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Well, after the last one I just had to get out the pencil and vellum. Ready?
Close...top is German spruce.
Inspiration for the back!
Button detail...note the pickguard is top and sidebound.
Pickguard...note fingerboard binding set into the pickguard and reverse return on riser block compared to the F5.
Clif Wayland
May-27-2008, 1:41pm
Ooh yeah! That's mighty fine! Smooth flowing curves and balance!
very nice indeed!
Clif
JEStanek
May-27-2008, 1:52pm
Wicked, cool, Hans. I like the back and it's inspiration. It made me think of Gieger's drawings of some of the elements from Alien - dark, otherworldly not scary. I also like what you've done with the tailpiece.
Excellent!
Jamie
Austin Clark
May-27-2008, 1:56pm
Hans, that is totally cool! #I love the pickguard and fingerboard interface. #Absolutely beautiful, and it is great to see folks pushing the definition of the "proper" shape for a mandolin.
Oh man, and that tailpiece!!
bradeinhorn
May-27-2008, 2:07pm
g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s-!-!-!
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif
trevor
May-27-2008, 2:39pm
V3 stealth arrived here a few days ago. I embarrassed Hans by saying that its the work of a genius but I'm sticking with my words.
It might be a bit of a cliché but it really does sound as good as it looks, a tad dryer and brighter than my M21v.. I've been working long and hard deciding which I like the tone of best.. its going to take a few more hours hard toil yet.
miked500
May-27-2008, 2:46pm
wow, that is an incredible mando. I typically prefer the more traditional body styles, but this one blew me away. very very nice!
Skip Kelley
May-27-2008, 3:37pm
Sweet!!! That is one incredible looking mandolin! Cool design!
fatt-dad
May-27-2008, 3:50pm
If there was a hoof, I'd think you Italian, nah. . . It's just cool - really cool!
f-d
Very, very cool. I have to ask- is it for sale, and how much?
Oh, and by the way- your cat is a spitting image of my late cat Teddy- who lived to be 21!
Jim Rowland
May-27-2008, 5:35pm
Royal flush this time,Hans! By the way,your kitty picture gave me an inspiration too...for a scroll design.
Jim
Dan Voight
May-27-2008, 6:03pm
Too slick. Great detail. Is there a little bit of a blue tint in the back?
Hey thanks guys!
Fatt-dad, I don't do hooves. I like to think of it more a shiny black Audi, slick, streamlined, and simplicity itself...# #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Steven, Willie ain't but 14, but the poor guy has diabetes, kidney problems and thyroid. Maureen's last cat (looked the same) Stanley lasted 23 years before we put him down.
It's not for sale guys, but I have one half built and put on the shelf...I don't like to give out prices on the message board.
Here's a pix of V3 & 4 before I shipped it to Trevor.
Dan, it's straight Trans-Tint, which is a little blue/black.
Brandon Flynn
May-27-2008, 6:32pm
You make some beautiful mandolins. I want to play one and possibly own one someday. The thing I like most about this design is the fact that it has the same point on the upper right as an F-style, which I find very helpful in holding the mandolin.
piknleft
May-27-2008, 7:59pm
Darth Vader-ish. An absolute head turning, eye-catching, double take jewel. WOW!
toddjoles
May-27-2008, 8:24pm
I'm not a swearing man, but Dang!!!!!!!! that is one sweet mando. It's things like this that make me want to visit Hans' and his shop.
We'll be visiting in WI. in early August for my wife's Grandmothers 90th birthday and will fly out of Minneapolis.
Han's might you have some time to talk to an aspiring builder?
Chris Biorkman
May-27-2008, 8:26pm
Nice work as usual, Hans. For me, the third version is perfection. I think it looks a little more proportional than the latest incarnation, but the new one is still pretty darn sweet if you ask me.
Glassweb
May-27-2008, 8:38pm
It made me think of Geiger's drawings of some of the elements from Alien - dark, otherworldly... not scary.
Agreed! Its structural perfection is matched only by its lack of hostility... #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
sgarrity
May-27-2008, 8:52pm
I like 'em both. But put the V4 headstock on the V3 body and it would be perfect. Of course, my opinion is worth exactly what you had to pay to get it!! I love these designs tha stretch the idea of what a mandolin is supposed to look like.
Kevin K
May-27-2008, 8:55pm
Wow
Ken Olmstead
May-27-2008, 10:24pm
I am so into where this is going Hans!! Really nice! Bravo!!
OzMando
May-27-2008, 10:45pm
That's just gorgeous. The colour's just right for the shape. And I love the line carved in the top leading to the top point. Fantastic work.
usqebach
May-28-2008, 6:19am
I'll add to the cacophony of ebullient replies! (Liberal arts education gone awry). I continue to be amazed and astounded by the skill of the luthiers on this forum, and Hans is at the top of the list.
I must say that I like the more agressive bass-side curve of V3 a touch better, but V4 is beautiful in its own right.
Cats can live up to 23 years?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif Oh, man.....
Bertram Henze
May-28-2008, 6:37am
Can you install red neon lights in the body to make it glow through the holes? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Good job. That is one helluva hyperspace coffin.
Bertram
Thanks all! I've pulled up the V3 top for comparison. I prefer the "dreadnaughted" out look of V4, the more scalloped inside curve of the big point (which is carried out on the lower point also), the asymmetric curve of the bass side around to the T/P and the way the whole body flows into the curves of the peghead.
I don't have a problem building V3 though. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
Trevor alluded to the tone as compared to his M21V. The 21V has a quilted Bigleaf back, much softer, and lends a warmth to the German spruce making it very dark, complex and rich. Being an "A" model, it also has a more refined tone. V3 and V4 have the same complexity, but are very crisp and clear sounding from the sugar maple, and with the punch, pop and bark of an "F" model.
I wish I could get a good shot of the back without glare...black is hard to do. I'll try some more pix when I get some time.
Todd, you can stop by any time. Just give a call...
Jim, Stanley was in pretty bad shape and it was really hard for Maureen to put him down. We had the vet come out to the house. Put him in an old time flour sack and buried him in the garden under a lily patch. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
Mark Walker
May-28-2008, 7:22am
Hans - great looking mandolin. #I liked your earlier Stealth, (the one you made for Mandobar in...2006?) and this is every bit as innovative. #You consistently exhibit quality craftsmanship throughout.
Now if I can only convince my spousal unit to meander to that state just west of me for a visit... # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
BlueMountain
May-28-2008, 8:54am
I don't recall ever seeing a transparent gray stain before. Lovely. Reminds me of a fine black and white photo that has been tinted with the appropriate tint. Wonderful depth to the finish.
Michael Gowell
May-28-2008, 11:33am
That design is positively sculptural.
Steve-o
May-28-2008, 11:47am
Bravo Hans! As I said on the V3 thread, these are the best looking modern designs I've seen. Very artistic.
...I think the new batman movie needs one of these.
Carleton Page
May-28-2008, 11:49am
Very balanced and flowing. I love versions 3 and 4. I like the round look of 3, but I think version 4 looks more evolved. It really looks like you are building on and refining it each time. The way the line of the scalloped fingerrest flows into and matches the soundhole and then the bottom of the body is genius. It just looks so balanced. I don't think anyone has broken down and been foolish enough to ask this question:so here goes. How do they compare in tone and volume? I really want to play one of your instruments soon!
Chip Booth
May-28-2008, 1:29pm
Hans, that thing looks FAST! Love it!
Chip
Glassweb
May-28-2008, 2:14pm
I think Hans' Stealth and Eclipse models are just about the nicest looking modern designs being made today. Congratulations Dr. Brentrup!
Hal Jeanes
May-28-2008, 2:23pm
I vote for V4.
cbogle
May-28-2008, 8:50pm
Dr. Brentrup:
I see that you still have some of that black stain left.
That is an amazingly elegant piece of work, and the James "deco" tailpiece complements it dramatically.
Please ship one each V-4 Stealth to me....it'll help keep my Brentrup siblings humble, and please remember that I've moved since you last saw me. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
Thanks again folks!
Mark, you could always give your spousal unit the credit cards and send her to the Sprawl (Ahh, maybe not!!).
Ed, the first blackburst I did was for Charles Bogle (Steve Dennison), and that started me down the dark path...
Here's a couple of pix of der Bogle...
Here's the back...I darkened things up for V4.
Carleton, comparing V3 and V4 from memory, V4 might be just a tad more strident (my guess is a harder plank of sugar maple for the back), but it's hard to guess. V3 was pretty well broken in and V4 is brand new. I'd say that they are very close though. Design changes won't contribute anything.
I might try to get to Joe Val next year if I can get a booth.
Charles, glad you and Kranky made it to Florida...that's a long move from Bakersfield! Now you know I'll need a signed note from Kranky before I can ship you anything! And thanks for sending me down the dark path... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
Carleton Page
May-29-2008, 9:17pm
You should definitely goe to Joe Val next year. This year was a lot of fun! I was dissapointed with the relative lack mandolins on display though. It would be a lot better to see yours there too. I am hoping I will come across one of your instruments at a festival before then though.Again amazing work! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
trevor
Jun-02-2008, 6:36am
Hans,
I have just been asked what you think the tonal differences are due to f holes or 'Stealth style' holes?
I thought you might be able to answer that better than me and that others might be interested.
Carleton, I'll try to get to Joe Val, but getting a booth is up to the festival folks. It's really hard to get in if you haven't been before.You have to wait for an opening.
Trevor, I have tried ff holes ss holes and the dolphin holes and I don't hear a difference as long as the basic size is the same. Even body shape doesn't seem to make much difference as long as volume and number and mass of the blocks is the same. I have no doubt that a red spruce/red maple V4 graduated like a Loar would sound like one.
I've been pounding on this instrument a bit and it's coming on very strong. It has a tremendous amount of sustain.
Here's the best pix of the back I could come up with today...in hazy sun.
Ken Olmstead
Jun-02-2008, 11:37am
Hans, Your killing me man!! I am in love with this mando!! Again, great job!!
Sorry Ken! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif I love it too; everything about it: looks, tone and playablity (although I love my 3 yr old F5C too).
Now, where's that Eclipse plan? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif
grassrootphilosopher
Jun-03-2008, 8:00am
Hans,
too bad that John Duffey is not among us anymore. He´d appreciate your mando and surely would pick it wearing a batman costume. So would I if I had the funding (for the costume and the instrument). Very nice. But I seriously appreciate your F5C too!! I like to look at your instrument pictures.
Ivan Kelsall
Jun-04-2008, 6:11am
Hans,i love your work & i always enjoy your photos. With this one you're a hair's breadth away from having made my 'dream mandolin' - that instrument looks incredible. If it sounds as good as it looks & from what i've read of your instruments, it probably will do,then it's
a sure fire winner.
Once again,beautiful,tasteful,inovative design & awesome craftsmanship,
Saska http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
trevor
Jun-04-2008, 6:18am
Saska,
The V3 is here in Brighton waiting for you... looks even better than the pictures sounds better than....
Ivan Kelsall
Jun-05-2008, 12:06am
GET THEE BEHIND ME TREVOR !!! - The temptation is there,but unfortunately,the cash isn't any longer. If i was still in work,i'd be down there like a shot,but thanks for mentioning it anyway (now how much do souls go for these days http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif),
Saska
Ken Olmstead
Jun-05-2008, 12:18am
saska - Better have your local exorcist ready...Hans says he is pulling out the ECLIPSE plans! God help us all!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Ivan Kelsall
Jun-05-2008, 1:19am
Hi Ken - It's a sore temptation when you see Mandolins of that quality of design & build.
However,early retirement keeps my financial feet firmly on the ground re.what i can & can't afford. I'll just have to make do with my Webers (life's tough ain't it ?),
Saska
Ken Olmstead
Jun-05-2008, 10:48am
Hi Ken - It's a sore temptation when you see Mandolins of that quality of design & build.
However,early retirement keeps my financial feet firmly on the ground re.what i can & can't afford. I'll just have to make do with my Webers (life's tough ain't it ?),
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # Saska
Yeah, How do you do it?? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif However, if I ever consider a change, Hans is on my short, short list!
saska - Better have your local exorcist ready...Hans says he is pulling out the ECLIPSE plans! God help us all!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Don't hold your breath on a new Eclipse soon...oval scrolls are terrible to get right. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif