Trenier GAS...

Squint · #1 03-10-2010, 06:39 PM

Guys, I just tried out a beautiful Trenier Broadway at Westwood Music today and I was so impressed, I had to tell y'all about it! It's a blonde one like the first one in this link and it had such a BIG sound for a 16", it blew me away. They "start" at $5000. but the one I played was much less.

Trenier seems to know what he's doing. Check it out...

Trenier Jazz Guitars - Broadway

Squint · #2 03-10-2010, 06:40 PM

If anyone is really interested, I'd be happy to get some pics for you.

Dookychase · #3 03-11-2010, 07:47 AM

The sunburst one is really pretty. I read an interview not long ago in Just Jazz Guitar. He makes beautiful guitars.

mr. beaumont · #4 03-11-2010, 01:39 PM

wow, those are lovely. i really like non-cutaway archtops.

Squint · #5 03-11-2010, 04:25 PM

You see a guitar like this and you go, "...but what does it sound like?" Take my word for it, it sounds and plays better than it looks, so you do the math. And I don't even like anything smaller than 17" at the bout... until now. A great price point, too! But you know they'll get more expensive as word gets around...

And check out how this guy sources his wood!

D'Aquisto Fan · #6 05-19-2010, 07:46 PM

Hey, guys. I'm new to the site. I just had to chime in about Bryant's guitars. He built me a gorgeous 17" model in the vein of a D'Aquisto NY Classic. Not only is it a stunning looking guitar, but it's a wonderful instrument. Bryant builds very much in the tradition and spirit of Jimmy. His guitars are also very well received by Larry Wexer and John Stewart, both fine guitarists and experts in the world of vintage and finely crafted archtop guitars. Bryant's prices are affordable and he's a pleasure to work with. Check him out!

Squint · #7 05-20-2010, 07:25 PM

Thanks for bumping this, D'fan! I forgot to post a pic of the Trenier...

D'Aquisto Fan · #8 05-21-2010, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squint

Thanks for bumping this, D'fan! I forgot to post a pic of the Trenier...

That's very pretty. I'll have to see if I can figure out how to post pics of my guitar. Again, I can't recommend Bryant enough, especially at his very reasonable price point. Oh, the companion guitar to mine, which Bryant built alongside my guitar, is on Larry Wexer's site. It's a non-cutaway. Mine has a cutaway. Great archtops! There's also a really cool 17" with a built-in humbucker at a great price on John Stewart's site: myjazzhome.com

amusiathread · #9 05-21-2010, 10:30 PM

This thread is like porn to me. I am an absolute junkie for a non-cutaway.

Squint · #10 05-21-2010, 10:56 PM

You really should hear this little Trenier. I was absolutely blown away by how BIG it sounds for a 16"!! Just pure CLASS...

And I get to play it tomorrow if it hasn't been sold yet!!

kamlapati · #11 07-20-2010, 04:00 PM

I just ordered an Excel model from Bryant. Pretty exciting! It's going to be hard to be patient for the next year.

D'Aquisto Fan · #12 07-20-2010, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamlapati

I just ordered an Excel model from Bryant. Pretty exciting! It's going to be hard to be patient for the next year.

Congratulations! I love my Trenier. There's one for sale at Larry Wexer's site and at archtop.com, along with My Jazz Home, John Stewart's site. Bryant is the best!

kamlapati · #13 07-20-2010, 06:16 PM

I tried to buy the non-cutaway Excel at archtop.com but unfortunately some lucky person was faster than me. The SB one with the mounted PU doesn't appeal to me.

After a little thought, I decided to just order one and get all the specs perfect. Yeah, lucky me.

D'Aquisto Fan · #14 07-20-2010, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamlapati

I tried to buy the non-cutaway Excel at archtop.com but unfortunately some lucky person was faster than me. The SB one with the mounted PU doesn't appeal to me.

After a little thought, I decided to just order one and get all the specs perfect. Yeah, lucky me.

I don't blame you. Bryant built my guitar to my specs and it's a wonderful instrument. The whole process was a joy. My guitar was built alongside the non-cut on Larry Wexer's site. As I believe I previously posted, mine is modeled after a D'Aquisto NY Classic. It's a great guitar. Keep us posted!

Four2theBar · #15 08-27-2010, 09:58 PM

Squint - thanks for the beautiful pics. I'm talking with Bryant right now about a 17" Broadway non-cut. I'm currently playing rhythm in one Big Band and subbing in another one. Looking so forward to the Trenier!

Squint · #16 08-27-2010, 10:20 PM

The Broadway is still here at Westwood Music, but I swear if there is ever a fire, it will be out the door before I am! I have to admit not really pushing it as much as I should. It's on consignment, as are most of our eclectic collection, but once our remodeling is done, it's sure to sell as we'll be getting more sales traffic.

It remains my favorite piece in the store.

Be sure to put some sounds on Youtube and some pics here when you get your Trenier, 4-2! Is Bryant using some of the spruce he got in Europe?

Let us know!

Four2theBar · #17 08-27-2010, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squint

....

Be sure to put some sounds on Youtube and some pics here when you get your Trenier, 4-2! Is Bryant using some of the spruce he got in Europe?

Let us know!

I'm not sure about the woods yet. Bryant is hinting about a new acoustic pickup system but no details yet. As primarily a Big Band player I'm very interested in getting the classic "dry/sweet" acoustic tone, yet a volume that's workable in a modern environment. I do take an occasional solo and also play latin and funk so I'm hoping that whatever he comes up will service all of this well.

My current rig is an Eastman 605 with the K&K Pure Archtop transducer pair into an Acoustic Image Corus amp. The AI is just great and with two preamp channels should be ready for anything that Bryant's PU idea can throw at it.

I've got quite a long wait to get the new axe so there's still time to finalize the woods/finish, etc. I do know that I want my Broadway to cut when comping without sacrificing mellow roundness.

I'll definitely post visual and sound goodies!

D'Aquisto Fan · #18 08-27-2010, 10:55 PM

I was just speaking with Bryant the other night. What a great guy. And what a talented builder. You won't be disappointed.

kamlapati · #19 09-14-2010, 01:17 AM

I was lucky enough to get the Magnolia Classic from Larry Wexer. I still have one on order, but it seemed silly to wait a whole year for a guitar. At some point I'll have to decide how many is enough, but not today.

It plays sweet as cake. Modern, balanced and mellow tone, much better at chord melody than big band punch, and I am totally in love.

Four2theBar · #20 09-14-2010, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamlapati

I was lucky enough to get the Magnolia Classic from Larry Wexer. I still have one on order, but it seemed silly to wait a whole year for a guitar. At some point I'll have to decide how many is enough, but not today.

It plays sweet as cake. Modern, balanced and mellow tone, much better at chord melody than big band punch, and I am totally in love.

Wow - very beautiful! Do you have a pickup for this guitar?

kamlapati · #21 09-14-2010, 11:11 AM

No pickup, this guy is going to stay all acoustic for the foreseeable future.

I play out a bit, mostly at open mics, and sometimes with a small group, and I use a microphone. Two reasons:

1. I am an evangelist for acoustic archtops. Most people have never been exposed to them, and I consider it my job to do so.

2. Whenever I plug in at an open mic, the sound man will invariably roll off the treble. Most people have the idea burned into their brains that that is what an archtop is supposed to sound like, and it drives me crazy. Even when I tell sound men not do, many still do it! Anyway, when I use a mic, they seem much less inclined to ruin my tone!

BigDaddyLoveHandles · #22 09-14-2010, 11:31 AM

Okay, I like the E model (cutaway, with pickup (CC here). We all get to choose our guitar porn!

(I like the fretboard sans inlay, too.)

-------------------------

Last night my wife asked me, "what are you doing on the computer?" and I answered "just looking at porn". She knew enough to ask "porn porn or guitar porn"!

D'Aquisto Fan · #23 09-14-2010, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamlapati

I was lucky enough to get the Magnolia Classic from Larry Wexer. I still have one on order, but it seemed silly to wait a whole year for a guitar. At some point I'll have to decide how many is enough, but not today.

It plays sweet as cake. Modern, balanced and mellow tone, much better at chord melody than big band punch, and I am totally in love.

Congratulations! Bryant's simply one of the best builders around today, not to mention a wonderful guy to work with. My Trenier was built alongside yours. I've been very, very happy with mine.

D'Aquisto Fan · #24 09-14-2010, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

Okay, I like the E model (cutaway, with pickup (CC here). We all get to choose our guitar porn!

(I like the fretboard sans inlay, too.)

-------------------------

Last night my wife asked me, "what are you doing on the computer?" and I answered "just looking at porn". She knew enough to ask "porn porn or guitar porn"!

I like the "E" models, too. There's one at myjazzhome.com, which is John Stewart's site. It looks like a fabulous guitar that's priced extremely reasonably. I've been very, very tempted.

Four2theBar · #25 12-22-2010, 09:28 PM

HELP! ... I may be considering a different Trenier Guitar model.

OK, here's the deal. I currently have a deposit down on a Broadway Model which is scheduled for completion in a year or so. As I mentioned above, I do quite a bit of Big Band playing and currently use an 16" non-cut Eastman archtop (which I plan to keep and use for outdoor gigs and take to some rehearsals) with a K&K transducer installed.

What I'm discovering is that MOST of my gigs are either outdoors or in places where I'm crammed into a tight place on the bandstand. I'm really concerned that my new Broadway will get banged up (or worse) playing these shows.

I also spend hours per week shedding around the house -playing a lot from the Berklee Guitar Method, working out chordal voicings/inversions in all 12 keys, etc. In other words using the guitar "like a piano" for personal/primary musical development.

So ... I'm now wondering if I should consider changing my Trenier guitar order from a Broadway to an Excel. I would still have some kind of transducer put in the Excel and figure that I could always play it with the Big Band(s) whenever a really "plum" gig comes up.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance to all who respond.

D'Aquisto Fan · #26 12-22-2010, 10:20 PM

I'm a big fan of Bryant's work. I especially love the Excels he's making now. Look at this one at John Stewart's myjazzhome.com. Trenier Model 17 Guitar For Sale

Personally, I don't think you can go wrong with an Excel. Have you spoken to Bryant about this? I'm sure he would be very helpful in discussing the various issues with you.

kamlapati · #27 12-23-2010, 01:10 AM

Hard to know what is going to work best for your style.

My recent Magnolia Classic is a fantastic guitar for chord solos, finger style, and vocal accompaniment. It's loud, smooth, and balanced. It's my number 1 guitar since I got it.

Mine is x-braced, and as per conventional wisdom, has more bass and more sustain than a parallel braced guitar, but has less "cut" for the four-to-the-bar stuff. My L-5 will likely remain my go-to guitar for that stuff.

Talking / writing to Bryant is good advice. He can tailor the guitar to what you want.

Four2theBar · #28 12-23-2010, 09:29 PM

I'm thinking I'll start with the Broadway .... it's such a cool "classic" Acoustic Jazz Archtop by any standard.

... then if my professional life continues to play out the way it currently is, I'll order another, different Trenier model in 2 years or so.

Sound like a plan?

kamlapati · #29 12-23-2010, 10:26 PM

More guitars is my solution to almost every problem.

D'Aquisto Fan · #30 12-23-2010, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamlapati

More guitars is my solution to almost every problem.

Words to live by!