Jean Larrivee Guitars Usa Inc.

Take a tour of the of the world-renowned luxury guitar shop, all Larrivées are built from the finest materials available, no matter what series you own. Our combination of world-class craftsmanship and all solid wood construction results in a peerless instrument of legendary tone and quality.

History

It's the late 60's. Trudeau is Prime Minister, and Johnson is president. The hippie revolution is in full swing, and a young man, a mechanic by trade, is about to change the course of guitar making forever. Interested in classical guitar, Jean Larrivée attends a performance by skilled guitarist Edgar Munch Jr. After the show, JBy 1977, Larrivée has gained the respect of players and luthiers worldwide. Bruce Cockburn and Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul, and Mary) become the first high profile artists turned on to Jean's guitars. Jean is now producing up to thirty guitars a month, shipping them across Canada, and exporting them to Europe. U.S. artists are also soon making the trip North, in hopes of acquiring a Jean Larrivée guitar.ean meets the performer's father – world-renowned German luthier Edgar Munch Sr. Impressed by Larrivée's keen interest in classical guitar making, Munch agrees to take young Jean on as an apprentice.

Jean spends his first three years working in his basement, until 1970, when he acquires his first commercial workspace on the second floor of the Tarragon Theater. Amidst a thriving folk music scene, and at the urging of the Toronto Folklore Center, it's here Jean begins to explore the making of steel string-guitars. During this time, Jean develops his unique X-bracing system – the key to the signature Larrivée tone that delivers crystal highs, soothing mids, and punchy bass. It's a technique still used today, not just by Jean, but by leading guitar makers around the world.

By 1991, thanks in large part to MTV's Unplugged movement, the acoustic market is once again thriving - and so is acoustic production. Larrivée is now producing eight guitars a day, including several new models incorporating new wood selections.

In 1997, Jean produced the first made-in-North America, all solid wood, high-end guitar for under $800. It's a move that changes the course of guitar history. Initially a limited edition, the remarkable D-03 soon becomes the workhorse for the Larrivée company, and players alike. Jean also begins to explore a long time dream of building guitars in the United States.

In September 2001, Jean opened the doors of a Larrivée workshop in sunny Oxnard, California.

Unfortunately, the global recession of 2008 catches up with the luxury guitar market, ultimately making it uneconomical to produce guitars in multiple locations. In November of 2013, in a tough decision, Larrivée closes the doors on its Canadian operations, merging the Vancouver shop with the newly established California location.

Today, Jean is fresh into his mid 70s and showing no signs of slowing down. Take a tour of the shop floor, and you'll still find a humble man working in the corner, covered in dust, carving necks and still smiling.