Another Cool Looking A (?) Model

[Mark Gunter]

From builder Murray Kuun near Johannesburg, South Africa. He calls this the Broadway mandolin.







The sound from YouTube seems a bit bright and tinny to me, but I'd like to try one in person. Looks pretty.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha9aGJGdVbU

[Ivan Kelsall]

If i'm not mistaken,Murray posted a few pics. of some mandolin ''shapes'' in the builder's section quite a while ago. I remember it because i was surprised that somebody in South Africa was actually building mandolins !. I like the design very much,but i get the impression that the top is more flat than arched,
Ivan

[Roger Moss]

Sure looks comfortable to play seated.

[MissingString]

The shape reminds me of the basic shape Joe Veilette is building 12-string and the occasional Terz instruments based upon. Obviously a different instrument but just immediately took me there. NFI, but if you haven’t checked out Joe’s work it’s really incredible looking and sounding. He’s got some major players on the list....

[Jim Garber]

I love the way that mandolin looks but the tone sounds a bit choked and nasal to me, almost like it was electrified. Maybe it is the video recording. Quite possible.

As for Veilette, I played a few of his guitars when Mandolin Brothers still existed They were quite nice. I wonder if he ever built a mandolin. I do get up toe Woodstock and might contact him sometime.

[billhay4]

I agree with Jim. Cool shape. Not so great sound.
Bill

[Charles E.]

Cool looking mandolin but I suspect that the large cutaway in the lower bout is affecting the sound production. It sounds bright to me.

[Mark Gunter]

I agree, the YT video has a sort of bright, tinny, "restricted" sound. I'd still like to play one in person. Gut feeling is that Mr. Kuun is a better designer - really artistic IMO - than an 'acoustic engineer', but that's just a hunch. Right now, he's floating ideas and looking for feedback about making an electric version of this model.

[j. condino]

Cool looking instrument but.....

There is nothing about this mandolin that implies it is an A model or an attempt to be one. Stop calling that just because it does not have a $#@!ing scroll..................!

[Mark Gunter]

Hence the (?) behind the "A" in this thread title.

I suppose it's actually a "B" for Broadway Model.

[MikeZito]

Kind of reminds me of some of the Ovation 'Deacon' electric guitars that they made back in the early 1970's . . .

[murrayk]

There are 2 reasons for the brightness. First the leg cutaway steals a lot of real estate and the carved crease in the top makes it extra stiff. I'm not an acoustic engineer, no but although I spend an inordinate amount of time on aesthetics, my first priority is ALWAYS sound quality. Check out my instruments on my youtube pages ….

[Jim Garber]

Welcome back, Murray. I hope you weren’t insulted by our comments. All were tempered by recording limitations. I will definitely go to listen to your current recordings.