4 Luthiers & Builders - Florida
Augustino LoPrinzi Guitars
1929 Drew Street Clearwater. Florida 33765 USA Telephone (727) 447-2276 Fax (727)446-7704 loprinzi@gate.net
Listing Info
from the Augustino LoPrinzi Guitars web site
One of the worlds finest classical guitar builders in the world is now one of the worlds finest ukulele builders. Ukulele Hall of Fame Expo 2004 - I had the pleasure of playing a few of Augustino LoPrinzi’s ukulele at the expo show September 2004 and the are amazing. Light, responsive and reasonable priced for the quality they are. They could easily cost $1000 more than the current price. Here is a nice <a href="http://www.stpetersburgtimes.com/2002/01/21/Floridian/The_Duke_of_Uke.php" target="_blank">article</a> titled The Duke of Uke from the St. Petersburg Times.
#####The History of Augustino LoPrinzi Guitars & Ukuleles##### Through the years, Augustino has consulted or designed stringed instruments for many companies including Guild, Martin, Kramer, Fender and others. Many of today’s well-known guitar-builders got their start helping out in Augustino’s shop, observing and learning from the master. In the beginning Augustino learned by trial and error. He had discovered early on that it is not only the completion of nearly 300 steps to building a good guitar, but the sequence used to complete them. The importance of using high quality seasoned woods is essential, Augie insists. He’s invested much of his money in wood, knowing that the price of it was always going up and the quality kept going down. On the average, instruments he builds today are from woods ranging in age from four to eight years. The absolute minimum age of the wood he uses for instrument construction is two years—going up in age to the stash of Brazilian rosewood which he purchased in 1963. Augie has always known the importance of persistence and hard work. He has lived by his father’s words, “Do good work and the money will come.” According to him he is still waiting on the money, but he still continues to strive to build the best possible guitar he can build. Whether the money comes or not Augustino says he still loves what he is doing.
More information available on the Augustino LoPrinzi Guitars's web site.
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Luna Guitars
4924 West Waters Ave. Tampa, Florida 33634 USA Toll Free: 1-866-854-5045
Listing Info
from the Luna Guitars web site
Yvonne de Villiers, the accomplished stained-glass artist who envisioned Luna Guitars. Yvonne's inspiration for a line of guitars designed to maximize playing comfort came from her mother, Hilda Williers, an electric bass player for more than 40 years.
Launched in 2005 from the mind of a professional stained-glass artist, Luna began as an acoustic guitar brand that swiftly established itself among popular artists as having instruments with a unique look and delightful sound. New models featured artwork from well-known artists, Henna designs and other patterns that with a goal in mind to place a unique touch to an already main stream instrument. Many design ideas came from symbolic elements that have empowered people throughout history such as the dragon and the phoenix. Guitars were built with slimmer necks and lighter bodies, keeping the female guitar-player in mind by offering a comfortable alternative. To understand the thought-process behind Luna instruments is to understand and appreciate world culture, nature and art.
More information available on the Luna Guitars's web site.
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Heirloom Ukuleles
Ken & Virginia Miller 1819 Raa Ave. Tallahassee, Florida 32303 USA USA Phone: (850) 386-4157 eMail: kv@kenmillerguitars.com
Listing Info
from the Heirloom Ukuleles web site
Ken Miller started his building career in 1962 when his guitar needed repairs and he fixed it himself. Soon other people were bringing their instruments to him to repair. In the early 70’s he spent several years working at Guild Guitars in Westerly, Rhode Island in a variety of positions including assistant foreman in final assembly. In the following years Ken focused mostly on repairs while managing to build one to four instruments per year. With his wife, Virginia, designing and cutting inlays, they are now building full time.
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Sideways Eight Ukuleles
Gibson Woodworking & Design Andrew Gibson Florida USA Phone: (727) 365-2549 eMail: gibsonwoodworking@gmail.com
Listing Info
from the Sideways Eight Ukuleles web site
Florida Based Furniture Maker and Luthier. I love to use local, eco frendly lumber whenever possible.
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