Larrivée C-19 Luxe Cutaway (Amplified) Natural 1996

The Larrivée brand was founded in 1967 in Toronto by Canadian luthier Jean Larrivée, who trained under German master luthier Edgar Mönch, renowned for his uncompromising craftsmanship and his approach deeply rooted in traditional European lutherie.

From his very first instruments, Jean Larrivée developed a building philosophy focused on tonal balance, harmonic precision, and exceptionally demanding craftsmanship standards, allowing the brand to quickly stand out in the highly competitive world of high-end acoustic guitars.

During the 1970s, while American manufacturers largely dominated the acoustic market, Larrivée introduced an innovative symmetrical X-bracing pattern, which would become one of the brand’s most iconic technical signatures.

This distinctive internal architecture significantly enhances frequency balance, midrange richness, and fingerstyle note definition — qualities that quickly attracted numerous professional musicians and recording engineers.

Renowned Canadian singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn played a major role in establishing the brand’s reputation by using several Larrivée models from the mid-1970s onward, including some of the earliest cutaway models crafted by Jean Larrivée himself.

The company later relocated to Victoria, British Columbia, in 1977, and then to Vancouver in 1982. During this period, production evolved toward increasingly sophisticated aesthetics, featuring luxurious finishes, intricate artistic inlays, and exceptionally high-grade tonewoods.

Throughout the 1990s, Larrivée became one of the leading references in Canadian handcrafted acoustic guitars thanks to production that remained largely hand-built and a growing reputation among studio musicians, fingerstyle players, and guitarists seeking instruments of remarkable balance and precision.

The 1996 C-19 Cutaway Electro perfectly represents this golden era of the brand.

Historically, the “19” Series corresponded to Larrivée’s premium models, built with select tonewoods, luxurious gloss finishes, and highly refined decorative appointments.

The “C” body shape designates a Florentine cutaway body, recognizable by its elegant pointed cutaway, allowing easier access to the upper frets while maintaining a sophisticated and highly desirable stage-ready aesthetic.

At the time, C-19 models were especially appreciated for their tonal versatility, balanced projection, and exceptional playing comfort, whether for accompaniment or advanced fingerstyle playing.

Electro-acoustic versions from this era are now highly sought after, as they combine the richness of Canadian handcrafted acoustic tone with modern stage and studio functionality.

One of the most prestigious aspects of this model lies in its decorative inlays created under the direction of Wendy Larrivée, Jean Larrivée’s wife and a true artist specialized in high-end marquetry applied to lutherie.

For more than forty years, Wendy Larrivée has designed complex inlays that became emblematic of the brand, combining mother-of-pearl, abalone, and highly detailed engravings inspired by Art Nouveau, mythological figures, and sophisticated artistic illustrations.

C-19 models featuring special inlay work are among the most desirable Larrivée instruments from the 1990s, as each guitar possesses its own unique visual identity and an artistic finish approaching true collectible artwork.

The elaborate inlays found on these premium models considerably increase their collector value while reinforcing their exclusive appeal among enthusiasts of high-end Canadian acoustic guitars.

In summary, this 1996 Larrivée C-19 Cutaway Electro Natural perfectly embodies the union of Canadian handcrafted excellence, luxurious artistic inlay work, and a highly musical acoustic voice sought after by collectors and professional guitarists alike.

Technical Specifications:

• Top: Spruce
• Back: Flamed Maple
• Sides: Flamed Maple
• Neck: Mahogany
• Fingerboard: Ebony
• Nut Width: 45 mm
• Radius: 20"
• Frets: 20 frets
• Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
• Neck Profile: Slim C
• Pickguard: Transparent
• Hardware: Chrome
• Pickup System: K&K Sound Ultrapure Preamp
• Controls: Volume / Bass / Middle / Treble / Phase
• Country of Manufacture: Canada, Victoria
• Year: 1996
• Finish: Natural
• Appointments: Body, back, rosette, and fingerboard binding / Bridge inlaid with fine white mother-of-pearl and abalone motifs / Fingerboard inlaid with fine white mother-of-pearl and abalone motifs / Headstock inlaid with a woman emerging from a genie lamp in white mother-of-pearl and abalone
• Condition Details: Very light signs of use, almost invisible / Small finish ding on the edge of the rosette beneath the high E string / Excellent condition / Original hard case included

Like all our instruments, this guitar has been carefully professionally set up.
As a result, it offers exceptionally comfortable playability.

Featuring a magnificent flamed maple body, the tone of this Larrivée stands out for its exceptional clarity, fast and precise attack, and remarkable note definition, delivering deep and perfectly controlled lows, open mids, and brilliant highs that reveal every nuance of the player’s touch with outstanding elegance.

As such, this guitar delivers a powerful, airy, and highly articulate projection, with a refined, dynamic, and luminous tonal character that provides an inspiring high-end playing experience for both fingerstyle performance and sophisticated acoustic accompaniment.