he built a double bass which, upon completion, he gave to a famous Croatian professional folk dance group called "LADO", named after a Slavic word often used as a refrain in ceremonial songs of Croatia, and is a synonym for words meaning "good", "love", and "dear". In return for their beautiful handcrafted double bass, the Lado group told Joe that he had their blessing to use the Lado name for his instruments. Distinctive characteristics of a Lado instrument Headstocks always show the image of a falcon along with the name of the company. It is not to be confused with an eagle or a hawk, with the exception of the early J.K Lado & Co. headstocks. Necks are made of multiple laminates of hardwood, rather than one solid block. Three-piece necks are most common. Most of the classic Lado instruments are "neck-through-body" designs. The back of the headstock bears a serial number with the model name, or a short-code for the model (such as "SF-1" for a Superfalcon guitar), as well as "CDN" or "CND" to designate the instrument as being Canadian-made. Models Electric guitars Some of the guitar models manufactured by Lado are: Standard Solo Solo III Solo Doubleneck (6+12) Condor Falcon (F-1) Superfalcon (SF-1) Zebra (Z-1) Zebra Doubleneck (6+12) Flying V (FV 200 Series) Kelly Fleck 335 Supra I Superstrat shape, 1 humbucker Supra III Superstrat shape, 3 single coils Classic series Earth model Elite model JK Custom G-32 Vintage TL Vintage ST Hawk Seagull Devil R1 (Rocker guitar) - Source: a conversation with JK Lado company rep. Lazer Rhoads Bass guitars Some of the basses manufactured by Lado are: Standard II Signature Solo 1 and 2 Legend Matrix Moonstone R2 (Rocker bass) - Source: a conversation with JK Lado company rep. Notes References External links Facebook page Lado, Joe Guitar manufacturing companies Musical instrument manufacturing companies of Canada Yugoslav emigrants to Canada