Howdy Folks, I recently received a phenomenal instrument built by Leo Buendia, this beauty needs to be shown off… Here’s a bunch of final pics along with some thoughts and opinions I’ve gathered after getting to play and enjoy her over these last months… attached below is the original start to finish build thread for anyone who missed it…
http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=474671
https://buendiaguitars.com
So I first met Leo at the 2013 Healdsburg Guitar Festival... He was hosting Ervin Somogyi's booth. It was there under the table he had stashed his apprenticeship Indian/German OM with French Polish finish... I took a fast look, strummed some chords, and instantly felt the connection... I asked Leo for a private spin and I took her into the solo rooms where you can actually hear. I have been hooked on his work ever since, and his OM was a highlight of the entire show. I knew in the back of my head I'd be jamming a Buendia one of these days... Here we are!
Leo builds an amazing guitar, I LOVE IT, blah blah, Tone and Mojo for days… his reputation really speaks for itself at this point, he’s an incredible builder… but I’d like to first get info the fact that Leo himself is a RADICAL dude…!!! We both live in California, so I can get away with saying Radical, lol.. Besides receiving a true dream guitar that fully “exceeded" my high expectations, it was such a pleasure developing a true friendship and having fun along the way… Leo always took the time to answer all my detailed OCD redundant questions, and explain all his procedures and philosophies etc… we had many discussions throughout the build process and I felt a part of it at all times… That’s an important bonus for me and allows an even further connection to the guitar in the end… Considering ordering a custom finger style instrument of the highest caliber….??? BETTER CALL LEO…..
I’ve had the pleasure of owning a number of fine guitars over the years, and in my opinion, once you get to the Top level, for me, it’s about color differences in tonal palate and unique personality characteristics that set them apart… I “expect" them to be amazing, they better be at these prices, lol… I search for new voices that stimulate my senses, and vibrations that really get my blood boiling, and my Buendia really tops the charts at such… Her voice is alluring and captivating, tough to put down, keeping me fascinated with playing guitar… All the basics I require are there of course, perfect construction & playability, volume & power, balance & separation, thick blooming notes, sustain & overtones etc… The framework of an exceptional guitar, thats all clearly there… along with some really nice tonal characteristics that are unique of their own... I really don’t have another guitar just like it… I’ve owned more than one Somogyi, and there is obviously a strong relation, and there is also some hints reminding me of the way a Traugott blooms with such an open voice, and also a Greenfield from a sensitivity and connection in my fingertips standpoint…
To sum it up I highly recommend Leo’s work… One of the clearest compliments I have to his builds is the fact that I have another on order..!!! YES, we all know I’m sick…. lol… there is worse habits lord knows….. Go out of your way to get one on your lap, check em out… Go Leo...
I’ll let the pics do the talking in the looks department...!
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