Larrivee Electric Bass

I bought this second hand off Ebay in 2006. Made around 1990 in Canada. 22 frets four string bass. two sets of active EMG pickups (neck set split, bridge set single). Do not know body or neck material, but fingerboard is ebony. Glossy black finish (including bridge, tuners etc). Non locking Schaller tuners. Individual volume controls for each set of pickups and tone control. Bolt on neck which is very fast. From research this appears to be the RB-2 model (There was also the LB-2 and RB-2C).

Very rich sound when dialled in correctly, which suits my style perfectly (blues). Currently used with H & H Studio60 amp. Have played loads of bases over 30 years and the Larrivee outguns them all. The only downside is that the range of tones is slightly limited compared to some other actives that I have played (but this can easily be compensated by careful consideration of amp).

Action was fine when bought, maybe a little high for my liking, but easily adjusted with the allen key truss rod which is accessed from the nut end of the neck. Overall this bass screams quality. considering its age, I could not find any flaws or signs of poor quality finishing. Apart from a few scratches and a single ding on the back of the body, you could swear that this is a current model.

This is a very solid bass with top notch hardware. If not abused I can see this bass lasting me a lifetime. The finish is rich and deep but suffers like any,if attacked with a sharp object (some previous owner!).

I have had no reason the contact the manufacturers.

I have been playing basses off and on for over 30 years, including Fenders, a Kramer (old type aluminium neck rare woods body unbelievably heavy but great sound and stayed in tune for ever!) and a couple of Peaveys. The Larrivee has all the best bits of the other basses that I have played with none of the faults. I was considering splashing out on a Peavey Cirrus but am so so glad that I didn't. This one does it all for me. I would happily have paid double and still got a bargain. If stolen, I would definitely get another one (if I could as they are so rare).

I brought this new in 1990. Its a Strat shaped, neck through 4 string with a pointed 80's style headstock. It has a very fast slim neck with 22 frets and has twin active p j emg's. Controls are two volume and tone knob. The body I think is alder covered in a durable white paint job. It came with schaller tuners and string locks. The bass is very light and effortless to play all evening.

I play rock and this bass sounds really good with a clean bright attack. However mine has quite a low output and its signal is much lower than my Status bass. I do find the twin volumes for each pickup slightly annoying and I would prefer a single volume contral with pick up mix and tone.

This is a great bass to play seated and standing and was really well adjusted from the shop. The whole screams class and is a pleasure to play.

This is a really reliable bass. Only concern is that I think the signal has got weaker over the years (could just be me through).

Not needed to contact

This is a great bass and is one I would never part with. Ever bass player who has ever tried the bass agress that it is a fantastic. The body shape and contouring are faultless.

Made in 1984 British Columbia, Canada
This is a fretless 4 string electric s/n 4592
It is a charcoal black solid body with a neck that runs through the body (or deeply set). The body and neck are mahogany and the fingerboard is ebony and neck shape is thin.
There are three controls, two volume and one tone to control the active EMG pickups. The is a P-bass type in the neck position and a jazz bass type in the bridge position.
The finish is solid colour with very subtle metalic glitter.
The body style is jazz oriented.
The bridge is surface mounted with four inependent saddles.
The tuners are Schaller, non locking.

I play blues and classic rock through Gallien Krueger 400RB/112.
The sound is full and warm with ample brightness. It is well suited to live music with a good range of tones. It is not suited to slap'n'pop.

I bought this guitar new. I traded a 1967 Fender Telecaster bass plus 200.00 Canadian for it in 1984 because it was beautiful, played effortlessly and had a distinguished sound.

This is a very well made 21 year old instrument. I have no complaints here.

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I have been playing for 40 years and owned lots of basses, guitars, amps. I wish I had held on to the Telecaster Bass for its collectablility but I would not have done without this bass. I like this bass because it plays so effortlessly with plenty of expression.
I have played many basses and found this one to stand out. It could never be replaced. It may be one of a kind.

I bought this used. I was told its a 1990. Its got twp EMG active pickups. No idea what kind of woods, except the fretboard ,I think, is rosewood. Its kind of strat shaped. I've only seen these in the store whereI biught it. Evidently, Larrivee only made electrics for a few years around 1990, but they should make them again. Deep eggplant in color-almost black in dim lights.

I primarily play six or twelve string guitar, but have wanted a bass for awhile. This bass sounds excellent, very punchy. It has two active pickups, one split, the other regular. Cut and boost control(oneknob-stacked), and volume foe each. Very easy to play.

Set up was fine. Everything worked well. Good action

Needs a battery once a year for the active pickups. THIS BASS SCREAMS QUALITY. Rock solid, will last a long time. I'd play w/o a backup.

Very disappointing. I emailed the company twice, never a response.

Been playing for 37 years. I play this mostly through a POD (regular, not the Bass POD), it sounds great, usually through the Bassman amp.
The active pick-ups are very versitile. I like everything about this bass. It sounds very different from a Fender, which is good for variety.