Offered is a remarkable 1978 L-19 Larrivée acoustic guitar, a one-owner instrument in exceptional original condition and a significant example of Canadian luthiery history.
Originally purchased new in Brussels, Belgium, from the respected music store Hills Music, this guitar has been carefully preserved by its original owner and is offered today with its original hard case.
Built in Victoria, British Columbia, this instrument dates from the earliest phase of Larrivée’s relocation after leaving Toronto, where the company had been based from 1967 to 1977. It bears the first Victoria-era label, a short-lived version that was changed in 1980, placing the guitar within a particularly small and historically important production window. Further enhancing its significance, the label is hand-signed by Jean Larrivée himself, reflecting the intensely hands-on nature of the workshop during this formative period.
As is often the case with early Larrivée instruments, the exact model designation is not written anywhere on the guitar or label, but serial number can be very helpful. Based on 190565 serial number, we can conclude it is a L-19 model with serial number 0565.
The serial number is engraved on the neck heel — 190 56 5 — consistent with Larrivée’s early numbering practices and further supporting its origin in the late-1970s Victoria period.
The guitar remains entirely original, with no cracks, no repairs, and no modifications. Structurally sound and beautifully intact, it shows only minimal and honest signs of age. The sole cosmetic note is a very small and subtle trace of heat on the side, caused decades ago by proximity to a lamp. This mark is purely cosmetic, stable, and has no impact on tone, structure, or playability.
Tonally, the instrument exemplifies the qualities that have earned vintage Larrivée guitars their enduring reputation: balance, clarity, and a refined harmonic response. It responds effortlessly to fingerstyle playing and light strumming, offering nuance, projection, and depth. The guitar’s distinctive, one-of-a-kind inlay work was executed by Wendy Larrivée, Jean Larrivée’s wife, whose craftsmanship added a personal and artistic signature to select instruments from this era, further enhancing the guitar’s individuality and historical resonance.
Jean Larrivée’s work from the late 1970s is widely regarded as a bridge between true boutique craftsmanship and the broader production that followed with the move to Vancouver (1983–1997). Instruments from this early Victoria period are especially prized for their meticulous construction, careful wood selection, and the direct involvement of both Jean and Wendy Larrivée.
This guitar represents far more than a fine vintage acoustic. It is a documented, first-label Victoria-era Larrivée, personally signed by Jean Larrivée, featuring inlay work by Wendy Larrivée, with engraved neck heel serial number 190 56 5, single-owner provenance, and European origin. A rare and compelling opportunity for the serious collector seeking authenticity, historical significance, and musical excellence.
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