1982 L-09

[Craig P]

I have my eye on a 1982 L-09. Looks like it's in very nice shape. The minimum he would except is $1400 CND. Does that sound like a fair price? What sort of problems might I be looking at with a 40-year-old Larrivee? My other option is a brand new OM-02. Which is actually the body style I was looking for. I can get those new for $1500 Canadian. Any thoughts? Thanks.
FYI. I will be having a look at the L-O9 early next week. I haven't actually seen or even heard a Larrivee in real life yet. But am excited to own one. I currently own a Yamaha FS 800, Martin dreadnaught Junior and a Sigma 00m-15 S.

[Queequeg]

L is the Larrivee signature body style.
The -09 is a grading of wood and ornamentation.
So it is both larger than the OM and somewhat more tricked out, visually.
A bit smaller than the D; dreadnaught, and (did I say) larger than the OM.
Check eBay SOLD prices on Larrivee L guitars for pricing but that certainly sounds fair to me assuming g it is in good condition and doesn't need a neck reset or refret after 40 years.
I believe you said you're going to get to see/play this in a few days. Check the action up the neck and see how much saddle you've got.
5/64 at the octave is pretty good, particularly on the 6the string. If not, have you got enough saddle to lower it?
If not, you're looking at a neck reset. Expect to pay $700 give or take for a dovetail reset.
Others here will have more (and better) advice.
Welcome and good luck.

[247hoopsfan]

If my exchange rate is accurate, $1400 CDN is about $1100 USD,  which is a great price for a vintage Larrivee L09.  If it really is in good condition, I wouldn't hesitate.  That is a Victoria era guitar, which many people highly prize.  As far as being a 40 year old guitar, you have to do your due diligence as you would on any guitar.  Check neck angle, look for cracks, worn frets etc. But Larrivees have always been well built, I have a couple that are close to 25 years old with absolutely no issues.  

[Craig P]

Yeah. I was pretty excited about it until I found out it's age. Now I'm kind of leery about purchasing some thing that old. I guess I will wait until I play it to make a decision. Maybe I will be pleasantly surprised. Thanks for your input!

[Queequeg]

Yeah. I was pretty excited about it until I found out it's age. Now I'm kind of leery about purchasing some thing that old. I guess I will wait until I play it to make a decision. Maybe I will be pleasantly surprised. Thanks for your input!

Old guitars are nice.
I have one that dates back to 1937 and another late 1800s.
(Shall we talk about violins from Cremona?)
But for sure - don't make a decision before you see it and play it.

[Rockysdad]

 

As others have said, check it out, if all is fine and you decide against an OM then go for it.

I would think it would have a very nice tone.  

L bodies are my favorite.

[B0WIE]

With that kind of age, a lot of things can go wrong so you have to know what to look for. If you don't, it's better to pass. That price could be fair, if it's in excellent condition. Used Larrivees don't sell for a lot.

The advantages of an old one are that they can sound incredibly sweet and articulate, responding to the most subtle expressions. This is why I mostly buy well used instruments. However, there's a number of cosmetic and structural things you have to watch out for and repairs these days are very expensive. Even then, you have to hope the tech was good (which they often aren't). Like I say, if you don't know what to look for, pass. There's an art to it as it's not just looking. It's inspecting, playing, measuring, etc.

[Manothemtns]

As others have pointed out, with an almost forty year old guitar, the up side is probably really nice tone, ample projection, and good playability. The downside is the potential
for lots of fret wear and the potential for a necessary neck reset. If you're buying the guitar sight unseen online, this is where some pics of the right things is paramount. Have the seller photograph the fingerboard from above looking down and from the side with the intent being to show the string action, the height of the saddle and the angle of the neck. Include a few shots of the bridge from several angles. You're looking to make sure the neck is straight with an acceptable string relief making a straight line from the nut to the bridge. You'll want plenty of available saddle height. From the right photos, you should be able to assess the condition of the frets. While mild fret wear is expected, really worn frets is not. That will ultimately cost you the fee for a re-fret. Bottom line is, if you feel that the guitar is just going to cost more than you're willing to pay to make it right, you can always walk away. Their are a lot of guitars out there and you're sure to find one that'll bring you happiness for year's to come. This is where a little bit of patience can go a really long way.

After he's taken this pics, you now want to look at the overall condition of the guitars. Close-ups of the top, back, and sides while pointing out the bigger flaws. You'll want to pour over these pics to make sure that no cracks or irregularities in the finish are evident.

These are the things you ask of any seller during a private sale.

Of course, getting to play the guitar and handle it in person is far preferred to an internet sale. OTOH, for an experienced buyer, an internet sale isn't quite so daunting.

[Craig P]

Excellent info. Thanks everyone! I will be inspecting/playing it in person so this info is very helpful. I'm very intrigued by this guitar but am by no means an experienced buyer.
Another way to look at it...what is the better move for the same money, a 40 year old L09 or an brand new Om-02. Hmmm. 🤔

[B0WIE]

Excellent info. Thanks everyone! I will be inspecting/playing it in person so this info is very helpful. I'm very intrigued by this guitar but am by no means an experienced buyer.
Another way to look at it...what is the better move for the same money, a 40 year old L09 or an brand new Om-02. Hmmm. 🤔

No simple answer.
Personally, I'd go with the older instrument if I found the condition to be very good. But, again, you have to know how to detect structural issues. What indicates that the neck block has shifted. Bridge structure changes. Etc. If I didn't know how to inspect for those things I'd buy the new one.

[eded]

Another way to look at it...what is the better move for the same money, a 40 year old L09 or an brand new Om-02. Hmmm. 🤔

The one that feels and sounds best in your hands.  Folks have pointed out what to look for, fret wear, neck angle and joint, cracks, etc.  Another question that comes to mind is when Larrivee started using truss rods...  maybe someone will remind me.  It seems to me some of the real early ones didn't, but I could be wrong.  That they are (basically) the same money tells me neither is a "sight unseen gem"...  I'm sure they are both great guitars.

Ed

[Craig P]

I don't believe they had an adjustable truss rod in these models. The description says a mahogany neck with metal bar reinforcement. The ad says in new condition, barely used. I guess I will find out tomorrow.

[Manothemtns]

To get a better feel on pricing, here are a few screenshots of L-09's currently listed on Reverb. There are just thirteen. IMO, the forty year old L-09 is the better buy IF it meets the structural criteria posted in this thread. Ed mentioned just seeing how they feel in your hands. Always good advice. I'm tall so Larrivee's L-shape fits me well and an OM feels small. But that's just me. OM's are the favorite size and shape of many accomplished players...guys like Eric Clapton,John Meyer, and many people on this forum. A lot of players are going with mid-size guitars these days. Much greater selection to choose from than when guitar shops primarily carried dreadnoughts.

You'll note that the majority of L-09's listed on Reverb have asking prices between $1,900 and well over $3,000. There's just one at the low end at $1,299. IME, at $1,500, if the guitar is solid and needs nothing, you will have made a very good buy. Should come with Larrivee L-model case.

Great that you'll have the chance for a hands-on assessment. Let us know what you decide.

Eric

[Mikeymac]

Another question that comes to mind is when Larrivee started using truss rods...  maybe someone will remind me.

Larrivee started using adjustable truss rods in 1985 - ironically, the same year that Martin started using adjustable truss rods.

Before '85, both companies' guitars did have truss rods, but they weren't adjustable.

I've heard less about Larrivees needed neck resets than Martins, BUT - there are a lot less Larrivees out there, and the earliest Larrivees are from the late 1960's (and very rare); Martins have been around since 1833, and the "golden ear" of Martins that everyone chases are from the late 1920's through WWII, so they're much older (although age doesn't necessarily translate to needing a neck reset; some guitars that are almost new need one for various reasons).

My '79 L-19 needed some neck work, but when I finally decided to commit to that, the luthier was able to use compression fretting to address the neck's issues, rather than a full neck reset. YMMV.

[Mikeymac]

I would personally choose the older Larrivee over a newer 03 or lower series Larrivee, and - in most cases - if it were a newer Larrivee, I'd still try to buy used and get an 05 or 09 up series instrument. There IS a difference in tone to my years between satin and gloss instruments, and I prefer the tone of gloss (it has more clarity and focus, IMHO).

I'll add: new 05 and 09 up Larrivees sound excellent; my 2015 L-05 Custom is an excellent sounding/playing/woods/quality guitar. Don't be afraid to look for a newer L-09 at a good price; they're out there.

[Craig P]

To get a better feel on pricing, here are a few screenshots of L-09's currently listed on Reverb.

I've always felt that Reverb pricing was out of wack. Very much on the high side...from the small amount of browsing I've done. Mind you, I've never spent a large amount of time there. This guitar does come with the original case though. Thanks for the info!

[Craig P]

Thanks for all your great info. I will let you know how things play out. Might end up buying a Recording King...who knows. LOL.

[flatlander]

I have a 40 year old, 1980, well played L and the neck hasn't budged a bit. Hopefully neither has this one in which case I would jump on it.

[Craig P]

I have a 40 year old, 1980, well played L and the neck hasn't budged a bit. Hopefully neither has this one in which case I would jump on it.

Good to hear! 

[eded]

Larrivee started using adjustable truss rods in 1985 - ironically, the same year that Martin started using adjustable truss rods.

Thanks.  That's what I thought.

Ed