My new custom LoPrinzi uke!

bassfiddlesteve · Sep 4, 2010

I just got it today! I ordered a mahogany concert model with the older, large body style (the newer LoPrinzi concerts are not much larger than their sopranos). I also requested a 12 fret ebony fingerboard with no extension, peghed tuners and cream binding. It sounds great and I can't wait to perform and record with it. Here's a pic:

Here are some more pictures including some I took while it was being built: link

- Steve

JT_Ukes · Sep 4, 2010

Awesome!

hey.. that looks just like the one I want.... hmmmmm

mm stan · Sep 4, 2010

Aloha Steve,
Contrats on the custom, it's a one beautiful ukulele...it kinda, sorta looks like a martin style 2 with the binding.
I like the nice tight, straight grain of the Mahogany and the finish in the sunlight make it pop even more...
Just wondering if you got it with a thin sounboard for volume of the old style or thicker like the current style for resonation and substain.
Many thanks for sharing...jus drooling and jealous.... Happy Playin'!!!! MM Stan...

thejumpingflea · Sep 4, 2010

Looks fantastic.

Just out of curiosity, why the 12 frets? Is it purely aesthetic?

bassfiddlesteve · Sep 4, 2010

mm stan said:
it kinda, sorta looks like a martin style 2 with the binding.

That's the look I was going for

- Steve

bassfiddlesteve · Sep 4, 2010

thejumpingflea said:
Just out of curiosity, why the 12 frets? Is it purely aesthetic?

I like the feel of a neck that joins the body at the twelfth fret. I also find that the upper frets on an extended fingerboard get in my way when I am fingerpicking. I certainly never play up that high, so I'd just as soon do without them. I was also going for the vintage asthetic of a 12 fret neck and a larger body like the Martin Concert and Harmony "Johnny Marvin" Professional Tenor pictured below.

Despite the name, the Harmony is actually a concert sized ukulele.

- Steve

thejumpingflea · Sep 4, 2010

bassfiddlesteve said:
I like the feel of a neck that joins the body at the twelfth fret. I also find that the upper frets on an extended fingerboard get in my way when I am fingerpicking. I certainly never play up that high, so I'd just as soon do without them. I was also going for the vintage asthetic of a 12 fret neck and a larger body like the Martin Concert and Harmony "Johnny Marvin" Professional Tenor pictured below.

Despite the name, the Harmony is actually a concert sized ukulele.

- Steve

That makes a lot of sense. Better playability for you and a more traditional look. Win, win! It is a great looking uke and I look forward to seeing your videos and hearing recordings with it. I am a big fan of you and your daughters work. Keep it up!

Lexxy · Sep 4, 2010

Now that, is nice.

Chris Tarman · Sep 4, 2010

bassfiddlesteve said:
That's the look I was going for

- Steve

Yeah, it looks a LOT like a Martin Style 2. Very nice!

sukie · Sep 4, 2010

Happy New Uke Day!

guitharsis · Sep 4, 2010

Love it! Congrats!

Pippin · Sep 4, 2010

bassfiddlesteve said:
I like the feel of a neck that joins the body at the twelfth fret. I also find that the upper frets on an extended fingerboard get in my way when I am fingerpicking. I certainly never play up that high, so I'd just as soon do without them. I was also going for the vintage asthetic of a 12 fret neck and a larger body like the Martin Concert and Harmony "Johnny Marvin" Professional Tenor pictured below.

Despite the name, the Harmony is actually a concert sized ukulele.

- Steve

Steve, that is a really important point about the upper frets get in the way of finger-picking. I never really thought about that even though I am constantly reviewing ukuleles for the magazine. I am going to have to be aware of that from now onward. That is an important observation and probably does explain the popularity of twelve-fret necks.

mds725 · Sep 4, 2010

Congratulations on the gorgeous new ukulele! I look forward to hearing what it sounds like.

iDavid · Sep 5, 2010

Would that be considered a model C with added high-gloss.

How much did this beauty coast ya?

JT_Ukes · Sep 5, 2010

Pippin said:
Steve, that is a really important point about the upper frets get in the way of finger-picking. I never really thought about that even though I am constantly reviewing ukuleles for the magazine. I am going to have to be aware of that from now onward. That is an important observation and probably does explain the popularity of twelve-fret necks.

I have that problem with the frets geting in the way of finger picking on my Kala Tenor. Great idea to just not heve them there!

JT

Regster · Sep 5, 2010

nice uke have fun

Graymalkin · Sep 5, 2010

bassfiddlesteve said:
I like the feel of a neck that joins the body at the twelfth fret. I also find that the upper frets on an extended fingerboard get in my way when I am fingerpicking...

I find it feels a bit weird strumming with frets there, too, but that could just be psychological. I certainly prefer the look of a twelve-fret neck...

mm stan · Sep 5, 2010

Aloha Steve,
I have seen you play an awesome 5K, did you just aquire that one too.....my ukulele of my dreams!!! MM Stan..

bassfiddlesteve · Sep 5, 2010

mm stan said:
Aloha Steve,
I have seen you play an awesome 5K, did you just aquire that one too.....my ukulele of my dreams!!! MM Stan..

Those 5K's belonged to a friend, they weren't mine. The vintage one was just sold by Elderly Instruments. I have a Martin style1 soprano and I used to have a Martin tenor.

- Steve

bassfiddlesteve · Sep 5, 2010

iDavid said:
Would that be considered a model C with added high-gloss.

It's a custom model. I chose the larger body, tuners, finish, binding and shorter fretboard.

- Steve

My new custom LoPrinzi uke!

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