Bad News: LMII is closing down.....

[eddododo]

I read that too.. aside from the general sadness, I’m also kicking myself for putting off a couple slotted fretboard purchases ..

 

[Tslicebass]

I read that too.. aside from the general sadness, I’m also kicking myself for putting off a couple slotted fretboard purchases ..

I’m in the same boat. I’m in Europe right now on vacation/tour and I have 3 fretboards that needed slotting. I decided to wait till I got back and that was a mistake for sure

 

[Bruce Johnson]

From what I understand, LMII is closing down slowly. They are going to continue taking orders and selling their inventory until it's all gone. However long that takes. But they aren't buying any new stock. It's an organized shutdown, not an urgent blowout liquidation sale. I just ordered a batch of Macassar ebony fingerboards and the yellow glue, what I need for the rest of this year. I ordered it through their web site as usual, at their regular prices. If I can gather up some spare money in the next few weeks, I may place another order. And I'm starting to look around at who could be my source in the coming years.

 

[dasherf17]

I don't know how many of you got the e-mail today, but Luthier's Mercantile has announced that they are closing down, going out of business, selling off all their inventory. Apparently the owners are retiring, and were unable to sell the company.

Sad news for us small Luthiers. I've been completely dependent on them for all my ebony fingerboards for 27 years. I'm kind of stunned. I assumed that they would be around forever, or at least for the rest of my working years.

We need to get our sources and resources together and figure out who else will be a reliable source.

Anyone know why they're closing?

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Anyone know why they're closing?

They explained it completely in their e-mail to customers. The owners are retiring. They made an honest effort to find someone to buy the company and keep it going, but were unsuccessful. So, they are doing an organized closedown.

There's probably still some time for someone to step up and buy the company. I personally hope that happens.

 

[NKBassman]

I confirmed they are still doing fretboard radius and fret slotting shop services.

 

[Fender_Bender]

Maybe the publicity of them closing will bring forth someone to buy them out.

 

[Tslicebass]

I confirmed they are still doing fretboard radius and fret slotting shop services.

Yes they are. But they are not accepting any customer wood and that was my issue. I have a nice satinwood fretboard for a stock build I needed slotted and may end up having to just do it myself. My bigger concern is slotting 6/7 string fretboards in the future as most mitre slotting boxes and jigs available on the market don’t accommodate wider than around 3” boards. LMI would do up to 4” for me (although sometimes begrudgingly)

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Yes they are. But they are not accepting any customer wood and that was my issue. I have a nice satinwood fretboard for a stock build I needed slotted and may end up having to just do it myself. My bigger concern is slotting 6/7 string fretboards in the future as most mitre slotting boxes and jigs available on the market don’t accommodate wider than around 3” boards. LMI would do up to 4” for me (although sometimes begrudgingly)

You are the type of customer that Jeremy and I would be looking to serve. Small Luthiers, one-offs, custom sizes and combinations. My machine can slot 4" wide fingerboards. PM me if you like.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

LMI only carried pre-cut fingerboard blanks in a limited number of species, I had to mail them my Bubinga boards for slotting and radiusing, nice job of it, but the postage both ways made it expensive. No knock on them, at least they were willing to provide the service, but some companies (coughStewmaccough) tend to heavily “pad” their P&H. This irks me more than it probably should, but I’d prefer honest pricing up front.

 

[Tslicebass]

You are the type of customer that Jeremy and I would be looking to serve. Small Luthiers, one-offs, custom sizes and combinations. My machine can slot 4" wide fingerboards. PM me if you like.

That’s what I’m talking about! Bruce, many of your tutorials on building in this forum were pivotal in my development and I would love to give you the business instead of some random other shops or a “big box” version of that.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

This order just came through, from LMII:

Six Macassar ebony fingerboards, one West African ebony 5-string board, two bottles of the Yellow Instrument Maker's Glue.

The fingerboard blanks are beautiful, as always. The Macassar boards are their 2nd grade, $30 each. The West African board was $52.

The Macassar boards will be going on my upcoming AMB-2 Scroll Basses #020-#025. The West African board is for the Wal neck I'm repairing.

They included this flyer in the box, so I taped it up on my neck cabinet.

 

[Fender_Bender]

I usually ordered their “2nd quality” boards and was never disappointed. That west African board is a beauty, and what’s $20 on the price of an instrument ?.

 

[tjclem]

I was disappointed that they no longer do custom truss rod orders. My 34 and 35" scale basses take 26.25" truss rods. Were am I going to get them?

 

[SomewhatHarmles]

Just chiming in.

I'm sorta sad to see LMI closing. They were one of the OG suppliers back when I started building.
That being said, for my needs, a bunch of smaller specialty suppliers have been very useful (Alaskan tonewoods, European Tonewoods, RC Tonewoods, etc).

 

[Tslicebass]

Have you tried Allied Luthiere/Mike Gutsch Guitars?

I was disappointed that they no longer do custom truss rod orders. My 34 and 35" scale basses take 26.25" truss rods. Were am I going to get them?

 

[Bloomfield]

Yes, I just ordered a couple of bottles from them last night, along with some ebony fingerboards.
They are saying that they are going to release info about their suppliers. I'm hoping that whoever is making the Yellow Instrument Maker's Glue for them will offer it for sale under their own brand.

Helmitin might be a source for similar glue. They make a huge range of PVA woodworking glues, sold both under their own name from trade suppliers, as well as lots of private label products. I called customer service once with some specific questions and was called back quickly by someone who really knew what they were talking about, quite possibly an engineer, so that was refreshing. I was talking with the Canadian branch, but they are in the US as well.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Helmitin might be a source for similar glue. They make a huge range of PVA woodworking glues, sold both under their own name from trade suppliers, as well as lots of private label products. I called customer service once with some specific questions and was called back quickly by someone who really knew what they were talking about, quite possibly an engineer, so that was refreshing. I was talking with the Canadian branch, but they are in the US as well.

Thanks, that's good information. Even if they aren't the actual supplier of LMII's Yellow Instrument Maker's Glue, they might have a similar product.

 

[gyancey]

I gotta stock up on their instrument makers glue. Anyone know who makes that for them?

Same here - I love that glue, although I could do without the "fluorescent dye" they add as its pretty unnecessary for me and most people I imagine. I waaaay prefer this glue to Titebond. Much better initial tack, dries harder, etc.

 

[teej]

Oh wow! I didn't get the memo. I've got 2, if not 3 builds going right now and need parts and materials for #2 and #3. Looks like I'll have to get what I need before it's too late. So sad to hear they're closing. They have been my go-to for years.