LAURENT BRONDEL – Model A-2c, Red Spruce/Honduran Mahogany: Build Thread

[iim7V7IM7]

Yesterday, Laurent completed the manufacture of the fingerboard and head plate. The head plate was also routed for truss-rod access and glued to the Honduran Mahogany neck. I really like how the figure in the Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard visually flows into the BRW head plate veneer.



He also laid out the Sitka Spruce top bracing stock and BRW bridge plate yesterday and glued up the main x-brace.

[Steve Kinnaird]

Bob, the Brazilian FB and head plate are a nice choice against that mahogany.
It doesn't hurt that they are so handsome!

Steve

[EverettWilliams]

Wow, that's looking awesome! Beautiful mahogany. Haven't played one of his guitars, but I've admired them! Adirondack and mahogany is a great combination. Looking forward to more pics!

[iim7V7IM7]

Originally Posted by Steve Kinnaird

Bob, the Brazilian FB and head plate are a nice choice against that mahogany.
It doesn't hurt that they are so handsome!

Steve

Thanks Steve...A classic combination, no doubt . Burton is making up some custom BRW buttons (Thanks Burton ) for Laurent to match the head plate as well

Originally Posted by EverettWilliams

Wow, that's looking awesome! Beautiful mahogany. Haven't played one of his guitars, but I've admired them! Adirondack and mahogany is a great combination. Looking forward to more pics!

Laurent's guitars are interesting in that they don't sound like what I thought they would based on their construction. You should definitely try playing one some day. They definitely lean towards the traditional side of the tonal spectrum, having their own unique voice despite the 5' lateral arch. Yes, this set appears to have some beautiful figure to it and under finish the deep reddish brown color will be achieved without the need for any stain as many guitars do. The Adirondack/mahogany combo is indeed a Nazareth classic for a 000-18 style guitar...

[EverettWilliams]

I'll look forward to trying one out!

It's not surprising to me that this is such an appealing build - one of my favorite guitars is a nice old OOO-18!

I may have missed it but what's the scale length?

[iim7V7IM7]

Originally Posted by EverettWilliams

I'll look forward to trying one out!

It's not surprising to me that this is such an appealing build - one of my favorite guitars is a nice old OOO-18!

I may have missed it but what's the scale length?

25.0" (635 mm) one 1/8" (3.2 mm) longer than a Martin short-scale and 3/8" (9.5 mm) shorter than a Martin long-scale.

[palolowarrior]

Curious to know what the final price tag will be?

[iim7V7IM7]

Originally Posted by palolowarrior

Curious to know what the final price tag will be?

You can look up Laurent's pricing on his website.

http://www.laurentbrondel.com/Site/Prices.html

The features of this build that are not "standard" that incurred up-charges were: The Mahogany, Cutaway, BRW Fingerboard & Bridge, Peghead Purfling & Binding and Custom BRW Tuner Buttons.

I would be happy to tell you the price of the guitar if you afford me the courtesy of asking me privately.

[iim7V7IM7]

Yesterday, Laurent installed the Gold MOP position markers to the BRW fingerboard.



The neck construction continued. A matching BRW back strap veneer was glued to the peghead. The tuner holes were drilled and then step drilled to accommodate the Waverly tuner bushings. Lastly, the BRW fingerboard was glued to the Honduran Mahogany neck.



Now that the Honduran Mahogany sides are bent, it was time to glue the Honduran Mahogany neck and end blocks to the them.

[iim7V7IM7]

With the Honduran Mahogany sides bent, the mahogany neck and end blocks installed, it is time to glue in place Laurent's signature giraffe patterned side reinforcement ribbons.



In Laurent's 5' lateral dish in a go-bar deck, Adirondack Spruce top's Sitka Spruce are seen being glued in place.



The Adirondack Spruce top's BRW bridge plate, Sitka Spruce x-brace, tone bars, finger braces and sound hole braces have been installed. Here is the lateral brace is now being glued in place.

[El Conquistador]

Love, love, love my B4. Laurent's work is magnificent!

Steve

[iim7V7IM7]

Originally Posted by El Conquistador

Love, love, love my B4. Laurent's work is magnificent!

Steve

oui, très magnifique...

[iim7V7IM7]

Yesterday, Laurent installed the kerfed Spanish Cedar linings to the ribbon reinforced Honduran Mahogany sides.



The Sitka Spruce braces have been installed to the Adirondack Spruce top and are ready to be carved. Below is a shot of the back ladder braces being glued in over the cross-grain spruce/BRW back reinforcement strip n Laurent's go-bar deck. The back's pronounced 5' lateral arch can be the shape of the ladder braces. The last shot shows the BRW ladder brace caps being glued in place.

[iim7V7IM7]

The top braces have been scalloped.



Here is a straight on shot of both the top and back bracing.



Some detailed shots of BRW capped spruce braces and kerfed linings. Some hints of the mottle can be seen in the mahogany.



The "box" being closed.



A BRW end graft being glued in place.

[iim7V7IM7]

Laurent has closed the "box" and routed it to accept the bindings and purflings next week. We have chosen an unusual binding approach for this guitar. Instead of the typical contrasting hardwood, Laurent is using figured Honduran Mahogany from the same sides as the binding. The purflings will be used as contrasting elements to define the edges. His signature ebony and maple "arrow motif" purflings will be employed to define the top against the Adirondack Spruce top.