13 - Ukulele Builders, Luthiers and Manufactures: L

More information available on the LEHO Ukuleles's web site.

More information available on the Lahaina Ukuleles's web site.

Lanikai Makes Me Happy This mantra affects us all here at Lanikai. From the simple joys of learning a new song, to playing with friends it was clear there was more to this instrument than its makeup. When playing a Lanikai it is as if a childhood friend comes to visit, it is 2 hours before dark and you have plenty of time to climb that tree before you have to go home.

More information available on the Lanikai Ukuleles's web site.

History

Since 1967, Jean Larrivée has been building some of the finest guitars in the world. His legendary craftsmenship can be found on every instrument that bears his name. Jean’s deep passion and lifetime of experience continues to inspire and inform a new generation of talented guitars makers. Today, the Larrivée workshop is a collaborative effort of a remarkable team, producing instruments as unique and extraordinary as the people who craft them.

More information available on the Jean Larrivee Guitars Ltd.'s web site.

More information available on the Laughlin Ukulele's web site.

They are manufactured exclusively in Portugal. Our necks are made from seasoned mahogany, for strength, and have a rosewood or wenge fretboard with accurate fret placement. The bridges are also rosewood or wenge, depending on availability. Both wenge and rosewood are very attractive hardwoods that make excellent fretboards and bridges. We use only high quality gold plated tuners which hold their tune very well. All instruments have a great looking durable matte finish. They are all strung with the traditional style of black nylon strings.

More information available on the Lehua Ukuleles's web site.

More information available on the Jay Lichty's web site.

I feel very fortunate to have studied guitar building with Charles Fox, founder of The American School of Lutherie. Charles has been a huge influence in my instrument making, and the knowledge and inspiration I’ve gained from his classes have set a very high standard for me. I usually feature inlay work on my instruments. I have had the honor of studying shell inlay with Larry Robinson, renowned artist, teacher and author on the subject of custom inlay techniques. Larry’s influence on me has been profound.

More information available on the Little River Ukuleles's web site.

More information available on the Stuart Longridge's web site.

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.

More information available on the Luna Guitars's web site.

Le studio de design Algam Studio grâce à un style affirmé tout en en finesse qui met en lumière l’élégance de la lutherie Française et une véritable obsession du détail, a propulsé les guitares du Maitre Luthier Michel Lâg au delà des frontières Françaises. De part leurs qualités acoustiques et esthétiques subtilement remarquables, elles collectionnent les récompenses internationales décernées par la profession.

More information available on the LA Guitars & Ukulele's web site.