THE HUNT FOR SPRUCE - Birth of a Larrivée Guitar

We're happy to release our short film The Hunt for Spruce: Birth of a Larrivée Guitar. A rare look into the first stages of the guitar building process, as John Larrivée Jr explores the rugged forests of Northern British Columbia in search of the perfect Sitka spruce tree.

Special thanks to Red Haired Strangers and Dana Barnaby for helping put this all together!

Extra special thanks to Chris and Richard for really making this all happen.

Twitter: @LarriveeGuitars

[LarriveeMedia]

The tree was first blocked. It was then carried out one block at a time through thick forest which took several days alone (around 400 blocks). Once removed, they were transported down by boat to our receiver along the Fraser River.

[Sphere]

Best sounding acoustic guitars I have ever heard! Jean Larrivee is a genius

[veritasisle]

I own a piece of this tree and am in awe each time I pick up my Larrivee and play it.

Thank you Larrivee for a great guitar!

[writereducator]

"I found a tree. Wanna come to Canada in the middle of winter to see it?"
"Heck, yeah!"

[edmurphy]

Been playing for over 50 years now. Larrivvee guitars are among the best ive ever played.

[prof_tim]

My Larrivee came with a DVD of this video, said it was made from this tree. That feels like such a privilege.

[veritasisle]

About 5 years ago I purchased a guitar from this very tree - it has matured well and sounds better and better every day. It is my "go to" guitar!

[MRPoulopoulosMusic]

Great story, and a great tune to accompany...

[sanctuarytimbers]

That tree was textbook perfect, that will yield some spectacular timber!

[jeffsigurdson]

John, you guys are the best, i miss you guys

[douglasmcintyre]

It must have been one hell of a job, getting that huge spruce tree bucked into shorter lengths, then moved somehow out of the forest and onto a logging truck or two. I'm guessing they then trucked it to probably the only seaport on Haida Gwai. Then probably barged it from there to a port somewhere along he waterfront in Vancouver. Then the short drive to Larrivee's Vancouver factory on East Cordova Street.

Only a year or two later, the Larrivee factory in Vancouver closed for good, so they had to move all of their stored, dried tonewoods and tooling onto trucks and then probably shipped by rail to Oxnard California, where their current factory is located.

All of which makes me appreciate everyhing that went into building my 2007 Larrivee LV-03RE-LH.

[mREMiRO]

Thanks for showing us how you do this! Whenever I bring out my Larrivée, people keep complimenting how great the guitar top looks.

[std]

I bought a Larrivee OM-03Re in early 2008. Still got it today and it sounds even better as it's now 13 years old. I'm very please with it.

[foamstrat]

I just purchased an LV-03. Hands down best guitar I have ever seen or played for the money. Great guitar company!

[jedmarum]

Great video! Fascinating story for players and guitar lovers.

[aliwhitwell]

I just managed to buy a D-05 and it really sings. Wonderfully made with care and attention and it shows in the excellent finish.

[sonny]

Well, I own a D-05 and an L-10E .. playing them is always awesome! Nice to see where they come from.

[b.j.surfdog]

great story!! I'm betting permits to cut and remove these trees were epic to obtain I've been looking for that one, true, acoustic that just gets better over time and am believing Larivee fits that bill .

[westcoastguitarsvancouver]

It is a pleasure to sell Larrivee Guitars ! 

[japanesemaplepruning]

cool video, the feller cut through the vast majority of his holding wood...I am a guitarist but i'm also an arborist