The Jazz Guitar Chord Dictionary
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  1. #1

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    As many of you know - Bryant Trenier has been building extraordinary guitars in the style of Jimmy D’Aquisto and John D’Angelico for many years. He continues to evolve these designs - with an emphasis on pure acoustic pleasure, and his instruments are sonic masterpieces at the highest level.

    Since moving to France - his European clientele has increased considerably, and his guitars are now played by professionals and enthusiasts all over the World. One notable US based master - Pasquale Grasso, has been playing Bryant’s guitars for years, and now enjoys a newer revised “Pasquale Grasso” model. Pasquale has traveled the globe sharing his talents, and can be found frequenting the Manhattan club scene.

    A few years ago, after Bryant completed my “Georgian” in 2020, which to this day is the finest instrument I own - I asked him to build me a guitar called the “Botanical” , to celebrate my wife’s love for European Gardens & Architecture.
    My wife is an Artist - and spends her time making Museum quality quilts and Cross stitch samplers - steeped in traditional US and European history.

    My wife has also spent many hours in the shops of Jim D’Aquisto and John Monteleone, and knows the sound of a fine Archtop, and just loves Bryant’s guitars- they are her favorite.

    Today, to my pleasant surprise, Bryant sent over some pictures of the build getting underway. He’s using some of his finest soundboards for this build. The top is being made from a 50 year old piece of Sitka , originally intended for a Cello. He said the “sensitivity and tap tune “ is off the charts.

    This guitar will have a single sound port, and no electronics - just how I like it. I’ve given Bryant many pictures for inspiration - and just cut him loose to do his thing. He intends on incorporating some things learned on a recent restoration of a 51’ D’Angelico.

    Should be an exciting journey -
    and thanks in advance to those tagging along.











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  3. #2

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    Man, I can practically smell the new sawn wood.

  4. #3

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    This is great! I really enjoyed watching the progress of your Georgian. This one will be fun to follow as well. I’m sure it will be magnificent.

  5. #4

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    Thanks for sharing, Steve - this is going to be inventive and remarkable. I can’t wait to see how this progresses.


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  6. #5

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    Following this one

  7. #6

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    Very exciting, Steve! Look forward to living vicariously through you!

  8. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by Cunamara
    Man, I can practically smell the new sawn wood.
    Yes indeed - nothing like the smell of a new build.


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  9. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by Mark M.
    This is great! I really enjoyed watching the progress of your Georgian. This one will be fun to follow as well. I’m sure it will be magnificent.
    Mark - glad you enjoyed the “ Georgian”. This will be equally as special I’m sure.


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  10. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by timc100
    Thanks for sharing, Steve - this is going to be inventive and remarkable. I can’t wait to see how this progresses.


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    Tim- I’m looking forward to passing along updates. This will be another “one off” Trenier special.


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  11. #10
    Quote Originally Posted by Paulie2
    Following this one
    Nice to have you on board-should be a fun build.


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  12. #11
    Quote Originally Posted by D'Aquisto Fan
    Very exciting, Steve! Look forward to living vicariously through you!
    Michael - I’m looking forward to seeing what unique features Bryant has in store for this build. Should be fun for both of us.


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  13. #12

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    Quote Originally Posted by QAman
    Erm, mice?

    (the one quote I remember from Some like it hot )

    Is it an optical illusion or is that not the soundport-to-be in a side-wall? It looks might thick for sides of an acoustic guitar?

  14. #13
    Quote Originally Posted by RJVB
    Erm, mice?

    (the one quote I remember from Some like it hot )

    Is it an optical illusion or is that not the soundport-to-be in a side-wall? It looks might thick for sides of an acoustic guitar?
    It will look like this when finished.


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  15. #14

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    Following along…

  16. #15
    Trenier Botanical update #1

    Bryant just sent a few pics of the headstock veneer. The inspiration for this design originated from pictures I sent to Bryant of English Garden Architecture( in the US think Longwood Gardens). You can see from the attached pics of the curved/ arched windows - where he transferred the concept on to the headstock. The cut wedges of MOP act as daylight panels. This entire build pays homage to European / English design. The flame maple surround adds another element of beauty.

    Bryant is really excited about this build.

    More to come - thanks for tagging along








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  17. #16

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    Stevie,
    Wow, this guitar is going to be amazing.
    Particularly interesting is the bubble like figure in the middle of the back. Something I’ve never seen on a guitar.
    The material used in the view through the window closely resembles the daytime sky. Very cool. And I love how BT plans to diagonally layer his logo over the headstock feature.
    This will be a good one to follow.
    It would be cool if he were able to integrate some the Lake Como, Bellagio “ballustrade” pattern somewhere on the guitar. I always thought that part of the world contains the ultimate Botanical artistry, but I am kind of biased..

    JD

  18. #17
    Quote Originally Posted by Max405
    Stevie,
    Wow, this guitar is going to be amazing.
    Particularly interesting is the bubble like figure in the middle of the back. Something I’ve never seen on a guitar.
    The material used in the view through the window closely resembles the daytime sky. Very cool. And I love how BT plans to diagonally layer his logo over the headstock feature.
    This will be a good one to follow.
    It would be cool if he were able to integrate some the Lake Como, Bellagio “ballustrade” pattern somewhere on the guitar. I always thought that part of the world contains the ultimate Botanical artistry, but I am kind of biased..

    JD
    Hi Joe,
    Thanks for the nice comments. This will certainly be a gorgeous guitar.

    Bryant just started carving the back - so it will be interesting to see the finished flame. The spruce being used is extraordinary - and expected to produce an acoustic cannon.

    It will be interesting to see what other design elements Bryant incorporates into the build. I’ll keep everyone posted.

    Thanks for participating and stay well Joe.


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    Last edited by QAman; 10-10-2024 at 03:52 PM.

  19. #18

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    Quote Originally Posted by QAman View Post

    Bryant just started carving the back - so it will be interesting to see the finished flame. The spruce being used is extraordinary - and expected to produce an acoustic cannon.


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    Steve - Will it have a 17” lower bout?

    AKA

  20. #19
    Quote Originally Posted by AKA View Post
    Steve - Will it have a 17” lower bout?

    AKA
    Hi Albert,
    I believe it's going to be around 17-1/2 - that's what Bryant mentioned a few weeks ago. He's incorporating some aspects of an 18" D'Angelico restoration he recently completed.

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  21. #20

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    I recently acquired his Calore #2 and it’s without a doubt the finest archtop I’ve ever played or owned. Looking forward to seeing how this one comes out.

  22. #21
    Leucadia guy,
    Congrats on your aquistion of Calore #2. When it comes to current luthiers who build acoustic Archtop guitars, it's hard to beat a Trenier. Bryant has spent his entire building career keeping the sonic legacy of D'Angelico and D'Aquisto alive and well. Also, Bryant's prices are still within reach, as compared to a say a Monteleone, Parker or Manzer.

    Additionally, his guitars continue to evolve in a profound way, and his global clientle continue to increase year over year.

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  23. #22

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    Quote Originally Posted by QAman View Post
    Leucadia guy,
    Congrats on your aquistion of Calore #2. When it comes to current luthiers who build acoustic Archtop guitars, it's hard to beat a Trenier. Bryant has spent his entire building career keeping the sonic legacy of D'Angelico and D'Aquisto alive and well. Also, Bryant's prices are still within reach, as compared to a say a Monteleone, Parker or Manzer.

    Additionally, his guitars continue to evolve in a profound way, and his global clientle continue to increase year over year.

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    Thank you QAman. I’ve never played a Monteleone, so I can’t give a comparison, but I have been fortunate enough to have played most of the other great builders. I’ve never played or heard anything as good as my Trenier. The tone, responsiveness, sustain, feel…. It can handle anything I throw at it from the most delicate finger style to heavy gypsy style rest strokes and everything in between. I think his guitars are worth double the price he’s asking.


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  24. #23

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    A work of art in the making! Thanks for taking us along for the ride, Steve!

  25. #24
    Quote Originally Posted by Leucadia guy
    Thank you QAman. I’ve never played a Monteleone, so I can’t give a comparison, but I have been fortunate enough to have played most of the other great builders. I’ve never played or heard anything as good as my Trenier. The tone, responsiveness, sustain, feel…. It can handle anything I throw at it from the most delicate finger style to heavy gypsy style rest strokes and everything in between. I think his guitars are worth double the price he’s asking.


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    Leucadia,
    The description of your Trenier is why Bryant’s backlog continues to grow.


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  26. #25
    Quote Originally Posted by Mark M.
    A work of art in the making! Thanks for taking us along for the ride, Steve!
    Hi Mark,
    Thanks for the continued interest - it’s going to be a fun build.


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