Trenier Broadway (DA copy)

**Jabberwocky** · 10-17-2018, 01:50 PM

Ask for the oil varnish finish. And go on to do other things and not think about it. Those 24 months will go by quickly. 2019 is nearly upon us. Perhaps it is slated for early 2020 delivery? In that case, it will be more like 15 to 18 months than 24.

Happy for you : )

**skykomishone** · 10-17-2018, 02:02 PM

O, That is fantastic, and a very 'sound' decision! You will never regret it. I own an Excel style, and will never give it up. Man, you're living my dream with that one. And, it's almost 2019, so, won't be long. You're going to love it.

**D'Aquisto Fan** · 10-17-2018, 05:44 PM

Congratulations! I ordered a Jazz Special a few months ago. I understand the need to be patient and wait. Bryant's guitars are exceptional!

**radiofm74** · 10-17-2018, 06:52 PM

Those are all amazing guitars. I dream of owning an Epi like the one above. And they are all well bestowed with you! Congratulations. I’m sure your present Broadway will keep you very good company while you wait for 2020!

**QAman** · 10-17-2018, 09:55 PM

A fantastic choice - and a wise purchase. You now have plenty of time to gather the funds.

I’ve said it for many years on this forum - Bryant’s guitar are extraordinary instruments and blend the best sound and aesthetic attributes of the earlier period masterpiece guitars.

I’m sure it will be like my Broadway - which sounds like my 35’ D’Angelico snakehead

Congrats - and keep us posted with updates.

**Dennis D** · 10-18-2018, 08:13 PM

Congrats ! Hopefully time doesn't suddenly 'stand still'.

I agree completely with picture frame inlays being exquisite. I love them on my L-7, and had no idea there were L-5's built with them. If you have any other photo's of these L-5 s built with those inlays, I'd love to see them.

Congrats again.

**gitman** · 10-19-2018, 04:50 AM

Good choice ! I got my Jazz Special in mid July and I can't keep my hands off that guitar ...... totally inspiring tones, no matter which amp I use or no amp at all and the 16" body size makes it the most comfortable axe in my collection.
That nice Epi should tie you over until 2020 .....

**skykomishone** · 10-21-2018, 11:25 AM

Bryant doesn't list the D'Aquisto style Excel model on his new website I noticed. Found this YouTube of a demo by Steve done a while ago...

**marcut** · 10-23-2018, 01:16 AM

I'm very excited for you and I don't think it gets much better these days than a Trenier Broadway. I thought the picture frame inlays on your '36 L7 were striking and was wondering if you're planning on having Bryant recreate those or are you going to come up with your own set of inlays?

**Max405** · 10-24-2018, 08:06 PM

Omph,
you did a smart thing. I have a feeling these Treniers will be credited with carrying on the tradition of archtop building as it was set forth by the old masters. A new generation of magic right there.
very cool. I am happy for you.
Joe D

**QAman** · 11-01-2018, 07:20 AM

The carving process used by Jim D’Aquisto involved two key voicing steps. The first , to carve the body assembly to achieve a rough idea of the instruments voice. Then the final carve was after the neck installation - because this changes the frequency and resonance of the guitar body.

Bryant follows this same process . This video depicts the final carving , deflection testing ( by feel) and the tap tuning of the guitar after neck installation . The back is carved to achieve a low frequency - which provides warmth and sensitivity - and is coordinated with the top scraping to act as one cohesive unit.

At this stage the final recurve is established - based on the combinations of woods, stiffness and what the Luthiers hearing. This is the critical stage ( as Jim D would say).

One again - I can tell you by recent comparison to a 77’ D’Aquisto New Yorker Special - that Bryant has developed the feel and ear needed to consistently get the “D’Aqustio ring and sustain “, along with the volume as we refer to as - “ it’s a Canon”.

I’ve spent many years in both Jimmy and Bryant’s shop to witness the process .

As Rudy Pensa said at the 2014 Woodstock show “ Jimmy is back “.

Its so exciting to see Bryant embrace Jimmy’s passion and recreate these masterpiece guitars. If anyone is on the fence about ordering one of these - you will have no regrets.

**Papawooly** · 11-01-2018, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by FourOnSix

I believe this is Kamplapati Khalsa, another forum member.

You are correct SIR! He used to own the Trenier Magnolia that I got at Gryphon...
THEN, I saw/heard that Excel...

**FourOnSix** · 11-01-2018, 05:03 PM

Originally Posted by Papawooly

You are correct SIR! He used to own the Trenier Magnolia that I got at Gryphon...
THEN, I saw/heard that Excel...

I played your Trenier Magnolia at Gryphon, which inspired me to order one from Bryant. Only reason I didn't beat you to the punch is that I prefer a cutaway. You scored!

**Papawooly** · 11-02-2018, 12:42 PM

Thank you for passing on that guitar.. er Steinway!!
I bought it after 1st strum, never felt/heard anything like that before.
BT is TOP NOTCH folks!!

**Bill Eisele** · 02-24-2019, 04:57 PM

Hi all,

I have a 2007 Trenier Broadway non-cutaway in for evaluation that I need to decide as to whether to purchase it or not by tomorrow. The serial number appears to be 1034. Not sure if that means it was his 32nd guitar. I have posted photos below. Sorry for the alignment- not sure how to straighten the photos.

I’m wondering if anyone recognizes the guitar and knows it’s history. I was told that it has had at least two owners.

I’m also curious as to what these guitars sold for new. My guess is that I’m paying what it sold for new, but no surprise given Bryant’s craft and demand for his guitars.

And, I’m wondering how far his craft has evolved in the 12 or so years that has passed since this guitar was made. Are the construction technique, quality, and tonal quality significantly different today compared to 2007?

The guitar is x-braced. It has a sweet, balanced tone. It’s somewhat quiet in terms of volume, but that may be due to it not being played for a while. It’s comparable in volume to my Loar LH-700. Through the Kent Armstrong pickup, it sounds wonderful with all of its acoustic properties preserved. There are some minor finish flaws that can easily be taken care of, such as superficial scratches, scuffs, small nicks, and some nitro clouding. I’m wondering if any of you have recommendations for someone you would trust to do that kind of work?

Thanks for your help,

Bill

**Bill Eisele** · 02-24-2019, 04:58 PM

Meant to say the serial number appears to be 1032.

**Bill Eisele** · 02-24-2019, 06:00 PM

Hmmm . . . You raise a good point about how the guitar has been voiced. It actually has an additional pickguard in the case for acoustic playing only. So is it an electric guitar or acoustic guitar?

I have one clip of it amplified that I will post later. I need to run out of the house but when I return I will record it acoustically and post both clips.

I wonder if Bryant would respond to an email asking whether this guitar was meant to be an acoustic or electric guitar?

**Bill Eisele** · 02-24-2019, 06:23 PM

The pickup is a floater so imagine it’s voiced as an acoustic guitar.

**deacon Mark** · 02-24-2019, 06:51 PM

This is a fine guitar I am sure my only thing is that personally I am not a fan of dot inlay on a guitar at all unless it is the GIBSON 335. Otherwise a plain fingerboard is better although again my preference on a fine guitar is position markers that stand out more than dots. A simple l5 type inlay is fine for instance. This is getting picky but you at least get my thoughts for whatever they are worth.

**Bill Eisele** · 02-24-2019, 09:21 PM

Originally Posted by deacon Mark

This is a fine guitar I am sure my only thing is that personally I am not a fan of dot inlay on a guitar at all unless it is the GIBSON 335. Otherwise a plain fingerboard is better although again my preference on a fine guitar is position markers that stand out more than dots. A simple l5 type inlay is fine for instance. This is getting picky but you at least get my thoughts for whatever they are worth.

Thanks, Deacon Mark. I’m with you on the inlay. I did now just go back to Bryant’s website for the Broadway and he has photos up of both dot and block inlays. I guess the original purchaser liked the dots.

**Bill Eisele** · 02-24-2019, 10:57 PM

Originally Posted by Bill Eisele

Hmmm . . . You raise a good point about how the guitar has been voiced. It actually has an additional pickguard in the case for acoustic playing only. So is it an electric guitar or acoustic guitar?

I have one clip of it amplified that I will post later. I need to run out of the house but when I return I will record it acoustically and post both clips.

I wonder if Bryant would respond to an email asking whether this guitar was meant to be an acoustic or electric guitar?

I have the two clips (acoustic and amplified) recorded but am having great difficulty getting them uploaded to this site. I’m using Spire which creates the files in mp4 which I have realized is not a compatible file. So performed a conversion to mp3, but it’s taking forever to upload the files from my ancient computer to iCloud and Dropbox. And, Soundcloud is not cooperating either. Hopefully will get them posted soon.

**Bill Eisele** · 02-24-2019, 11:17 PM

Finally! Two excerpts of Misty played on the Trenier Broadway. The first track is acoustically played with a heavy pick. The second is also played with the same pick through a Rivera Suprema Jazz 55 with a 12” speaker. I’m realizing that I need to record my practicing because I’m now hearing the unintended pauses and muted notes. Ugh!!!

I’m also wondering if I should be using a lighter pick to get more of an acoustic tone with this guitar. Do you all play with the same pick for all of your guitars or do you try to play specific guitars with specific picks to optimize tone?

Anyway, I’d be interested in knowing what you think about the tone of the guitar acoustically and amplified (BTW, I used minimal amp reverb but it sounds more reverberant than I would usually dial in).

**Bill Eisele** · 02-25-2019, 12:17 AM

Originally Posted by omphalopsychos

That sounds just wonderful! If it's not very loud acoustically, try raising the action. I assume it has some sort of nickel strings, too which would reduce the overall acoustic volume and diminish the bass significantly. But regardless that definitely has the Broadway sound I associate with this guitars, very harmonically rich and full with a strong, thick fundamental. The one time I played a Broadway I was blown away by the evenness of the response anywhere on the fretboard. I'll let Steve L (QAman) chime in with his impressions since he seems to be the most knowledgeable around her about Trenier's builds.

Thanks! I’m glad that I was able to capture the essential sound of the guitar. Not thrilled with my playing but a work in progress.

I believe there are medium gauge bronze strings on the guitar but it seems that the volume present during my playing didn’t translate well to the Spire app on my iPad. Use of a carefully placed microphone intended for acoustic instruments and an optimized recording chain would help.

I also wonder if the guitar needs to be played in to get the volume increased. It has sat around for a while from what I understand. I have a Tone-Rite that could help but I think it would be more fun to just play it in to boost the volume.

Plus I have a fairly light touch with the pick. I could certainly drive it harder. And, raising the action would help as you indicate. For me it has to be a balance between tone and volume, and playability. I have hand issues that I wish weren’t present.

**QAman** · 02-25-2019, 06:20 AM

Bill,
The guitar sounds wonderful - real woody - and it has that classic Archtop sound from the period !

As for picks - I always use a heavy pick with a nice polished radius on edge - which drives the top and brings out the richness in tone.

Just experiment with picks to see which gives you the best sound. But light picks will not give you great tone.

As for strings - I use DR round core phosphor bronze.

The most important assessment is how does it feel and sound to you.

**Bill Eisele** · 02-25-2019, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by QAman

Bill,
The guitar sounds wonderful - real woody - and it has that classic Archtop sound from the period !

As for picks - I always use a heavy pick with a nice polished radius on edge - which drives the top and brings out the richness in tone.

Just experiment with picks to see which gives you the best sound. But light picks will not give you great tone.

As for strings - I use DR round core phosphor bronze.

The most important assessment is how does it feel and sound to you.

Great to hear that you’re liking the sound of the guitar, Steve! After hearing from everyone on the forum, having a friend stop by and play it, and spending time with the guitar this weekend, I decided to purchase the guitar. It’s a wonderful instrument and I know I’ll be very happy with it. Of course, we all say that but are always on the lookout for the next acquisition!

Right now, my favorite pick is a D’Andrea Ultra Plecs. It’s 1.5 mm thick and has a nice warm tone. So I’ll continue to use it.

Thank you for the string recommendation. I will pick up a set to install on the guitar when the current set needs to be replaced. I like that the floating pickup has 12 poles to allow adjustment for a variety of string types.

So, the guitar does feel and sound great to me and I hope to play it in good health for a long time to come.

Thanks for your input, Steve!