Trenier Classic

[AKA]

Arrived yesterday after 17 days in DHL / Customs limbo. Sustained a small scuff on the tailpiece in transit, but otherwise unscathed. Tom Ribbecke is about an hours drive away and graciously agreed to take care of the scuff.

The guitar is just shy of 17” at the lower bout and 3” deep at the rims. It’s 25-1/4” scale with a 1-3/4” neck width. It has a Tyrolian spruce soundboard, European maple back, sides and neck and an African ebony fretboard. The ebony/mahogany/maple binding is absolutely perfect.

Bryant installed a Lollar Johnny Smith pickup. He carved an ebony pickup enclosure and also built a custom pickguard to minimize the appearance of the volume/tone controls.

The flamed maple headstock face, lack of fret inlays and focus on the inherent beauty of the wood is clearly inspired by a similar D’aquisto design.

I attached a few quick pics. The guitar in-hand is a work of art. The wood selection and craftsmanship provide an understated elegance. The bear claw in the spruce top is awesome.

As QAman has noted, Bryant is extremely skilled in voicing his archtops. This one is no exception. I’m looking forward to spending some serious time with this guitar and experiencing the opening up of the top.

These are quick shots. I will post some nicer photos soon. If someone can rotate the photos I’d appreciate it. I don’t know how.

AKA

[jads57]

Wow!

[citizenk74]

Exquisite! Congratulations, and play it in good health!

[AKA]

Exquisite! Congratulations, and play it in good health!

Thanks citizenk74!

[marcwhy]

Wow - love it! Enjoy, and congrats!

[guido5]

That is so lovely! A honey blond is so sweet...

[QAman]

AKA,
An extraordinary looking instrument. I love the lacquered tail pc and pick- guard.....very elegant. I’m certain the voice of the instrument is equally impressive - and I’m excited for your NGD.

Wishing you many years of enjoyment!


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[Esport]

Gorgeous!

[skykomishone]

[Max405]

Oh boy that is REALLY beautiful.
AKA, I wish you all the peace and happiness with this guitar.
It must be nice having Ribbecke right down the street ready and willing to do some touch up work on your Trenier.. Sort of like calling Elon Musk over to change the batteries in your smoke detectors!
Love it.
Joe D

[Mark M.]

Absolutely stunning! Bryant’s guitars just keep getting better and better. Congrats!

[vinnyv1k]

Bryant is certainly at the top of his game. A big Congrats !

[Archtop Guy]

You win AKA, That's the best Trenier so far!!!

[QAman]

Bryant is certainly at the top of his game. A big Congrats !

Vinny - here is a recent email sent to Bryant from a gentlemen who recently bought a 2014 Trenier. I can’t post his name for privacy reasons:


Bryant: I just wanted you to know that I'm 74, own several great guitars and have seen just about every guitar there is. But this "mint" 2014 Custom Oval you made takes the top prize. It is the most beautiful work of art imaginable. Beyond that, the sound and playability are unlike anything I ever encountered. I've heard people rave about your guitars. Well, it's no wonder. I have to think you are the greatest guitar-maker in the world today. I thought it was my duty to tell you although I'm sure you hear it all the time.


A big Congrats again to AKA


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[kovacs]

This must be one of the most beautiful jazz boxes I have ever seen. Congrats!

[vinnyv1k]

Jimmy D’Aquisto lives on thru Bryant. Such a magnificent guitar !

[medblues]

Superb novel design without being too blingy !

[skykomishone]

What a beauty. Congrats on your new Trenier. I have one and it's light as a feather, and a joy to play. I love it.
Here's another rotation...

[AKA]

Oh boy that is REALLY beautiful.
AKA, I wish you all the peace and happiness with this guitar.
It must be nice having Ribbecke right down the street ready and willing to do some touch up work on your Trenier.. Sort of like calling Elon Musk over to change the batteries in your smoke detectors!
Love it.
Joe D

Thanks Joe. I will say Tom Ribbecke is a great and gracious human being and I’m fortunate his shop is in easy commuting distance. He once had an instrument hand delivered to me as I was recuperating from a significant medical procedure. I called it my healing guitar.

Fortunately, in this case yesterday, at a friend’s urging I took a pass at buffing out the scuff myself using Virtuoso guitar polish and it worked perfectly! It would take a magnifying glass to find any trace.

Albert

[AKA]

That is so lovely! A honey blond is so sweet...

Yes! I love the subtle shading and coloring of the instrument. He actually shaded the body to create a transition from darker to lighter amber burst beginning at the tailpin, picked it up in the tailpiece and finger rest and completed it on the headstock face.

AKA

[AKA]

AKA,
An extraordinary looking instrument. I love the lacquered tail pc and pick- guard.....very elegant. I’m certain the voice of the instrument is equally impressive - and I’m excited for your NGD.

Wishing you many years of enjoyment!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks Steve. The tailpiece design was influenced by your Georgian!

Albert

[AKA]

You win AKA, That's the best Trenier so far!!!

I appreciate your kind words. Trenier is definitely producing some absolutely beautiful guitars that play and sound equally well.

Albert

[AKA]

What a beauty. Congrats on your new Trenier. I have one and it's light as a feather, and a joy to play. I love it.
Here's another rotation...

Thanks Skykomishone!

[D'Aquisto Fan]

Congratulations on a beautiful Trenier!

[Mark M.]

Superb novel design without being too blingy !

The tailpiece, pickguard, and binding are all just gorgeous. Bryant’s eye for beautiful design is second to none. Simple elegance that showcases workmanship and beautiful lines. They are the most unique and beautiful guitars in the world, IMO.