Build Thread: Brondel A-2, Carpathian Spruce and Madagascar RW

[justonwo]

A visit to Schoenberg a few weeks ago, where I had a chance to play an adi/hog A-2, really piqued my interest in Laurent Brondel's work. I was really impressed at HGF by his ability to build light, expressive guitars with great clarity and balance. I probably visited Laurent's display and borrowed the German spruce/Brazilian RW A-2 15 times over the course of the show.

Laurent was a lot of fun to hang out with at the show (and it turns out he's a killer electric guitar player and builder).

My A-2 will be based on what I heard in this guitar at HGF but will be constructed and setup for my somewhat aggressive picking style.

Specs:

Model: A-2C (15" lower bout, 14 fret)
Top: Carpathian spruce
Back and Sides: Madagascar rosewood
Nut Width: 1 3/4"
Bridge spacing: 2 5/16"
Bridge: Ebony
Bridge and end pins: TBD
Binding: TBD but probably dark rosewood
Side Sound Port
Rosette and purfling: "Double arrow" design
Pickguard: Tortoise celluloid
Neck: 1-piece mahogany
Fingerboard: Ebony
Profile: Standard (slim)
Frets: EVO gold 55090
Tuners: Alessi bronze
Case: Hoffee

Final shots of the guitar:

[cokezero]

That's going to be spectacular guitar and with Alessi tuners! I was looking at those madagascar rosewoods as well. Great choice!

[cokezero]

We really should have monthly "Try my guitar out" morning/afternoon/night. So many different and great guitars in the bay area I want to try...

[ChuckS]

Looks like it's going to be a great build. Laurent's got a fantastic aesthetic; I especially like his purflings. Those Alessi tuners are really nice; I have them on one of my guitars.

I'd sure like to hear one some day.

[El Conquistador]

Originally Posted by justonwo

Side Sound Port

Not that I have seen every guitar Laurent has made, but, this is the first I am seeing a sound port on one of his. Has Laurent decided to use sound ports as a standard feature, or, only by request?

Steve

[justonwo]

He's made a few. They aren't part of his ideal guitar, and they aren't standard. I foisted this one on him.

[El Conquistador]

I love my Brondel B4!!!!

Steve

[M Sarad]

My A-2 has replaced my Franklin and Merrill as my go to guitar. It's going to be a wonderful acquisition. Congratulations!

[justonwo]

Woo hoo! Laurent is underway on my build. Nothing too exciting but it has started moving forward!

[Larry Pattis]

Love everything about Laurent's work...

[Trevor M]

You can't go wrong with Laurent, fantastic light and responsive guitars.

[billgennaro]

justonwo, can you tell me about that A2 from HGF? i understand it resides at Luthier's Collection and i'm thinking about taking a run out there just to try out this guitar. any recollections you might have would be appreciated.

also, congrats on the new build. i will follow this thread with delight. i already own an A3 and can't seem to put it down. best of luck with it!

Bill

[Thin Crust]

You lucky dog. I played everything Mr. Brondel had at Healdsburg.......several times. Stellar work indeed.

[justonwo]

Originally Posted by billgennaro

justonwo, can you tell me about that A2 from HGF? i understand it resides at Luthier's Collection and i'm thinking about taking a run out there just to try out this guitar. any recollections you might have would be appreciated.

also, congrats on the new build. i will follow this thread with delight. i already own an A3 and can't seem to put it down. best of luck with it!

Bill

It's the quintessential Brondel A-2, and embodies everything I like about Laurent's guitars. In many ways, it's very similar to my mahogany-backed A-2, though I believe my guitar has a bit less top end and perhaps a bit more projection.

The AGF A-2c really grabbed my attention because it was both very light and VERY responsive. It's a powerful guitar, with tons of headroom and glorious and sparkling top end. It's balanced, lacks nothing, and has just about everything I would look for in a fingerstyle guitar. It has Laurent's signature tone, which I believe to be rooted in the vintage Martin style. It has fantastic note separation and complexity, balanced overtones that don't muddle the fundamental, and a distinctive voice that works well across a wide variety of styles (I had a chance to hear folks playing more modern songs than I typically play and I felt the Brondel outperformed many revered contemporary fingerstyle guitars that were played side by side).

The neck profile is exquisite, the setup is wonderful, and of course it looks great. The action was just a hair too low for my aggressive picking style, but of course that can be easily remedied.

[billgennaro]

Originally Posted by justonwo

It's the quintessential Brondel A-2, and embodies everything I like about Laurent's guitars. In many ways, it's very similar to my mahogany-backed A-2, though I believe my guitar has a bit less top end and perhaps a bit more projection.

The AGF A-2c really grabbed my attention because it was both very light and VERY responsive. It's a powerful guitar, with tons of headroom and glorious and sparkling top end. It's balanced, lacks nothing, and has just about everything I would look for in a fingerstyle guitar. It has Laurent's signature tone, which I believe to be rooted in the vintage Martin style. It has fantastic note separation and complexity, balanced overtones that don't muddle the fundamental, and a distinctive voice that works well across a wide variety of styles (I had a chance to hear folks playing more modern songs than I typically play and I felt the Brondel outperformed many revered contemporary fingerstyle guitars that were played side by side).

The neck profile is exquisite, the setup is wonderful, and of course it looks great. The action was just a hair too low for my aggressive picking style, but of course that can be easily remedied.

thank you very much. your reply is very helpful! i believe that guitar in the first pic might well be mine (German/African Blackwood A2).