NGD: Larrivee goes electric

[nostatic]

I haven't had a Tele since around 1977 - my first "good" electric was a Tele Deluxe with hum buckers. Was stolen out of my house (likely by a "friend"), and then I was on to Strats over the years before migrating to bass.

Anywho I've folded electric back into the rotation, and figured no time like the present to get a Tele as my PRS approximates with coil splitting the hum buckers (a CE24 - not the Silver Sky SE in the background) but nothing is quite like a good Tele. I've been underwhelmed with a lot of recent Fender offerings, and was about to go G&L but stumbled across of all things a Larrivee. I think they made a variation some years back called the Bakersfield. This is the Baker-T.

Initial impressions are that it is fast. Very svelte neck - for those that like some meat you will not like this neck. It also is compound radius and out of the case has quite low action. A quick tweak of the truss rod and I was on my way. It is not a "grip it and rip it" kind of feel as the edges aren't very rolled. Instead if I approach it with a light left hand touch and keep my thumb behind the neck, it is ridiculously easy to play.

The pickups are in-house build and sound like a good Tele. One big benefit is when you roll off the volume you don't lose the life and sparkle - it just cleans up and the tonality stays consistent. Also the tone knob has useful range with the first part of the roll off just taking some edge off, then a controlled roll-off - which is really useful particularly with the bridge pickup.

More as I work with it and will get some more pics - it is a very well build machine. I also got my UA Ruby pedal so I'm running that into my bass rig at the moment (which is a real-world application for me) and the Ruby just nails the Vox thing. With this Larrivee, a match made in tone heaven.

[PTony]

Gorgeous! Great choice. I’ve owned some Larrivee acoustics. Outstanding craftsmanship! I remember these…somewhat rare as of late. I’m sure it plays fantastic. Sounds like it may have a treble bleed? Enjoy the newest addition. Keep us posted on your findings as you have more time together. Love that color, btw.

[guitararmy]

Congratulations!
I remember reading some nice reviews of those Larry’s.
I think the new prices were a stumbling block, as it put them in competition with other semi-boutique brands, as well as Fender’s domestic offerings.

[GoPappy]

Congrats! I had no idea that Larrivee ever made electric guitars. If they were as good as their acoustics are, yours should be quite a good catch.

[rmp]

Wait? Larrivee makes electrics!! Who knew?

Love that color/finish.

[Glennwillow]

Very cool! Great looking Tele-type guitar from Larrivee! Who would have thought!

- Glenn

[jricc]

Nice Tele style! I never knew Larravee meade electrics. Congrats.

[mr. beaumont]

Not to jack your thread on that beautiful new tele, but what's that thick bodied fretless looking bass back there?

[rockabilly69]

I love my Larrivee guitar, and now I love yours too Cool looking Tele, congrats!!!

[Dru Edwards]

A Larrivee electric, the unicorns of guitars (since they're rarely seen). How cool is it that you have one.

I echo PTony's (^) thoughts in that you may have treble bleed installed - that's probably what you're hearing when you turn the volume knob down.

Congrats!

[Chickee]

What color is that guitar? Cranberry? Very cool, very unique!
Congratulations on that new addition to your stable.

frank d.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Not to jack your thread on that beautiful new tele, but what's that thick bodied fretless looking bass back there?

Rob Allen Deep 4. Crazy good bass, I also have a Mouse 30 short scale fretless that is my main gigging instrument these days.

www.roballenguitars.com

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by Chickee

What color is that guitar? Cranberry? Very cool, very unique!
Congratulations on that new addition to your stable.

frank d.

Burgundy mist metallic. It is a classic Fender color from the pre-cbs days

[nostatic]

more pics for grins

[TiffanyGuitar]

Beautiful tele. Looks well made. How do you find the neck? The write-up calls it a slim profile. Do you find it super, shred-like thin?