Zohn]

I remember reading something, maybe in Fretboard Journal, about how Larrivee's design minimizes the need for neck resets.

I read a quote from Jean Larrivee somewhere as well, can't remember the exact quote but basically that provided a Lav is "humidified properly throughout its life, it probably would never need one".
Hey Jeff, how's the tiger striping on that OM's neck? - my word it is stunning! also, it is very odd that that particular guitar would leave the factory with an issue.

[Zohn]

I remember reading something, maybe in Fretboard Journal, about how Larrivee's design minimizes the need for neck resets.

found that article in the on-line copy of Acoustic Guitar Magazine of  April 2008  http://www.acguitar.com/article/default.aspx?articleid=22267
"The L-body with the symmetrical bracing was a really well-balanced guitar," Larrivée says. "It wasn't bass-heavy, it wasn't trebly, it wasn't middy—it was the perfect guitar. I've never attempted any other bracing after that." Tonal considerations aside, Larrivée also claims that his bracing results in a guitar that is more resistant to movement over time, and therefore very rarely needs a neck-reset or other major structural repairs.

[Zohn]

I read a quote from Jean Larrivee somewhere as well, can't remember the exact quote but basically that provided a Lav is "humidified properly throughout its life, it probably would never need one".

Found this quote too from the Larrivee web-site: http://www.larrivee.com/features/acousticBuildTour3.php

The dovetail size that we use is not one that you can go out and purchase a template for at your local Home Depot. The dovetail size perfectly follows the profile of the heel, making more wood from the neck actually connect and sit in the guitar body (more than any other neck joint other than a Spanish heel). Some people will argue against the dovetail neck joint saying "Every guitar will someday need a neck reset, and dovetails are the hardest to remove/reset/reseat" That statement is wrong, every guitar will NOT require a reset. A guitar with a properly fit dovetail neck joint, an adjustable truss rod, and that is kept properly hydrated will likely never require a reset. In the 40 years since this article was written, we have done less than two dozen warranty neck resets - and guess what? The neck resets were mostly on newly finished guitars are were not fit right to begin with (Out of 100,000 guitars - 20 guitars needing some warranty neck work is perfectly reasonable in our opinion).

[hadden]

When I took out the saddle on my L it looks like from the tan line and the bottom that it has never been shaved, so no movement at all in a 5 yr old guitar (I got it used).  One of my guitars (non- larrivee) was getting close to reset time after 4 yrs from the shaving I had to do.

[ducktrapper]

My '75 L has had the neck reset but it didn't actually need it. It's just that the neck was off anyway for refinishing. Try telling that to Rick Turner, however. 
The new "wisdom" is that since every guitar will eventually need the neck reset, it's better to bolt on the neck and make it easier. Goes totally against what Mr. Larrivée is doing with his guitar design. Go figure.   

[BluesMan1]

   Zohn, that OM-05, as I kick myself again in the a**, went to Jim Holler as part my dealings for the F-III, SD-50, & Baden. Was one awesome guitar. I was contacted by the future buyer, asking me to tell him all I could about it. The only thing I didn't mention, as he was so enthused & I felt it was no longer an issue, was the neck reset. Told him about the bone nut Wendy had them put in. He jumped on it right away & later emailed, thanking me for the opportunity for it to be his now & taking such great care of it. Again, another kick! I was having a RW jones, thus getting the Baden. Now, I can't get enough of HOG, having my L-10 for "tonal sweetness" or "complexity", as people refer to RW sound. An Italian guitar with IS top & walnut body is in my future, built by a Forum member, as soon as he's done with the one he's building for a guitarist/performer friend of his. I'm next on his list & other models are being worked out now. Will concentrate on building only soon, which is where his passion lies. Guess who it is?
   If you remember that recent thread about the guy that had issues with his last of a limited run that was sent, still sealed, from Larrivee with problems. I understand these things do happen, though VERY rare with Larrivees, as far as resets. Some things just slip by. I mentioned the striping on the neck to Jim, he telling me that it wasn't that rare. Having seen & played hundreds of Larrivees & never seen a neck like that, I was a little unsure of his answer. As far as what he gave me for it, he pulled out a book, looked @ the going value range, & gave me the highest #. I paid $1400 brand new for that one, a week before the Aug. 1, '08 price increase (Jim gave me $1050!). Came to me from them within 2 weeks, so a quick turnover. Just one of those things you wonder why you do it, GASing for something else. I really wanted a RW F-III from Jim, but he wanted cash only & that ended that conversation!
   And my '93 L-10's neck is as perfect as can be. Even with being afraid to take it out, I would anyway, letting others try it also. They had never heard of Larrivee & were blown away by it. Have loved them from the first time I played one, about a year before that. Took a settlement & some sidestepping to buy all of the guitars I did in '93, which was 3 Larrivees. My L-10 cost me $2400 back then with tax & all. Was well worth it!
     Jeff   
   And I have found Larrivees over the years to be the most stable guitars I've played, so I'm a believer in all that's been said. As I said, mine was just a rarity, one of those things. They took care of it so well & so fast I really couldn't believe it!

[Zohn]

  An Italian guitar with IS top & walnut body is in my future, built by a Forum member, as soon as he's done with the one he's building for a guitarist/performer friend of his. I'm next on his list & other models are being worked out now. Will concentrate on building only soon, which is where his passion lies. Guess who it is?

No Jeff!!! -  you're not going to do this to me are you??? - could it be the big guy with the Adi/hog kit-built dread?

  And my '93 L-10's neck is as perfect as can be. Even with being afraid to take it out, I would anyway, letting others try it also. They had never heard of Larrivee & were blown away by it. Have loved them from the first time I played one, about a year before that. Took a settlement & some sidestepping to buy all of the guitars I did in '93, which was 3 Larrivees. My L-10 cost me $2400 back then with tax & all. Was well worth it!
    Jeff  
  And I have found Larrivees over the years to be the most stable guitars I've played, so I'm a believer in all that's been said. As I said, mine was just a rarity, one of those things. They took care of it so well & so fast I really couldn't believe it!

I was fortunate enough to buy my Lav's first (ok I had a crap Ovation before and an OK Washburn, but they weren't solid wood guits, so they're pretty much out of the equation here). As a result, I have never owned other candidates for neck-resets.
I'm very open minded for bolt-necks for this very reason, in fact my custom OM is being built currently, with an adjustable Doolin - based bolted neck.
I guess it would be the perfect match then - Lavs with doves, and an adjustable custom.  

[BluesMan1]

   No Zohn, this person has an open mind & lives in Italy. Not like the other, overly opinionated, but knowledgeable guy from Tenn. you're thinking of!  The one you're referring to is still deciding if he should shave his braces. Can't wait that long.
  Think of a snake?
    Jeff  

[Zohn]

  No Zohn, this perfect has an open mind & lives in Italy. Not like the other, overly opinionated, but knowledgeable guy from Tenn. you're thinking of!  The one you're referring to is still deciding if he should shave his braces. Can't wait that long.

LOL!!!

  Think of a snake?
    Jeff  

Must be Luka??
oh boy I enjoy your posts..

[BluesMan1]

   Yes, my friend, you are correct! But so he doesn't get mad, it's "Luca". Even looks more Italian!
     Jeff   

[magictwanger]

Sheeeze!!There are SO many "fine" variables with "guitar manufacturing/artistic styles",that I am constantly in a state of GAS!

  Don't worry,it's well under control.....But when I saw that tiger stripe neck(I never saw that before)I had to take a Pepsid AC(anti acid caplet).

  Fotzing around on different web-sites,with the amazingly gorgeous guitars being made today,is "definitely" habit forming.

  Tiger necks,tiger pick guards etc,etc....and Zohn has a "Shark-fin pick"

  What else am I gonna discover?

[Zohn]

  Tiger necks,tiger pick guards etc,etc....and Zohn has a "Shark-fin pick"

You don't know Sharkfins? I'm astounded...
http://www.maxmusic.co.za/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=SFR
Check out these Morgans' striped necks


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[ducktrapper]

I'm greedily holding on to my last two shark fin picks. Can't find them anymore.

[bhika]

 Don't worry,it's well under control.....But when I saw that tiger stripe neck(I never saw that before)I had to take a Pepsid AC(anti acid caplet).
 

Sorry about going Off-Topic but I hate to ever let a chance go by to show off one of my girls. That being said:

My Guild X-170 has very nice stripping on the Maple neck.



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[BluesMan1]

   Nice axe, even for a lefty! I just bought another Buffalo horn pick today for my electrics, giving the other away to a friend as a present. What a difference a pick makes! These are superdense bone. Since the shark fin is basically cartilage, how does it compare in sound, do you think? Any of you shark fin pick grinners have anything like mine? Will last a lifetime, as will my RedBear faux tortoise shell one. Just don't work well on acoustic guitars. Mandolins, electrics, great. Have to find a real, thin, flexible t.s pick, but hat's like pulling teeth here in the US!
     Jeff