Brondel A2 build for TAMCO UK

Such incredible joinery. I just cannot get my mind around the level of craftsmanship displayed with this build. You sir, have been given a tremendous gift and I am thrilled to watch your progress with each new set of photos.

Ron

[Joel Stehr]

Fantastic work! I'm looking forward to seeing it strung up!

Joel

[Laurent Brondel]

Thank you for the kind words Ron and Joel.

[IndianHillMike]

Originally Posted by Laurent Brondel

Having the end wedge bound by the walnut is super classy; I like it!

Mike

[Laurent Brondel]

Glad you like it Mike, merci.

[Trevor M]

The latest photos from Laurent.

[Trevor M]

Nearly finished.

[Welshboy]

Looks fantastic. I like walnut, but I don't think I've ever heard it in combination with adirondack spruce.

[Trevor M]

Its here and its another wonderfully responsive guitar from Laurent.

[Welshboy]

Looks fantastic. I've been really impressed by the Brondel guitars I've played in TAMCO so far.

[Pat Foster]

Looks great! Laurent, in case you're checking in here, what varnish did you use, if I may? With the demise of Behlen's Rockhard oil varnish, I'm at a bit of a loss, though the Ace Interior Oil varnish seems to be a winner.

Pat

[Laurent Brondel]

Originally Posted by Pat Foster

Looks great! Laurent, in case you're checking in here, what varnish did you use, if I may? With the demise of Behlen's Rockhard oil varnish, I'm at a bit of a loss, though the Ace Interior Oil varnish seems to be a winner.

Pat

Thanks Pat. I've been using Epifanes for a few years now, the best oil varnish on the planet IMHO, beautiful clarity and colour, buffs extremely well. Ace is OK, it's inexpensive and I didn't like it as much: colour is too pale, clarity is not great, it remains on the soft side for too long and it doesn't buff as well. For other pale oil varnishes you could try Pratt&Lambert #38 and Behlen's water white restoration varnish. Have you tried the new Rockhard formulation? It might be good although the resin is urethane.
On my Essentials I have been using General Finishes EnduroVar, a urethane waterbased varnish that is absolutely excellent, and harder than any oil varnish I know of.

[Pat Foster]

Originally Posted by Laurent Brondel

Thanks Pat. I've been using Epifanes for a few years now, the best oil varnish on the planet IMHO, beautiful clarity and colour, buffs extremely well. Ace is OK, it's inexpensive and I didn't like it as much: colour is too pale, clarity is not great, it remains on the soft side for too long and it doesn't buff as well. For other pale oil varnishes you could try Pratt&Lambert #38 and Behlen's water white restoration varnish. Have you tried the new Rockhard formulation? It might be good although the resin is urethane.
On my Essentials I have been using General Finishes EnduroVar, a urethane waterbased varnish that is absolutely excellent, and harder than any oil varnish I know of.

Laurent,
The Ace does indeed need more time to harden. I sure do like the feel of it on a neck, though. P&L38 is on my list to try, and I like Epifanes so far. I'll look into the new Rockhard too, though being a urethane, it would be foreign territory for me after the oil-based finishes. The EndoroVar sounds interesting.

Thanks for the info,

Pat

[J.R. Rogers]

Absolutely stunning guitar. I love the headstock. Great job, Laurent.

JR

[Laurent Brondel]

Originally Posted by Pat Foster

I'll look into the new Rockhard too, though being a urethane, it would be foreign territory for me after the oil-based finishes. The EndoroVar sounds interesting.

I think Rockhard can still be considered an oil based finish, it's only the resin(s) (alkyd?) that the urethane replaces. PM or email me if you want technical details about Epifanes, it's more involved than a simple varnish in the can. BTW you can purchase directly from the US distributor in Maine.

Originally Posted by J.R. Rogers

Absolutely stunning guitar. I love the headstock. Great job, Laurent.

JR

Thanks J.R.!