Brentrup Mandolins: The Instrument

The Instrument

A considerable amount of thought and effort has gone into the development of these instruments. The objective is to elevate the mandolin to the level of a fine violin. My goal is to provide you with a mandolin that you will cherish for the rest of your life.

One of the first things you will notice about the Model 23 mandolin is that it looks slightly different than most others. The bouts and points are tighter in the curves and the scroll is uniform in curvature. I have also refined the peghead: the curves are more pronounced. The Model 21 is my rendition of the "A" style mandolin.

The tonewood used in my mandolins is the finest available. Most all of the planks for the soundboard come from small suppliers, who find the tree, cut it, and season it for several years before shipping it to me. I buy only the best grade that they offer, and re-grade it again. Tone-wise, there is little difference in my re-grading. It is cosmetic. Backs are treated similarly. The finest flame is reserved for the most expensive instrument, but tone-wise they are the same.

Each instrument is individually handcrafted. I will at times make 3 or 4 neck blanks, inlay and finish off the peghead. The bodies are built one at a time. I usually start another when one is in the finishing stages. The instruments are very handmade. No production machining is done. Rasps, rifflers and violin planes are common tools in the shop.

Instruments are hand dyed rather than spraying the sunburst. This results in more of a vignette: a gradual shading. It also highlights the grain of the wood as the dye is crystal clear, and even in the darkest areas, the grain shows through. I let the wood take the dye as it will, and believe in this way, the character of the wood's natural beauty is respected.

Instruments are set up to provide the utmost in playing ease. Necks are designed to be very straight: two and three piece necks are built with opposing grain. A dual-action truss rod is used and in the tradition of the finest instruments, the neck joint is a dovetail.

The finish used is a European varnish manufactured by an old world family of violin varnish makers. Although the finish will look thick when the instrument is new, within six months it will shrink down to a very thin finish. A consequence of such a thin finish is what builders call "maker's marks"; very small imperfections in the instrument. These marks could be hidden under a thick finish, but the tone would suffer.

Instruments are warranted to the original owner. Any instrument inspected and found faulty in workmanship will be repaired without charge. The instruments are not warranted for extreme weather conditions, misuse, or wear.