Difference between revisions of "Larrivée Guitar Models"

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m (Older Model Comparisons: Construction - Internal Back Strip)
m (Construction - Internal Back Strip)
 
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 +
=== 2012 45th Anniversary Model ===
 +
{{:Larrivée 45th Anniversary Model}}
 +
 
=== Body Styles ===
 
=== Body Styles ===
 
Overview
 
Overview
Line 11: Line 14:
 
* Depth: 4.75"
 
* Depth: 4.75"
 
* Scale Length: 34"
 
* Scale Length: 34"
* Nut Width: 1 & 3/4"" (44.3mm or 1.75")
+
* Nut Width: 1 & 3/4" (44.3mm or 1.75")
 
* Length 20 5/8"
 
* Length 20 5/8"
 +
 +
==== C - Larrivée Body with a [[Larriv%C3%A9e_Terms_and_Acronyms#Cutaways|Florentine Cutaway]] ====
 +
* Lower Bout · 16”
 +
* Upper Bout · 11.625”
 +
* Waist · 10.25”
 +
* Depth · 4.75”
 +
* Overall Length · 40.75”
 +
* Scale Length · 25.5”
 +
* Nut Width: 1 & 3/4" (44.3mm or 1.75")
 +
 +
==== CS - Larrivée Small Body with a [[Larriv%C3%A9e_Terms_and_Acronyms#Cutaways|Florentine Cutaway]] ====
 +
* Lower Bout · 15”
 +
* Upper Bout · 11.875“
 +
* Waist · 9.75”
 +
* Depth · 4.25”
 +
* Overall Length · 40.5”
 +
* Scale Length · 25.5”
 +
* Nut Width: 1 & 3/4" (44.3mm or 1.75")
  
 
==== D - Dreadnought ====
 
==== D - Dreadnought ====
Line 21: Line 42:
 
* Overall Length · 41”
 
* Overall Length · 41”
 
* Scale Length · 25.5”
 
* Scale Length · 25.5”
 +
* Nut Width: 1 & 11/16"
  
 
==== J - Jumbo ====
 
==== J - Jumbo ====
Line 28: Line 50:
 
* Depth · 4.75" - 4.875"
 
* Depth · 4.75" - 4.875"
 
* Scale Length · 25.5"
 
* Scale Length · 25.5"
* Nut Width ·  1 & 3/4"" (44.3mm or 1.75")
+
* Nut Width ·  1 & 3/4" (44.3mm or 1.75")
 
* Scale Length · 25.5”  
 
* Scale Length · 25.5”  
 
* Length ·  20 5/8"
 
* Length ·  20 5/8"
 +
 +
==== Larrivee Lancaster ====
 +
[[Larrivée Lancaster]]
  
 
==== L - Larrivée Body ====
 
==== L - Larrivée Body ====
Line 39: Line 64:
 
* Overall Length · 40.75”
 
* Overall Length · 40.75”
 
* Scale Length · 25.5”
 
* Scale Length · 25.5”
 +
* Nut Width: 1 & 3/4" (44.3mm or 1.75")
  
 
==== LJ-body or CJ-body ====
 
==== LJ-body or CJ-body ====
Line 46: Line 72:
 
* Depth: 4.75"
 
* Depth: 4.75"
 
* Scale Length: 25.5"
 
* Scale Length: 25.5"
* Nut Width: 1 & 3/4"" (44.3mm or 1.75")
+
* Nut Width: 1 & 3/4" (44.3mm or 1.75")
 
* Length 20 5/8"
 
* Length 20 5/8"
  
 
==== LS - Larrivée Small Body ====
 
==== LS - Larrivée Small Body ====
 
* Lower Bout · 15”
 
* Lower Bout · 15”
* Upper Bout · 11.875“
+
* Upper Bout · 11.875“ (11.25" measured on one)
* Waist · 9.75”
+
* Waist · 9.75” (9.5" measured on one)
* Depth · 4.25”
+
* Depth · 4.25” (3.75" at heel)
 +
* Body Length - 19.75"
 
* Overall Length · 40.5”
 
* Overall Length · 40.5”
 
* Scale Length · 25.5”
 
* Scale Length · 25.5”
 +
* Nut Width: 1 & 3/4" (44.3mm or 1.75")
  
==== LSV - Larrivée Small Body - Venetian Cutaway ====
+
==== LSV - Larrivée Small Body with a [[Larriv%C3%A9e_Terms_and_Acronyms#Cutaways|Venetian Cutaway]] ====
 
* Lower Bout · 15.125”
 
* Lower Bout · 15.125”
 
* Upper Bout · 11.375“
 
* Upper Bout · 11.375“
Line 64: Line 92:
 
* Overall Length · ___ ”
 
* Overall Length · ___ ”
 
* Scale Length · 24.75”
 
* Scale Length · 24.75”
 +
* Nut Width: 1 & 3/4" (44.3mm or 1.75")
 
* Fretboard Radious: 16-21" Compound
 
* Fretboard Radious: 16-21" Compound
* Setup for Medium Gauge Strins
+
* Setup for Medium Gauge Strings
 
* Frets: Nickel Silver
 
* Frets: Nickel Silver
 
* Frets Width: 2.5 mm (0.0985")
 
* Frets Width: 2.5 mm (0.0985")
Line 74: Line 103:
  
 
==== OM - Orchestra Model  ====
 
==== OM - Orchestra Model  ====
* Lower Bout · 15.25”
+
* Lower Bout · 15.375”
 
* Upper Bout · 11.75”
 
* Upper Bout · 11.75”
* Waist · 9.5”
+
* Waist · 9.625”
 
* Depth · 4.25”
 
* Depth · 4.25”
 
* Overall Length · 40.5”
 
* Overall Length · 40.5”
 
* Scale Length · 25.5”
 
* Scale Length · 25.5”
 +
* Nut Width: 1 & 3/4" (44.3mm or 1.75")
 +
* Setup for Light Gauge Strings
 +
* Frets: Nickel / Silver
 +
* Fretboard Radius: 17" to 21" Compound
 +
* Frets Width: 2.5 mm (0.0985")
 +
* Frets Height: 1.0 mm (0.0394")
 +
 +
— [http://www.larrivee.com/instruments/acoustics/OM03.php source]
  
 
==== OO Body ====
 
==== OO Body ====
Line 88: Line 125:
 
* Scale Length: 25.5",
 
* Scale Length: 25.5",
 
* 12 fret to body
 
* 12 fret to body
* Nut Width: 1 & 3/4"" (44.3mm or 1.75")
+
* Nut Width: 1 & 3/4" (44.3mm or 1.75")
* Body Length 19-1/8"  
+
* Body Length 19-1/8"
 +
 
 +
==== OOOO Body ====
 +
* Lower Bout · 15.375”
 +
* Upper Bout · 11.125”
 +
* Waist · 9.375”
 +
* Depth · 4.5”
 +
* Overall Length · ???
 +
* Scale Length · 25.5”
 +
* Nut Width: 1 & 13/16"
 +
* Fretboard Radius: 16" to 21" Compound
 +
* Setup for medium gauge strings
 +
* Frets Width: 2.5 mm (0.0985")
 +
* Frets Height: 1.0 mm (0.0394")
 +
 
 +
Also: 12th-fret neck join
 +
— [http://www.larrivee.com/instruments/acoustics/60/00060.php source]
  
 
==== P - Parlor  ====
 
==== P - Parlor  ====
Line 138: Line 191:
 
=== Older Model Comparisons ===
 
=== Older Model Comparisons ===
 
{{:Larrivée Feature Comparison Archive}}
 
{{:Larrivée Feature Comparison Archive}}
 +
 +
=== Finishes ===
 +
 +
:The first guitars were sprayed with hot laquer, and around '84 we changed to a modified Polyurethane varnish - Great stuff. We used that up until around 1995 (I think) when we started messing with Crown Metro's UV polyester. There were problems with crown metro and eventually we ended up using the MCfadden UV polyester. Mcfadden recently went bankrupt and we have switched to a new UV finish - which is relatively problem free and made locally in California.
 +
 +
:The modified polyurethane was catalyzed. Up until 2 months ago the UV was not catalyzed. Now the UV is dual cured with partial catalyzation with cobalt & peroxide, and UV light.
 +
 +
Source:  [http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/index.php?topic=34126.msg313051#msg313051 Matthew Larrivée] October 2010
 +
 +
 +
Update as of 2016-01-30
 +
 +
;Current Finish:
 +
 +
Gloss Guitars: Pure Acrylic Urethane hi-sheen Topcoat (Catalyzed), over top of a Catalyzed Urethane Basecoat.
 +
 +
Satin: Pure Acrylic Urethane 10% Sheen Satin Finish (Catalyzed), Over top of a Catalyzed Urethane base coat
 +
 +
WE USE NO POLYESTER ON ANY ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENTS
 +
 +
;2009-2013
 +
 +
Gloss Guitars: Urethane hi-sheen Topcoat (Catalysed), over top of a UV Polyester Basecoat
 +
 +
Satin: Pure Acrylic Urethane 10% Sheen Satin Finish (Catalyzed), over top of a UV Polyester Basecoat
 +
 +
;Approx 1990-2009
 +
 +
Gloss Guitars: UV Polyester Topcoat, over top of a UV Polyester Basecoat
 +
 +
Satin: Pure Acrylic 12.5% Sheen Satin Finish (Catalyzed), over top of a UV Polyester Basecoat
 +
 +
;Approx 1983-1990
 +
 +
Gloss Guitars: Catalyzed Modified Varnish Topcoat/Basecoat (Polyurethane Based)
 +
 +
Satin: No satin guitars made during this time
 +
 +
;1967 to Approx 1983
 +
 +
Gloss Guitars: Hot Sprayed Nitrocellulose Lacquer
 +
 +
Satin: No satin guitars made during this time
 +
 +
[http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/index.php?topic=49540.msg435418#msg435418 Source: Larrivée Forum] 2016-01-30
 +
 +
=== Truss Rods ===
 +
 +
1967 > 1985 = Static non-adjustable truss rod.
 +
 +
1985 > 2008 = Single action truss rod.
 +
 +
2008 > present = Dual action truss rod.
 +
 +
Of course there were crossover periods while supplies were used up. For instance, we had an overstock of Parlor single action truss rods when we switched to dual action. So the Parlors were still single action for some time after 2008. Same with 00's and other 12 fretters. The glossy guitars got the dual action first while the satins used up the remaining single action. By 2010 everything was dual action.
 +
Source: [http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/index.php?topic=53122.msg464216#msg464216 JM Larrivée]
  
 
=== Construction - Internal Back Strip ===
 
=== Construction - Internal Back Strip ===
:Jean’s first guitars had the internal back strip as mentioned. I believe he used it somewhere through to about 1983-84. If I remember correctly it stopped when we moved to North Vancouver. At the time the strip did serve to reinforce the back because we had a decorative strip of purfling down the center seem. When that purfling strip was removed from the design, the mahogany re-enforcement was no longer necessary.
+
[[Image:LarriveeInternalBackStrip.jpg|right]]
 +
 
 +
:Jean’s first guitars had the internal back strip [as mentioned]. I believe he used it somewhere through to about 1983-84. If I remember correctly it stopped when we moved to North Vancouver. At the time the strip did serve to reinforce the back because we had a decorative strip of purfling down the center seem. When that purfling strip was removed from the design, the mahogany re-enforcement was no longer necessary.
  
 
:Fast forward to 2007 when we made the JCL re-issue guitars… We put the re-enforcement strip on these guitars because we added the purfling strip again. We looked at it and realized we liked the look of it inside the instrument and so we decided to put the strip on all of the glossy guitars in the California shop. The Canadian shop also puts the strips on -05 series and up guitars but does not put them on -03’s because of the added cost involved. We do sometimes add the strips to special run -03’s that we make in California.
 
:Fast forward to 2007 when we made the JCL re-issue guitars… We put the re-enforcement strip on these guitars because we added the purfling strip again. We looked at it and realized we liked the look of it inside the instrument and so we decided to put the strip on all of the glossy guitars in the California shop. The Canadian shop also puts the strips on -05 series and up guitars but does not put them on -03’s because of the added cost involved. We do sometimes add the strips to special run -03’s that we make in California.

Latest revision as of 19:08, 5 February 2019

2012 45th Anniversary Model

2012 will mark Jean Larrivée's 45th year of building guitars. In doing so, the Larrivée Family is proud to announce the limited release of our 45th Anniversary Guitar. The LV-10 has been chosen to represent this limited edition with spectacularly figured Indian Silverwood bound with Indian Rosewood and abalone purfling. This Silverwood was discovered and hand selected by Jean last fall while searching for new exotic wood sources in India. The B.C. Sitka spruce soundboards are from Jean's private reserve, only to be used on such deserving limited runs. A lightweight genuine South American mahogany neck will feature a striking early 1900's style "Torch" headstock inlay designed by Wendy Larrivée for this notable occasion. A matching fretboard and bridge inlay will compliment the "Torch" and set in only the finest African ebony available. Finally, to tie it all together, will be a very special 12th fret inlay proudly displaying the dates "1967-2012".

Each of the 45 limited guitars will come with it's own certificate of authenticity hand signed by Jean Larrivée. Order yours now while they are available as numbers are strictly limited to 45. MSRP on this piece will be $4500.00 with delivery beginning in March. A photo documentary will be posted to our website and Facebook page along with updates on Twitter.

Thank you for 45 years of support,

The Larrivée Family

Source: John M Larrivée January 19, 2012


Body Styles

Overview

LarriveeBodyPaths.gif

More details below

B - Bass

  • Lower Bout: 17"
  • Upper Bout: 12.5"
  • Waist: 10.75"
  • Depth: 4.75"
  • Scale Length: 34"
  • Nut Width: 1 & 3/4" (44.3mm or 1.75")
  • Length 20 5/8"

C - Larrivée Body with a Florentine Cutaway

  • Lower Bout · 16”
  • Upper Bout · 11.625”
  • Waist · 10.25”
  • Depth · 4.75”
  • Overall Length · 40.75”
  • Scale Length · 25.5”
  • Nut Width: 1 & 3/4" (44.3mm or 1.75")

CS - Larrivée Small Body with a Florentine Cutaway

  • Lower Bout · 15”
  • Upper Bout · 11.875“
  • Waist · 9.75”
  • Depth · 4.25”
  • Overall Length · 40.5”
  • Scale Length · 25.5”
  • Nut Width: 1 & 3/4" (44.3mm or 1.75")

D - Dreadnought

  • Lower Bout · 16”
  • Upper Bout · 11.875”
  • Waist · 10.875”
  • Depth · 5”
  • Overall Length · 41”
  • Scale Length · 25.5”
  • Nut Width: 1 & 11/16"

J - Jumbo

  • Lower Bout · 17"
  • Upper Bout · 12.5"
  • Waist · 10.75"
  • Depth · 4.75" - 4.875"
  • Scale Length · 25.5"
  • Nut Width · 1 & 3/4" (44.3mm or 1.75")
  • Scale Length · 25.5”
  • Length · 20 5/8"

Larrivee Lancaster

Larrivée Lancaster

L - Larrivée Body

  • Lower Bout · 16”
  • Upper Bout · 11.625”
  • Waist · 10.25”
  • Depth · 4.75”
  • Overall Length · 40.75”
  • Scale Length · 25.5”
  • Nut Width: 1 & 3/4" (44.3mm or 1.75")

LJ-body or CJ-body

  • Lower Bout: 17"
  • Upper Bout: 12.5"
  • Waist: 10.75"
  • Depth: 4.75"
  • Scale Length: 25.5"
  • Nut Width: 1 & 3/4" (44.3mm or 1.75")
  • Length 20 5/8"

LS - Larrivée Small Body

  • Lower Bout · 15”
  • Upper Bout · 11.875“ (11.25" measured on one)
  • Waist · 9.75” (9.5" measured on one)
  • Depth · 4.25” (3.75" at heel)
  • Body Length - 19.75"
  • Overall Length · 40.5”
  • Scale Length · 25.5”
  • Nut Width: 1 & 3/4" (44.3mm or 1.75")

LSV - Larrivée Small Body with a Venetian Cutaway

  • Lower Bout · 15.125”
  • Upper Bout · 11.375“
  • Waist · 9.75”
  • Depth · 4.125”
  • Overall Length · ___ ”
  • Scale Length · 24.75”
  • Nut Width: 1 & 3/4" (44.3mm or 1.75")
  • Fretboard Radious: 16-21" Compound
  • Setup for Medium Gauge Strings
  • Frets: Nickel Silver
  • Frets Width: 2.5 mm (0.0985")
  • Frets Height 1.0mm (0.0394")
  • Gloss UV Finish Body & Neck

OM - Orchestra Model

  • Lower Bout · 15.375”
  • Upper Bout · 11.75”
  • Waist · 9.625”
  • Depth · 4.25”
  • Overall Length · 40.5”
  • Scale Length · 25.5”
  • Nut Width: 1 & 3/4" (44.3mm or 1.75")
  • Setup for Light Gauge Strings
  • Frets: Nickel / Silver
  • Fretboard Radius: 17" to 21" Compound
  • Frets Width: 2.5 mm (0.0985")
  • Frets Height: 1.0 mm (0.0394")

source

OO Body

  • Lower Bout: 14"
  • Upper Bout: 10"
  • Waist: 8.25"
  • Depth: 4"
  • Scale Length: 25.5",
  • 12 fret to body
  • Nut Width: 1 & 3/4" (44.3mm or 1.75")
  • Body Length 19-1/8"

OOOO Body

  • Lower Bout · 15.375”
  • Upper Bout · 11.125”
  • Waist · 9.375”
  • Depth · 4.5”
  • Overall Length · ???
  • Scale Length · 25.5”
  • Nut Width: 1 & 13/16"
  • Fretboard Radius: 16" to 21" Compound
  • Setup for medium gauge strings
  • Frets Width: 2.5 mm (0.0985")
  • Frets Height: 1.0 mm (0.0394")

Also: 12th-fret neck join — source

P - Parlor

  • Lower Bout · 13.25”
  • Upper Bout · 9.5“
  • Waist · 7.75”
  • Depth · 4.5”
  • Overall Length · 36.75”
  • Scale Length · 24”

SD - Slope Dreadnaught

  • Lower Bout · 15”
  • Upper Bout · 11.25“
  • Waist · 10.5”
  • Depth · 4.875”
  • Overall Length · 40.5”
  • Scale Length · 25.5”

Classical

  • Lower Bout · 15”
  • Upper Bout · 11.875“
  • Waist · 9.75”
  • Depth · 4.25”
  • Overall Length · 40.5”
  • Scale Length · 660 mm (approximately 26”)
  • Nut Width: 2"
LS-30 Classical

Example: Larrivée Classical Model 38

Current Model Comparisons

Source: Larrivée web site December 2009

Introduction from the Larrivée Site

This page contains the information which allows you to quickly compare multiple

models. Remember that every guitar we manufacture is hand-built, which means that they specs are the guidelines we use, but that the final specification may vary slightly.

Series Details

Feature Comparison


FEATURE
-03
-05
-09
-10
-19
-50
-60
SD-50
SD-60
-30
All Solid Wood Construction
Symetrical X Bracing
 
Hand Fit Dove Dail Neck Join
Ebony Fingerboard
Ebony Bridge
 
Single Piece Mahogany Neck
Ivroid Fretboard Binding
 
Solid Wood Body Binding
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Abalone Rosette  
 
Satin Finish Neck
 
Satin Finish Body
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transparent Pickguard
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exclusive Beveled Pickguard  
 

FEATURE
-03
-05
-09
-10
-19
-50
-60
SD-50
SD-60
-30
Gloss Finish Body  
Mother of Pearl Logo  
 
 
Microdot fretboard Markers  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Abalone Soundboard Purfling  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deluxe Fretboard Inlays  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deluxe Bridge Wing Inlays  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Vine Fretboard Inlays  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Vine Headstock Inlays w/ Logo  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Open Back Stainless Steel Tuners  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Flat Top Headstock w/ Volute  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pearl Diamond Fretboard Inlays  
 
 
 
 
 
Herringbone Soundboard Purfling  
 
 
 
 
 
Stainless Steel Side Mounted Tuners  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Slotted Headstock w/ Volute  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Symetrical Fan Bracing  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rosewood Bridge  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ebony Fretboard Binding  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Handmade Classical Tuners  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Classical Slotted Headstock  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mosaic Rosette  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                     


Nut Width Comparison

Model
1 & 11/16"
1 & 3/4"
1 & 7/8"
2"
Dreadnoughts
     
Larrivee Bodies (All Series 6-String)  
   
Orchestra Models (All Series 6-String)  
   
Parlors  
   
Slope Dreadnaughts    
 
All Twelve Strings    
 
Classical Guitars      


Older Model Comparisons

Source: Webarchive

 

 

Parlor

-02 Series

-03 Series

-04 Series

-05 Series

-09 Series

-10 Series

All solid wood construction

Symmetrical bracing

Hand-fit dovetail neck joint

Ebony fretboard & bridge

Single piece mahogany neck

Transparent pick guard

Composite nut & saddle

Fretboard binding

Limited lifetime warranty

Satin finish

 

 

 

 

Gloss finish

 

 

 

Wood body binding

 

 

 

 

Inlaid silver headstock border

 

 

 

 

Pearl Larrivee headstock logo

 

 

 

 

Abalone rosette

 

 

 

 

Deluxe fretboard inlay

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abalone purfling around top

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pearl position markers

 

 

 

 

 

 



Finishes

The first guitars were sprayed with hot laquer, and around '84 we changed to a modified Polyurethane varnish - Great stuff. We used that up until around 1995 (I think) when we started messing with Crown Metro's UV polyester. There were problems with crown metro and eventually we ended up using the MCfadden UV polyester. Mcfadden recently went bankrupt and we have switched to a new UV finish - which is relatively problem free and made locally in California.
The modified polyurethane was catalyzed. Up until 2 months ago the UV was not catalyzed. Now the UV is dual cured with partial catalyzation with cobalt & peroxide, and UV light.

Source: Matthew Larrivée October 2010


Update as of 2016-01-30

Current Finish

Gloss Guitars: Pure Acrylic Urethane hi-sheen Topcoat (Catalyzed), over top of a Catalyzed Urethane Basecoat.

Satin: Pure Acrylic Urethane 10% Sheen Satin Finish (Catalyzed), Over top of a Catalyzed Urethane base coat

WE USE NO POLYESTER ON ANY ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENTS

2009-2013

Gloss Guitars: Urethane hi-sheen Topcoat (Catalysed), over top of a UV Polyester Basecoat

Satin: Pure Acrylic Urethane 10% Sheen Satin Finish (Catalyzed), over top of a UV Polyester Basecoat

Approx 1990-2009

Gloss Guitars: UV Polyester Topcoat, over top of a UV Polyester Basecoat

Satin: Pure Acrylic 12.5% Sheen Satin Finish (Catalyzed), over top of a UV Polyester Basecoat

Approx 1983-1990

Gloss Guitars: Catalyzed Modified Varnish Topcoat/Basecoat (Polyurethane Based)

Satin: No satin guitars made during this time

1967 to Approx 1983

Gloss Guitars: Hot Sprayed Nitrocellulose Lacquer

Satin: No satin guitars made during this time

Source: Larrivée Forum 2016-01-30

Truss Rods

1967 > 1985 = Static non-adjustable truss rod.

1985 > 2008 = Single action truss rod.

2008 > present = Dual action truss rod.

Of course there were crossover periods while supplies were used up. For instance, we had an overstock of Parlor single action truss rods when we switched to dual action. So the Parlors were still single action for some time after 2008. Same with 00's and other 12 fretters. The glossy guitars got the dual action first while the satins used up the remaining single action. By 2010 everything was dual action. Source: JM Larrivée

Construction - Internal Back Strip

LarriveeInternalBackStrip.jpg
Jean’s first guitars had the internal back strip [as mentioned]. I believe he used it somewhere through to about 1983-84. If I remember correctly it stopped when we moved to North Vancouver. At the time the strip did serve to reinforce the back because we had a decorative strip of purfling down the center seem. When that purfling strip was removed from the design, the mahogany re-enforcement was no longer necessary.
Fast forward to 2007 when we made the JCL re-issue guitars… We put the re-enforcement strip on these guitars because we added the purfling strip again. We looked at it and realized we liked the look of it inside the instrument and so we decided to put the strip on all of the glossy guitars in the California shop. The Canadian shop also puts the strips on -05 series and up guitars but does not put them on -03’s because of the added cost involved. We do sometimes add the strips to special run -03’s that we make in California.
The strip is mostly decorative – It does help somewhat on extremely oily woods, but really the center seam join we do is so strong that it is un-necessary.

Source - Matthew Larrivée