Why is Jean Larrivee doing pushups on a big log in the forests of British Columbia? Keeping fit to build guitars?

It's just another day for Jean Sr - out walking the log booms in the forests of British Columbia looking for perfect Sitka Spruce logs which will produce the Larrivee tone years to come. Jean is the only major builder in the world to be this involved with selection of wood. The log in the above picture will provide soundboards for over 2000 guitars! 

Sometimes these trips out to the booms come up empty handed - the conditions have to be just right: The logs have to be perfect in size, color, straightness, etc; the price has to be right; and the 'mojo' has to be there as well. This trip though was different though - Never in their almost 40 year history have they seen this much perfect Sitka in one place. Needless to say, they've made the biggest one time purchase of wood they have ever made and boy are they excited!!

When you are looking at 3000 logs floating along the edge a river, it's challenging to find the perfect one... and it can be dangerous work! Above you can see Jean inspecting the end of a log looking for even grain dispersal and various other factors - One wrong step or movement and you could be taking a dip in glacier water!

(Source: Larrivee Guitars News)