What about Larrivee makes it so special... to you!

[B0WIE]

One of the special things for me is the Baskin Robbins approach to guitar making. Though they advertise a normal variety on the website, they actually produce a wonderful variety of different wood and feature combinations. I was online guitar shopping for the first time in 3 years yesterday and was reminded how easy it is to see a unique Larrivee and think, "I gotta have THAT".

The price/performance is the other thing. They always feel attainable without great risk. I've never bought or sold a Larrivee and felt like I really screwed up afterward. Yet, they sound better than than anything else in their price range.

[Silence Dogood]

My Larrivee has white plastic binding and I love the way it looks. I don't care for the black plastic binding at all.  I actually think the white plastic (it has turned cream a bit over the years) looks better than the flamed maple.  YMMV.

[mike in lytle]

Though they advertise a normal variety on the website, they actually produce a wonderful variety of different wood and feature combinations.

Yes. Of the five Larrivee guitars I have, only one is a standard model. An OM-03 mahogany.
Mike

[ducktrapper]

I think ... the strings. 

[teh]

It's the wood used coupled with the design and construction. I also haven't found anyone who can do a satin finish that compares to Larrivee, that's why I have three of them.

My first Larrivee was part of a special edition run of 100 Flamed Maple parlor guitars. This series was designed to utilize smaller pieces of flamed maple and this guitar is a fingerstyle and blues gem. No frills and I removed the clear pick guard and added a hard shell case. That guitar was followed by an all mahogany LV03 12 string a year later and a moonwood/walnut LSV03 in 2021.

In closing, over the last few months I've received two emails about limited edition models from Larrivee. It always pays to be on the lookout for something a little different.

[StringPicker6]

My Larrivee has white plastic binding and I love the way it looks. I don't care for the black plastic binding at all.  I actually think the white plastic (it has turned cream a bit over the years) looks better than the flamed maple.  YMMV.

I've actually never seen a larrivee in person with plastic binding, but I'm sure they did it well. I just still have a chip on my shoulder from the 17 series Martin I had a few years ago and the binding separated at the waist...

[Silence Dogood]

I've actually never seen a larrivee in person with plastic binding, but I'm sure they did it well. I just still have a chip on my shoulder from the 17 series Martin I had a few years ago and the binding separated at the waist...

Mine was a special run of Blackwood guitars from 2003. 

[Silence Dogood]

The proof!  And without the binding separation you get from the folks in Nazareth! 
 

[StringPicker6]

Well that looks fantastic!

[Silence Dogood]

Well that looks fantastic!

Thanks!  It's a lifetime keeper guitar for me. 

[William2]

My interest in Larrivee probably began when I became interested in a 12-fret instrument. I liked where the bridge is placed on the instrument as opposed to the Martin bridge placement. I had owned the Waterloo WL-12 and an Eastman 00 instrument. I gravitated to larger instruments and ended up with the Larrivee SD-40 RW limited run. For me, this is my perfect size and comfort instrument combined with a big powerful sound. And I ended up with another Larrivee, a D-40RW. I loved the sustain and the moon wood top on this instrument. And I think the Larrivee instrument has its own sound.

[Myopic Squirrel]

A newbie to the Larrivee brand, first, I am really impressed with some of the members history with these guitars. Put away my "Lawsuit" Takamine dred in the early 90's and picked it back up a couple of years ago. Spent a lot of time on the AGF, and a couple of years ago at age 76 figured I'd finally buy a "nice" guitar. Eastman got a lot of compliments (even some on the UMGF) so bought an E20 D TC. Liked the Eastman sound, but my shoulder didn't like the dred, so sold it and got an Eastman E6 Swiss top OM TC. While I found the thicker neck uncomfortable for my left hand I kept reading about Larrivees - a guitar I never heard of yet with almost a cult-like following. Luckily with a dealer in my backyard and the one of the oldest US dealers an hour away, began checking them out. The rest is history. Since acquiring an '04 OM 5 the Eastman is up for sale. And as we all know "a nice guitar" is a relative term. The OM is THE nicest & best guitar I've ever played. I'm "preaching to the choir" but find the balance, sustain, voicing, action, projection plus materials, craftsmanship and company ethos very impressive. Have contacted the company a couple of times with Q's and impressed with how quickly Junior responds.

[ducktrapper]

Oh, it was a serious question? 

Play one, love one. That was my experience in 1975 and it still is. An L model is the most versatile and (one of?) the best guitar(s) on this planet or any other.  Ancient aliens, like myself, all agree.

[guitarman001]

I'm addicted.

I have five Sitka/hog and a moon spruce / Bhilwara.

Still have never played a standard braced rosewood OM!

[247hoopsfan]

From the very beginning Jean always charged an honest price for the best wood and best sounding guitars he could make. There are now 3 generations working in the shop so this great family business will continue on.
These3 are among the best sounding guitars I have played. My JCL 40th in the middle flanked by the Brazilian Flying Eagles.



[url="https://flic.kr/p/2iJhHzN"]

[Silence Dogood]

From the very beginning Jean always charged an honest price for the best wood and best sounding guitars he could make. There are now 3 generations working in the shop so this great family business will continue on.
These3 are among the best sounding guitars I have played. My JCL 40th in the middle flanked by the Brazilian Flying Eagles.



[url="https://flic.kr/p/2iJhHzN"]

Dang, I'd never leave the house with a collection like that!

[247hoopsfan]

They are like my children, hard to pick a favorite, so I play all of them every day.
(Even have to find time for my Goodall)

[StringPicker6]

If you ever feel like you have one too many Brazilian flying eagles, feel free to send me one. 

[William2]

For me, just aesthetically, a guitar looks so much more beautiful without a pick guard or with a clear see through pick guard. These are beautiful instruments.

[jrporter]

I agree that no pick guard looks better on guitars. I removed the pick guard from my 000-44 and applied a clear one...