Flat-back German Classical, Brian Dean no. 77

[labraid]

Hello folks,

This is my latest build, no. 77 for Tapas of Mumbai, India. Tapas is a composer and instrumentalist in the film industry in India, aka Bollywood. He plays the rebab and his wife is a wonderful singer and front-lady.

Tapas commissioned this instrument to tap into his classical desires, inspired by Carlo Aonzo, Chris Acquavella, Joe Brent, and Telemann. It has a traditional 333mm scale and is strung with Thomastiks. This is the first flat-back German, designed specially on commission. The body is 65mm deep and constructed of California walnut; the top is Engelmann spruce.

Have a listen to Chris Acquavella's latest album, Praeludium (http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/chrisacquavella), to get an idea of the German sound. I wouldn't say the flat back has had any great effect on the tone, but it is a tinge more modern sounding, with the same projection, warmth, and impact.

http://www.labraid.ca/posts/tapas/2_1000.jpg
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http://www.labraid.ca/posts/tapas/5_1000.jpg
http://www.labraid.ca/posts/tapas/6_1000.jpg
http://www.labraid.ca/posts/tapas/7_1000.jpg
http://www.labraid.ca/posts/tapas/8_1000.jpg
http://www.labraid.ca/posts/tapas/1_1000.jpg

[mandobassman]

Your mandolins are works of art, as is the photography. Absolutely beautiful!

[Kip Carter]

That is pure art! Thanks for sharing!
Kip...

[Jake Wildwood]

Really, really nice. I'm a fan of walnut, as well as the understated look of that instrument.

I'm also not terribly fond of armrests, but that one is pretty classy. Well done!

[wwwilkie]

BEAUTIFUL WORK!
Hey, is that photo behind you signed by Buzz Aldrin?

[labraid]

Howdy, Wyatt, here's the original photo. I was a mega space-junkie when I was a kid. Couldn't get enough of the stuff. Turns out, we're all made of it. Stardust, you and I.

Aim high, buddy.

http://www.labraid.ca/posts/P1010359_1000.jpg

[wwwilkie]

Hey, I'm still a space junkie.
81492
Not a moonwalker but almost as good.

[Clement Barrera-Ng]

Another classic Brian - well done. I get to hear Chris's mandolin often and am still struck by how wonderful it sounds each and every time.

[Tavy]

Beautiful as ever! Just wish you produced more of the things for us to drool over ;)

[JEStanek]

That looks great, Brian. Once again youre designs raise the bar on mandolin elegance.

Jamie

[labraid]

Thanks so much, folks!

Tavy, I'll be getting a little more productive this year as our home repairs have wound down significantly. We had a new arrival this past October, and the preparations were many as I'm sure you guys well know. I do all my own work.. It was worth it, life stuff is really in order, and that's when I can work best, with a clear mind, nothing to bug me out of my mandolin reverie. I've got at least two new designs coming out this year.

Jake, I don't really like the overly decorative ones that take up half the lower bout below the bridge. If that's what you're hinting at. This one took several days of tweaking the shape to get it right (for my eye anyway). It really is a boon for tone, as you don't want to waste any of that top real estate simply massaging your arm. (Although, a real massage sounds like a nice idea, hmm!)

Wyatt, Glenn's the man!!! Awesomeness.

[Jake Wildwood]

Jake, I don't really like the overly decorative ones that take up half the lower bout below the bridge. If that's what you're hinting at. This one took several days of tweaking the shape to get it right (for my eye anyway). It really is a boon for tone, as you don't want to waste any of that top real estate simply massaging your arm. (Although, a real massage sounds like a nice idea, hmm!)

Exactly what I'm hinting at... those things belong on the front of organs, not mandolins!

RE your preps for the bab-oo -- isn't it brutal? Our house went topsy-turvy before settling into its (much nicer, and more practical) current "nested" form. It included hanging every instrument that wasn't in the workshop a good 5 feet up the walls, too... :D

[labraid]

Ha, organs.. Good observation!

Yes, practical is the word. It's a dizzying adaptation to family life. I used to put things down and know where they were. Those days are long gone!! And that's just with the lady. I've had to zone off spots for my own personal things.. Now I understand how my Dad always felt when I'd take the hammer out to build a ramp or something in the front lot. What it'll be like with a curious and mobile young one around, I can only imagine (and dread :disbelief:). There is a deadbolt on the attic/shop door. ;)

[wildpikr]

Hmmmm...maybe an apprentice, a second generation luthier...~o)

[Ed Goist]

A new Labraid mandolin and John Glenn in the same thread...:disbelief:...I am overwhelmed by awesomeness!
Brian, your instruments really are in a category all their own. Congratulations on building another magnificent mandolin!
As a proud Ohioan (Like Glenn), I thought I'd share this little tidbit that pokes fun of one of Ohio's greatest claims to fame as a state. Sorry for the slight veering off course :)...

81508

[billhay4]

Ah, Brian. There are no words....
Bill

[labraid]

Dunno, Bill, I just counted 6! :)

That's pretty damn funny, Ed.

[roady43]

Such great work! Please post some information and pictures about the new baroque mandolin too. I think it has no cant crease? How is the balance and the statics compared to a "normal" mandolin. BTW: what is the crease for? Is there any benefit?

roady43

[labraid]

Ah, I have a new mandolino build I have not yet strung up, perhaps in the next few weeks I could post that.

The crease, or cant, is for the purposes of structural triangulation -- a nice feature which allows the top to remain majoritarily flat and therefore with a wider dynamic range (sweeter notes). But it has the additional benefit of being a sort of "massless brace", which I consider a very nice plus -- there is very little directly underneath the bridge to support it, and yet it is fully supported. This arrangement would not be very useful in a fixed bridge instrument like the mandolino, as there is no effective down-pressure on the instrument top which it needs to resist.

I'd say the dynamics are pretty much the same as steel-strung mandolin, but the overall tone is more airy, the notes more harp-like and pure. It is also quite loud, not at all what you would expect from a small, gut-strung instrument.

I see a German mandolin in your profile, very nice! I am working on another at the moment.

[otterly2k]

lovely, Brian, as always.
How is that armrest attached? I don't see any brackets... or is that just a trick of the photography...?

[labraid]

Thanks Karen,

It's been a while now that I'm chalk-fitting and attaching permanently the armrests (with glue only, to answer your question). I don't remember now the last one which had the wedge gizmo I invented. That was a fun, fruitful time...

[otterly2k]

I'll pm you, Brian. The wedge gizmo was REALLY cool, and worked well when it worked, but it's not working so well anymore and I'm thinking of alternate ways to reattach the beautiful purpleheart armrest you made me. we'll tawk ;)
This new one looks really nice... I have always loved how you work the design so that even the peripheral / accessory bits are in harmony with the overall piece... all part of one vision. Nothing is ever tacked on. sweet

[roady43]

Ah, I have a new mandolino build I have not yet strung up, perhaps in the next few weeks I could post that.
...
I see a German mandolin in your profile, very nice! I am working on another at the moment.

Thank you Brian. But what about the baroque mandolin for Chris Acquavella? Was it not just finished recently?
http://www.labraid.ca/mandolino_en.php
The sound clips give an absolutely amazing impression. Would love to know more about that instrument (tuning of the 6 choruses, dimensions etc.).

BTW: the avatar is my Knorr "La Gioiosa" (2009) which I got last summer.

roady43