Jean built his first two guitars under Mönch's tutelage before setting up a workshop in his home, where he continued to build and study. The energy which had fueled nightly five hour practice sessions was now directed toward learning to construct instruments. He had found his life's work.

Today; Jean, his wife Wendy, his son Matthew and daughter Christine all work in the California plant producing the gloss finish guitars. Jean's other son John Jr runs the Canadian plant which produces Larrivee’s satin models.