Larrivee 'Vancouver' Bass - anyone know 'em?

[CaseyVancouver]

A used Larrivee bass is up for sale locally and I'm intrigued. I know the Larrivee acoustic guitars are popular & the wood comes from British Columbia. Don't know a thing about the 'Vancouver' bass. Anyone seen or played this thing? Not sure what kind of dough it sold for new but Larrivee basses are currently off the company menu.

Tempted to check it out.

Cheers!

 

[kittywithabanjo]

I think they were in the 1k to 1.5k mark in the early 90s/late 80s when they were available. They were good basses usually alder bodies I believe with EMGS.

 

[bholder]

I like mine, all I can say (fretless 6).

 

[CaseyVancouver]

I like mine, all I can say (fretless 6).
View attachment 1066707

Cool! Thanks for posting.

 

[kesslari]

A friend in the late 1980's had one. He enjoyed it and sounded great on it.

 

[joebar]

I was just talking to my tech this week and he said the larrivee should have stuck with building acoustics only;

 

[CaseyVancouver]

I was just talking to my tech this week and he said the larrivee should have stuck with building acoustics only;

Any specific issues?

 

[Badwater]

Back in the late 90s early 00s they made some high end acoustic guitars.

 

[joebar]

Not sure; only that his acoustics are great- I remember a few basses in the late eighties where I used to live- had EMG's and a pointy headstock. That all I know

 

[CaseyVancouver]

Back in the late 90s early 00s they made some high end acoustic guitars.

Yep, they still make them, a lot of money. Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield played a gig on the Space Station with a Larrivee, heh heh. I used to train past the Larrivee workshop on the way to work.

 

[CaseyVancouver]

Ok, went to this sleezy pawn shop and checked it out. While there, no customers but about 5 guys came in with tools they need to unload. Hmmmm.

Looked hardly played, had the worst worn out crap round wounds on it, and was set up all wrong. Like a kid had messed with the string height and intonation, yuk. Balance was nice, fingerboard ebony, black paint with a touch of metallic good but a couple dents.

Plug it in ....nothing. No sound. The 'tech' checks the battery, still nothing. He takes it apart and cleans some bits, nope. I kinda like the bass so offer about 25% less to take it as is. Hey, why not.
He wants a bit more. Nope ain't gonna happen today.

Somebody else will get it and clean up a few issues and get a great '80s heavy metal bass.
34" string length, ebony board, active emg's. Super nice when done.

Looking at Talkbass classifieds I see an Alembic that I really need. Really need!
Bought it.

Larrivee, someone else will get you. And really dig you.

 

[spacepet]

i still have my Larrivee Bass. sound and plays great.

 

[Brian Browne]

Love mine, bought it custom made in 1984 I think, paid $1500 CAD, still feels and sounds amazing, one of the only basses I have never been able to part with as it was my first real bass at 17...had to work hard as a buss boy to buy this...lol

 

[Sparky Mark]

I used to own the same model. Active EMG PJ pups (can't remember the control configuration) slim through maple neck with ebony board. It was lightweight and the black paint had a slightly pearlescent shimmer. Chrome Schaller hardware including straplocking buttons. Everything was top quality and I paid approximately £200 ($300US) secondhand back in the 90s. The pointy headstock was the only feature that I didn't care for, but it was a lovely bass to play and I'd probably buy it back if I ever saw it again for the right price.