ok what does a lyon healy style c sound like? and a brunkella A

[ollaimh]

what do lyon healy style cs sound like in comparison to other mandolins? and any one ever heard of a brunkella? any good, what do they sound like?

just generally? i am looking at long distance buys

[rcc56]

In my experience, L & H model C's have sustain and projection similar to 'teens Gibson A models, but the tone tends to be clearer and quite a bit more focused towards the high end. Some of the L & H's have a somewhat nasal quality that we do not hear in Gibsons, but that we do hear in bowlback mandolins. In short, L & H's have their own tone, and part of that tone is a more classical sound then we hear from Gibson. They are really very flexible instruments, good for tunes and vocal accompaniment, and they also chop quite well.

The consistency of L & H mandolins is very noticeable. There is much less variation between individual L & H mandolins than we are used to hearing among oval hole Gibsons. Perhaps some of the C's have a little more bass than the A's and B's. Duds are pretty rare. Perhaps the best miking mandolin I have ever played was a L & H model B. Funny thing about that-- the only soundman who couldn't dial that one in was using a $500 microphone and a $5000 board. [Maybe that fancy board had too many knobs for him???]

If you're looking at a long distance buy, it is a good idea to make sure there is a 48 hour return policy in case you find you don't like the L & H sound.

[pops1]

While I have never played a Brunkella, I have heard they are very nice mandolins. There has been some discussion here on the cafe. I almost bought one that was tempting me for while from, if I remember, Bernunzio. While I was thinking about it I was looking on line and found only good things about them.

[Jim Garber]

I don't know if there are any videos of L&H style C's on youtube but I always liked the way Marissa Carroll's style B sounded.



I think the key to all these L&H carved mandolins is using Thomastik strings. Sweet and clean sound. I am not a fan of those strings on most other mandolins but for these they are perfect.

I believe that Brunkalla is the correct spelling. Martin Brunkalla is the maker IIRC tho I am not sure if he is still building. He used to be active on these forums but his icon in the builder's DB has nothing linked to it (tho says he is in Ilinois) and a quick search did not come up with a web site.

[Bob A]

In my experience, L&H carved-top mandolins fill the sweet spot between Italian bowlbacks and the Gibson-style oval hole instruments. The are not quite as sparkly in the treble as a good bowlback, with better bass response, but not as strong in the bass as the Gibsons. Pretty much the ideal compromise, though not the first, or even second, choice for playing bluegrass.

[ollaimh]

i looked up old threads on brunkalla, and a few people rave about them and a few give faint praise. i think i'll go for the style c just to try onr

[DavidKOS]

In my experience, L&H carved-top mandolins fill the sweet spot between Italian bowlbacks and the Gibson-style oval hole instruments. The are not quite as sparkly in the treble as a good bowlback, with better bass response, but not as strong in the bass as the Gibsons. Pretty much the ideal compromise, though not the first, or even second, choice for playing bluegrass.

But a great choice for playing many other sorts of music.

I wish there were a few moderate-price makers copying L and H, instead of everyone trying to make a Gibson.

[Bob A]

But a great choice for playing many other sorts of music.

I wish there were a few moderate-price makers copying L and H, instead of everyone trying to make a Gibson.

Be of good cheer, they're still pretty underpriced for what they are.


{edit} Having said that, it appears that they're a little scarce at the moment. I recall looking for my style a for a while before I found one at Vintage Instruments in Philly.

[BradKlein]

The first 20 seconds or so of this youtube clip give a pretty good sample of the L&H sound in the hands of Norman Blake. Buy the old Homespun DVD for a longer sample. I haven't noticed any consistent difference in sound between A, B, and C models. And I've often said that the best deal in the vintage mandolin world is a C model missing its tailpiece cover!

[Bob A]

I haven't noticed any consistent difference in sound between A, B, and C models. And I've often said that the best deal in the vintage mandolin world is a C model missing its tailpiece cover!

Agree ^^^

[Glassweb]

one of the best mandolins i ever owned that "got away" was a mint Lyon and Healy style C... sold it to a very nice woman in the Seattle Mandolin Orchestra about 25 years ago!

[peter.coombe]

I wish there were a few moderate-price makers copying L and H, instead of everyone trying to make a Gibson.

I make them. I can also make an asymmetrical.
http://petercoombe.com/ClassicaL.html
http://petercoombe.com/ClassicaL_junior.html

[lowtone2]

I have a short scale Style C that is immaculate and beautiful. They used the very best material available for those instruments, no compromises, and the workmanship is flawless also. The short scale, I guess, leans more toward bowl back sound, but is still identifiable as L&H.

[JeffD]

In my experience, L&H carved-top mandolins fill the sweet spot between Italian bowlbacks and the Gibson-style oval hole instruments. The are not quite as sparkly in the treble as a good bowlback, with better bass response, but not as strong in the bass as the Gibsons. Pretty much the ideal compromise, though not the first, or even second, choice for playing bluegrass.

Yea I would agree. I have a model A that has a very bowlbacky sound. The sound is not very bluegrassy at all, and when played with a pointy pick is pretty sparkly.

All of my bowls are turn of the last century and are very cantankerous. Its too hot its too cold its to dry its to humid its too early I don't feel like it, and so on. When they cooperate they are divine, but cannot be relied on for exact music on any given day. I am on the look out for a much more recent. I have a Vinaccia that needs some work and will eventually be my go to for classical. Until then my L&H does an amazing job, and its sound is often smiled at by those with other options.