Beauty. I have a 1977 Larivee made in Toronto. No Serial or Model number. Paper label inside simply states "77" in ink and what appears to be a signature. From what I can tell this is an L09. One of the most balanced guitars I ever owned and I have owned a Martin D18, a Martin 00018, a Guild 12 string, a Gibson and a Hofner Club 50 (1958)
that's a true story about Jean Larrivée helping out Bob Taylor, early on in Taylor's history. The parts in question were specific out-of-stock-everywhere tuners that Taylor needed several sets of for already-built guitars on order. These sets of tuners were already on Larrivée models, which Jean took off his guitars and sent to Bob Taylor, really saving the day for him to get those otherwise ready-to-go guitars delivered to awaiting Taylor customers. It's a great story, and demonstrates better than anything what an egoless, kind-hearted person Jean Larrivée is; happy to put someone else's business ahead of his own, if it made some good practical sense. Thanks for this video, btw, I'm contemplating a used L-10 and this is exactly the kind of review I'm looking for. It does sound wonderful! Nice job!
Been playing a Larrivee for several years and I absolutely love it! I’ll keep buying them. I have no reason to buy any other acoustic guitar from now on. I’m a singer songwriter with songs on Apple Music, etc recorded with my LV05.
I have a Larrivee D40 I bought a few years ago. Spent days in guitar shops trying out various models and makers. I love it. Plays and sounds amazing. Was not cheap but worth every penny. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Glad you found Larrivee guitars. I have a 29yr old L09 (1993) which is my only guitar. I fell in love with its sound all those years ago. Still sounds killer.
Yes, I have a 2005 L-03 and it is tonefully big and amazing. Stephen Wake in his Celtic RUclips is what got me into Larrivee. I also have 12 lovely acoustic guitars of all sizes from parlor on up to jumbo.
i finally got to play a Bourgeois LDBO "Tuxedo" Torrefied Adirondack / Sinker Mahogany last month, and i cannot get the tone, sustain, resonance, killer looks/vibe outta my head. i could feel it deep into my chest and core, and the mids and trebles were so thick and round. it really, truly blew my mind!
My keeper is a Bourgeois OM Generation M, with Torrefied Sitka top. Everything - tone, intonation, playability is beyond compare, and it's still perfectly in tune after 4 weeks in the case. That being said, every brand has it's gems....
I owned a Larrivee L-03W which is walnut back/sides. Great guitar, all be it a little subdued re projection, which I find w Larrivees due to the bracing Jean used. But the L size is genius and can be used across all styles.
I've had two L-09 over the years. I stupidly sold the first one and regretted it. Shortly after i got another and have had it for 17 years now. It still has perfect action, intonation, and sounds better and better as it ages. Larrive guitars are always built to last and the proof is in the pudding. Truly like you said "The Swiss Army Knife" of guitars.
I have a Larivée D-03. It improved in tone over the first 10 years. I wouldn’t sell it and I haven’t played anything that I want more. Very nice instrument!
Great video and review. New Subcriber and look forward to more of this content. Larrivee, the best guitar that no one knows about! I have owned a 1995 J-19 -- stunning but found out fast that I am not a big Jumbo guy. Sold it to fund a Furch (another great builder that is way way way under the RADAR)
I have a 1998 Larrivee D10, great sound, very easy playability, beautiful guitar. A fantastic guitar (have had other guitars like Guild and Martin. Larrivee is my favorite.
A Larrivee L-05 was the first acoustic I really fell in love with, but I was 18 and couldn't afford it at the time. Later found a used LV-03 and have had it for 20+ years now. Store also had a used LV-03R... only regret is that I didn't buy both as they were both effectively new and a great price. I'm more into an old-timey sound these days and haven't had a chance to try any of the 40 series yet, but the L body has served me well with just about everything, as you said. It really is a Swiss army knife.
Great video...I absolutely love Larrivees all 7 that I own are different and special....I have a LV-04 that is amazing I've only ran into one and was lucky enough to buy it...does anyone else have one ?
I have a Larrivee L05 Mahogany/sitka. It sounds very nice, it’s the guitar I play the more. I have a Lowden F32c too. This one is fantastic but I play with it only with my teacher, my real guitar is my Larrivée. 👍🙂
Total agreement with your thoughts here. My 1998 Larrivee CS-09 is a Maple/Spruce, Florentine cutaway, bound in Maple. Flying Eagle. The body shape is "L". She's a beauty.. never sell.
The history of this body shape actually dates back to the 1930s when Washburn first invented it, it was used on their 5244 Deluxe and 5246 Deluxe models! :)
@@acousticmusicnthings Ibanez AEF100... I don't think any of the other AE models had the curved back back then or since. At the time this particular model was like a flagship for the whole AE line and they upgraded a bunch of stuff for it. They used a maple laminate to get the bowl shape (The only way to get it with solid wood would be to carve it like a violin)
Hello, just new to this L body. A lot of the musicians I listen to use Dreadnoughts but I find this particular body style to be sweeter and balanced. thank you for your video....
Glad to see another Larrivee fan. I've had a Larrivee D-05 for 20 years which I purchased after an extensive search of all top-end brands. Now have an older LV-09 on it's way that I should have by end of this week. Wondering where you are at. You mentioned Ludington and I'm also about an hour south of Ludington (Muskegon) so wondering if we're neighbors.
Loved your video! You are right it seems like the Grand Pacific Taylor is very similar to this L09. I've got the AD17 and love the sound, Larrivée is also on my favourite list, had them demo on my channel (had an older Larrivée OM-02 from 1999)
Glad to hear you found Larrivee. About 20 years ago I was looking for a new acoustic. I was thinking I would get a Martin OM28. The first one I played just did not impress me. I live in the San Francisco area, so there are quite a few music stores to try, so I played several more, along with some Taylor’s and I just couldn’t find any that convinced me to shell out $2800 or more. Through a bit of luck I found a used Larrivee. I couldn’t believe the quality build and beautiful rich tone. Now I own 3 of them, 2 Brazilian dreads and a JCL 40th Anniversary model, very similar to the L09 you have. In my mind they are the best value, with all wood and no plastic bindings. I have met Jean Larrivee and his family at the California factory and they all are totally involved in the production. Jean himself probably touches every guitar they make. And he still travels the world to source the best wood!
i have a bunch of guitars, a 66 j45, 69 epi texan, maton, two martins, the larrivee is different, i have to say the martin OOOX1 with the plastic body is the best of them (for fingerpicking) it is really extraordinary. i have a larrivee OMO3 zebrano which is really good too, it does everything you want from a guitat plus it looks really good and it's built like a rolls, i say my J45 looks like a glue bomb went off inside, the larrivee is spot on in every respect. the zebrano stripes swap dark / light depending on the light source. i had LO3 i think it was at one time but i didn't like the neck profile, two of my friends have an LO3 and dreadnought, that is the sweetest sounding. sorry for being a bit garbled, lol, trying to listen AND type.
I own a 17 year old SD50. In terms of build quality I would put it above Martin and Gibson, especially their standard lines. The clarity and balance is also far superior making it more versatile .
That's an L-09. I own the L-05 (mahogany instead of rosewood version) and I love it. My main songwriting guitar for the last 14 years. Larrivee constantly strives to make better and better guitars and it shows. They make a helluva good OM also.
Just got one today. Was looking for a dred body but stumbled onto this shape Larrivee. I liked it better then the D-40 and D-03 models I played. It seemed to project better then the Dreds.
I'm looking at a Larrivee OM 44 - either Rosewood or Mahogany. I always play Mahogany (warm, woody), but am considering the RW for this model - brassy, bright and loud. Any comments on the wood comparisons, being a Larrivee? Thanks Michael!
@@ps-bi2srHonestly, if you’re thinking about something different, I don’t think you could go wrong with the Indian Rosewood OM. Larrivee always uses really good rosewood and in the 44 series OM I think it would sound great. I would check RUclips for some videos.
Appreciate the shoutout to Guild there, Good Buddy. I've got an S-100 Oakleaf Lefty. Lot to like about the Headstock, but especially their sound. Only a Martin is going to sound like a Martin, I bet a J45 is a lot of fun to play, as are others.
Ok nice to listen to your video,, my question is,, I own a larrivee oo 40r beautiful guitar,, I was offered a larrivee L 09 custom with moon spruce top rosewood back and sides for $1800. Do you think it is enough different to justify buying,, unfortunately I can’t play it before buying
There’s a large size difference between the two, so yes. Also the top wood being a different species will also change the tone a little. I don’t remember if the scale length is different but typically the 12 fret 00 body sizes are short scale while the L body is longer. So yes, very different and you definitely need both guitars 👍 haha
This neck was pretty thin and very comfortable to play. My Taylor GS7 I think would be the closest to Dave's unplugged sound now, being a small jumbo shape with cedar over rosewood. His Rockbridge is adi/Brazilian but takes an Adi/indian rosewood when playing outside of the US.
You lost me at 2:44 when you said it was in DADGAD tuning. The only way to judge a guitar sound is when it's played in standard tuning. All open tunings give a full but misleading sound when evaluating a guitar's tonal qualities.
It sounds like the video is being sped up and slowed us down when you play the guitar. I am guessing it is the tuning, but it is quite hard on my ears.
Never liked the L body. I ran the jcl woodshop for a very long time. I liked all the other models, played them all. O ya, the SD is a bit much. Give me a 000-60 all day
Hey cool - what was it like working there (and have you tried a Halcyon or Northwood?). What about the L are you not keen on? I love their mahogany OMs, yet to try an OOO60 !
You said it! Great acoustics. I just picked up an L04. It's my 3rd Larrivee'- I also have 3 Martins .... very nice guitars too - but the Larrivee' is way more inspiring for me.
Beauty. I have a 1977 Larivee made in Toronto. No Serial or Model number. Paper label inside simply states "77" in ink and what appears to be a signature. From what I can tell this is an L09. One of the most balanced guitars I ever owned and I have owned a Martin D18, a Martin 00018, a Guild 12 string, a Gibson and a Hofner Club 50 (1958)
that's a true story about Jean Larrivée helping out Bob Taylor, early on in Taylor's history. The parts in question were specific out-of-stock-everywhere tuners that Taylor needed several sets of for already-built guitars on order. These sets of tuners were already on Larrivée models, which Jean took off his guitars and sent to Bob Taylor, really saving the day for him to get those otherwise ready-to-go guitars delivered to awaiting Taylor customers. It's a great story, and demonstrates better than anything what an egoless, kind-hearted person Jean Larrivée is; happy to put someone else's business ahead of his own, if it made some good practical sense. Thanks for this video, btw, I'm contemplating a used L-10 and this is exactly the kind of review I'm looking for. It does sound wonderful! Nice job!
Been playing a Larrivee for several years and I absolutely love it! I’ll keep buying them. I have no reason to buy any other acoustic guitar from now on. I’m a singer songwriter with songs on Apple Music, etc recorded with my LV05.
I have a Larrivee D40 I bought a few years ago. Spent days in guitar shops trying out various models and makers. I love it. Plays and sounds amazing. Was not cheap but worth every penny. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Glad you found Larrivee guitars. I have a 29yr old L09 (1993) which is my only guitar. I fell in love with its sound all those years ago. Still sounds killer.
Yep.. mine's a Maple/Engleman 1999 SC-09 (Florentine cut-away-L Model) My Beucephalus
I was in my local shop looking at martins and Taylor’s. Walked out with an LV-09. Love it to this day
Yes, I have a 2005 L-03 and it is tonefully big and amazing. Stephen Wake in his Celtic RUclips is what got me into Larrivee. I also have 12 lovely acoustic guitars of all sizes from parlor on up to jumbo.
L-body Larrivees are just soooo nice! I've tried Larrivee OMs, Dreadnaughts... and I always come back to Ls
Totally agree. I have used the same Swiss army knife comparison before.
i finally got to play a Bourgeois LDBO "Tuxedo" Torrefied Adirondack / Sinker Mahogany last month, and i cannot get the tone, sustain, resonance, killer looks/vibe outta my head. i could feel it deep into my chest and core, and the mids and trebles were so thick and round. it really, truly blew my mind!
My keeper is a Bourgeois OM Generation M, with Torrefied Sitka top. Everything - tone, intonation, playability is beyond compare, and it's still perfectly in tune after 4 weeks in the case. That being said, every brand has it's gems....
I owned a Larrivee L-03W which is walnut back/sides. Great guitar, all be it a little subdued re projection, which I find w Larrivees due to the bracing Jean used. But the L size is genius and can be used across all styles.
I've had two L-09 over the years. I stupidly sold the first one and regretted it. Shortly after i got another and have had it for 17 years now. It still has perfect action, intonation, and sounds better and better as it ages. Larrive guitars are always built to last and the proof is in the pudding. Truly like you said "The Swiss Army Knife" of guitars.
I have a Larivée D-03.
It improved in tone over the first 10 years. I wouldn’t sell it and I haven’t played anything that I want more. Very nice instrument!
I just bought a used L-03 today with a LR Baggs SL from Reverb for 1500 including shipping. Can’t wait to get it. Love what I am hearing here.
Great video and review. New Subcriber and look forward to more of this content. Larrivee, the best guitar that no one knows about!
I have owned a 1995 J-19 -- stunning but found out fast that I am not a big Jumbo guy. Sold it to fund a Furch (another great builder that is way way way under the RADAR)
I have that guitar. Bought it new in 96. Love it.
I have a 1998 Larrivee D10, great sound, very easy playability, beautiful guitar. A fantastic guitar (have had other guitars like Guild and Martin. Larrivee is my favorite.
A Larrivee L-05 was the first acoustic I really fell in love with, but I was 18 and couldn't afford it at the time. Later found a used LV-03 and have had it for 20+ years now. Store also had a used LV-03R... only regret is that I didn't buy both as they were both effectively new and a great price. I'm more into an old-timey sound these days and haven't had a chance to try any of the 40 series yet, but the L body has served me well with just about everything, as you said. It really is a Swiss army knife.
I own 2 Larrivee guitars. Just love them. OM 09 and 00-50
Great video...I absolutely love Larrivees all 7 that I own are different and special....I have a LV-04 that is amazing I've only ran into one and was lucky enough to buy it...does anyone else have one ?
I have a Larrivee L05 Mahogany/sitka. It sounds very nice, it’s the guitar I play the more. I have a Lowden F32c too. This one is fantastic but I play with it only with my teacher, my real guitar is my Larrivée. 👍🙂
Habe eine 1988 D 10 mit wunderschönen Abalone Einlagen.
Sehr tolles Instrument.
Total agreement with your thoughts here. My 1998 Larrivee CS-09 is a Maple/Spruce, Florentine cutaway, bound in Maple. Flying Eagle. The body shape is "L". She's a beauty.. never sell.
I'm coming to this vid late, but still very helpful/interesting. Thx for posting
The history of this body shape actually dates back to the 1930s when Washburn first invented it, it was used on their 5244 Deluxe and 5246 Deluxe models! :)
Thanks for your video. I have the opportunity to buy a jumbo and you inspired my decision to explore this further!
Great to hear and try as many as you can. Good luck on your search!
I still hope to own a Jumbo..
15 years ago, I played an OM with a rounded back to give it back some bottom end. I still love that guitar (It’s mine now)
What kind of OM is that? The only ones that come to mind were the older Guild's that had a pressed back like that was a GF-25 and maybe the GF-30.
@@acousticmusicnthings Ibanez AEF100... I don't think any of the other AE models had the curved back back then or since. At the time this particular model was like a flagship for the whole AE line and they upgraded a bunch of stuff for it. They used a maple laminate to get the bowl shape (The only way to get it with solid wood would be to carve it like a violin)
Hello, just new to this L body. A lot of the musicians I listen to use Dreadnoughts but I find this particular body style to be sweeter and balanced. thank you for your video....
Glad to see another Larrivee fan. I've had a Larrivee D-05 for 20 years which I purchased after an extensive search of all top-end brands. Now have an older LV-09 on it's way that I should have by end of this week.
Wondering where you are at. You mentioned Ludington and I'm also about an hour south of Ludington (Muskegon) so wondering if we're neighbors.
Almost neighbors! I'm on the north side of Grand Rapids. Enjoy that LV-09
@@acousticmusicnthings Close indeed! Thanks. Looking forward to watching your other videos.
Loved your video! You are right it seems like the Grand Pacific Taylor is very similar to this L09. I've got the AD17 and love the sound, Larrivée is also on my favourite list, had them demo on my channel (had an older Larrivée OM-02 from 1999)
Glad to hear you found Larrivee. About 20 years ago I was looking for a new acoustic. I was thinking I would get a Martin OM28. The first one I played just did not impress me. I live in the San Francisco area, so there are quite a few music stores to try, so I played several more, along with some Taylor’s and I just couldn’t find any that convinced me to shell out $2800 or more. Through a bit of luck I found a used Larrivee. I couldn’t believe the quality build and beautiful rich tone. Now I own 3 of them, 2 Brazilian dreads and a JCL 40th Anniversary model, very similar to the L09 you have. In my mind they are the best value, with all wood and no plastic bindings. I have met Jean Larrivee and his family at the California factory and they all are totally involved in the production. Jean himself probably touches every guitar they make. And he still travels the world to source the best wood!
I’d love to try a Larrivee, but we don’t see them around there often
1994 00-05 here. Small bodied but not a parlor guitar. Somewhat rare. Not many made.
Sounds great! I have a D10 deluxe. Amazing!
i have a bunch of guitars, a 66 j45, 69 epi texan, maton, two martins, the larrivee is different, i have to say the martin OOOX1 with the plastic body is the best of them (for fingerpicking) it is really extraordinary. i have a larrivee OMO3 zebrano which is really good too, it does everything you want from a guitat plus it looks really good and it's built like a rolls, i say my J45 looks like a glue bomb went off inside, the larrivee is spot on in every respect. the zebrano stripes swap dark / light depending on the light source. i had LO3 i think it was at one time but i didn't like the neck profile, two of my friends have an LO3 and dreadnought, that is the sweetest sounding.
sorry for being a bit garbled, lol, trying to listen AND type.
I own a 17 year old SD50. In terms of build quality I would put it above Martin and Gibson, especially their standard lines. The clarity and balance is also far superior making it more versatile .
They are definitely built on a top tier level. I still can't believe the tones out of mine. Enjoy that SD50!
Thanks for the tip I’ll start saving and looking for an L guitar
That's an L-09. I own the L-05 (mahogany instead of rosewood version) and I love it. My main songwriting guitar for the last 14 years. Larrivee constantly strives to make better and better guitars and it shows. They make a helluva good OM also.
Just got one today. Was looking for a dred body but stumbled onto this shape Larrivee. I liked it better then the D-40 and D-03 models I played. It seemed to project better then the Dreds.
I'm looking at a Larrivee OM 44 - either Rosewood or Mahogany. I always play Mahogany (warm, woody), but am considering the RW for this model - brassy, bright and loud. Any comments on the wood comparisons, being a Larrivee? Thanks Michael!
@@ps-bi2srHonestly, if you’re thinking about something different, I don’t think you could go wrong with the Indian Rosewood OM. Larrivee always uses really good rosewood and in the 44 series OM I think it would sound great. I would check RUclips for some videos.
Thanks for the head up Michael, will do!@@michael4930
If you would refer what Guild models are good?
Appreciate the shoutout to Guild there, Good Buddy. I've got an S-100 Oakleaf Lefty.
Lot to like about the Headstock, but especially their sound.
Only a Martin is going to sound like a Martin, I bet a J45 is a lot of fun to play, as are others.
Ok nice to listen to your video,, my question is,, I own a larrivee oo 40r beautiful guitar,, I was offered a larrivee L 09 custom with moon spruce top rosewood back and sides for $1800. Do you think it is enough different to justify buying,, unfortunately I can’t play it before buying
There’s a large size difference between the two, so yes. Also the top wood being a different species will also change the tone a little. I don’t remember if the scale length is different but typically the 12 fret 00 body sizes are short scale while the L body is longer. So yes, very different and you definitely need both guitars 👍 haha
@@acousticmusicnthings well didn’t need much convincing but thanks. Haha
Nice history lesson. But it would have been better to let us hear how the guitar sounds.
Nickel creek’s out of the woods, tommy emmanuls walls and the entire WolfQuest OST is drop D
Go check em out
And once you have a larrivee you will never go back. My LV-09e is my baby
What model is the guitar you are playing?
L-09
What strings are on it? I have an O2 and put on Martins .
More than likely DR Sunbeams either 12-54 or 13-56
I picked L-09 for my #1 in a DMB tribute. Killer! How is the neck? Mine is a little chunky. Tempted to shave it a bit but the finish is so nice
This neck was pretty thin and very comfortable to play. My Taylor GS7 I think would be the closest to Dave's unplugged sound now, being a small jumbo shape with cedar over rosewood. His Rockbridge is adi/Brazilian but takes an Adi/indian rosewood when playing outside of the US.
@@acousticmusicnthings Here is a video with the Larrivee. ruclips.net/video/pmGRG8ImYk8/видео.html
@@langyampsdmb An acoustic with a chunky neck!? If you are considering selling your guitar, please let me know.
I love my D44R.
You lost me at 2:44 when you said it was in DADGAD tuning. The only way to judge a guitar sound is when it's played in standard tuning. All open tunings give a full but misleading sound when evaluating a guitar's tonal qualities.
Larry vee my mother likes liver too!
Says a musician I know
outstanding
Nice job
It sounds like the video is being sped up and slowed us down when you play the guitar. I am guessing it is the tuning, but it is quite hard on my ears.
Maybe it is your equipment, but I thought the guitar sounded horrible. I checked twice to make sure I wasn’t listening at 75% speed.
Gorgeous guitar! Would have to sell my left kidney for it tho
OK! I should stop watching RUclips videos about guitars. I just ordered an L-11 reissue from Sweetwater. Anticipation is makin me wait!
Never liked the L body. I ran the jcl woodshop for a very long time. I liked all the other models, played them all. O ya, the SD is a bit much. Give me a 000-60 all day
Hey cool - what was it like working there (and have you tried a Halcyon or Northwood?). What about the L are you not keen on? I love their mahogany OMs, yet to try an OOO60 !
@@tommysixstring5094 it was great to learn how to make guitars. Great famliy
@@danlawson3986 super cool... I've never made, only played! I do like their whole ethos
😂u talk
You said it! Great acoustics. I just picked up an L04. It's my 3rd Larrivee'- I also have 3 Martins .... very nice guitars too - but the Larrivee' is way more inspiring for me.
Furch only