Description
This lovely and good condition Jean Larrivee classical guitar with Cedar top was likely built during late 1970 in Toronto in his new workshop above the Tarragon Theatre. At this time, Larrivee was still working closely with Edgar Monch. The label, the second version used in 1970 and the first label version to read "Jean-Claude Larrivee", has a very faded '70' to the right under Larrivee's signature.
Overall, this early example of Larrivee's classical guitar construction is in good condition with some honest play wear to the finish and a few small dents in the top. The nitrocellulose lacquer finish is sinking naturally and otherwise is very clean. It has recently had a neck re-set to provide significantly improved action and saddle height. It plays well, and has a nicely developed voice.
A black, molded hard shell case is included.
Construction and Materials
Clearly showing its Edgar Monch influences, this Jean Larrivee classical guitar features a Red Cedar top paired with Indian Rosewood for the back, sides, head plate, backstrap and bridge. The body blocks, kerfed top linings and neck are Honduran Mahogany, while the solid back linings are Basswood. The head is built via a scarf joint, adding considerable strength to the headstock by keeping the grain as straight as possible. This technique also reduces the amount of wood wasted during construction. The fingerboard is Ebony.
Like Monch classicals, this guitar is not built with the traditional Spanish style neck joint, but instead has a dovetail joint and this allows for neck angle adjustments.
The Tarragon Theatre location at 30 Bridgman Avenue was Larrivee’s first formal shop space separate from his home baseement workshop, and was soon followed by a storefront on Mt. Pleasant Avenue.
Jean Larrivée began building at his home around 1967. At that time, if you were interested in building guitars you read the very few books on the subject or met an established builder. Larrivee wound up doing both, meeting German classical guitar builder Edgar Monch who was working in Toronto during this period. Monch’s influence is clearly seen in Larrivee’s work including his current L-body designs.
For several years Larrivée worked in the basement of his home, but in later 1970 obtained shop space above the Tarragon Theatre. There, the long-gone Toronto Folklore Center encouraged him to build some steel string guitars. Staff started to appear, including Sergei de Jonge, William Laskin, David Wren, Linda Manzer and Tony Duggan-Smith. The rest is not just history – it’s also a lot of very good guitars.
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There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here |
DETAILS:
- Instrument Model: Classical Guitar
- Instrument Manufacturer: Larrivee
- Instrument year: 1970
- Instrument Finish: Natural Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
- Instrument Class: Classical Guitars
- Instrument serial number: N/A, label signed and dated 1970 at Toronto
- Country of Origin: Canada
- Instrument Condition: Good
- Right-handed
- Instrument Weight Imperial: 3.39l bs
- Instrument Weight Metric: 1.54 kgs
- Scale Length Imperial: 25.59 in
- Scale Length Metric: 650 mm
- Nut Width Imperial: 2.050 in
- Nut Width Metric: 52.30 mm
- CITIES Documentation Required: No
- Case included: Yes
- Case original: No
- Items in Case: Humidification Pack
- Case Type: Hard Shell Molded, Black
- Consignment: Yes
- Product ID: 190756
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There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here |