The Lado brand was established in 1973. Joe Kovacic, the President and founder of Lado, learned the craft of guitar making in Zagreb, Croatia. He also worked in Austria and Germany before finally making the move to North America in 1971.

Lado Musical Inc. is also proud to have held the title for "largest built and presumably the loudest playable electric guitar" in the world, Guinness Book of Record, 1987-1991. It still currently stands in 14 ft, 3 inches, 4.35 m tall, and 309 lb, 140 kg in weight and is on display in the Lado showroom.

Joe runs a 20 week luthiery course where you can learn how to build and repair electric and acoustic guitars.