Two interesting instruments at Bernunzio's
First, let me once again state that I am not shilling for John Bernunzio; strictly no financial interest (well, he's been known to give me a "good customer" discount on strings and Stetson hats, but that's it -- I swear!).
Stopped in today to look at his "big mando" inventory, and saw a couple that were really interesting to me -- and I'm not including the Martin D-28 guitar-to-4-string-mandocello conversion, Brazilian rosewood, nicely re-done headstock...
First is a bowl-back octave mandolin built in 2004 by a luthier named Ken McBride. There ain't too many bowl-back OM's, and this one's nicely made out of atypical woods, pearwood body and cedar top; it has a fixed guitar-style bridge, fairly lengthy but not bouzouki scale, a little tasteful mother-of-pearl on the bridge and around the soundhole, and a comfortable neck. The main drawback -- to me -- was the proliferation of quasi-Irish ornamentation on the body and headstock; I could do without the shamrocks and leprechauns etc. If someone wants a uniquely designed OM, this is one.
Second is the Gelas double-topped mandocello: Bernunzio's willing to break up the Gelas "family" he was selling only as a unit, and has put the instruments on sale, though they're still really pricey. This one's the most thunderous 'cello I can remember hearing, and whoever gets this one will have all the low-end he/she will ever need. Big wide neck, little bit of finish wear but no repairs I could see, "strikes like Thunderball" IMHO.
Escaped the store with my wallet intact, but the McBride tempted me. If it only didn't have the leprechaun...
Re: Two interesting instruments at Bernunzio's
The mandocello is on consignment by a fellow MCer, Matthew, who goes by the screen name gweetarpicker or something like that. There have been other discussions about these particular instruments. He also IIRC has a collection of Bohmann instruments.
Re: Two interesting instruments at Bernunzio's
You're local to Bernunzio's aren't you, Allen? Have you checked either of these out in person?
Would enjoy an earful of your relatively appreciation.
The Bowl-oc-tavey is one muy funkatitiosus looking piece of design work. Yikes.
The Gelas m'cello looks like a smooth stretch of highway Provencal.
Eyes only....
Mick
Re: Two interesting instruments at Bernunzio's
Quote:
Originally Posted by
brunello97
You're local to Bernunzio's aren't you, Allen? Have you checked either of these out in person?
Would enjoy an earful of your relatively appreciation.
The Bowl-oc-tavey is one muy funkatitiosus looking piece of design work. Yikes.
The Gelas m'cello looks like a smooth stretch of highway Provencal.
Eyes only....
Mick
Look at his first post.
Re: Two interesting instruments at Bernunzio's
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jim Garber
Look at his first post.
Doh. Do I have to?
"The main drawback -- to me -- was the proliferation of quasi-Irish ornamentation on the body and headstock; I could do without the shamrocks and leprechauns etc."
And I'm Irish.......
Mick
Re: Two interesting instruments at Bernunzio's
