Trenier GAS... - Page 5

Nighthawks · #**121** 11-19-2011, 10:30 AM

It is smart to read this thread as a confirmation and testimony to Bryant's incredible guitars. I am "expecting" with a due date in August. I'll pass out cigars then.

Four2theBar · #**122** 11-19-2011, 04:06 PM

Notes from the unveiling:

After tuning up and listening to the INCREDIBLE string balance on this instrument, I played some lines from "Blues for Alice". Then I worked with some spread-voiced ii/V's, "Monk moves", and other chord sequences utilizing the low A string when appropriate. Now I'm reading finger style through several exercises and etudes in Berklee Guitar Vol1.

The difference between a good instrument (e.g my Sadowsky LS-17) and GREAT instrument like this Trenier Excel 7 is quite noticeable. WIth the TRENIER it's as if I'm holding a Steinway grand in my lap. This guitar begs to be played finger style and yields quite a reward for doing so.

kamlapati · #**123** 11-20-2011, 03:50 PM

Four2theBar, wow, I wish I could hear it.

New Trenier alert: Bryant told me he is working on capturing some of the techniques from the 20's archtops, but I didn't know he was so advanced towards the goal. This beautiful new guitar is slightly smaller, parallel braced, and oh my, how I wish I could play it. This is a real opportunity for someone!

2011 Trenier Broadway

Four2theBar · #**124** 11-20-2011, 04:14 PM

I love that guitar! It was hanging behind my Excel 7 in the final buff phase:

Buffed1.jpg.

If i were to commission a Broadway I think I would want it just like that one sans cutaway and maybe with a Charlie Christian pickup. However, I'm dreaming of a Motif 7 with a slotted headstock

.

Four2theBar · #**125** 11-20-2011, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamlapati

Four2theBar, wow, I wish I could hear it. [/url]

I'll post some audio in a few weeks Lamlapati! I want my guitar to "break in" a bit more and I'm also shedding to get my finger style technique to the next level. I love the sound of this guitar so much better with flesh-on-steel.

clem_gael · #**126** 11-20-2011, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Four2theBar

I love that guitar! It was hanging behind my Excel 7 in the final buff phase:

Buffed1.jpg.

If i were to commission a Broadway I think I would want it just like that one sans cutaway and maybe with a Charlie Christian pickup. However, I'm dreaming of a Motif 7 with a slotted headstock

.

IMG! the Excel with the inlays in front for yours....

Four2theBar · #**127** 11-20-2011, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clem_gael

IMG! the Excel with the inlays in front for yours....

Is that your Excel with the inlays? Here's my Excel 7 completed.

clem_gael · #**128** 11-20-2011, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Four2theBar

Is that your Excel with the inlays? Here's my Excel 7 completed.

No, it's not!

Every one seems to have a Trenier...except me!
want one, want one!

Four2theBar · #**129** 11-24-2011, 05:48 PM

.. following Kamlapati's lead

kamlapati · #**130** 11-24-2011, 08:28 PM

Life is good. Happy Thanksgiving!

rpguitar · #**131** 11-24-2011, 11:10 PM

Ack. I just read through this entire five page thread. Beautiful guitars, guys - congratulations. Bryant Trenier's shop is only about 25 minutes from me. Hell, I've even ridden my bike near where he is. After my recent triumphs with vintage Gibsons and a 2011 Erich Solomon archtop, I'm really done. So this thread is very upsetting!

kamlapati · #**132** 11-26-2011, 01:33 PM

RP, I wondered about that Solomon too! I played his guitars at Healdsburg, and I really like them. But never say you're done. I bet a Trenier would find a place in your tool kit.

kamlapati · #**133** 11-28-2011, 01:02 AM

Had some time over Thanksgiving, and finally got some recording done and updated my primitive website. Here's my new Excel, subject of course to the horrors of mp3 compression.

Stella By Starlight

There's a vid of my Magnolia on the same page, here,

Standards

Four2theBar · #**134** 11-28-2011, 01:31 AM

very nice playing on superb guitars! I love the vid with your Magnolia.

D'Aquisto Fan · #**135** 12-02-2011, 11:48 AM

For those of you who simply can't wait for an order to be placed and filled, looks like a new Excel from Bryant is headed to John Stewart soon. Check out the link below under "Coming Soon."

Archtop jazz guitar price list

No affiliation. Just a fan of Bryant's craftsmanship.

D'Aquisto Fan · #**136** 12-09-2011, 12:19 PM

Wow! Check out this latest example from Bryant at John Stewart's site. Not only does it look fabulous, I hear it sounds and plays great. As stated above, I have no vested interest. Just a fan of Bryant's talents.

Trenier Guitar For Sale

kamlapati · #**137** 12-10-2011, 01:49 PM

Beautiful guitar. I like the whole minimalist design, no fingerboard inlay, f-hole binding, etc. A new look. And those prices are inching up. The word is getting out.

D'Aquisto Fan · #**138** 12-10-2011, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamlapati

Beautiful guitar. I like the whole minimalist design, no fingerboard inlay, f-hole binding, etc. A new look. And those prices are inching up. The word is getting out.

I agree, Kamlapati. It's beautiful. Very much like a D'Q New Yorker Classic.

kamlapati · #**139** 12-10-2011, 08:13 PM

Just noticed, it's #1070, probably the one he made alongside my #1069. There's a good chance the top is the same wood as mine, that bit of bear claw is similar.

D'Aquisto Fan · #**140** 12-17-2011, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamlapati

Just noticed, it's #1070, probably the one he made alongside my #1069. There's a good chance the top is the same wood as mine, that bit of bear claw is similar.

It would be cool to see a picture of the two guitars side by side. Perhaps photoshop can do the trick?

Nighthawks · #**141** 01-05-2012, 09:43 AM

Have any of the Trenier owners had a tone contro put onto the guitar? I have commissioned Bryant to build a Modern, due for completion In August of this year and I think it might be a good thing. Perhaps a below the pick guard.

kamlapati · #**142** 01-05-2012, 12:50 PM

My view on tone controls in jazz guitars is maker independent: I don't use them and prefer to not have them. My Treniers don't have PUs, but my L-5CN w/ Johnny Smith PU has only a volume knob, just like all my archtops that have gone before. I just don't need to modify tone on the fly, so the amp controls are all I need.

Nighthawks · #**143** 01-05-2012, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamlapati

My view on tone controls in jazz guitars is maker independent: I don't use them and prefer to not have them.

I agree. I don't use a tone control knob; once the tune has started but I do change tones between tunes and often am reaching around and across gear in order to adjust preamp settings for a warmer or a brighter sound, depending on the tune. If that can be done with a wheel under the pick guard, what would be the downside? Would it be less responsive and/or accurate? Or/ Do you think it just another fragile addition to the instrument.
I can talk to Bryant about it but anyone following this thred might chime in with a thought. Are there good and not-so-good tone control knobs? Etc.
Also. IMO... when a player is performing and fiddles with gear and settings, it just does not look right. It is a distraction for the audience.
When you watch Bill Evans play he is not reaching into the bowels of an out of tune house piano to try and fix it. He would just cock his head to the left and deal with it. Same sort of idea on "distraction".
Granted...
Jim Hall is continually tuning and tweaking his preamp but he is so awesome that we'll forgive him. He was asked recently what he has learned over 60+ years of playing guitar and he said..."I've learned that I don't yet, know how to tune the instrmenent". Very cool answer!

D'Aquisto Fan · #**144** 01-05-2012, 07:58 PM

My Trenier had a tone knob as did an acoustic Super 400 I had years ago. Ultimately I realized I didn't adjust the tone that often. Both were little thumb wheels under the pickguard. Not the easiest to adjust on the fly. Talk to Bryant and see what he suggests. In a worst case scenario you can always remove the tone knob or add it later. BTW, your guitar sounds cool. Have you guys seen the new one at John Stewart's site? Here it is again. Trenier Guitar For Sale I love the look of that guitar.

kamlapati · #**145** 02-05-2012, 10:34 PM

New clips... I know I have pointed you guys here before but I did some new recordings over the weekend and this thread needs a refresher.

Trenier Duets

More Standards

See y'all later... back to guitar.

D'Aquisto Fan · #**146** 02-06-2012, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamlapati

New clips... I know I have pointed you guys here before but I did some new recordings over the weekend and this thread needs a refresher.

Trenier Duets

More Standards

See y'all later... back to guitar.

Nice, Kamlapati. Thanks for sharing.

Four2theBar · #**147** 02-14-2012, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamlapati

New clips... I know I have pointed you guys here before but I did some new recordings over the weekend and this thread needs a refresher.

Trenier Duets

More Standards

See y'all later... back to guitar.

Hey Kam,

You and your Excel sound mighty fine!

kamlapati · #**148** 02-14-2012, 03:11 PM

I'm still waiting for some of you guys to humble me (shouldn't be very hard, but OTOH I've heard it said that my confidence is not a good match for my skills) with your own Trenier clips!

Four2theBar · #**149** 02-15-2012, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamlapati

I'm still waiting for some of you guys to humble me (shouldn't be very hard, but OTOH I've heard it said that my confidence is not a good match for my skills) with your own Trenier clips!

I've got good intentions of producing a couple of clips soon. Current limitations (read excuses) are:

1) this is my first 7-String and I need time to adjust to low A, muting it when necessary and utilizing it musically!

2) I've also stopped playing with a plectrum and am taking a completely finger-style RH approach. Fortunately I formerly studied classical guitar for many years. Nevertheless, it's taking considerable work to play the lines for Bop tunes and Standards with consistent musical authority.

3) Kamlapati has given us a lot to measure up to.

SevenStringJazz · #**150** 03-24-2012, 10:48 AM

Hey All, "SevenStringJazz" (formerly "Four2theBar") here. Exciting news! Being completely blown away by my Trenier Excel 7, I've contracted Bryant to build a 7-String version on the Motif for me! It should be complete by the middle of
next year. Bryant was kind enough to send the prototype to me to play for awhile. I've attached some photos of this amazing instrument.

Here's a link to a rough recording of a little tune the guitar inspired me to compose Morning Motif