La Due guitars are predominantly made from Northeastern hardwoods, acquired as locally as possible. Black Walnut, Cherry, Maples, White Ash and many other species make strikingly beautiful, excellent sounding guitars. Reclaimed, salvaged lumber and logs can also provide excellent materials and bring an element of character, age and interest to a guitar. More often than not, the materials in your La Due guitar have an interesting story behind them.
The pictures below show examples of the guitar models I offer; eight different body sizes, from parlor to jumbo, acoustic bass and classical.
Any model can be made to your specifications and preferences.
You choose a body style and then choose:
Top: Sitka Spruce, Western Red Cedar, Alaskan Yellow Cedar, Douglas Fir, Bearclaw Spruce, others.
Back & rim material Black Walnut, Black cherry, Hard Maple, Soft maple, Sycamore, White Ash, Red Oak, others. Also, multi-piece and multi-specie backs.
Rosette Endless possibilities in materials, colors shapes, styles.
Bindings Choose from the available hardwoods or other exotic on hand, many possibilities to contrast with your back and rim choice.
Purfling colors Natural colors or dyed purfling strips to compliment the top and bindings
Options Inlays, bound fingerboard, bound headpiece, arm rest, left handed, cutaway, multi-piece back, sound port. The possibilities are endless
Model LM-P
This parlor guitar is the smallest guitar I offer. it is characterized by a light, delicate yet crisp tone. Its small body and short scale make this guitar easy to travel with and just perfect for those relaxing evenings in your favorite chair.
Parlor guitar: This example, Spruce top, Walnut back and rims, Walnut/Maple/Mahogany neck, Mahogany bindings.
Private collection: Kevin W. La Due
Model LM-P2
Slightly larger than the LM-P, the LM-P2 sports a more bold shape and a sound and presence of a larger body as well; a parlor guitar with some attitude.
This example; Douglas For top, Soft Maple back and rims, Soft Maple/Walnut neck, Walnut bindings.
Private collection: Kevin W. La Due
Model LM-63
Comparable in size to a traditional 00 guitar, the LM-63 is comfortable to hold and play. It possesses good volume and strength with a pleasing balance and rich harmonics.
This example; Bearclaw Sitka Spruce top, Curly Soft Maple back, rims and neck, Padauk bindings and trim.
Private collection: Mount Juliet, TN
Model L-MJ
The L-MJ is my personal favorite of the instruments I build. The concert size body and attractive proportions make this guitar visually stunning and in action it comes alive with bright, round and balanced tone and presence. It particularly shines as a finger-style guitar and is equally comfortable to play standing or seated.
This example; Curly Sitka Spruce top, Black Cherry back, rims, Cherry/Walnut neck, Walnut bindings and trim.
Private collection: Kevin W. La Due
Model LM-1
The LM-1 is the oldest model in the La Due Guitars line, having been introduced as a standard in 1996 and its “LM’ designation is after the first La Due Guitars client. The grand concert body makes this guitar at home anywhere it’s put to use and it is equally capable of power as it is of soft nuance.
This example; Douglas Fir top, Cherry rims, Walnut/Cherry back, Walnut/Cherry neck, Walnut bindings.
Private collection: Pittsburg, PA
Model J53
It’s a big round full size guitar with a deep waist that sit’s on your leg and says; “git down pop it’s song time”. (James Taylor). Powerful, bright, rich in low end harmonics.
This example; J53-12, Bearclaw Spruce top, four-piece Walnut back,Walnut rims, Walnut/Cherry neck, Cherry bindings.
Private collection: Marathon, NY
Model J55
The largest body in the line. It’s a jumbo guitar with jumbo guitar power and sound.
This example; Guitar #146, Sitka Spruce top, Soft Maple back and rims, Soft Maple/Walnut neck.
Private collection: Binghamton, NY
Model LM-D
Dreadnaught were introduced into my line of guitars in 2014. Only four exist to date but at the risk of sounding arrogant, they’re all killer guitars. There’s just something unique about a dreadnaught sound.
This example; #112 Sitka Spruce top, Soft Maple back and rims, Soft Maple/Walnut neck, Walnut bindings.
Private collection: Seattle, WA
Model J55B
The J55 jumbo as an acoustic bass. Let the others have the lead and the chords. Keep the rhythm and the low end for yourself. Acoustic or amplified, its real nice.
This example; #123, Figured Douglas Fir top, Soft Maple rims, Spalted Big Leak Maple back, Soft Maple/Walnut neck, Walnut bindings.
Private collection: Endicott, NY
Model LM-CL
Excellent concert guitars are quite rare in most places and are to be had at prices that would buy an excellent used car or even a pretty good new one. While I won’t claim to be the equal of world-class concert guitar luthiers, I will say that if a classical guitar is what you desire, I build a nice classical instrument, unique in appearance, possessing a very pleasing tone, at a very conservative price. Try some “Bach” or some “Tears in Heaven” on one of these. I think you’ll be pleased.
This example; #140, Spruce top, Figured Maple back and rims, Spanish Cedar/Padauk/Maple neck, Padauk bindings
Private collection: Kevin W.La Due
Theme Guitars
Several clients have commissioned what I call “theme guitars”. These instruments are very personal, including design elements and materials that reflect the owner’s hobbies, interests or even memories. The possibilities are endless and can range from simple to complex. A theme guitar can go beyond unique, becoming an instrument that is impressive and highly personal. Pictured below are three examples of theme guitars, but don’t let these limit you imagination. If a theme guitar captures your imagination, I would be pleased to consult with you regarding the possibilities.
The Blue Spruce The Parchment Map The 007
Pricing
While prices are subject to change without notice, the base price of a La Due guitar is currently $3200.00. Options, premium woods, inlays, etc, are priced individually and added to the base price. For a price quote, contact me.
The La Due Guitars Warrantee
Your La Due guitar is warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for the life of the original owner and or the life of the builder Kevin W. La Due. Warrantee items will be fixed or replaced at the discretion of the builder, at no charge. Repairs not covered by the warrantee can be done at La Due Guitars at regular shop rates plus the cost of materials. This warrantee does not cover physical or cosmetic damage caused by the owner or user. It does not cover cracking, breakage or distortion resulting from failure to humidify or dehumidify the instrument. The warrantee does not cover normal wear and tear. It does not cover strings, frets, tuning machines, nut and bridge saddle or pickups.
Any alteration of the guitar voids the warrantee. **