As you peruse the LMI website, it will become obvious to you that our emphasis is on acoustic instrument making. Other companies put their emphasis on electric guitar components, on specific woods or on repair gizmos. Now, we can’t claim to have absolutely everything for every situation, but being a “one-stop shop” is an aspect…
Read More “Repair Stuff – September 2014”

For a few good reasons, the word ‘kit’ has a bad reputation! Normally, buying a kit (especially a guitar kit) means you are saving a few bucks by using ‘student grade’ materials and because some of the work has been done for you – a great advantage to a beginner hoping to get his or…
Read More “Do Pros Order Kits? – August 2014”

It’s July … and nothing in the instrument world says “fun in the sun” like the humble ukulele! Fun to play and fun to build, the popularity of the ukulele has ballooned over the last ten years, so much so that you would have to have been living in a cave to not notice it.…
Read More “3 Cheers for the Red, White and Uke! – July 2014”

Not so long ago, the world of guitarmaking was a solitary affair. Like many trades, instrument makers (perhaps most famously, violin makers) used to reveal their closely guarded trade secrets slowly and painstakingly within the confines of a traditionally regulated master and apprentice relationship. Those drawn to guitarmaking who could not find (or were not…
Read More “LMI, Luthier Communities and the Upcoming GAL Convention – June 2014”

It’s been ten years now since we moved from our old spot in Healdsburg, California to where we are now in Windsor, CA. That move was motivated by a need to quicken our shipping operation and the result was industry-wide renown for quick delivery backed up by our ASAP shipping guarantee. We were also able…
Read More “Our Expanded Shop, Professional Tools and LMI Shop Services – May 2014”

When Honduran Mahogany was categorized under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) Appendix II a few years ago, a clear signal was sent about the future of neck woods. The CITES designation didn’t eliminate the flow of this staple tonewood (whose remarkable stability has made it a great choice for necks) but it…
Read More “NECK WOOD ALTERNATIVES – APRIL 2014”

At the beginning of each year representatives from LMI visit the leading music products trade show, the NAMM show, held in Anaheim, CA. It’s an overwhelming feast for the senses, with just about everything music related (drums, software, speakers, microphones, trumpets, cables, straps, guitars and much more) all represented in one loud, crowded, sprawling complex.…
Read More “LMI’S WOOD DRYING & PREPARATION – MARCH 2014”