New Nyberg Bouzouki

[gw16]

I thought it was time that I actually started my own thread as I've been hijacking Mark Kunkle's for so long - thanks for your hospitality Mark! There are still some build pics on that thread FYI. Well, my long awaited Nyberg Bouzouki is on it's way. If not for a minor UPS error, it would be in my greedy hands this time tomrrow, as it is, eta is Monday. Lawrence was kind enough to forward me some pics to hold me over while I stare out the window waiting for that big brown truck...
Here are the specs: Cocobolo B&S's, Carved Lutz Spruce top, Ebony fingerboard, bridge and binding, mahogany neck, mop and red abalone inlay, Headway pickup. This is a short scale zouk - 24" scale.


Cocobolo back and sides with a classy ebony binding and center strip.


I'm dying to hear that lovely Lutz top sing!


A very cool "trinity knot" done in mother of pearl, the circle is in red abalone.


There she is in all her glory. Can't wait to play this thing!!!

I'll be sure to post a review when I've had a chance to break her in a bit. Lawrence has been fantastic to deal with and if it sounds half as good as it looks I'll be a happy guy!

[acruzn]

i cannot get over on how creamy that top looks.<sigh> it connotes smoothness!! and it looks like it has plenty of bass.

[gw16]

Hi Angel, yeah I agree. The top is beautiful. That's kind of what drew me to Lutz was I've always liked the headroom of Sitka but the appearance of Englemann. It supposedly combines a lot of good characteristics from both species if you can believe what you read. I guess I'll find out soon enough! Did you check out the Englemann top on Mark Kunkle's Nyberg? It's gorgeous.

Cheers,
Glenn

[gw16]

and it looks like it has plenty of bass.[/QUOTE]

Oh yeah, and Lawrence sent me an MP3 of him playing it - tons of bottom end. Really balanced if the recording can be trusted. I'll let you know when I play her myself next week.

[acruzn]

Glenn,

i did check Mark's Nyberg and in my mind it both yours and his tops look fairly similar stripe-wise and very creamy. if you were only a hop and a skip away... look forward to hearing about how it works out for you.

[Steve-o]

That's a gorgeous zouk! The creamy top kinda reminds me of the head on a Guinness Stout. Love the trinity knot too. Nice touch. If it is any thing like Mark K's it's a winner.

[gw16]

Thanks Steve. I'm super happy with the way it turned out. I'll do a full review next week and put up my two cents as to the sound and playability.

Cheers,
Glenn.

[Fliss]

That is very beautiful, congratulations! I love the cocobolo back, the creamy top, and the celtic inlay to say nothing of the elegant lines.

Fliss

[gw16]

That is very beautiful, congratulations! I love the cocobolo back, the creamy top, and the celtic inlay to say nothing of the elegant lines.

Fliss

Thank you Fliss. Lawrence does have a very classy build style in my opinion. Just relying on beautiful woods and clean, simple lines. He's got a real eye for detail too. I just noticed that he bound the fingerboard in cocobolo as well to tie it in with the rest of instrument. The coco was also used in the rosette.

[Dustin]

drool.....

[Danny Packer]

Glenn,

Nice looking (though no surprise from Lawrence). You probably posted this but what is the scale length? What tuning will you use? Congrats and enjoy.

Danny

[gw16]

Glenn,

Nice looking (though no surprise from Lawrence). You probably posted this but what is the scale length? What tuning will you use? Congrats and enjoy.

Danny

Hi Danny, thanks for the message. This is a short scale zouk, so 24". I'm planning on keeping this in GDAE (all unisons) to avoid messing myself up live (I play 5 instruments on stage live a lot of times - not at the same time...lol) Although there's a chance I may switch to GDAD just because I love the possibilities involved with that tuning.
Delivery should be today (fingers crossed...)

[gw16]

Well, the new bouzouki got here several hours ago and since I have to rest my hands I thought this might be a good time to write up an intial impression review!

[gw16]

Sorry, my wordy review left me timed out - here's my initial thoughts on this bouzouki:

Well, the new bouzouki got here several hours ago and since I have to rest my hands I thought this might be a good time to write up an intial impression review!

Upon opening the case for the first time, I was floored! I'll try and break this down into sections to keep it somewhat organized:

The carved Lutz top is unbelievable. Silky with a gorgeous grain, the thin gloss finish makes it gleam. Lawrence also installed an "invisible" pick guard which was very much appreciated to keep the wear of my bad pinky habit to a minimum. The rosette is subtle and classy incorporating the Cocobolo from the back and sides in it's tiled inlay.
The Ebony bridge is elegant and original with subtle flares on each end. Nobody but the player would ever notice this but it's a great touch and shows off Lawrence's attention to detail. The bone saddle and nut are perfectly set up with no snags during tuning.
The Cocobolo back and sides is nothing short of breath taking. The grain pops at you and is flawlessly filled and finished with no checking or laquer cracks apparent anywhere on the instrument. The high gloss finish is so deep it looks like you can reach right inside her. The entire body is beautifully bound in Macassar Ebony and Maple which gives it an elegant look that still has some interest to it with the subtle grain of the Ebony. Lawrence also did a beautiful center strip on the back at my request. It's absolutely gorgeous!
Lawrence finishes his necks with a Danish Oil which I believe must be similar to a Tru-oil kind of thing (which I have on a couple of other instruments.) I was happy to see this as I prefer that to a laquered neck (which he'll also do on request I believe), but I think it just makes it so much faster. The hand carved Mahogony has a gorgeous grain to it and is perfectly tapered over the full length of the fingerboard. It feels comfortable and familiar - no adjustment time to get used to it whatsoever!
The Ebony fingerboard is bound in Cocobolo and Maple (once again tying it in with the back and sides), and is perfect. The fretwork is first rate and the slightly radiused fingerboard does feel extremely comfortable and quick. I'd asked for just side dots and no fret markers with a trinity knot inlayed at the 12th fret. The inlay is gorgeous and shows up beautifully with the "knot" being done in mother of pearl and the circle in red abalone.

Aesthetically, this is an amazing zouk, no question about it but where it really shines is the tone. If I haul on it I can really get that cutting "bouzouki cutting twang" and it is LOUD! The carved top mellows it out quite a bit I think making it a bit more versatile to my ears. This instrument would be equally at home doing loud, traditional lead melody lines or subtle chording as a solo instrument accompanying a vocalist. The tone is very balanced and very articulate even though these woods are all getting to know each other.
Really this instrument is flawless in my eyes, the best compliment being that it feels like I've been playing it for years.
Working with Lawrence was a real pleasure and I would recommend him to anyone. He has an excellent, laid back personality and an eye for detail in his building style. He was pretty close to his estimated delivery time which is always a plus and did a lot of extra work on this bouzouki. This instrument exceeded my expectations in every department and I seriously doubt you'll ever see it on the classified's here!

[acruzn]

very classy! like Dustin, i am drooling!! Have fun!!!

[Steve-o]

Glenn,
A keeper indeed. Nice review. It's a great day when you get perfect aesthetics with great tone and volume. Enjoy that zouk!

[gw16]

very classy! like Dustin, i am drooling!! Have fun!!!

Thanks Angel, I'm having a ball!

[gw16]

Glenn,
A keeper indeed. Nice review. It's a great day when you get perfect aesthetics with great tone and volume. Enjoy that zouk!

Thanks a lot Steve - it has been a great day! It's such a fantastic surprise when you have such high expectations and everything is exceeded. It's not very often it happens but when it does, life is good! Thanks again LN!

Cheers,
Glenn

[Markkunkel]

Terrific review, Glenn, of what is no doubt a spectacular instrument. My Nyberg cittern continues to bring much joy....

pass along a sound/video clip if you're so inclined!

ENJOY!

Mark

[gw16]

Terrific review, Glenn, of what is no doubt a spectacular instrument. My Nyberg cittern continues to bring much joy....

pass along a sound/video clip if you're so inclined!

ENJOY!

Mark

Thanks Mark. Lawrence did a quick recording of this instrument himself that he's said it's cool for me to post or I may and try to do one myself in the next couple of days.

[solarbean]

It's been a couple of days and still no sound sample *hint hint*

[gw16]

Sorry Solarbean! I've just been mobbed busy. I'm on a short tour for the next 3 weeks starting tomorrow but if I get a chance tonight I'll do one up quick! Thanks for your interest.

[gw16]

Hey Solarbean, ask and you shall receive. Here's a quickie sound clip recorded in my office and just a jam so it's rough. Stumbled notes and background noise but you'll get the gist hopefully!lol Assuming I can figure out how to do it upload it of course.....

[John Flynn]

Sounds as good as it looks! Congratulations!

[Steve-o]

Glenn,
Wow, sounds nice -very full and resonant. The big sound does indeed go with the good looks. Thanks for sharing the sound clip.