Lado Guitars is a Canadian guitar manufacturer founded by luthier Joe Kovacic, who works under the artistic name "Joe Lado." Kovacic learned guitar building in Zagreb, Croatia, refined his craft in Austria, and emigrated to North America in 1968. After running a small Toronto repair shop called Joe's Strings, he formally launched Lado Musical Inc. in 1973. The company is based in Lindsay, Ontario, where it operates as a small-batch private workshop.

Lado is best known for its hand-built neck-through-body electric guitars and basses, offering distinctive body shapes and detailed inlay work as alternatives to mainstream Fender and Gibson designs. Models such as the Earth, Hawk, Falcon, and the H-400 bass have circulated on the vintage market since the 1970s and 1980s. In 1987, Kovacic built a 14-foot, 309-pound playable "Earth" guitar that was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest playable electric guitar from 1987 to 1991.

In 2003, Kovacic founded the Lado School of Lutherie to pass his techniques on to younger builders. Lado instruments have been associated with Adrian Smith of Iron Maiden and Derry Grehan of Honeymoon Suite, and the brand has a small but loyal following among collectors of Canadian-made boutique guitars.

Lado has 5 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Solid Body Electric Guitars and Electric Basses. Their gear is featured by 3 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock. Notable users include Steve Harris, Adrian Smith, and Ian Crichton.