First post in a long time, if ever, so please help yourself to these:
I have a Larrivee 03-series uke that I bought in about 2004. I don't know when it was made; I wrote to Larrivee with the serial number, but was told that the company didn't keep records on the ukes as it did with guitars.
Anyway, the koa 03 that I have is simple and lovely, with excellent workmanship. I love the sound, but it's not particularly loud--not at all like my old Martin in that regard, but much better balanced.
Larrivee intended to be a real player in the ukulele field, but it apparently just didn't work out. The problem, I think, is that the ukes were too expensive. They cost as much to make as guitars, and Larrivee tried to price them accordingly.
Below is the announcement of the Larrivee uke line from June 2000. It's interesting for lots of reasons, but note the prices!
JEAN LARRIVEE GUITARS has released a line of deluxe soprano ukuleles to the North American market. A spokesman commented, "With this launch, we're on a mission: to transform the ukulele from a `fun' recreational instrument to a serious contender in terms of overall sound and playability, suitable in a variety of musical settings. We plan to extend the line with concert and tenor models within the next 12 months."
The line features ten different soprano instruments in three sub-categories: the 03 series (no binding), the 09 series (wood binding), and the 10 series (abalone binding). All Larrivee ukuleles feature all-solid wood construction, hand-fit dovetail neck joint, composite saddle, sterling silver border, ebony olverlay, and inlaid headstock logo.
The three models in the 03 series are: US-03-KA, all koa, abalone rosette, $1,249 U.S. suggested retail: US-03-MH all mahogany, abalone rosette, $849: and US-03-MHS, mahogany back and sides, abalone rosette, spruce top, $849.
The three models in the 09 series are: US-O9-KA, all koa, abalone rosette, koa binding, $1,399 U.S. suggested retail; US-09-MH, all mahogany, abalone rosette, maple binding, $974; and US-09-MHS, mahogany back and sides, abalone rosette, maple binding, spruce top, $974.
The four models in the 10 series are: US-10-KA, all koa, abalone rosette, abalone binding, $1,574 U.S. suggested retail: US-10-KA-FES, all koa, abalone rosette, abalone binding, Flying Eagle headstock, $1,699; US-10-MH, all mahogany, abalone rosette. abalone binding, $1,074; and US-10-MHS, mahogany back and sides, abalone rosette, spruce top, $1,074.
All ten models have the following dimensions: 7-3/8" lower bout; 5-3/8" upper bout; 4-3/8" waist; 9-3/4" length; 2-1/4" maximum depth; and 14-1/8" scale.
