The Trenier “Botanical” - new build.

[marcut]

Hi Steve. I’m also excited to watch another one of your Trenier builds and I’m sure it will be amazing. Are you going with a quilted maple back as an homage to your wife’s formidable talents?

[QAman]

Hi Steve. I’m also excited to watch another one of your Trenier builds and I’m sure it will be amazing. Are you going with a quilted maple back as an homage to your wife’s formidable talents?

Marcut,
So nice to hear from you. Not sure what Bryant is using for the back, but quilted maple would certainly be a great homage to my wife’s quilting. Thanks for the continued interest.


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[QAman]

Here is an update on the “Botanical “ build. The interior bracing is now

completed and body closed. This is precisely how Jim D’Aquisto completed his body assemblies - with the interior of plates completed and exterior of plates carved later. The next step is the completion of top carving , then neck fitting - followed by finish carving of back.







This method of building enables the tap tuning of the instrument ( as a whole unit) after neck attachment - which provides the upmost sonic outcome when done by an expert like Bryant.

It takes years of building to develop this practice- which necessitates carving the outside by feel and listening. I’ve watched Jim D’Aquisto do this on numerous builds back in the late eighties and early nineties.

Bryant is approaching his 200th build - and the experience gained, and sonic improvements have been astounding.


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[QAman]

Here are some pics from one of my scrap books from early nineties in Jim D’Aquisto’s shop. Here you can see how Bryant constructs the body in the same manner as Jim D’Aquisto
- with outside left full for carving as a body assembly.



1229 was my Excel - currently in the possession of one of our esteemed forum members brother.


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[Leucadia guy]

Here is an update on the “Botanical “ build. The interior bracing is now

completed and body closed. This is precisely how Jim D’Aquisto completed his body assemblies - with the interior of plates completed and exterior of plates carved later. The next step is the completion of top carving , then neck fitting - followed by finish carving of back.







This method of building enables the tap tuning of the instrument ( as a whole unit) after neck attachment - which provides the upmost sonic outcome when done by an expert like Bryant.

It takes years of building to develop this practice- which necessitates carving the outside by feel and listening. I’ve watched Jim D’Aquisto do this on numerous builds back in the late eighties and early nineties.

Bryant is approaching his 200th build - and the experience gained, and sonic improvements have been astounding.


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These are my favorite kind of pictures. Thanks for sharing.


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[QAman]

These are my favorite kind of pictures. Thanks for sharing.


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Check out this pic of interior.
Looks like a dance floor through a fisheye lens.


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[D'Aquisto Fan]

Check out this pic of interior.
Looks like a dance floor through a fisheye lens.

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Wow, Steve! Clean and beautiful!

[QAman]

Wow, Steve! Clean and beautiful!

Thanks Michael ! Bryant continues to refine his craft. Here is another pic of him fitting the bracing.
Watching him build brings back great memories of my visits to Jim D’Aquisto’s shop. The build process is the same - lots of hand work, and great instincts with tap tuning the body.

As Bryant approaches 200 guitars, he’s achieved that point of knowing exactly what the outcome will be with the selected woods and carving method.

I’ve said it before, for those wanting something resembling a D’Aquisto sound- it’s hard to beat a Trenier.

Not sure if you know Tim, but he loves his new Trenier Continental.


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[2bornot2bop]

And any Trenier is a bargain compared to any alternative!

[Mark M.]

Fascinating pics, Steve. I am enjoying this thread greatly.

[QAman]

Just received some updates from Bryant on the build. He has incorporated tedious strips of
a mosaic pattern into both the fingerboard and around the body. His idea is to incorporate a floral colorful element into the instrument. Here are some pics.

[QAman]

Just received more updates on the build. The Trenier name now in the headstock and the top carving nearly complete.




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[D'Aquisto Fan]

Just received more updates on the build. The Trenier name now in the headstock and the top carving nearly complete.




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That looks great, Steve. Seems like Bryant is making real headway! Excited for you!

[QAman]

That looks great, Steve. Seems like Bryant is making real headway! Excited for you!

Thanks Michael ! Neck should be going on the body soon.

Then as Jimmy D’Aquisto would say - “ the guitar is born”.


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[Rickco]

Getting to see these in progress pics is a real treat! I was a cabinet and furniture maker for 50 yrs, that said I never work on my guitars except to adjust the action. Getting to see this level of craftsmanship and the process convinces me thats a good policy. Although Im now retired and just play around on my "Geppetto" bench its really inspiring to get these inside views so thanks to you and Bryant for sharing. Looking forward to the next installment!

[QAman]

Getting to see these in progress pics is a real treat! I was a cabinet and furniture maker for 50 yrs, that said I never work on my guitars except to adjust the action. Getting to see this level of craftsmanship and the process convinces me thats a good policy. Although Im now retired and just play around on my "Geppetto" bench its really inspiring to get these inside views so thanks to you and Bryant for sharing. Looking forward to the next installment!

Rickco,
Glad to hear you are enjoying the build - and thanks for participating. As a cabinet / furniture maker for 50 years, you can certainly appreciate the hand craftsmanship of Bryant Trenier.

Similar to Jimmy D’Aquisto’s sentiment- it’s very liberating for a luthier to depart from the traditional builds , and incorporate some unbridled creativity.

Thankfully, Jimmy D’Aquisto had some customers who encouraged him to explore his ideas - and the byproduct was the modern D’Aquisto series.

With these special Trenier builds- I’m providing Bryant the same opportunity to explore his ideas - and I’m confident the outcome will pave the way for his golden period.

The guitars coming off of Bryant’s bench are sonically extraordinary - and getting better with each build…….just like D’Aquisto.


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[QAman]

Here is another update on the build. Bryant made a point of telling me he’s using a 1” high / wide dovetail just like the 50’s D’Angelico he just restored. The pics show the in-process dovetail, headstock with tuner holes drilled - and neck mounted. The guitar is now “born”.

Next step is to finish carving/ tap tuning back - then base clear coats begin.

[Stringswinger]

Well Steve, as the blind Rabbi once said, "it won't be long now".

Congrats in advance to another addition to your amazing art collection, er guitar collection that is.

[QAman]

Well Steve, as the blind Rabbi once said, "it won't be long now".

Congrats in advance to another addition to your amazing art collection, er guitar collection that is.

Thanks Marco! I thoroughly enjoy seeing these theme/ art inspired builds develop. The structure ( neck set angle, bracing / carving) of this particular build is mainly based on a 50's D'Angelico, with some modern aesthetics.

For me , when it comes to guitars, "Variety is the spice of life".



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[FourOnSix]

The structure ( neck set angle, bracing / carving) of this particular build is mainly based on a 50's D'Angelico, with some modern anesthetics.

Modern anesthetics? Don't think you'll need it. I'm sure the guitar will play painlessly

In fact, I played my 17" Trenier Aurelia #2 this morning, and the experience was delightful. I don't think I've ever played a guitar that had more even resonance from note to note up and down and across the neck.

That headstock on yours is over the top beautiful BTW.

[QAman]

Modern anesthetics? Don't think you'll need it. I'm sure the guitar will play painlessly

In fact, I played my 17" Trenier Aurelia #2 this morning, and the experience was delightful. I don't think I've ever played a guitar that had more even resonance from note to note up and down and across the neck.

That headstock on yours is over the top beautiful BTW.

FourOnSix,
Lol ! Great catch. So much for spell check - I corrected it....thank you.

I certainly agree with your assessment of a Trenier's signature resonance throughout the fingerboard - its quite extraordinary.

Thanks so much for the kind words on the headstock. Bryant really brought the conservatory vibe / looking glass of the garden architecture into the headstock.

It's become a fun build for sure.

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[deacon Mark]

QAman you got a real winner. I notice archtop.com has an 18-inch Trenier Magnolia for not a bad price really made in 2005. I would love to hear and play that guitar for evaluation and possibilities but unfortunately due to the dealer I would have to check in all in person beforehand. Bryant is also evolving but I do know those very first D'aquisto Guitars made basically like D'angelico's are quite nice and revered now. Could be history repeating with the Magnolia from 2005 but I don't know.

[QAman]

QAman you got a real winner. I notice archtop.com has an 18-inch Trenier Magnolia for not a bad price really made in 2005. I would love to hear and play that guitar for evaluation and possibilities but unfortunately due to the dealer I would have to check in all in person beforehand. Bryant is also evolving but I do know those very first D'aquisto Guitars made basically like D'angelico's are quite nice and revered now. Could be history repeating with the Magnolia from 2005 but I don't know.

Deacon Mark,
Bryant has certainly carved his own niche into the Archtop market. I can confidently say that along his career thus far, there have been many fine builds - and the resale prices are very reasonable. When I first met Bryant in 2011- I played an earlier D’Angelico style guitar that he made - and it was fantastic. With regard to Archtop.com- I will refrain from voicing my opinion of that dealer.

As for Bryant’s current instruments - I believe they have reached another level of consistency / refinement, both sonically and visually. As he approaches 200 builds - there has been a lot of gained experience, especially from the restoration work.

Additionally. Like Jimmy D’Aquisto- Bryants main focus is on pure acoustic Archtops - and he’s become one of the very best.

I believe one of Bryants ultimate goals is to achieve a similar stature / perception to that of John Monteleone. He will accomplish this by building more “ one off” special instruments, which serve both the player and collector who want something unique. His current prices are still very approachable.

What’s interesting - is that after my “ Georgian “ build he received a lot of interest and several build requests for that styling - and I bet the “Botanical “ will have a similar affect . There are discerning buyers who understand and appreciate evolving ideas on guitars - and having something different is very appealing.

Hank Risan enabled Jimmy D’Aquisto to explore unique ideas, and if I can afford Bryant that same opportunity ( to some extent ) - that would be very rewarding.


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[QAman]

Here are some updates on the build. Since this is a new design ( neck angle , body depth, and body size ) - Bryant decided to string this up in the white to tweak in body tuning and adjust certain appointments. I’ve also attached some pics of tail-pc construction.

Bryant said “ it has a huge acoustic voice “ and he’s excited about the build.









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[QAman]

Here is another update which just came over from France a few moments ago. Bryant decided to do a subtle green burst with an amber clear coat. He said “it’s extraordinary in the sunlight”.

As I’ve said in the past, the best guitars are produced when you let the builder incorporate his own ideas - and this is an example of that exploration.






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