Larrivée relaunches in the UK with Tommy Emmanuel custom guitar

Acoustic guitar maker Larrivée has relaunched in the UK, beginning with a Tommy Emmanuel custom. Take a look at Emmanuel demonstrating the guitar above.

John Larrivée Jr spoke to MI Trade News about the new custom guitar, telling the story of how it came about: “Jean Larrivée built a stunning custom C-10 12 fret with Wendy Larrivée’s “Angel” headstock inlay for Tommy, fondly known as ‘The Boss’. The guitar has since found its way on many studio albums and distinct live performances.

“Then a few years ago, as part of our 50th Anniversary celebrations, we built a replica of Tommy’s C-10 custom and gave it away at a Tommy Emmanuel show in Santa Barbara. The feedback was overwhelming. Many Tommy fans and Larrivée players alike wanted to get their hands on one. But a C-10 custom with inlay can be unaffordable to most people. That’s when Tommy and I started talking about replicating his C-10 on an 03 Series and making it more accessible to players.

“Tommy loved the idea, so we took the key features of East Indian Rosewood back & sides, BC Sitka Spruce top, a Florentine cutaway, and 12-fret neck joint and put them on one of our 03 series. What we came up with was the C-03R-TE Custom “Tommy Emmanuel.” It’s been lovely to have Tommy’s full support and supported enthusiasm. What a great ride sharing his name with Larrivée. Of course, every label inside the guitar is hand-signed.”

The company launched with a new distributor, 440 Distribution, whose roster includes Cort, Godin and Fishman. John Larrivée Jr also commented on the new partnership, saying: “440 is the number one distribution in the UK to put Larrivée into the hands of players. Great leadership, great team, great culture. They love what they do. They are simply brilliant.”

Tom Harrison of 440 Distribution added: “I’m delighted to be representing Larrivée guitars in the UK & Eire. I feel we now have a complete guitar portfolio, with Larrivée joining Godin and Cort as 440 distributed brands. I feel that Larrivée will benefit being in the hands of a distributor who understands their unique ethos in the guitar making world & its family philosophy. The team and I are really excited to be working with the Larrivée family.”

Find out more about Larivée here. For more guitar news, click here.