Brunkalla mandolin

[mikeyes]

Did anyone play Martin Brunkalla's newest mandolin in Louisville? If so, what was it like?

[mandopete]

Oh no, here we go again!

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Scott Tichenor]

I met Martin while there. Very nice guy, and we had a good chat. Only had one mandolin with him and it was a very nice F model. I think we agree he has a very enthusiastic owner of his first mandolin, but we shouldn't be knocking this guy's work at all from what I saw. He's a very talented violin builder as his first calling.

[mikeyes]

I saw the first mandolin before it went to the present owner and it showed alot of promise. Martin makes a wonderful fiddle and they are highly sought after. He told me he has been wanting to make mandolins for some time and I expect to see his work continue to improve over the years. The workmanship is first rate on the first one and he is the real thing. But I am interested in other's opinions of his second instrument. I have not seen or played that one.

I wanted to try Brunkalla's newest mando out too, so yes if anyone had a chance to play it at IBMA let us know. Scott did the one you played have a radius fretboard? If so could you tell what it was at?
14inch? or 12inch?
Im hoping to get one of his fiddles soon, my gf has been makin faces everytime I go to pick her Brunkalla violin up.

[JeffS]

Im hoping to get one of his fiddles soon, my gf has been makin faces everytime I go to pick her Brunkalla violin up.
I hope it isn't because of your playing. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Jeff,

I gotta be honest, thats a very good point you just made. hehehe. cause she doesnt make that face when I grab her guitar. Hmmmmm.

Dem.

Have I mentioned How much I love this mandolin? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Sorry had to say that......

Well, something amazing happened lastnight, the mandolin has just reached an absolute new level. It has really opened up the way I had been hoping for it to.
Do any of you remember the day when you woke up grabbed your mandolin and it was just obvious that something had happened. What are some of the tonal differences you heard? and what were some of the tonal differencs you were hoping to hear it take on? Its amazing to watch these things grow.

[Lee]

Wow; with more Brunkella mandolins in the world Owsley will be permanently out of work.
Your enthusiasm is transcendant!

hmmmmmmmm

If anyones going to joe val fest let me know. Whoever is going we should all try to meet up to pick a bit. Ill have the brunkalla so youll know it is me.

[Dale Ludewig]

In all the discussions about Martin Brunkalla, I've resisted up until now to participate. And for a specific reason- Martin (Marty to me) is a close friend, fellow luthier, lives 30 minutes from here, and we share booths at a number of venues, including IBMA for the last 3 years. And considering the fact that he once drew attention to my efforts several years ago, I'm going to chime in here.

Martin builds one heck of a fine fiddle. And that's putting it mildly. He sold a 5 string to Sarah Wadkins (Watkins?) of Nickel Creek. She seems delighted with it. I'm not getting into the CT debate going on. But Sarah is a fine fiddler and knows a good fiddle when she sees/ hears one.

As far as Martin's mandolins go- unfortunately due to our separate schedules I was not able to play his first one. I did play his second one when we were sharing our booth at IBMA this year. I also played it elsewhere. It is a very fine instrument and for someone adding mandolins to his repetoire, coming from a violin making background, I think it is extraordinary. I remember him calling one day. In spite of his talent at building violins, something I've never done, he said- "man, I used to respect you mandolin builders. Now that I'm working on binding this instrument, I have newfound respect."

I guess I'm getting at Martin's character as much as his instruments. He's a great guy, a great friend, and a very talented luthier. If my first or second mandolin (built back in the late 70's) were anywhere near what he's doing now, I'd be very happy looking back at my work from that era. He's doing remarkable work with a number of innovations in the mandolin area- things he's bringing over from the violin field. I think it's great. I think he deserves applause. And maybe some space to grow into a new field without feeling like he's under a magnifying glass.

Just my opinion.

[Scotti Adams]

Very well said Dale...and I applaud both of you...what you had to say needed to be said along time ago..thanks..