Luis and Clark

Luis and Clark, or L&C, is a company that sells carbon fiber stringed instruments[1] designed by cellist Luis Leguía (Louie) of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.[2] Their line consists of a violin, viola, cello and double bass, and half-sized cellos.[3][1]

This article is about the line of musical instruments. For the American explorers Lewis and Clark, see Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Not to be confused with Lewis & Clark.

History

Throughout his extensive career as a cellist, Leguía claimed he never found a suitable cello that could project over an orchestra or a grand piano.[1]

Leguía, an avid sailor,[1] was on his catamaran one day in 1989 when he heard a resonant humming sound - and noticed that the sound of the waves against the carbon fiber was louder than it was against wood. Struck with the realization that he could create his life's ideal cello, he built three prototypes by hand in his basement, the first with fiberglass and the other two with carbon fiber.[1] After five years of experimenting, he approached carbon fiber expert Steve Clark, head of Rhode Island's Vanguard Sailboats, to form the company "Luis and Clark" in 2000.[1][3] Clark eventually lead Leguía to Matt Dunham of Clear Carbon and Components, who continues to manufacture all the Luis and Clark instruments.[4]

Instruments

The instruments are all made in the United States with 92.57% carbon-epoxy matrix.[1] Due to their carbon fiber construction, they are much lighter than their wooden counterparts, immune to changes in weather, and highly resistant to damage.[5]

They are designed to be held closer to the body in order to reduce fatigue, a result of less material used in the instruments' creation.[4][3][6] The company has stated that the instruments' sound is most important, and the durability and resistance to climate are "happy side-effects."[1]

The instruments are 100% vegan (traditional instruments use animal glues), and do not use any endangered ebony wood in the fingerboards, nuts and saddles.

References
  1. "Meet Luis, Stephanie, and Caroline Leguia of Luis and Clark in Milton - Boston Voyager Magazine | Boston City Guide". Retrieved 2017-09-22.
  2. "Luis Leguía: Cello". Boston Symphony Orchestra. Retrieved 2007-05-31.
  3. "Luis and Clark - The Instruments". Luis and Clark. Archived from the original on 2007-03-06. Retrieved 2007-05-31.
  4. Coleman, Sandy (2005-10-30). "Break from tradition sounds even sweeter". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2007-05-31.
  5. "Carbon Fiber - Zoltek". ZOLTEK™ Carbon Fiber. Retrieved 2017-09-22.
  6. "United States Patent 6,284,957". Patent Storm. 2001-09-04. Archived from the original on 2008-02-28. Retrieved 2009-03-25.
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