Happy Birthday Brunkalla #1

[Brookside]

I think Jim's correct. This is my number one, built with the original Siminoff book. Still I would hasten to add that that is one beautiful mando. (his, not mine ) Wonderful craftsmanship. I personally would be very happy with it.

I cant get over the finish. Its one of the best I've seen.

Everyone, the Brunkalla mandolin arrives thursday!

[Jim Hilburn]

Here's my first one, made in '79 with the Siminoff book as the only guide.

Heres one with the armrest!

Isnt Brunk great looking in that shot?

I think part of what makes Martins instruments look so nice, is that he's been working with tung oil for so long. That is what he used on his fiddles since the start. He swears by it. Here take a look on his website, it discusses his theory on using this amazing finish on his acoustic instruments.





http://brunkalla.com/FINISHES

As far as I know and from what a few other resources tell me. Martin Brunkalla is the only one who uses this great tung oil method. Its tricky to work with Martin quotes.

[Jacob]

I think the finish is tung oil.

WHAT IS THIS ENGLISH CLASS? SPELLING B MONDAY ? QUIZ CAFE?
HEHEHE JUST PLAYIN WITH YOU. THANKS A TON FOR THE CORRECTION.

[Brookside]

I think that's spelling bee.

[gdae85]

lol

lol gdae85 you havent said much lately, feelin nice?

it is so close, its just a few miles from here

just 12 more hours

[Scotti Adams]

..ok Dem....tell us about it....you should have it by now...

OH MY $*&^*&%((&$^%$!!!!!!!!!! God!

[neal]

Does that mean you don't like it and are sorely dissapointed?

[phynie]

I think it means he's too busy playin her to reply! #

Phynie, you couldnt be any more correct. However as soon as I put Brunk down I'll describe the whole situation.

[iampeterfonda]

Since Demetrius seems too busy playing to post, I'll pipe up. #I got to play this baby on Thursday. #It's a real sweet looking thing. #All of the points have this really cool flare (flair?) to them that doesn't show up in the pics. #IMHO it's got a nice full, round sound with a good chunk of volume. #I found it quite different from my mando which likes to be played hard for the best sound. #This one seemed to like a gentle touch. #I can't wait to try it again next week after 7 days of heavy playing.

p.s. the one thing I didn't like was the smell of that tung oil. Looks great but i'd take the nice smell of lacquer and varnish any day.

This mandolin is everything a great mandolin should be. Its the best looking instrument I've ever laid my eyes on. And the sound is something I didnt even knew existed. I thought that tone was only in my dreams. I have much more to say, and soon I will, but I cant even part form it long enough to begin describing Brunk.

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

I actually think each builder has a little different take on the F-5 design. Not everyone is building to exact Loar standards, and many alter the features intentionally just to make it their own. Monteleone changed it a lot. Others, change the design only slightly. The end result is that you can have an exact copy,ie: the new Gibsons, or you can choose a builder whose idiosyncrasies appeal to you. In this picture of my Lawrence Smart, the ridge of the scroll does not run down the center, but favors the outside of the curve. I know this was something Lawrence did intentionally, as he has built over 160 instruments. This is just a feature he likes at this time. Maybe next year it will be something else. But everyone has their own opinion, and whether we all agree or not, that's what makes life interesting.

I cant stop playing this Brunk.

Hey Dem, congratulations on your fine new Brunk. I know what a delight it is, I had the honor of being the first person to play it besides the luthier himself. It's a beautiful instrument, has great sound and easy playability. I'm sure you will get many many hours of enjoyment from it!