Can You Tell Me About My Larrivee?

[Sabatini]

I am the proud new owner of a beautiful looking and sounding used Larrivee but, though I love it, I'm not sure what it is.  Guitar Center had it labeled as a parlor guitar, but it does not match either the old satin or the new gloss models.

I e-mailed the factory the serial number and got the following response from Brian Trepanier:

"Your guitar, a JB-09, was started in production July 1991. By started in production, I mean the sides were joined at the blocks, a serial number assigned to the instrument, and the serial number registered in our books. I do not know what a JB is and would need a couple of pics to know."

I will send Brian some pics, but in the meantime, does any one know anything about my guitar?  The specs are:

10" upper bout
8-1/4" waist
14" lower bout
12 frets clear of the body
19" body length
38-1/2" total length
25-1/2" scale
body thickness tapers from 3-3/8 to 4"
Rosewood back and sides
Spuce top, I think, with an aged amber look.

Anyone ever heard of or seen a JB-09?

Thanks,

Rob Hanesworth

[guitarcrazy]

Hi Rob, it sounds like you have found a very rare animal.  From the dimensions it seems closest to the OO body size, but the JB designation doesn't make sense to me.  Larrivee made some different body styles with designations like LJ (L-body Jumbo), LS (L-body, Small), and C, CS and others, but I have never seen a JB.  I would also love to see some pictures.  If you don't have a way to post them on the forum I would be happy to do so for you.  Email me pictures at sales@notableguitars.com and I'll host them and put them on the forum for you if you like.  Thanks for the post, I always like to see different and unique guitars.  J

[Sabatini]

I will try to take some pictures soon and either post them or send them to guitarcrazy to post.

I think he is right.  The dimensions of my guitar seem almost identical to the specs of a OO-09 for sale at Guitaradoptions.com except theirs has a slotted headstock and mine doesn't.

Rob

[Randy_R]

There was an 1991 Larrivee OO in mahogany for sale on ebay recently which was also labelled as a 'parlor'.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...item=3780373249

I will point out that this size of guitar is called a parlor by several other manufacturers. And as Larrivee didn't have a guitar specifically labelled 'parlor' at that time, calling this a parlor was generically correct.

[jwieties]

Any chance that the "B" stands for Brazilian. :blink:

Whatever it is sounds like you scored a killer guitar.  I was very interested in that 00-05 that was listed as a parlor on e-bay.  It had the cool old rosette and some fantastic looking mahogany.

Congrats on the guitar and welcome to the forum.
-josh

[norton]

Rob,  I bought the eBay 00.  Had watched all week hoping it would go for a Parlor price.  When it didn't meet reserve I emailed and we were able to work out a deal.

Mine was listed as a 1991, but I can't vouch for that.  It must be close as in all respects except size it is identical to a friend's OM from that period.  There is no model designation on the tag, but like yours it is the same size as later Larrivee 00s.  Stamped inside on the neck block with serial #11693 is 05 (mahogany).  

Congratulations!  I have coveted my friend's OM for several years but he won't sell at any price - there is something very special about that vintage Larrivees.  I couldn't be happier with mine.  Body not much larger than a Parlor, but sound much more like the larger models.  With the wide neck it's really a perfect fingerstyle guitar.

[jwieties]

Hey Norton
You scored big time.  I was really watching that guitar and was suprised it did not meet the reserve.  I almost e-mailed the guy to see what could be worked out.  I am glad you picked it up though.  Do you have it already?  What do you think?  How about some pics?
Sorry to steal the thread.
-josh

[Sabatini]

My serial number is 11608 and, as I posted, Larrivee says it was started in July of 1991, so that should give you some idea on yours, Norton.

Josh asked if there was any chance the "B" stood for "Brazilian."  Wouldn't that be great for resale value (though its tone is wonderful, regardless of what type rosewood it is).  I wouldn't know how to recognize Brazilian Rosewood.  I've read you can sand it a little and sniff.  Maybe I'll do that on the inside when I have the strings off.  But don't know if I'll recognize the smell of BRW either.  

Thanks for the warm welcomes.

Rob

[Randy_R]

Brazilian rosewood


Indian rosewood


comment. most brazilian rosewood guitars from the early 60's and before were cut such that they look more like what IE rosewood looks like today. see recent discussion about how tops are cut to discern the differences of grain brought out.

[norton]

Do you have it already?  What do you think?  How about some pics?

Had it several days and couldn't be happier!  I've watched eBay for early models the past several years.  They don't come up very often, but last time I looked there was an L-body that looked to be from about the same era.

Afraid I'm pretty much of a Luddite when it comes to the computer.  I have some pics that I'll try to post if I can figure out how.

[Sabatini]

I think my guitar looks more like Randy's Brazilian, but I don't know.  I've got an Indian Rosewood Alvarez that looks like Randy's Indian Rosewood.

I'd post pictures, but like my fellow 00 owner I don't know how.

Rob

[guitarcrazy]

Here are pics of Sabatini's OO.  Very nice looking guitar!  Very large pics!  J
 
 
 
 
 

[Randy_R]

looks like indian rosewood to me. Very nice though.  :)

I have an indian rosewood OO that is a great sounding guitar.

[Sabatini]

Thanks Randy.  I'll trust your judgement.  Sorry about the size of the pictures.  I should have done some sizing.  Maybe they should be deleted to speed up things for everyone.

Rob

[Ratishna]

It isn't Brazilian.  And it would appear to be a 00 from the photos.

E. Shoaf

[sawdustdave]

Don't know nothing about what model she is, but

she sure is pretty!

[dbirchett]

Thanks Randy.  I'll trust your judgement.  Sorry about the size of the pictures.  I should have done some sizing.  Maybe they should be deleted to speed up things for everyone.

Rob

You can edit the size of the pictures and then substitute them for the original ones if you wish.

I echo the comment about it being a beautiful guitar. That top looks magnificent!  :o  

[Sabatini]

Thanks, Don for the compliment.  I'm real pleased (obviously).

I think guitarcrazy would have to edit the photos since I e-mailed them to him and he put them on his host site.  Probably not worth the effort at this point as this thread has pretty much run its course.

Rob