Larrivée Guitars
Canadian manufacturer of acoustic and electric guitars founded by Jean Larrivée.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Larrivée Guitars, formally associated with Jean Larrivée Guitars Inc., is a Canadian guitar manufacturer known for handcrafted acoustic instruments, electric guitars, decorative inlay work, and a numbered model system. The company was founded in Toronto, Ontario, in 1967 by Jean Larrivée after he completed a guitar-building apprenticeship with Edgar Moench Sr. Larrivée's earliest instruments drew on European classical-guitar designs. His first two guitars became part of the Larrivée family collection and established the construction approach that developed into the company's commercial product line. The business moved west as it expanded. It relocated from Toronto to Victoria, British Columbia, in 1977 and then to Vancouver in 1982. These moves placed the company within British Columbia's growing craft and musical-instrument manufacturing environment. Larrivée developed a recognizable identity through both construction and ornamentation. Inlay work was introduced in 1971 and became standard across the guitars by 1977. From 1978 onward, the designs adopted a more romantic visual character. Wendy Larrivée designed the company's engravings from 1979 onward, with the documented exception of a 1998 inlay known as “The Joker.” In 2007, the company began using laser engraving for its inlays, extending its decorative vocabulary with a more modern production technique. Larrivée's range has included acoustic and electric guitars across numerous numbered series and body formats. Its 03 Recording Series is identified by all-wood construction, the absence of decorative inlays, and high-gloss finishes. The company has also produced parlor guitars and other acoustic formats, alongside a broad sequence of models including the 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 07, 09, 10, 11, 19, 20, 27, 28, 30, 31, 35, 38, 40, 41, 42, 45, 48, 50, 60, 70, 72, and 78. According to the referenced material, current production of the listed models is based at the company's California facility. In September 2001, Larrivée opened a second plant in California. The expansion gave the company a manufacturing base in the United States while retaining a Canadian operation for a further period. In November 2013, Larrivée announced the consolidation of its Canadian division and the closure of its Vancouver factory. The California facility consequently became the identified production center for the company's models in the available reference material. The sources do not establish the present ownership structure, corporate listing status, exact headquarters, or the full extent of current operations. The brand has also appeared in notable cultural settings. Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield performed David Bowie's “Space Oddity” on a Larrivée parlor guitar while aboard the International Space Station. That performance gave the company unusual visibility beyond the conventional guitar and music-equipment press, linking its instruments with Canadian popular culture, spaceflight, and online music audiences.
History
Jean Larrivée entered guitar making through an apprenticeship with Edgar Moench Sr. in Toronto. His first two Larrivée-style guitars were based on European classical-guitar designs and remained within the Larrivée family collection. In 1967, he established the company in Toronto, beginning the commercial history of what became Jean Larrivée Guitars Inc. The company initially developed around the skills of its founder and the production of handcrafted stringed instruments. Larrivée moved the business from Toronto to Victoria, British Columbia, in 1977 and then to Vancouver in 1982. The westward relocation coincided with the company's development of a more distinct visual and product identity. Inlay designs were introduced in 1971 and became standard features by 1977. From 1978, the style of the inlays became more romantic. Wendy Larrivée designed the company's engravings from 1979 onward, apart from a documented 1998 design titled “The Joker.” In 2007, laser engraving was added to the company's inlay production methods. The company's catalog expanded across acoustic and electric instruments and used a numerical model system that included models such as the 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 07, 09, 10, 11, 19, 20, 27, 28, 30, 31, 35, 38, 40, 41, 42, 45, 48, 50, 60, 70, 72, and 78. The 03 Recording Series was distinguished by all-wood construction, no inlays, and high-gloss finishes. Larrivée also produced parlor guitars and other acoustic body styles, while maintaining an electric-guitar offering. In September 2001, Larrivée opened a second plant in California. This facility became increasingly important to the company's manufacturing structure. In November 2013, the company announced that it would consolidate its Canadian division and close the Vancouver factory. The available reference identifies the California facility as the production location for the company's models after this restructuring, but does not provide a complete account of later ownership, management, production volumes, or corporate status. Larrivée instruments have had visibility beyond the specialist guitar market. Chris Hadfield used a Larrivée parlor guitar to perform “Space Oddity” while in orbit aboard the International Space Station. The event connected the Canadian guitar maker with a widely viewed cultural moment and reinforced the brand's association with Canadian musicianship and handcrafted instruments.
- 2013
Vancouver factory closes
[1]Larrivée announced consolidation of its Canadian division and closure of the Vancouver factory.
- 2007
Laser engraving adopted
[1]The company began using laser engraving for guitar inlays.
- 2001
California plant opens
[1]A second Larrivée manufacturing plant opened in California in September.
- 1982
Move to Vancouver
[1]Larrivée relocated its operations from Victoria to Vancouver, British Columbia.
- 1978
Romantic inlay style begins
[1]The company's inlay designs began adopting a more romantic visual style.
- 1977
Move to Victoria and standardization of inlays
[1]The company moved from Toronto to Victoria, British Columbia, and made inlays standard on its guitars.
- 1971
Inlay designs introduced
[1]Larrivée began adding inlay designs to its guitars.
- 1967
Company founded in Toronto
[1]Jean Larrivée founded the guitar company in Toronto, Ontario, after training as a guitar maker.
Products and positioning
A craft-oriented guitar brand associated with Canadian instrument making, wood construction, numbered model series, distinctive inlay design, and production that later centered on the company's California facility.
Acoustic guitar series
03 Recording Series
The 03 Recording Series is characterized by all-wood construction, high-gloss finishes, and the omission of decorative inlays. It represents a comparatively restrained design within Larrivée's broader catalog, whose other instruments are associated with more visible inlay work. The referenced material states that the models in this series are produced at the California facility.
Acoustic guitars
Larrivée parlor guitars
Larrivée's parlor guitars are compact acoustic instruments within the company's broader acoustic range. The format gained public attention when astronaut Chris Hadfield used a Larrivée parlor guitar to perform “Space Oddity” aboard the International Space Station. Specific current specifications, model numbers, and production dates are not established by the supplied sources.
Acoustic and electric guitars
Numbered model series
Larrivée has used a broad numerical model system covering instruments such as the 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 07, 09, 10, 11, 19, 20, 27, 28, 30, 31, 35, 38, 40, 41, 42, 45, 48, 50, 60, 70, 72, and 78. The catalog spans acoustic and electric guitars and includes multiple body styles. The available reference does not provide complete specifications for each model.
Marketing campaigns
- Chris Hadfield's in-orbit Larrivée performance
Canada · international
Chris Hadfield played a Larrivée parlor guitar while performing David Bowie's “Space Oddity” aboard the International Space Station. The event functioned as significant public exposure for the instrument brand, although the supplied material does not identify it as a paid advertising campaign.
Outcome. The performance associated Larrivée with a widely recognized Canadian spaceflight and music moment.
Brand decisions
2013
Consolidate Canadian operations and close the Vancouver factoryStrategyBackground
Larrivée restructured its manufacturing footprint after operating plants in Canada and California.
Action taken
In November 2013, the company announced the consolidation of its Canadian division and closure of its Vancouver factory.
Aftermath
Production was identified with the California facility in the available reference material. Further operational and employment details are not provided.
2007
Adopt laser engraving for inlaysOtherBackground
The company had used designed inlay and engraving work as part of its visual identity since the 1970s.
Action taken
Larrivée began using laser engraving for its inlays.
Aftermath
The change added a modern production method to the brand's established decorative-inlay practice.
2001
Open a second California manufacturing plantStrategyBackground
Larrivée had developed its Canadian operations and sought an additional manufacturing base in the United States.
Action taken
The company opened a second plant in California in September 2001.
Aftermath
The California facility later became the identified production location after the Canadian manufacturing division was consolidated.
Recent events
- 2013
Larrivée announces consolidation of Canadian operations[1]
Other
In November 2013, Larrivée announced that it would consolidate its Canadian division and close its Vancouver factory.
- 2001
Larrivée opens a second manufacturing plant in California[1]
Other
The company established a second plant in California in September 2001, expanding its manufacturing footprint beyond Canada.
Chris Hadfield performs on a Larrivée parlor guitar in orbit[1]
Campaign
Astronaut Chris Hadfield performed a version of David Bowie's “Space Oddity” on a Larrivée parlor guitar while aboard the International Space Station.
Sources2 sources
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