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View Full Version : My visit with Hans Brentrup



Peakbagr
Mar-30-2004, 2:58pm
I've been creeping up Hans' waitlist the last 18 months, and accepted his invitation to fly into Minneapolis and spend some time going over details. Hans met me at the airport and after talking and sampling mandolins, all afternoon, he and his wonderful spouse, Maureen and I went to dinner.
Besides the all-day lesson on Hans' take on mandolin construction, he had an array of his mandolins ready for sampling. A veritable banquet of eye candy, all laid out on a table. They were a West Virginia Red Spruce F, West Virginia A, an Italian Spruce F, 2 German Spruce F's, and 2 blacktop oval holes. One of the ovals was the one featured on the cover of mandolin magazine. There was probably another one or two that I don't remember. We had our own mandolin tasting, with Hans playing and plucking strings so I could get get an upclose sampling of each. Some of them were fairly new, others a couple of years old. I then had the chance to play them all while Hans did some shop work. Given how I play, I feel sorry for Scott Tichnor as Hans was working on his neck. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
After more discussion with Hans I decided on the Italian spruce. Hans then went over what I liked about the Rigel I had brought along and after lots of discussion and measurements we settled on neck dimension, profile, fret size and radius. You can't believe how patient Hans was with some of my hare-brained questions.
Now the fun began...if all of this wasn't already one of the most interesting and enjoyable musical afternoons I had already had...We got to pick the actual wood for the mandolin. What a hoot to select, with Hans' expert advice, the exact pieces of top and tonewood, all with conversation about grain preferences, color, specific density of the individual wood, etc. It was fun watching Hans tap-tone the various pieces.
When we were thru, Hans, Maureen and I had a chance to go out for dinner at a great restaurant. One of the highlights of the evening was Maureen delving into her extensive musical background for an impromtu concert of old-time bluegrass, country and bluegrass songs. With Maureen accompanying herself on guitar, she amazed me with her beatiful voice and musicology knowledge of the kind of tunes you don't hear very often any more.

Not only do I want to thank Hans and Maureen for their hospitality, I thought it was an interesting demonstration of why people buy from small, talented builders. When its completed, my mandolin will have all of the accumulated knowledge Hans can put into building it, with the wood and features that most suit me. I don't think I've met a nicer couple anywhere, and its awesome to think how much talent resides in that home.
If you are thinking about a custom mandolin, the stories you may have heard about the sound and quality of the Brentrups are the real deal. It would be impossible to find someone nicer than Hans and Maureen.

Tom C
Mar-30-2004, 3:19pm
That sounds awesome and the fact the he spent so much time with you is great.
It sounds like he gave up an entire day not out of necessity but because he too enjoys it. Alan, are you still hoping on having it for the symposium?

Mandobar
Mar-30-2004, 3:26pm
my L21 is there in it's last stages of varnish........few more weeks.....

one of the best things about hans' mandolins is working with hans to come up with your dream mandos.

Mar-30-2004, 3:32pm
Han's is one of the greats...

Bowzette
Mar-30-2004, 3:56pm
got my larger body M21 last Tuesday. Hans was great to work with. Italian spruce top and stained in subtle shades of brown-no sunburst. Elegant understatement was what i asked for and what i got. Now the hard part-the finish will not harden sufficiently to really play it for 2 months. I strum open chords for 10-15 minutes several times a day. Hans recommends not more often then every 2-3 hours. Thought about setting the alarm clock to get up every 2 hours during the night to play for 15 minutes, but my wife had unreasonable objections to this "break-in" technique. Sunday evening i will post pictures.

Peakbagr
Mar-30-2004, 4:36pm
Tom,
A family emergency came up a month ago causing me to have to cancel the symposium. I'm going to need the vacation time to take of it. I sent you 2 emails about it and both bounced back and I didn't know if you changed addresses.

Mandobar,
I saw your mandolin...you're going to love it.

Bowzette,
When speaking with Hans, I got an education on so many things. He takes lots of care with the varnish finish on his instruments. After letting them dry out a bit, he nextday ships them to the owner. Because the varnish finish is so relatively new, he prefers that they be hung rather than cased the first few weeks. Hans says that they'll dry more quickly outside of a case. I also learned that he likes to limit playing to 15 min sessions for a short while as your body heat warms up the varnish. All of this until the varnish hardens up enough to play longer. Hans really has this process down to a science.

BenE
Mar-30-2004, 4:41pm
I also learned that he likes to limit playing to 15 min sessions for a short while as your body heat warms up the varnish. All of this until the varnish hardens up enough to play longer.

Dang...that sort of reminds me of my parents not letting me watch more than an hour of TV a night when I was a kid! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Bowzette
Mar-30-2004, 4:46pm
Intellectually I understand the reasons, but I WANT INSTANT GRADTIFICATION! sorry, i lost control for a minute. I'll sit for a few minutes, take deep breaths, perhaps a cold shower, I'll be fine i'm sure.

Flowerpot
Mar-30-2004, 5:51pm
Sounds like you had a great time. The instrument will be all the more valuable to you having seen and chosen the wood ahead of time, and knowing all that goes into it.

I'll get my change to take a similar trip over the summer to pick out wood for mine. I'm looking forward to it!

So how did you perceive the differences between the F's (Red spruce, Italian, German)? Anything you can put into words?

Peakbagr
Mar-30-2004, 6:20pm
Flowerpot,

When I got back home today, I told my wife how much fun this was and how satisfying it was for the reason you mentioned. It will make the mandolin all the more precious given my involvement in the process, and knowing the care Hans puts into his mandolins.
My take on the different wood:
The Red Spruce was a tad barkier and harsher. Less rich than the Italian Spruce. The Italian sounded fuller and if I'm not misquoting Hans, was a little more complex and had more overtones. In my opinion, the differences between the Red Spruce and Italian were much more noticeable than between the German and Italian. All I know is that in the sample I got to hear and play, I liked the Italian the best.

If Hans happens onto this post, I'm sure he can explain his perspective on the 3 woods with much more precision than I'm able.

cbogle
Mar-30-2004, 11:48pm
After I'd met with Hans last year and played several of his mandolins, I knew he was the guy to build one for me. He spent a great deal of time explaining the sonic properties of the various tonewoods with me so that I may better form a decision as to what I wanted to order. I took a chance and ordered the M21V prototype that he was wanting to build, and now, over two months after receiving it, I cannot possibly be more pleased with the finished product. This mando has it all, and continues to improve.

I'm looking forward to working with Hans again!

Steve

avanti
Mar-31-2004, 8:42am
I'm sorry we didn't get to meet while you were in town. Maybe you'll visit again when your mandolin is completed.

elenbrandt
Mar-31-2004, 4:10pm
Now you know why mandobar, myself, and many others are total "brentrup 'hos". Hans' workmanship is ni plus ultra, his kindness beyond pale, and his skill and talent beyond comprehension. Owning and playing his instruments is a very life-enriching thing. I can't imagine getting this kind of care and service from a large manufacturer. Ultimately it is Hans, and Hans alone, who stands behind that instrument, not a large corporate label. That is a rare thing.

Peakbagr
Mar-31-2004, 4:16pm
Elen,

Hans has your 2 prints framed and up on the wall above his computer in office. I like them both and especially like the Grisman.
Can a guy be one of Hans' ho's?

mandopete
Mar-31-2004, 5:55pm
You know, this routine should be part of every good builder's "package". #I really like the fact that Hans took the time to meet the customer and get as much input prior to building the instrument as possible - what a novel concept!

I've often wondered how people communicate their desires to the builer and it seems to me only a face-to-face meeting would suffice. #I would think it's a bit like buying a suit, don't you need to be measured first?

Sounds like a wonderful experience!

J. Mark Lane
Mar-31-2004, 7:11pm
Hey mandopete, that's the funniest damn website I've seen in a while. Who is Keenan Goodall?

elenbrandt
Apr-01-2004, 10:58am
Peakbagr -- of course you can be one of "Hans 'Hos" -- you are now an honorary member. If you want to study your craft, I suggest you rent a copy of the Rob Schneider film...you know the one...... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

Apr-01-2004, 11:17am
Can I be a HO to Elen? I want to be one of Han's HO's to !

Joe F
Apr-01-2004, 12:40pm
I had the pleasure of meeting Hans and sampling a couple of his mandolins at the recent MBOTMA Winter Bluegrass Weekend. #Suffice it to say tht if I had the funds, I'd be on his waiting list in a heartbeat.

Hans
Apr-01-2004, 12:41pm
Come on, you guys, this is a family show! # # #

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

Mandobar
Apr-01-2004, 3:13pm
HANS RULES!!!!!!!!!!

elenbrandt
Apr-01-2004, 9:33pm
The master's voice -- we shall obey..... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Scotti Adams
Apr-02-2004, 4:50pm
..yea...Haram does sound better...

elenbrandt
Apr-03-2004, 10:09am
I am not going to dignify that with a response, except to say that if you are going to be insulting, please spell it correctly..."harem"...

Scotti Adams
Apr-03-2004, 10:14am
..no insult intended Elen..it does sound better than Ho's....thanks for the spelling lesson..whens recess

Apr-04-2004, 10:09am
Elen, I think you need this Brentrup 23V I got http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

elenbrandt
Apr-04-2004, 5:53pm
Scotti...you can go for recess after you write "When I do 'when is' as a contraction, I will always remember to put in the apostrophe." #100 times. #Everyone else is dismissed.... #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif


No Maverick...I need Hans' "Orville" mandolin....hmmmmm

Mandobar
Apr-04-2004, 7:09pm
mav-

half the "experience" of owning a brentrup is having worked out the details with
"the master" himself. #

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

elen- ##3! ##3! ##3! #go for it! #
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

HANS RULES! # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Apr-05-2004, 6:59am
Now I have to re-do all of my finacial planning. #I had figured out that I could afford a Bentrup 15 months after my son finishes college. #Now I have to factor in the cost of a trip to Minnesota.

I guess I have to get on the waiting list when he starts his last year. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

I just hope that Hans is still building them in 20 years. #By that time Elen will probably own 10 more.

Mandobar
Apr-05-2004, 9:31pm
today i got a picture of the master buffing out the finish on my L21.....

cbogle
Apr-06-2004, 12:12am
Mandobar--

Is yours the one that he's building with the fluer-de-lis inlay? That one will certainly be a killer!

Mandobar
Apr-06-2004, 5:40am
yes, i believe it has a fleur.......

elenbrandt
Apr-06-2004, 8:55am
mandobar sistergirlfriend....first I have to find a rich #3 (husband, that is).... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Jim M.
Apr-06-2004, 10:59am
I just feel a need to join this group hug for Hans. I'm the proud owner of what, I believe, is his only oval-hole A and I'm never letting it go. Hey, when are we going to have a Hansfest?

cbogle
Apr-06-2004, 3:08pm
Jim--

Actually, that doesn't sound far-fetched at all. As an example, we could have a get-together at IBMA in Louisville in October. Hans will likely be there anyway; we can take a group photo, swap mandolins around a little to try out, and then take our favorite luthier out for dinner at Deke's!

I can see Hans rolling his eyes and shaking his head on this one.....

Steve


Do you think this thread will grow as large as the BRW one?

Peakbagr
Apr-06-2004, 5:18pm
Mandobar,

When I was visiting with Hans last week, I asked him why no one has gotten around posting their "baby pictures" of mandolins being built. Hans didn't seem to have any problem with "pregnancy pictures" being posted. How 'bout you send some of your along or any others who may have them still?

PB

Mandobar
Apr-06-2004, 5:20pm
http://www.mandobar.com/brentL21cafe.jpg

my latest: in the white ...........

Mandobar
Apr-06-2004, 5:27pm
check out my website page and you can see my first one being built step by step........

http://www.mandobar.com/mandolins.htm

Mandobar
Apr-06-2004, 5:32pm
i have no baby pics of my blacktop A as this was the one that was at greg boyd's for a while.

i'm putting together the pictures from the L21 on one page and will post the link when i am done........

elen, i know you have pictures.......you used them to torture me!!!!!!! (oh, blonde one)

Peakbagr
Apr-06-2004, 5:34pm
Thanks.

VERY nice.

Peakbagr

Flowerpot
Apr-06-2004, 5:52pm
Wow, check out the wiring in the background. Hans, don't let your shop catch fire on us! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

iampeterfonda
Apr-06-2004, 7:54pm
cbogle,
Will this get as long as the BRW thread? I hope so, on busy days these are the only two threads I check out. I’ve got about 15 or 16 months to go before I’m the proud owner of both a BRW and Brentrup. The wait is killing me and I've been having some odd Brentrup related dreams. In one of them Hans told me my mandolin was done already but that I'd have to search for it in his house. It was kind of like an Easter egg hunt. I was pulling up floorboards and everything.

Mandobar
Apr-06-2004, 8:19pm
i don't think they'll invite you back if you do that.

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

elenbrandt
Apr-07-2004, 1:27pm
I have a bazillion....here was the first one (of mine)

Sigh --- it should be on a bearskin rug...

Dave Reiner
May-12-2004, 11:57am
Just wanted to mention that I listed a Brentrup 21V on the classifieds a few days ago. #I'll be very sorry to part with it, but I need to pay college tuition costs for my kid.

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

Peakbagr
May-13-2004, 5:44pm
I just posted my first "baby picture" on another section of the Board. Peghead picture of my 23V under constructon. It was a long wait until Hans got to my place on the waitlist. This might be even harder now that its underway.

Bowzette
May-29-2004, 10:47am
I reposted a picture of my M21 under "Post a Picture" above. it is the "momma bear" size "A" between the smaller "A" and the larger Loar size "A". No sunburst, just shades of brown.