NGD- Larrivee Flying Eagle

[247hoopsfan]

I had a major score today.  I found a Larrivee on Craigslist last night, it looked like a D09 but the pictures were blurry.  The price was really good, so I contacted the seller to ask for more clear pics.  Turns out he makes his living as a "Storage Wars" guy, buying storage units sight unseen.  He was on his way to an auction and did not have time to take more pics.  He won a bid a few weeks ago and among the stuff were 2 guitars, a Martin and a Larrivee.  The Martin sold quickly, and he still had the Larrivee.  He said it was in excellent condition, but didn't know anything about it.  So I took a gamble and drove an hour and half to meet him this afternoon.  It was in a good case, but not a Larrivee case, so I was a little concerned until I opened it.  Inside I found a MINT condition D09 Brazilian Flying Eagle.  Not scratch on it, just a tiny ding on the top.  I checked the neck, tweaked the truss rod ( the correct Larrive wrench was inside the case) and put on a fresh set of strings.  She sang like an angel, just like my D10 Brazilian Flying Eagle.  I quickly handed over the cash and got home and cleaned her up, a light steel wool on the fretboard with a dab of mineral oil.  

If you don't know about the Flying Eagles, they were limited  run in 1998 for Guitar Center.  Jean made 50 D-10's, and 100 D-09's all in Brazilian Rosewood.  I feel unbelievably blessed to have one of each.  One of my sons plays too, and he will gladly take care of the D-09 for me.  Both of them sound exactly the same, that sizzle and glassy reverb of good Brazilian with amazing overtones and sustain.  They both have gorgeous Brazilian, but the D-09 is even more figured than the D-10.  Here are the pics, the D-10 on the left and the D-09 on the right.  The D-10 has more abalone, and the D-09 has a glossed ebony headstock while the D-10 has a Brazilian one.  These are amazing guitars.

Brazilian Flying Eagles by KEITH GREENAWAY, on Flickr

Brazilian Flying Eagles by KEITH GREENAWAY, on Flickr

Brazilian Flying Eagles by KEITH GREENAWAY, on Flickr

[headsup]

Congrats  
I love these stories, and yes, I';ve done my share of burning up the roads tracking down guitars (Larrivees).

[JOYCEfromNS]

Keith what a find!!!! Congratulations quite a stable of guitars you garnered 

[DaveyO]

You lucky dog!
That is a beautiful guitar
Congrats
David

[247hoopsfan]

Thanks all, yes I am blessed for sure.  Found in the small town of Petaluma, about 25 miles north of San Francisco.  If I told you what I paid you would not believe it. 

[B0WIE]

Very cool! Glad it ended up with someone who will truly appreciate it!
I didn't realize the Eagles were so rare. I bought mine to flip but soon realized it was a very special instrument and haven't been able to let it go.

[247hoopsfan]

Bowie, yes they are rare indeed.  I sent a note to info@larrivee to tell them I have one of each now.  John Jr got right back to me with a nice personal note.  He remembered seeing my D10 Flying Eagle when it was the Guitar of the Month pic and had asked permission to use the picture for other publicity.  He got back to me and said the MSRP on these today would be $8675.  It looks like one sold a little while ago on Reverb for $5500.
So I guess Jean still has some Brazilian stashed somewhere.  Don't flip that thing or you will regret it. Larrivee is becoming much more well known these days, and I am convinced the value of the rare ones will keep increasing.   I am still astonished that someone left it in mint condition in a storage locker.  It literally looks unplayed. 

[B0WIE]

Bowie, yes they are rare indeed.  I sent a note to info@larrivee to tell them I have one of each now.  John Jr got right back to me with a nice personal note.  He remembered seeing my D10 Flying Eagle when it was the Guitar of the Month pic and had asked permission to use the picture for other publicity.  He got back to me and said the MSRP on these today would be $8675.  It looks like one sold a little while ago on Reverb for $5500.
So I guess Jean still has some Brazilian stashed somewhere.  Don't flip that thing or you will regret it. Larrivee is becoming much more well known these days, and I am convinced the value of the rare ones will keep increasing.   I am still astonished that someone left it in mint condition in a storage locker.  It literally looks unplayed. 

Thx for the info. Same with mine. Someone had it under a bed for nearly 20 years and posted it on ebay with really bad pics so very few people bid. When it arrived I was astonished. I was the first person to put any real marks in the fret wire.

[jweave69]

Congrats! What an incredible find!

[markj]

WOW!  A find of a lifetime! 

[fongie]

I'll say........WOW!!! Lucky you. Congrats!!!

[Mr_LV19E]

Congratulations!!   

How cool to have two of them, that is some gorgeous wood on both guitars.

   

[247hoopsfan]

Seems like everyone has a little more time on their hands to catch up on the Forum ( I started this post back in November).
Since this guitar already has a factory installed endpin, I decided to put in a Baggs Element pickup.  I've played out for a couple gigs, and just started using it in a worship band at church. (Before Corona Virus!)   Our services are recorded, so here is a brief instrumental I played at church.  Great tone and sustain on this one!
https://soundcloud.com/vbcmusic/instrumental

[mike in lytle]

Since this guitar already has a factory installed endpin, I decided to put in a Baggs Element pickup.  I've played out for a couple gigs, and just started using it in a worship band at church. (Before Corona Virus!)   Our services are recorded, so here is a brief instrumental I played at church.  Great tone and sustain on this one!
https://soundcloud.com/vbcmusic/instrumental

It sounds great. I am impressed. One can tell it is a pickup being recorded, but can also hear the BZ in it as well.
The playing, of course, is superb.
Mike

[247hoopsfan]

Thanks Mike.  The recording is done at the mixer, so it sounds slightly electronic like a pickup.  I took out my in ear monitors when I played this so I could hear it as it sounded in the auditorium.  It really sounded full, hardly a hint of the electronic sound.  The Brazilian does make a difference in tone and sustain.  When I play this unplugged it has that wonderful tone you associate with a great Brazilian guitar.