Recent Venues:
Venue: American Day, Civic Center
Date: June 6, 2010
Venue: Molly Darcy's Pub
Date: March 17, 2009
Photo Courtesy of Brian Hartley - ZerO7 Photography
Venue: The Sweeter House of Coffee
Date: March 7, 2008
Guitars:
Bryan
plays two guitars commissioned by Pimentel and Sons, Luthiers (http://www.pimentelguitars.com/) a
family business located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. These fine instruments are
totally hand crafted with natures finest woods and the superb skill of true
craftsmen.
The first is a Concert Classical Guitar, a totally handcrafted
instrument from the “Grand Lorenzo Gold” series – named "Luther’s Clef".
This guitar was
exquisitely handcrafted by the Master Luthier and family patriarch, Mr. Lorenzo
Pimentel. The back and side of this beautiful instrument are made from 40 year
old Brazilian Rosewood. The top is constructed from European Spruce, while the
neck is crafted from beautiful Honduras Mahogany. The fret board is cut from
African Ebony Gabon with a rosewood bridge. The signature Rosetta is hand cut
from multiple exotic woods and the instrument trimmed in gold. The head is
uniquely adorned with a stylized version of Martin Luther's Seal and a music
clef superimposed on a cross (an original design). The intricate artwork of turquoise, mother of
pearl, ivory, ebony, and red coral is meticulously inlaid by Master Luthier
Rick Pimentel.
The second guitar made by the Pimentel family is a Custom
Dreadnought – named the “Sunrise Surprise” and is the first instrument in the
New Mexico Sunrise series commissioned in 2005 and delivered in 2007. Read the
article from Albuquerque Journal… http://www.pimentelguitars.com/Media/AlbuquerqueJournal/Sunrise.html
This custom made
guitar was built by Master Luthier Rick Pimentel. The sides and back of this
marvelous instrument are made from 40 year old East Indian Rosewood (DALBERGIA
LATIFOLIA). The top is crafted from Adirondack Spruce (PICEA RUBENS SARG) from
the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern United States. This wood is extremely
vibrant acting as a 'diaphragm' for the delicate transmission of sound.
Surrounding the sound hole is a Mother of Pearl inlay followed by the Pimentel
distinctive rosette and a final layer of Mother of Pearl.
The 1.75 inch
neck is sculpted from Honduras Mahogany (SWIETENIA MOCROPHYLLA). The 21 fret
fingerboard is made from the African Gaboon Ebony (DIOSPPYRUS CRASSIFLORA) The
neck of this guitar is meticulously garnished with red coral zias. The zia at
fret 17 depicts the morning sunrise. The zia at fret 12 continues the sunrise
theme surrounding an ebony chrysalis. The handcrafted inlays on the fret board
terminate with a zia surrounding an Ebony Bear Paw.
The head stock
bears the distinct design of the Pimentel Family. It is here that the zia theme
concludes. The zia 'sunrise' is in full glory surrounding the ebony carved
Brother Bear inlaid within a delicate mother of pearl bed. The uniquely
designed bridge is made with South American Bocote (CORDIA ELAEAGNOIDES) wood
with a piece of petrified walrus tusk as the saddle. The craftsmanship
continues with an inlaid butterfly at the tail of the guitar embedded in a
triangular cut piece of Birdseye Maple. Finally, the heel of the neck sports
its final ornament...in scrimshaw fashion...a small Yucca Plant rising to greet
the sun.
A piece of
trivia...the Birds Eye Maple has a distinctive pattern that looks like tiny,
swirling eyes that disrupt the smooth lines of the grain...but it is not a
variety of or a recognized species of maple. It is not understood what causes
the swirling effect. Some think that loggers cut the wood and let it lie in
water for a period of time before harvesting. Whatever the cause the Birds Eye
Maple is a beautiful addition to this unique guitar.
Bryan’s third
guitar is a 1979 MARTIN D-35, which he acquired while sojourning on Guam.
This
semi-handcrafted Martin Dreadnaught‘s distinctive 3-piece back and sides are
made with an East Indian Rosewood (DALBERGIA LATIFOLIA). The neck is
constructed with solid mahogany wood. Dot inlays adorn the bound 20 fret African
Gaboon Ebony (DIOSPPYRUS CRASSIFLORA) fingerboard. The neck sports Martin’s
distinctive paddle headstock complete with Martin sealed tuners.
The top of this
fine instrument is made from Sitka Spruce (PICEA SITCHENSIS) with a Black Ebony
‘belly’ bridge crafted with inlaid end pins. The primary top used for most
Martin guitars was chosen for its straight and uniformed grain and inherent
tensile strength. The two woods combine to produce the deep warm bass tones
that enhance and balance Bryan’s finger style technique.
A piece of
trivia...the three piece back used on the D-35 model originated in the 1960's
when the guitar industry was having trouble obtaining pieces of Brazilian
rosewood large enough to make the standard two piece back. CF Martin decided to
use available wood to create a new model...the birth of the Martin D-35. When
the switch was made to the East Indian Rosewood the company decided to retain
the D-35 model guitar. The East Indian Rosewood was chosen because of its
availability and the closeness in tone to the Brazilian Rosewood.
Guitar Photos Courtesy of Chris Brunk at Spectrum Graphics