Elen...

Am i missing something(again)or has Elen been missing? Its Hans' fault is what i'm think'in...any ideas?

[Jim Roberts]

Who's Elen?

[pickinNgrinnin]

You know...I was thinking the same thing the other day. She used to post with some frequency but now, she is seldom seen. I miss her witty remarks. Yes, I suppose it could be the Brentrups

[pickinNgrinnin]

Hey! 3 Kansas guys in a row

Hey thats right...Jim "did it come"?? You still got the Davis?

[iampeterfonda]

I began to notice she wasn't around much in December, just about the time I put in an order with Hans. She'll pop up on a Brentrup thread once in a while but that's about it. Come back Elen! We miss you!

[Crowder]

Either she's stalking Hans, or has holed herself into a little coat closet somewhere and is fondling her pair of Brentrups.

Elen is one busy lady. She does some great painting as well & has had two shows that I know of showcasing her artwork. Elen, we miss ya!

[levin4now]

Appears to me that she last posted only on the 9th of February - four days ago, under "General Mando Discussions" / Starting a 7 Year old....you can hang on her every words right there!

[Jim Roberts]

Spare Change...the Elliott should be hear in about a month so hopefully I'll have it in tow at Mandofest this year! It's going to be a great festival.

Can't seem to part with the Davis.

BTW, who's Elen?

[pickinNgrinnin]

Jim-

Elen is the grand dame of the Mandolin Cafe. She's best known and loved for her well timed quips, sage advise and plain talk - just to name a few. She used to post here quite a bit but has faded in recent times. I'm sure she has been too busy to be hanging here. Some of the best comments I've read here over the years have been posted by Elen.

[elenbrandt]

You rung?...

My recent art show has been selling fast enough that I have had to paint my ample rear off and haven't had time to post obnoxious replies. (Yes, isn't success a bitch..complain, complain.) It is so nice to feel loved -- especially by you charming dudes. #

Also, I feel like a lot of people are tired of hearing me crowing about the twin Brentrups (besides those younguns also suck up so much spare time, what with always changing strings and teaching them how to read music....) #I have been trying to be a little more under the radar...but lurking and waiting for Moose to screw up so I can jump all over him like a cheap suit...love, e

p.s. Happy Valentine's Day boys (now go out and buy your ladies some hoo-haw so we don't all have to come and drag yer butt out of the doghouse....)

That's the girl i know and love.

[mad dawg]

Elen,

Do you show your work at any Bay Area Art Festivals, galleries, Farmers Markets, etc.?

-jim

[pickinNgrinnin]

See what I mean? Now that's the Elen we all love and miss! Nice to see you back. Your written material is too good to keep to yourself. Best be on your toes Moose #

[mandoJeremy]

Hey Elen, if we boys don't have a lady to buy for should we just buy a new set of strings for our mandos, a new bridge, new tailpiece, new tuners, or just play with her...I mean it....I mean the mando all night?

[Gary S]

Does Hans Brentrup make oval hole mandolins?...Gary S

[goldtopper]

Yes, Hans will make one for you. When I first inquired with him, he was willing to tackle an F4.

Oh, and Elen-
If we seem sick of you crowing about Brentrups, it's just because we wish we were too...
Happy Valentine's Day!

[avanti]

Here's a M-22V...

[avanti]

And...

[avanti]

Back...

[avanti]

Finally, the peghead. Hans sent me these right after it was completed last summer. I've been getting previews of another new model that's really going to make y'all drool. Stay tuned...

[elenbrandt]

Hans' little masterpieces are motivating me to either work harder or marry rich (just love those F4's of his). #When I say that a Brentrup is a cure for MAS -- it is only partially true -- you will eschew all other mandolins, but need more of his (just ask a few of the 3 Brentrup owner's about this clause in the devil's contract). #If you doubt me -- see Avanti's toy above.

I have a small (no pun intended) show now at a jewelry store in San Rafael (Villa Jeweler's, 1307 Fourth Street) called "little, itty, bitty, pretty paintings". #They are very small landscapes, which are a welcome respite from the big canvas pieces I just finished for my last show (too much hard physical work, not enough mandolin time.) #I really love painting, but sometimes it starts to interfere with my law practice (or so say my partners).

p.s. if you don't have a sweetheart -- give your mandolin some quality time, play romantic bluegrass (is there such a thing?)

[Scott Tichenor]

I'm inside of or close to 90 days from my new Brentrup. Plan is to fly up with an empty case and come home with a happy new family member. We should get a bunch of Minnesotians over to Hans' house (I don't have to do his dishes... why would I care <g>?) and have a mandolin petting session for the new birth. Those pix are killing me.

[elenbrandt]

Here's a little one...