Loef Guitars

JKA · #1 11-29-2023, 01:26 PM

I'm considering commissioning a build from Olav Loef in Finland.

I'd be very grateful for any input from members who are familiar with his builds. I haven't decided specs or style yet but I'm leaning towards a Koa Bourgeois OMS style guitar

I emailed him yesterday about the possibility of him building a guitar for me and he replied back today sounding very positive.

Any feedback from members on the forum would be appreciated.

brownsteins · #2 11-29-2023, 02:22 PM

Olav Loef is a great guy and makes splendid instruments. I have had the pleasure of owning a wonderful 12 frets dreadnought and I've played a parlour that was lovely too. The dreadnought I owned was very similar in tone and responsiveness to another 12 fretter I owned before made by Blazer and Henkes. The German instrument cost thrice the price.

Olav has a couple of personal preferences. Zero fret, fancy heel.

He is easy to deal with. He works fast.

Here's a short video a dear friend and fellow forum member shot a while ago.

I hope this helps.

JKA · #3 11-29-2023, 02:43 PM

Thank you for that, it's very much appreciated. Love 12 fret slopes. I like a zero fret too.

Appreciate you taking the time to post.

perttime · #4 12-04-2023, 03:57 AM

Sorry, I have never had a Loef guitar in my hands but....
You might have noticed that there is a good amount of positive feedback out there, and he gets many return customers. Just looking at his site, he seems to have distinct preferences for finishes (colors) but will finish with your choice of colors, or lack of colors.

guitarchie · #5 12-04-2023, 05:40 AM

just give that little piece an ear and you know a lot about loef guitars.
I'm happy with mine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n80PiTDKLP4

all the best

guitarchie

koko61 · #6 12-14-2023, 06:33 AM

The Slope Shoulder Dread that appears in the video has been my property for a couple of years. I exchanged at "the Fellowship of Acoustic" for a McIlroy.
I liked that guitar so much that I sold all the ones I had and ordered a 00 from Olav Loef that I received a couple of weeks ago, with an aged Swiss spruce top, black limba back and sides, and pao ferro fingerboard, another marvel of a guitar. !

Nemoman · #7 12-14-2023, 02:10 PM

Gorgeous guitar, koko!

Universe · #8 01-27-2024, 05:12 PM

Loef OO Black Limba/ Swiss Spruce
Olav calls it unofficially Fire but I'm calling it WildFire.

It has Exotic Ebony fingerboard, bridge & headplate.
Same Bocote Binding.

Maybe too soon to announce but it's paid for & should be shipped Monday.

Now I must not look anymore

Quote:

Originally Posted by koko61

The Slope Shoulder Dread that appears in the video has been my property for a couple of years. I exchanged at "the Fellowship of Acoustic" for a McIlroy.
I liked that guitar so much that I sold all the ones I had and ordered a 00 from Olav Loef that I received a couple of weeks ago, with an aged Swiss spruce top, black limba back and sides, and pao ferro fingerboard, another marvel of a guitar. !

Universe · #9 01-28-2024, 07:43 PM

Koko's Black Limba on the Loef site.

https://www.loefguitars.fi/?p=2745#more-2745

Universe · #10 01-28-2024, 07:46 PM

Universe · #11 01-28-2024, 07:56 PM

https://www.loefguitars.fi/?p=2731#comment-17946

koko61 · #12 01-29-2024, 03:21 AM

Good choice! You will tell us more when it arrives.
I am very happy and wanted to have another Olav guitar, but the truth is that the Sloped Shoulder dread is my favorite among all the guitars. This guitar has something special that I can't describe in words.

Universe · #13 01-29-2024, 10:33 AM

Should be shipped today. Only a state away so not as bad as coming from Finland.

Hope I am pleased. It's stressful...It's given me a belly ache or maybe it's something I ate...Need more sleep. Driving myself crazy still its exciting.

I'd like an OM, Dread would be too big.
Glad you are happy with it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by koko61

Good choice! You will tell us more when it arrives.
I am very happy and wanted to have another Olav guitar, but the truth is that the Sloped Shoulder dread is my favorite among all the guitars. This guitar has something special that I can't describe in words.

Universe · #14 01-31-2024, 03:44 PM

Waiting for UPS to deliver Fire...

OOohhhhh....

Universe · #15 01-31-2024, 10:31 PM

Will start a new thread.
Just took a while to unpack, take photos & go over to make sure it travelled well & is in good condition. Seems fine.
Got the strings straighter on the saddle.

While to tune it. Never had Waverly's & they don't work like classical

Few chords sounds nice & plays pretty easy.

It's no match for my Don Musser Brazilian OM in depth but it's a beauty & a really fine guitar.
OO & the Swiss Spruce is so figured & the color of ash tone applied is OMG!

Have to try to host photos & I want to play...