Leo Buendia modified dreadnought build for TAMCO UK
 

I am very excited that Leo Buendia is under way with his first guitar for TAMCO. I first met Leo at the Healdsburg Guitar Festival.

Many will know that Leo is in apprenticeship with the one and only Ervin Somogyi. When I spoke with Ervin he was very enthusiastic about Leo's talents.

This is a modified dreadnought in birdseye maple and Adirondack.



http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/x...psnfuja4v4.jpg


http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/x...psnuowxb75.jpg

http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/x...psabqt7oba.jpg

Nice to see an MD sans cutaway; a pal of mine has one and it's a very comfortable guitar with easy access, cutaway or not.

Cheers,
Steve

Don't see birdseye Maple on acoustic guitars much these days. Being that Leo appears to be one of Ervin's newer "apprentices gone professional" I assume his guitars will be in the Somogyi vein as far as build goes, but probably a lot more affordable at this early stage in his career. I have only seen one of his guitars for sale online but have never actually held one in my hands. Al Petteway wrote that the instrument had that classic "piano-like" power typically found in a Somogyi. Sounds intriguing.

The only LB guitar I've heard sounded slightly different to other ex Somogyi guitars I've heard/played. The LB guitar had lattice bracing so I imagine that might have been part of it.

Looking forward to seeing the progress of the LB Maple guitar.

There is an exceptional LB OM on Guitar Gal website. INCREDIBLE tone and beautiful as well. Wow.

OH WOW!!! This will be great to watch come together.... I have an OM on order for 2017!!! Leo is one seriously awesome builder... I met him at the show a couple years back, and I personally connected with his guitar at the highest level.... I knew right then and there I had to have one.... I recently took the leap of Faith and jumped on board!

for those not yet familiar with his instruments, HEADS UP!

http://buendiaguitars.com/

Thanks for sharing! And killer Maple!

Many thanks to Trevor for sharing these photos and for starting a thread about my guitars.

This instrument is the last one I will be making during my apprenticeship with Ervin, and the first one to go to the UK. It is also my first MD in Maple, with a different aesthetic than my previous work.

Thanks for the great feedback. Your questions are welcome. I can upload more photos as the process continues.

Howdy Leo! Welcome to the AGF! I'm really excited to watch this maple MD come together.... Keep us posted!

Thanks for the heads up Dave.

Steve

Really great stuff on your website, Leo! I look forward to seeing more of your builds here on the forum--welcome!

Leo,

So beautiful - the perfect mix of your individual voice alongside the Somogyi heritage. The two-layered segmented rosettes you've been doing are also just outstanding. Will you be in Woodstock this year?

Cheers,
Martin

Can I ask what the 5 dark lines are on the back ?

Martin,
Thanks so much for you nice comments about my work. Yours look incredible as well. I will be displaying two guitars in Woodstock this year and also going to Memphis show tomorrow as well. Looking forward to meeting you there.

If some crack starts on the back, these strips prevent the crack from continuing along the back.

Yes - just listened to that and, given the vagaries of listening over the internet, I have to agree; sounds wonderful. The bottom end sounded very mod-D like, with a real "thump" despite the OM size. I'd love to play one in person. One to watch for sure.

Cheers,
Steve