Best Buy on a Larrivee you ever got?

[db944]

Hello all,

Most of us know that resale values on these marvelous guitars is just not where we would like it to be.  However, that does mean we get to enjoy great prices on some very fine instruments. What is the best bargain you have gotten for a Larrivee.  I'll start.  I bought my first Larrivee (D-03) at a pawn shop.  I didn't have any idea about the brand.  It was priced at $800.  I walked out with it including a hard shell case, for $600.  That was in 2013. No cracks, great tone, no fret wear, just dusty.

[Silence Dogood]

About ten years ago I got my son's D03 via my local CL for $400.  Insane deal even then!  My own D03BW I got used in 2003 for $600.  Best money I've ever spent.  Still my daily player. 

[unclrob]

A 98 L10 koa lefty that all I did was put a righty nut and didn't change the saddle.Under $1400.

[teh]

It's a toss up.

In 2004, I paid $550 for my first Larrivee (Special Edition Maple Parlor). It was $550 new. In 2005, I ordered a Custom 12 String (LV03) with a mahogany top, back and sides and Venetian cutaway, bone nut and saddle which Jim Holler compensated for me. He also installed a pickup and completed a set up for me. My out the door cost was $1,200 dollars. Both guitars were made in Vancouver, B.C.

My Forum VI came along in early 2022 and was made in Oxnard, CA. I feel blessed to have three unusual guitars made of special wood that was hand picked by the Larrivee family

[B0WIE]

I'll only consider sold guitars so it doesn't influence guitars I have for sale, but the best was probably a D03R for $400 in 2018 (?). Wasn't long ago you could find 03 level guitars for $400 pretty often, then the pandemic changed everything.

[guitarman001]

My first over 10 years ago, OM02 for under £600 GBP new

[musical123]

I got a D02 that was slightly dinged up for $375 from GC, original case included.

[Myopic Squirrel]

For a very brief period:

Using current Reverb, eBay & GC prices, the mint flamed maple P-03 I owned for 34 days before returning to GC was $1100, substantially less expensive than any other P-03s listed at the time. Truly a shame I disliked the smaller body - it was a very nice guitar.  

[dazdarren]

I picked up a P1 with Mahogany sides for $300 on EBay back in the mid 2000's.  Love the feel and tone of that guitar.

My LS Forum IIII was great value for money at about $1800

[gtrplayer]

In 2018 I picked up a Larrivee LV10 QM (quilted maple) from a pawn shop in CA for $1600.  I purchased it on ebay and it was in absolute mint/new condition.  The pawn shop was also selling a LV10 in rosewood in same condition.  Regrettably I passed on that one.

[ronmac]

I previously posted this on the forum, but never revealed the price ($500CAD, approx. $325USD).

A few years ago a Larrivee L35 classical was posted on Kijiji for a ridiculously high price. After a few weeks it disappeared, only to be relisted a few weeks later for a slightly lower, but still ridiculous, price. This went on for months, with the guitar listed just a bit cheaper each time. Each time I chuckled and thought this guy will never sell that guitar.

Then one day.... it was relisted, but this time at a ridiculously low price. WTF!! So I sent the guy a message and he responded right away with his telephone number. I called him and an hour or so later I was knocking on his door.

He invited me in and showed me the guitar. It was beautiful and sounded OK, considering the strings were likely 20 years old. I told him I wanted the guitar but was uncomfortable taking it at such a low price. He insisted that I "was the right guy to buy the guitar" and recounted the many insulting messages he had previously received from his previous sales attempts.

The guitar was owned by his father, an "accomplished amateur" who scraped together the cash to buy the best guitar he could.

As I sheepishly handed him the cash for the guitar he said "I have something else I think you should have". He handed me a book, Julian Bream's "A Life on the Road". The book was purchased by the original owner while taking a masterclass by Mr. Bream!He also signed the book.

The guitar (serial number indicates ~1983 build*), and the book are still prized by me and will be sold together, if I ever have a weak moment.

* Larrivee do not have records of serial numbers from that time period. When I contacted the factory they deduced that as most likely year, considering records before and after and Jean's output (he personally built a few high end acoustics during that period, while everyone else in the shop were turning out the electric models to keep them in business).

[RockDoctor]

Hello—I'm new to this forum, but have owned a Larrivée O-01 Parlor since ~2001. I think I paid $125 for it in a pawn shop in like-new condition with Larrivee gig bag. Turns out it is one of the first-run of these guitars, dating to August 1999 and with 1 11/16" nut. Tight-grained spruce top, mahogany back & sides, beautiful striped ebony fretboard and headstock overlay. It's a great guitar and what a deal...

[Silence Dogood]

Hello—I'm new to this forum, but have owned a Larrivée O-01 Parlor since ~2001. I think I paid $125 for it in a pawn shop in like-new condition with Larrivee gig bag. Turns out it is one of the first-run of these guitars, dating to August 1999 and with 1 11/16" nut. Tight-grained spruce top, mahogany back & sides, beautiful striped ebony fretboard and headstock overlay. It's a great guitar and what a deal...

Wow!  Absolutely insane deal there.

[Lindso]

I got my L09 for $1100 New. In 2004. I still have it it's a favourite.

[DaveyO]

I just bought a D03 from guitar Center
For 499 including case
It will be here tomorrow
September 4, 2024
Supposedly in great condition
We will see
If everything turns all right
That'll be the best deal ever for me

[Silence Dogood]

I just bought a D03 from guitar Center
For 499 including case
It will be here tomorrow
September 4, 2024
Supposedly in great condition
We will see
If everything turns all right
That'll be the best deal ever for me

WOW!  Is there anything wrong with it?

[musical123]

I just bought a D03 from guitar Center
For 499 including case
It will be here tomorrow
September 4, 2024
Supposedly in great condition
We will see
If everything turns all right
That'll be the best deal ever for me

Hi DaveyO

I tried to send you a private message, but couldn't figure it out.

I think I bought this guitar before you did and returned it because I discovered it is actually D02 after checking the SN#.

It's in great shape, but I would double check the #.

[pablop]

I scored my OM-03R off of craigslist for the asking price of $600 a couple of years ago.
It quickly became my everyday practice acoustic, I prefer it over some much more pricier options of famous brands I own.