Michael's fancy

[labraid]

even if I can't play too good (http://www.labraid.ca/56noodling4.mp3), we call her fifty-six.

Michael... pictures?

[labraid]

I wish I was as motivated to play as to build... Ok, sorry I didn't get a better one first. This one ain't half bad, it's the Manchester Angel (http://www.labraid.ca/56manchester3.mp3).

[MLT]

This is my new Labraid that is being played here. I thought that the noodling sounded great and gives me a very good idea of the range of sound. The second posting is a bonus that I had not heard before now and it is great. I can't wait to play myself. This sound is after only a single day with strings. I fully expect that the sound will only get sweeter as it matures over time.

[Lee Callicutt]

Pictures, please!

[MLT]

Here is a quick one...more to follow

[MLT]

Here is another

[MLT]

This is 3 of 6

[MLT]

Next

[MLT]

Here is the back and side

[MLT]

Here is the last of the photos that I currently have available. Any thoughts, comments, questions?

[barricwiley]

OMG,
Jaw dropper!
Richard

[Lee Callicutt]

#Any thoughts, comments, questions?
Yeah, I've decided that Brian is disgustingly talented! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[JEStanek]

Wow, Mike. That's a real beauty. Tell us about it... woods, inlay choices, what going on with the back and that cool soundhole feature. Congrat, Brian. It looks and sounds very nice... Real Labraid tone.

Jamie

[Stephanie Reiser]

Young Mr. Dean's mastery of woodworking and instrument building is extremely impressive.
Beautiful example!

[Brad Weiss]

That's like looking at Chartres ... just as divine.

[Lee Callicutt]

You're exactly right, Brad, that's the analogy I was helplessly looking for and settled instead on my backward compliment. I did feel like I was looking at a cathedral!

Let's change that to simile!

[Dan Voight]

Wow. Stunning...

[MLT]

I recevied a new photo from Brian today just prior to my new mandolin packed up and shipped. #Once again I feel that he has outdone himself with the this case too!

I am working on a more informative reply to the questions you all are asking and hope to post it later today/early this evening.

[Eric F.]

Wow. Just wow. The thing about Brian's creations is they sound as good as they look. Enjoy!

[Jake Wildwood]

Sheesh! It's like he's trying to give us all heart attacks! Or at least have spittle drip from the corners of our mouths!

I'm pretty minimalist as far as aesthetics go concerning instruments... but sheesh... every new Labraid I see just pulls the rug right out from under me.

Nice work, and congrats!

[MLT]

Here are some more details and answers to posted questions in this thread.

When I asked Brian to take on this commission the one thing that I inquired about was just how daring he would be and how intricate he could be when it came to the Rosette/Sound hole. Having seen his work to that time, I was sure he could pull off what I was thinking about. Not to mention, I somehow felt at home with the fact that 99% of his work is by hand.

This rosette/sound hole is based on the Rose Window in the Colleoni Chappel in Bergamo, Italy. This chapel was built in the 14th century and is the upper part of the city which is my Grandfather's home town. When the time came to begin the work on the Rosette, the one question that Brian had was "How close does it have to resemble this window?" My response was that I would like people to look at the two side by side and be able to see that the rosette was “based” on the Chapel’s Rose Window--I don't think you can get any closer than it turned out! Despite the intricacy and the different woods (see the specs below) it weighs in at 4 grams.

The inlay pattern comes from the family crest that I had researched years ago and is a Lilly with two stars which is done with both white and black pearl and is located just below the pearl nut and zero fret. We continued the stars as the fret markers for the 12th and 24th frets.

As for woods, the are a few. The top is Carpathian Spruce, the binding is Mahogany with an ebonized maple purf line, the Sides are Indian Rosewood, the Scalloped (yes by hand) back is Indian Rosewood (the wide staves) and African Blackwood (the narrow staves) and the neck is Honduran Mahogany with a carbon fiber stiffener.

It is in transit starting today, I will chime in again on it once I have played it for a little bit.

--Brian, If I left anything out, please feel free to chime in and add information--

Thanks for reading so far…

Here are the specs for Labraid LVI

[JEStanek]

I felt compelled. Dang! 4 grams and totally nailed. Amazing.

Jamie

[Jim Garber]

Brian:
My compliments on the high level of your art. Truly beautiful and inspired.

Ah... someday...

[MLT]

Thanks Jaimie for posting the picture of the rose window. Here is a slideshow (http://s538.photobucket.com/albums/ff346/BaroqueMando/?action=view&current=LabraidLVI_0004.flv) that I have been working on that goes through the build process.

[billhay4]

Well, Brian IMHO has become the aesthetic standard to which we all must aspire. I personally have no hope. But there is joy in seeing another reach so high.
Well done.
Bill

[labraid]

I don't know how to thank you all for the kind words... and Michael for his open mind, patience, and trust... I had a ball on this project.
My work is inspired by circumstances and places which no longer exist, builders who had a particular mindset governed by what they lived and saw and ate and read, all which I wish to recreate the products of.. by perhaps whatever means necessary... Michael's project was like a gift left at my door. I shouldn't be paid for this kind of work. But I'm happy to be able to keep doing it, and your -- you the readers and fellow fanatics -- pleasure is what keeps the light on. So thanks (and until the next)... I wish I were better with words.

[Chris Biorkman]

Wow, I can't believe the level of craftsmanship. You are an artist in the truest sense of the word.

[MandoSquirrel]

oops

[MandoSquirrel]

Yep, Beautiful looks & sounds. Always impressed by Brian's work, & been looking forward to this one for months!:grin: