3 Amigos! – LFdM Ukulele Review

Today we are reviewing three tenor ukes from Luis Feu de Mesquita, aka LFdM, a custom maker from Ontario Canada. Luis’ tenor has become extremely loved in just a short period of time and despite being “untraditional” looking. Based on the Macaferri “Django-style” guitars, these mini versions are called Ukaferri’s, and they aren’t only different on the outside. Luis builds these with the rare “lattice” bracing.

This modern style of bracing is known for strong projection and volume. The Amigos deliver in that department. This style of build allows for a very lively, and ultra thin top. In fact, if you hold a light close enough to the top, you can see the bracing! However, the lattice distribution of support locks the bridge flat. This bracing doesn’t use the normal bridge rotation. Instead, the entire soundboard gets pumped and moves together from the edges. This has been thought to lessen phase cancellation and improve sustain. These certainly give a convincing argument.

As a side note, it’s been a real pleasure getting to know Luis. He’s got the mind of an engineer and the soul of an artist. He drafts, calculates, very methodical, but also asks you to name your custom instrument. Sensible, but still abstract, in a wonderful way. Last week I asked Luis, “Why ukulele?”. His reply…

The ukulele is an instrument I knew from having spent much of my early life in Portugal where my mother was from, the “Braginha” or “Cavaquinho” were familiar to me. The Ukulele for me follows on the same principle as the classic guitars i build, and I wanted to do justice to the instrument”

The tone on these 3 Amigos is well defined, very clear, yet still warm and expressive.  Take a listen as Corey Fujimoto samples our first ukes from LFdM!

Different styles of design simply offer us different colours and dynamics. There is no “best”!. Great instruments excel and inspire in different ways. (A collection is optimal):D

Amigo XX

• Adirondack Spruce Top
• Macassar Ebony Back & Sides
• Spanish Cedar Neck
• Ebony Bindings & Arm Bevel
• Side sound port
• Bone Nut/Saddle
• Gotoh Stealth Tuning Keys
• Weight 640 grm

• Alaskan Yelow Cedar
• Macassar Ebony Back & Sides
• Spanish Cedar Neck
• Leopardwood Bindings & Arm Bevel
• Bone Nut/Saddle
• Gotoh Stealth Tuning Keys
• Weight 690 grm

Amigo XXII

• Sitka Spruce Top
• Zircote Back & Sides
• Spanish Cedar Neck
• Ebony Bindings & Arm Bevel
• Bone Nut/Saddle
• Gotoh Stealth Tuning Keys
• Weight 540 grm

All 3 have a 17″ scale and are 38 mm at the nut.