I was the guy who posted Seagull/Martin Comparison
 

I am the guy who made the grevious mistake of saying i personally liked my Seagull more than I liked my Martin (Martin, of course is among the top 3 production guitars in the history of guitars, period - let's get that out there right away). Martin's are awesome, everyone should own at least one in a lifetime.

HOWEVER, lol. I live in Grand Rapids, MN, and there is a local Luthier by the name of Lloyd LaPlant who makes mostly mandolins and fiddles for Nashville stars, and i mean stars, I wish I was allowed to say whom. He makes a $3,500-$6000 instrument regardless of which it is - mandolin, fidle, guitar.

I had 3 or 4 guitars, my 'Gull (that i will always think of as my first love), my Framus (which i will also always care deeply for, lol I talk like they're people). and I traded up (along with some money, and got my very first LaPlant, which, in MN is very, uh, well between a LaPlant and a James olson (makes for Jams taylor, look for hte big "O" on James taylor;s stockpiece - he may still play a yamaha once in a blue moon).

Well, yesterday, out of friendship, buying asnd trading up all those guitrs, and a whole lot of money, he presemted me with my very own Llyod LaPlant guitar. And there'll be cynics here who say "big deal" - there always are, but if you know Lloyd, know his work, and have played a LaPlant guitar, you'd understand. I have pics but don't know how to post them...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_EOLuc8u5U

http://www.spiritwoodmusic.com/about...ritwoodartists

Wow...I would love to see some pictures and hear some sound clips. I have never heard of Mr. LaPlant but I loved watching the you tube video, he seems like a great guy.

Way Cool!
 

Congratulations!! Lloyd builds some beautiful instruments. I doubt one of his gems has made it into any more appreciative hands. Yours is the kind of story that making music should be about. Enjoy your guitar, I hope you have many years together.

LaPlant
 

Whats's ur email address, send me it in a private msg, and I'll send you pics, and also sound clips. Here's the thing tho.....Lloyd and I play in a bluegrass band together, and we work on my guitar together, and we're not putting the pickup in til next week. My mic is a vocal mic, so sound will be unflattering. Maybe ill send SOMETHING and then more when I get the pickup. I have a home studio so I'll do a tune for ya. Maybe a john prine tune or something! requests/suggestions?

Geez
 

AWE!!!! I am lucky enough to also get to play with lloyd in a bluegrass band. I'll have to share your comment with him next gig. He is an amazing mandolin player, and in fact prefers to build mando's and fiddles, excuse me, violins!