Reddit Style: Ask me anything!

[JOYCEfromNS]

Can this thread be thumb tacked to the main forum page so we can find and check it regularly...

Would be a great reference tool, too....    

Sure; the thread that replaces all other threads - the true Thread Ender

[Matthew Larrivee]

I almost hesitate to ask, cause I expect I could guess the answer I'll get, but anyway. . .

There's a cutaway offered for the L, the C, the LS, the OM and the P, but to get a cutaway on an OO requires a custom order. Will that ever change?

I have a lovely all mahogany OOV-03 you guys made for me and I love the size and tone.  But my crappy vocal range requires me to capo up to A quite a bit so the cutaway sure comes in handy and I'm craving a spruce top OOV. 

It will for the foreseeable future remain a custom order. OO cutaway is probably the most difficult cutaway we do. The body shape is relatively awkward to begin with - and making the shape of the cutaway work with that body is very difficult. Though we require a deposit to make a guitar like that we don't really charge any more to make that.

[Matthew Larrivee]

Hello Matthew, thanks for taking time to answer our questions.
A few years ago the ooo was offered with a 1 13/16" nut , twelve fret neck. Would you customize an L with that neck? A couple years ago Wildwood music had a 12 fret L, but with a cutaway.  I was sore tempted but passed anyway. Thanks again

That wouldn't be a problem at all. We're trying to limit the number of different scale lengths we do as they are the most challenging, but a simple nut width change is not a problem.

ML

[Matthew Larrivee]

Hi Matthew,

Thanks for being accessible this way.

How does the used market factor into your plans?

Someone attributed this sentiment to Jean, that the greatest competition for new Larrivée sales is used Larrivées.  However that shakes out, I get the impression that many sales of used Larrivées are existing customers making room for a new Larrivée acquisition. In that respect, it's a wash. And, if this forum is a microcosm of the world, then buyers of used Larrivées are also great prospects for a new one someday. 

Enough of rambling.

Back to the question: How does the used market factor into your plans?

Thanks Matthew!

To be honest the used market doesn't factor into any decision that we make.

To me what is interesting is that often time there is a perception in the guitar world that "The old ones are better". This may be true of other makers – i.e. during the CBS era, fender owners would be correct in saying that. With Larrivee, both Jean and I feel the opposite. We constantly learn new things and incorporate that learning into the instrument to improve it. We both feel that the guitar we make today is far superior to the instruments made even 10 years ago.

Just today my dad and I were in the car on the way to a lumber yard and we got talking about a major thing we figured out about bending sides just six months ago. He said to me it blew his mind that in 50 years he had never figured it out. This little new "trade secret" will improve all the guitars we make, structurally and tonally, going forward.

Maybe I'm naïve in thinking that most guitar making companies always want to improve. Maybe if your name is not on the headstock you can more easily think about profit/loss instead of pride and legacy?

[ST]

Thank you Matthew,

To be honest the used market doesn't factor into any decision that we make.

Clear and simple. I appreciate that.

To me what is interesting is that often time there is a perception in the guitar world that "The old ones are better".

This particular meme serves the people who own the old ones.

A less cynical view holds that there are better and lesser of everything made in quantity. Those things that survive the ravages of time are probably the better ones.

A musicologist suggested that I consider musical compositions. Of all the music written, only the best  survives, and it survives because it was good, and played, and treasured, and played over and over again.

Her premise was: Old is not necessarily good.  Old that has passed through the filter of time and discerning hands has proven its value.  

This may be true of other makers – i.e. during the CBS era, fender owners would be correct in saying that.

With Larrivee, both Jean and I feel the opposite. We constantly learn new things and incorporate that learning into the instrument to improve it. We both feel that the guitar we make today is far superior to the instruments made even 10 years ago.

Just today my dad and I were in the car on the way to a lumber yard and we got talking about a major thing we figured out about bending sides just six months ago. He said to me it blew his mind that in 50 years he had never figured it out. This little new "trade secret" will improve all the guitars we make, structurally and tonally, going forward.

Maybe I'm naïve in thinking that most guitar making companies always want to improve. Maybe if your name is not on the headstock you can more easily think about profit/loss instead of pride and legacy?

Does Larrivée have a vision statement?

ST

[ducktrapper]

This particular meme serves the people who own the old ones.

A less cynical view holds that there are better and lesser of everything made in quantity. Those things that survive the ravages of time are probably the better ones.

A musicologist suggested that I consider musical compositions. Of all the music written, only the best  survives, and it survives because it was good, and played, and treasured, and played over and over again.

Her premise was: Old is not necessarily good.  Old that has passed through the filter of time and discerning hands has proven its value.  

Does Larrivée have a vision statement?

ST

Frankly, I can't imagine a builder saying anything else. However, I still feel, as do most guitar owners, that older guitars (maybe only if they've been played a lot) are generally better than newer guitars. Even Larrivees. Newer ones may eventually become better older ones. It's not a matter of build, however, it's a matter of the wood and other materials aging. My oldest Larrivee is better than my newest. I'm not saying that will always be the case. When my OOO is 41 years old ... I'll probably be gone and someone else will have to decide.       

[jpmist]

It will for the foreseeable future remain a custom order. OO cutaway is probably the most difficult cutaway we do. The body shape is relatively awkward to begin with - and making the shape of the cutaway work with that body is very difficult. Though we require a deposit to make a guitar like that we don't really charge any more to make that.

Alas, but thanks for replying...   

[George]

Matthew, what is the status of John Jr. starting up a custom shop in Canada this year?

[tulk1]

Any chance you're holding back some electrics, like a hidden stash? That we'd only have to have our dealers ask for? Wait ........ maybe I don't want you to answer that in a public forum! 

Seriously, tho', a bit bummed you stopped the electric production. I've been gigging either an RS4, RS2 (and my fav so far) a Bakersfield nearly every weekend for the past 5 yrs. Was hoping to add a Santa Monica. But those are, well, rare, to say the least. Just to confirm ...... you're thinking you're still years away from resuming production on the electrics, again? (that was the only question I could come up with, sorry if it's a repeat)

[Cybercanyon]

Hello Matthew,

I am also bummed out concerning the stopping of the electric guitar production.       I have been trying to order or find a Santa Monica as well to no avail.

How many Santa Monica's and Malibu's did Larrivee ultimately manufacture?   How many total electrics were produced since 2008.  Where were most of your electrics shipped; North America, Europe, Asia, et cetera.  Sorry for asking to many questions.

What can we do to convince Larrivee to produce an interim limited run of Santa Monica's in the near future???    
Thank you and Larrivee Guitars for a great run of electrics.  I will be looking forward to when you start up production again.


Mike

[eded]

Since the thread started, I've been trying to think of a lucid question.  As I'm full up (for now) on acoustics, it's been sort of a struggle.  I have thought of two (limited lucidity, though)...

1).  When they came out, there were rumors that the early O-01 parlors were made from pieces of wood that were too small for the "standard" size guitars.  Any truth to that?  Actually, any history you'd care to share on the development of the parlors would be of interest.  (Obvious parlor fan here).

2).  Considering you've mentioned backing off on electrics, and an aversion to changing scale lengths, this starts out as a pointless question, but...   any chance of a 24" scale electric (for those of us who have been hooked by your parlors)?

Ed

[jpmist]

What question haven't we asked yet that you thought for sure we would have?

[George]

Since the thread started, I've been trying to think of a lucid question.  As I'm full up (for now) on acoustics, it's been sort of a struggle.  I have thought of two (limited lucidity, though)...

1).  When they came out, there were rumors that the early O-01 parlors were made from pieces of wood that were too small for the "standard" size guitars.  Any truth to that?  Actually, any history you'd care to share on the development of the parlors would be of interest.  (Obvious parlor fan here).

2).  Considering you've mentioned backing off on electrics, and an aversion to changing scale lengths, this starts out as a pointless question, but...   any chance of a 24" scale electric (for those of us who have been hooked by your parlors)?

Ed

Do you play a Fender Mustang or Jaguar Ed?

[JOYCEfromNS]

Hello Matthew,
 Where were most of your electrics shipped

Mike

Peoria, Arizona and Nova Scotia Canada 

[eded]

Do you play a Fender Mustang or Jaguar Ed?

I currently have a Jaguar.  I'm not real fond of the P-90s.  I have a set of P-90 sized humbuckers (and associated pots) to go in when I get to it.  If I could get my hands on one, I'd like to try one of the new Squier Mustangs.

Of course, my fall back electric is my 64 Guild  Starfire III, (24.75" scale).  It never fails.  Lol

Ed

[L07 Shooting Star]

Frankly, I can't imagine a builder saying anything else. However, I still feel, as do most guitar owners, that older guitars (maybe only if they've been played a lot) are generally better than newer guitars. Even Larrivees. Newer ones may eventually become better older ones. It's not a matter of build, however, it's a matter of the wood and other materials aging. My oldest Larrivee is better than my newest. I'm not saying that will always be the case. When my OOO is 41 years old ... I'll probably be gone and someone else will have to decide.       

I don't think the question of older guitars being better than newer versions of the same guitar model can be resolved to any satisfaction.  My 2 early 1980's L model guitars are excellent sounding and playing guitars.  I think they have no equal compared to any currently available guitar.  I have not had the opportunity to try out whatever guitars would be their equivalent model today, however.  My 2008 OM-03 plays and sounds fantastic   I must say that whenever I have played a current model Larrivee L or D model in a music store in the last couple of years, my impression was that they sounded and played like a typical Larrivee.

[Cybercanyon]

Peoria, Arizona and Nova Scotia Canada 

That sounds about right.   

[baillieul]

Always wondered about this. Anytime I sell a used guitar, 90% of the time the buyer is 50+ ( nothing wrong with this, I am too ). What is the average age of a Larrivee buyer, and is this different than the other brands?

[ducktrapper]

I don't think the question of older guitars being better than newer versions of the same guitar model can be resolved to any satisfaction.  My 2 early 1980's L model guitars are excellent sounding and playing guitars.  I think they have no equal compared to any currently available guitar.  I have not had the opportunity to try out whatever guitars would be their equivalent model today, however.  My 2008 OM-03 plays and sounds fantastic   I must say that whenever I have played a current model Larrivee L or D model in a music store in the last couple of years, my impression was that they sounded and played like a typical Larrivee.

Whether the newer guitars will be even better older guitars as they age is now the question. Of course, they can never catch up so it will never be answered, I guess. Anyway, I suppose it's possible but I've never played a Larrivee I didn't like.  Some more than others obviously but I can't say that for too many other brands and for those I can I'd have to admit that I have played only a small number of them. 

[nctom]

I'd have to agree with ducktrapper, my 30 year old L09 sounds better than most newer Larrivees that I have tried. That still doesn't mean that the new Larrivees aren't going to sound as good or better in coming years, just that I won't be around to hear them.