Progress of my custom LFdM

Laouik · Nov 25, 2014

So a few months ago I splurged and ordered a custom LFdM tenor. I have one of his spec ukuleles (#6, one of the early ones), which will be my low-G and this new one my high-G tenor. It's near completion and couldn't help but share some pictures!

Sitka top, milo sides and back, leopardwood appointments. I'm very glad to have taken his advice on the leopardwod. I'm lucky and live near Luis and saw it in person, that wood has an incredible 3D effect to it.

Ukulele Eddie · Nov 25, 2014

Very, very cool. That is going to be one nice looking Uke. I have never seen an LFdM in person yet, but have heard great things from those who have and have certainly enjoyed the online sound samples I tasted.

mds725 · Nov 25, 2014

Sweet! Is the indentation on the lower boud designed to accommodate your strumming arm?

Rakelele · Nov 25, 2014

This is going to be a wonderful Uke, with the Petite Bouche and the Arm Rest. Very nice details. That Leopardwood looks amazing.

Doc_J · Nov 25, 2014

Gorgeous ! Yes, the leopardwood was a good choice, very cool. Luis' Petite Bouche with the armrest and cutaway is awesome looking ( and sounding ).

wayfarer75 · Nov 25, 2014

That looks great! The leopardwood will look especially nice once finished.

sam13 · Nov 25, 2014

Hey ... this is fabulous ... so pleased you are picking up a LFdM ... he is a gentleman, an incredible builder and his wisdom about tone and building is pretty amazing. Look forward to the sound sample.

Laouik · Nov 25, 2014

Ukulele Eddie said:
Very, very cool. That is going to be one nice looking Uke. I have never seen an LFdM in person yet, but have heard great things from those who have and have certainly enjoyed the online sound samples I tasted.

If I hadn't had the chance to see/try one about four years ago, I would likely have gone a safer route and acquired one of the K brands, there's so much or a luthier's personality in these custom instruments. He has over 40 of them in the wild now, and form his website it seems that he's directing customers to HMS...

Laouik · Nov 25, 2014

mds725 said:
Sweet! Is the indentation on the lower boud designed to accommodate your strumming arm?

Yes yes. A "Laskin-style" armrest he calls it. I love it. The feel of it, the sophisticated touch it adds.

RichM · Nov 25, 2014

Laouik said:
If I hadn't had the chance to see/try one about four years ago, I would likely have gone a safer route and acquired one of the K brands, there's so much or a luthier's personality in these custom instruments. He has over 40 of them in the wild now, and form his website it seems that he's directing customers to HMS...

You deserve a lot of the credit for introducing Luis to UU-- I know I learned about him from your posts, and my LFdM is one of my prized possessions.

Laouik · Nov 25, 2014

Rakelele said:
This is going to be a wonderful Uke, with the Petite Bouche and the Arm Rest. Very nice details. That Leopardwood looks amazing.

Can't wait to see it with the finish on... he gave me a hint by applying a touch of lighter fluid to a piece of leopardwood and it looks like no other wood I've seen before. Reminded me a bit of amber.

RichM · Nov 25, 2014

Laouik said:
Yes yes. A "Laskin-style" armrest he calls it. I love it. The feel of it, the sophisticated touch it adds.

Is it beveled? I can't tell from the photos. The bevel is what makes the Laskin (named for incredible luthier Grit Laskin) armrest unique. I have one on my Allan Beardsell guitar, and I love it.

Laouik · Nov 25, 2014

Doc_J said:
Gorgeous ! Yes, the leopardwood was a good choice, very cool. Luis' Petite Bouche with the armrest and cutaway is awesome looking ( and sounding ).

I'm looking forward to it, and with a side soundport it'll give me even more of a relationship with the sound so I can focus on improving my tone.

Laouik · Nov 25, 2014

RichM said:
Is it beveled? I can't tell from the photos. The bevel is what makes the Laskin (named for incredible luthier Grit Laskin) armrest unique. I have one on my Allan Beardsell guitar, and I love it.

Yes, and Luis is clear that it's a Laskin-style armrest giving him full credit.

Laouik · Nov 25, 2014

sam13 said:
Hey ... this is fabulous ... so pleased you are picking up a LFdM ... he is a gentleman, an incredible builder and his wisdom about tone and building is pretty amazing. Look forward to the sound sample.

Thank you. And can't agree more with your description of the man. I've been very lucky and met him a few times, even had a couple of meals with him at his home/workshop as we talked ukuleles, methods, sound, woods, etc. Having a custom instrument is one thing, having an instrument built by someone whom you know, respect and trust is another.

Laouik · Nov 25, 2014

RichM said:
You deserve a lot of the credit for introducing Luis to UU-- I know I learned about him from your posts, and my LFdM is one of my prized possessions.

Haha he deserves all the credit and his instruments speak for themselves. I only rambled on when in the thralls of UAS

Laouik · Nov 25, 2014

RichM said:
Is it beveled? I can't tell from the photos. The bevel is what makes the Laskin (named for incredible luthier Grit Laskin) armrest unique. I have one on my Allan Beardsell guitar, and I love it.

Here's a better pic of the Laskin-style armrest from a recent build he did for HMS (I looked at a lot of his pics before deciding on the details of mine...):

RichM · Nov 25, 2014

Laouik said:
Here's a better pic of the Laskin-style armrest from a recent build he did for HMS (I looked at a lot of his pics before deciding on the details of mine...):

Mmm, that's a tasty set of ukes!

sam13 · Nov 25, 2014

Laouik said:
Thank you. And can't agree more with your description of the man. I've been very lucky and met him a few times, even had a couple of meals with him at his home/workshop as we talked ukuleles, methods, sound, woods, etc. Having a custom instrument is one thing, having an instrument built by someone whom you know, respect and trust is another.

Hey DownUpDave and I live out east of Toronto ... we should get together some time and have a uke jam ... you are very fortunate ... and while I have not had some meals with him I really cherish the time with Luis. In addition to his passionate luthier skills, his diplomatic nature and gentle spirit really impact his instruments.

I am in line for an April 2015 build date ... Sinker Redwood, with Malaysian Blackwood back and sides, sound port and arm rest ... can't wait! A tremendous birthday gift to myself.

Camsuke · Nov 25, 2014

These really are great looking ukuleles, congratulations! Please post a sound sample when you get a chance, I'd love to have a listen.

Progress of my custom LFdM

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