❌SOLD❌ Larrivee Classical Guitar Cedar Top, 1972

This lovely and well preserved Jean Larrivee classical guitar was built during 1972 in Toronto, likely above the Tarragon Theatre. That location was Larrivee’s first formal shop space separate from his home, 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 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 William Laskin, David Wren, Linda Manzer, Sergei de Jonge and Tony Duggan-Smith. The rest is not just history – it’s also a lot of very good guitars.

Clearly showing its Monch influences, this Jean Larrivee classical guitar features a Red Cedar top paired with Indian Rosewood for the back, sides, head plate and bridge. The body blocks and neck are Honduran Mahogany, and the head is built via a scarf joint. This adds considerable strength to the headstock by keeping the grain as straight as possible, and also reduces the amount of wood wasted during construction. The fingerboard is Ebony.

Overall, this example is in good condition with little wear or damage; there are a few small dents in the top near the tail block and some light finger marks below the trebles. The nitrocellulose lacquer finish is sinking naturally and otherwise is very clean.

Like Monch classicals, this guitar is not built with the traditional Spanish style neck joint, but instead has a dovetail joint. 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, flat top hard shell case is included. The case is in good condition with intact latches and hinges and has clearly been with the guitar for some time.