Build Thread: Two Brondel D-1c's, A New Model . . . and an A-2 for Good Measure

justonwo · #1 06-16-2018, 04:56 PM

These aren’t my guitars, but I really enjoy Laurent’s work so I figured I’d post a build thread on a new model he’s working on. I’ve owned 6 Brondel guitars and have played many other examples, so I know his work well. I also have an A-1 build coming up at some point in the near future. His work is always original and exciting, in my opinion. He’s constantly trying new shapes and aesthetics, and it’s fun to watch his work evolve.

According to Laurent:

“The body is an extension of my D-3, but bigger 15 5/8 lower bout, kind of J-45’ish, or early D, Brondelified, so it can accommodate 12 or 14, or even 13 fret to the body joint without looking funny.”

“If the D-5 is whisper, the D-1 is thunder, a Princeton and a full metal panel Marshall stack...”

He'll be building 2 of them:

Carpathian/koa
Red spruce/Braz

danny r · #2 06-25-2018, 02:35 PM

I've only ever heard not good things but great things about Brondels

Diamondave · #3 07-01-2018, 12:05 PM

Nice....!!!! Brondel is #1, I LOVE mine.... Exciting to watch these come together

Marcus Wong · #4 07-02-2018, 11:39 AM

Thanks so much for sharing Juston, and you are certainly right Danny! I'm itching to see the Braz and Koa.

HomeBySix · #5 07-03-2018, 12:10 PM

I'm looking forward to following this also! I am partial to the A2 model, as I have a couple of those. My more recent one is an EIR with Red Spruce that is really starting to open up nicely and really resonate. You know about the other one

.

justonwo · #6 07-10-2018, 02:25 PM

Some progress pics along with some other builds in the works. Laurent calls the leopard print reinforcement strips his Daktari treatment.

justonwo · #7 07-12-2018, 01:00 PM

Ebony for the BRW D-1c
BRW for the koa D-1c
Cocobolo for the Essential DLX A-2

justonwo · #8 07-14-2018, 06:52 PM

Here's a quick progress photo. And, just for kicks, Laurent just refinished his '65 Strat. It had been painted a bunch of different colors over the years. He stripped it all down and did a proper mid 60s 3 color burst.

justonwo · #9 07-17-2018, 02:04 PM

Some progress photos on the two D-1s and an A-2. I'm really digging the purfling and rosette designs.

Carpathian spruce and Brazilian D-1

Red spruce and koa D-1

German spruce and Panama rosewood A-2

justonwo · #10 07-23-2018, 09:47 PM

Some update photos.

CoolerKing · #11 07-25-2018, 08:31 PM

These look awesome!

justonwo · #12 07-26-2018, 08:07 AM

The x-brace is on the D-1c. The magic is starting to happen.

Same for the A-2.

German silver spruce brace stock. The good stuff, I'm told.

Braces on the A-2 cocobolo. Laurent often caps his braces. It looks awesome to my eye. I imagine it serves some useful purpose as well.

cokezero · #13 07-26-2018, 11:27 AM

I had chance to play Brondel. Amazing tone and playability!

CoolerKing · #14 07-26-2018, 11:33 AM

If he gets a chance, ask for a shot from the end showing his unique top arch...

justonwo · #15 07-26-2018, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthewpartrick

If he gets a chance, ask for a shot from the end showing his unique top arch...

One of the unique design features of his work is the 5’ lateral arch he puts on both the top and back. I believe the idea is to give the guitar better projection, though I could be wrong. All three of the guitars in this build feature the same lateral arch. Having played probably a dozen Brondels over the years, I can tell you his guitars do have incredible depth, projection, and volume. They are powerful instruments, to be sure. I don’t know how much of that is attributable to that particular design feature. Guitar sound is more the sum of all the components.

One other advantage of this design is a slight ergonomic improvement where your arm hits the top. It feels like a drop top with that narrower depth along the sides.