Trenier Guitar Nirvana

**skykomishone** · 01-30-2014, 10:06 PM

My new (used 2010) Trenier 17" archtop arrived today and I'm in Guitar Nirvana. The sound is profoundly sublime. I've never owned, but always wanted, a hand carved archtop. Truly amazing. It's hard to put into words how good this thing sounds. And so light compared to my '72 Gibson ES175 that I've owned since '72.

Model: 17" Acoustic Archtop
Materials: European maple, European spruce, best pick, no grain runout
Bracing: X for warmth, sustain, dynamic range
Inlay: No scroll in headstock, just logo, block inlay in fingerboard
Neck: 1 3/4" nut, 25" scale
Finish: Red wine colored sunburst, ivroid binding
Pickup: Kent Armstrong
Extras: Chrome Schaller tuners with ebony buttons.

Trenier Guitar Nirvana-_57-jpg

This guitar is so nice. I told my wife that I've found another. Good thing she laughed.

I'll post some better pics at another time.

**iim7V7IM7** · 01-30-2014, 10:12 PM

Enjoy the day...

kudos

Bob

**tonedeaf** · 01-30-2014, 10:16 PM

Nice. Glad you like it.
I have an Eastman 805CE that is very similar in design, but it had a very poor KA copy on it. I put a Benedetto 6 on. It gives me a very nice tone.

I also bought a hand-wound KA 12 pole for the Eastman that so far I have not made piece with. Have you made any adjustments to the KA to get the sound you like?

**skykomishone** · 01-30-2014, 10:32 PM

I've only had it out of the case 3 hrs. But I've played it most of that time acoustically, and the last hour I plugged it into my Fender Hotrod Deluxe and couldn't believe the tone, it was so good. I doubt I'll do anything for a while with it except play it.

**disco~juice** · 01-31-2014, 02:55 AM

Oh man what a beauty!
Congrats!

PS. Is it just me or the bridge is a bit off center?

**skykomishone** · 01-31-2014, 10:50 AM

PS. Is it just me or the bridge is a bit off center?[/QUOTE]

It was off center. The seller had just loosened the strings getting it ready to ship. I've got it all up to cruising altitude now. Sweet harmonics and overtones. When I get time I'll post some new pics. It's still dark here.

**skykomishone** · 01-31-2014, 01:30 PM

I also just realized that the bridge foot is wider on the bass side (1 1/8") than it is on the treble side (7/8") or there abouts. Interesting design. I'd like to know why Brian and I expect other luthiers do that? Any ideas? I'd like to understand. It certainly gives more contact with the soundboard.

Thanks

**Jabberwocky** · 01-31-2014, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by skykomishone

I also just realized that the bridge foot is wider on the bass side (1 1/8") than it is on the treble side (7/8") or there abouts. Interesting design. I'd like to know why Brian and I expect other luthiers do that? Any ideas? I'd like to understand. It certainly gives more contact with the soundboard.

Thanks

I don't know but maybe the guy who made this could possibly have had an influence: Trenier Guitar Nirvana-86_dgxl_full-jpg

**2bornot2bop** · 01-31-2014, 02:57 PM

Mega CONGRATS, Steve!

You have a standing invitation to bring her over if you desire to plug her into a 2x10 boutique tube amp.

I'm happy you snagged her - Enjoy!

**2bornot2bop** · 01-31-2014, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by iim7V7IM7

I also have a hand-wound KA 12-pole piece floating pickup on my Comins Classic. It has been love from the first note for me. It is the best sounding floater that I have experienced.

I played a new Classic at Joe V's the other day. Nice guitar. You're blessed!

**disco~juice** · 01-31-2014, 03:12 PM

Can I ask about the case?

**Woody Sound** · 01-31-2014, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by iim7V7IM7

I also have a hand-wound KA 12-pole piece floating pickup on my Comins Classic. It has been love from the first note for me. It is the best sounding floater that I have experienced.

I have the KA floating PAF on my Japanese D'Aquisto, and it sounds fabulous.

**kamlapati** · 01-31-2014, 04:49 PM

Sky... welcome aboard. I have "some" Trenier's too, including #1069, an Excel that looks a bit like yours. What number is yours?

For any questions, you should write to Bryant. In fact you should write to him anyway as he will be happy to keep track of the locations of his instruments.

Jabberwocky... yes, Jimmy tried the funny bridge shape too! (And all the other design cues of course.)

**Spook410** · 01-31-2014, 06:09 PM

Really nice. I think this would be my first choice in a custom guitar.

**skykomishone** · 02-01-2014, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by disco~juice

Can I ask about the case?

It came with a TKL case, one of their higher end ones.

**skykomishone** · 02-01-2014, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by kamlapati

Sky... welcome aboard. I have "some" Trenier's too, including #1069, an Excel that looks a bit like yours. What number is yours?

For any questions, you should write to Bryant. In fact you should write to him anyway as he will be happy to keep track of the locations of his instruments.

Jabberwocky... yes, Jimmy tried the funny bridge shape too! (And all the other design cues of course.)

Wow! It's number 1067. Their sisters! Also, that D'aquisto looks very much the twin too. I was told by several luthiers and collectors that Bryant is as close to the mark on that design with this model guitar than anyone. I've never played a D'aquisto, but I sure do love the sound of this thing. I was at Lemuel the Luthier's shop yesterday and he said it was his favorite of all the builders, and that's saying a lot. He's worked on many and just about everything.

I'll get in touch with Bryant and follow up. I was told yesterday by JoeV at archtop.com that he got his start out here. Man, I'm learning something new every day, that goodness.

Kind Regards

**jads57** · 02-01-2014, 11:42 AM

Just curious what the neck profile/shape is like other than 1 & 3/4" width? Fat, thin,C or D shape Even Taper,etc?
Thanks!

**kamlapati** · 02-01-2014, 12:12 PM

I'd love to hear Bryant's thoughts on that bridge shape. What was the goal?

You know about the other multi-year Trenier thread? A couple of us have tracked our builds here. It might be kind of hard to read the whole thing, but you can look at the pictures!

**skykomishone** · 02-01-2014, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by jads57

Just curious what the neck profile/shape is like other than 1 & 3/4" width? Fat, thin,C or D shape Even Taper,etc?
Thanks!

I'd say 'D' and very comfortable. I took a carpenter's compass and scribed a pencil outline on a notepad to get you somewhat of a rough estimate and it looks like 1/2 of a 1.75" circle or there about to me.

**2bornot2bop** · 02-01-2014, 03:05 PM

Photos don't do this guitar justice - She was even prettier in person...it was good to see U again Steve!

**mr. beaumont** · 02-01-2014, 05:25 PM

What a great looking guitar...

**2bornot2bop** · 02-01-2014, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by skykomishone

2bop, I'm struggling with the uploader. I've tried to put in a few better pics, and it kept flipping them sideways, weird. You are right, it's hard to do justice with the camera. Especially w/o your incredible camera skills. I've seen lot's of the ones you've taken and you should give lessons man. So here goes a couple tries:

Nope, you're doing exceptionally well sir. She's a beauty, with a tone to match!

**Jabberwocky** · 02-02-2014, 02:06 AM

Stella! Stella!! Oooh, errr, I mean, Stellar.

**Gertrude Moser** · 02-02-2014, 10:57 AM

That guitar is absolutely lust provoking! Congrats and enjoy.

**kamlapati** · 02-02-2014, 12:59 PM

Wow, I just notice the burl or grain on the back of the headstock! Is that ebony or something else? Mine are just featureless ebony, but that color and figure looks fantastic. Love it!