Description
Larrivée L-78 Presentation 1979 Super Rare!
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Tony Elder / Steve Jackson
Black Dot Music
Est 1985
Hold – Burke Wills.
In Store.
This exceptionally rare Larrivée L-78 Presentation is one of less than a dozen ever made. Handmade in 1979, it features an ornate ‘Robin Hood’ headstock inlay and engraved scrimshaw-style ivory bridge, both hand decorated by Wendy Larrivée. Specs include a master grade spruce top with Indian Rosewood back and sides, Honduran mahogany neck and ebony fretboard. The guitar also features a hand-signed inside label.
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This guitar is in immaculate condition – it’s hard to believe that it’s 46 years old! There is no significant wear and no damage, cracks or repairs. The tone is lush and rich, with a mighty bass response. A true once-in-a-lifetime instrument.
Seeking a warmer climate and easier access to valuable Sitka spruce, Larrivée relocates to the spectacular West Coast of Vancouver Island, bringing with him a handful of irreplaceable staff. In Victoria, Jean begins to incorporate new ideas in tooling and manufacturing, while still creating a hand-built instrument. Increased precision with specialised machinery would allow him to produce more guitars – but as such equipment didn’t exist, Jean created his own. He was soon building four guitars a day, setting him on a prolific course that would stretch for the next 20 years.
Jean also begins building relationships in the logging industry, specifically seeking access to high-performance Sitka spruce. But Jean not only wanted the best wood, he wanted to find it himself. He was soon exploring the rainforests of the north coast of Vancouver Island, discovering for himself some of the finest spruce in the world.
