Bulletin Board: Placed order for LoPrinzi Mahogany Tenor - Custom Model B

Original Post By: Papamonty Date: 2/7/2008 8:07:18 AM   (Updated: 2/7/2008 8:10:04 AM) Aloha, After reviewing most previous posts pertaining to custom ukuleles, I have taken the plunge and ordered a Custom Model B Mahogany LoPrinzi Tenor from Mike at www.alternatetunings.com. After talking to Mike AND Donna LoPrinzi, I decided on the following custom specs: My custom requests: 1) Request Grover open gear tuners 2) Request nut width of 1 7/16" 3) Request reducing flattening agent in satin varnish finish to produce semi-gloss effect 4) Request 16" radius on ebony fretboard 5) Request fretboard marker and side marker at 3rd fret 6) Request dark rosewood binding on top and back with b/w/b/w pattern (rosette b/w/b/w/b/w/b pattern to match) 7) Request ebony tie-down bridge 8) Request rosewood endpiece with bw/b/w pattern (where sides meet at bottom) 9) Request tenor deep body (1/4" deeper than standard) Standard stuff: 1) Pearl logo is standard and Mahogany headstock faceplate standard 2) Standard fret wire width 3) Pearl fretboard markers standard, white side markers standard 4) 14 frets clear to the body, 17 total standard 5) Bone material for nut/saddle is standard 6) String width of 1 9/16" at saddle standard 7) 17” tenor scale standard The finished product will take seven weeks to complete. I was delighted when I learned and paid a price that was much less than what I had expected; basically, I still paid less than the list price of a standard Model B, which is $825. I'll let you know how the tenor sounds and looks in seven weeks!! Jon M Posted By: Kirbster Date: 2/7/2008 8:23:05 AM Congrats, Papamonty. You have made a great choice. I don't own a LoPrinzi (wish I did) but I played two at last years NYUkefest and found them to be spectacular. Perfectly finished, really nice neck and action and they sound soooooo sweet. I'm very envious. Someday, somehow......... Posted By: Tonya Date: 2/7/2008 3:09:33 PM I hope you love your LoPrinzi as much as I love mine! Please post photos when you get it. Posted By: ToeBone Date: 2/7/2008 5:16:22 PM Oh, yeah, that's how to wake Tonya up! I know how you love your LoPrinzi, Tonya. I'm glad to hear Mike Atkins is back in the game and I am surprised to hear how inexpensive a custom LoPrinzi is. Jon, you will be a very happy ukester in 7 weeks. Posted By: Tonya Date: 2/7/2008 6:10:07 PM zzzz...what, did I miss something between LoPrinzi posts, ToeBone? Posted By: Mike Date: 2/7/2008 6:17:58 PM Is Mike Atkins back selling ukes now?? I sure hope so. When I went to his website there were no ukes listed for sale, just strings. Posted By: Ernie Date: 2/7/2008 8:28:38 PM Mike Atkins is the best, and the LoPrinzis build an awesome uke. I wound up with two of their tenors, and I keep trying to convince myself that I need to sell one of them. No luck, so far! Posted By: Papamonty Date: 2/7/2008 8:52:33 PM As far as Mike selling ukes, I believe he has downsized and is now focusing on repairs and giving lessons. His new business title is Alternate Tunings Ukulele Clubhouse. All I know is that when I asked him about ordering a LoPrinzi he was more than happy to help me. Although my custom LoPrinzi order is not inexpensive, it is relatively inexpensive to some of the other custom and production tenor ukes out there. Thanks for all the LoPrinzi posters out there who steered me in this direction!! Jon M Posted By: Papamonty Date: 2/13/2008 9:23:42 PM   (Updated: 2/14/2008 8:30:39 PM) I'm trying to decide which Honduran Mahogany top/back/sides set to choose from: http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e148/jgmontilla/DSC00728.jpg Can you help me decide? Jon M Posted By: Genius J Date: 2/14/2008 12:06:16 AM I love my Model B concert. It's one of my favorite ukes because the intonation is PERFECT and the sound is flawless. Really well made. Posted By: looney tunes Date: 2/14/2008 11:56:21 AM Hey Papa, What a deal! Sounds like you will have a 'very special LoPrinzi' and I am sure you will be elated; I have a VERY SPECIAL CUSTOM LOPRINZI soprano that Augi and Donna are working on...may be ready anyday. I have seen the progress and I can't wait to share the photos on FMM BB. Tonya, you are going to be jealous. Kirbster, I'll take it to the NYUF and may let you strum a tune. Trust me, it's a hoot! I'm so excited I'm wearing Depends. Loon Posted By: Ernie Date: 2/14/2008 11:57:57 AM Papamonty- I'd go for 'C'. Posted By: Tom B. Date: 2/14/2008 12:02:38 PM C gets my vote, too. Posted By: Hipster44 Date: 2/14/2008 5:39:50 PM Yep..I go for the darker wood too. Posted By: ChefJeff Date: 2/14/2008 7:03:06 PM I like the figure of the wood behind Door #1. Finished, it'll be gorgeous. Posted By: Kirbster Date: 2/14/2008 7:11:18 PM   (Updated: 2/14/2008 7:13:13 PM) I like the grain of wood "A", but I imagine that "C" would be gorgeous & rich looking when it's finished. Nice & dark with some deep grain. I'd have to choose "C". But, I'm sure they will all look beautiful. After all, it's a LoPrinzi!!! Oh, and looney, I'll take you up on that!!!! Posted By: Papamonty Date: 2/14/2008 8:28:22 PM   (Updated: 2/14/2008 8:31:04 PM) Thanks All!! I greatly appreciate the assist. Please look at sets D and E; Donna was kind enough to email me a picture of two more sets this afternoon: http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e148/jgmontilla/DSC00728.jpg http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e148/jgmontilla/DSC00729.jpg Looks like you think C would look great. How about between C and E then? Aloha, Jon M Posted By: Ernie Date: 2/14/2008 9:06:16 PM I would still go for C, but it's not my uke! What YOU think is really all that matters. Posted By: Tonya Date: 2/15/2008 12:12:38 PM Okay, I'll be different. I'd choose D. Posted By: Papamonty Date: 2/15/2008 8:50:15 PM Thanks for all the responses. I greatly appreciate it!! I called Donna LoPrinzi this morning and asked her to use set C. She even said that, while all the sets are beautiful, she would have personally chosen set C as well. As for me, C was my first choice and you all have confirmed my hunch. Now for the wait. Have a great weekend everyone!! Posted By: Neal Date: 2/15/2008 9:48:29 PM Ask her to put some naptha on 'em. It'll make the grain pop and you can decide much easier. Posted By: Papamonty Date: 7/31/2008 9:56:49 PM   (Updated: 7/31/2008 10:00:27 PM) Okay, I received the Custom Tenor on 21 Apr 08 in Clearwater, Florida (Mr. Augustino is to my right and Ms. Donna to my left): http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e148/jgmontilla/IMG_0114.jpg After some polish to the satin body: http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e148/jgmontilla/DSC07473.jpg After some minor adjustments to the saddle, bridge, and frets by Donna; and a body polish by me; I am extremely happy with the instrument. The body had some rough spots which I polished with Virtuoso Guitar Polish and the finish now looks awesome. The Mahogany is absolutely gorgeous; thanks for helping me choose. The uke has lots of sustain; the tone was somewhat subdued at first but it has definitely opened up. For lack of better descriptives, the tone is ringy, creamy and smooth. Compared to my koa ukes, the tone is not plucky or bouncy. . . I believe what you would expect from a Mahogany uke. It is a bit on the heavy side yet the tone is not at all muzzled. I am very impressed irregardless of price. Overall a great experience to be dealing with the world famous LoPrinzis. Last I spoke to Donna, the family is extremely blessed with a robust business. Aloha, Jon. Posted By: Allison's R Date: 7/31/2008 11:04:16 PM Good for you ! What a beauty. Posted By: hokeypokey Date: 8/2/2008 9:35:08 AM SHWEET! Glad you are happy. Looks beautiful. Posted By: Papamonty Date: 8/8/2008 8:09:29 PM Thanks all. It has been a long wait but well worth it. Aloha, Jon M Posted By: Ernie Date: 8/9/2008 2:46:43 AM I'm surprised to hear you say it's on the heavy side. My LoPrinzi mahogany tenor was lighter than my vintage Martin tenor! (and impeccably built, too). Posted By: shawn Date: 8/9/2008 6:30:13 AM I'm sure that you'll enjoy your Loprinzi for years and years (and years) to come....they are absolutely wonderful players and are priced at a real bargain too... best, Shawn ukulelefriend.com Posted By: Chris C Date: 8/9/2008 6:48:31 AM The uke certainly sounds good on paper! Your choice of 3rd fret side marker is interesting - I might have gone to the 5th, to give me a higher point of reference for my few trips past there - but that's what customization is all about! Congrats, it's beautiful. Posted By: Papamonty Date: 8/9/2008 8:40:48 PM   (Updated: 8/10/2008 10:15:40 PM) Compared to my Ko'olau T1 koa tenor (1 lb 5.5 oz), the LoPrinzi is heavier by 2.5 oz; the LoPrinzi body does not vibrate as much either when strummed/played. We are also looking at ebony (LoPrinzi) vs rosewood fretboards, all mahogany body vs all koa body, and size vs size. My KoAloha tenor weighs 1 oz. more than the LoPrinzi, due to the heavy neck, but the koa body resonates more. The LoPrinzi's weight feels better balanced than the neck heavy KoAloha tenor. I liked cosmetically how Kanile'a adds a dot and a sidemarker on the third fret of its fretboards; so I asked Donna if she could accomodate my custom tenor and she did. I have dots and sidemarkers on frets 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, and 15. Thanks again all!! Posted By: Papamonty Date: 8/11/2008 1:21:04 PM   (Updated: 8/13/2008 6:29:11 PM) It took some time to take these but here are some better pics: Full Top: http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e148/jgmontilla/AllTop.jpg Full Back: http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e148/jgmontilla/AllBackNew2.jpg Top: http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e148/jgmontilla/Top-1.jpg Back: http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e148/jgmontilla/Back-1.jpg Peghead: http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e148/jgmontilla/Peghead.jpg While this Mahogany set does not have any flame, curl, or quilt, there is a certain beauty in its simplicity.

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