mr79
Well-known member
Well, after 10 weeks of waiting, my custom Bruko baritone finally arrived! (it's my first baritone, a 35th birthday present from my wife who told me to "get one you're going to keep"!). It was worth the wait though, really beautifully made... I opted for the more or less basic mahogany version, but with Schaller tuners, a pickup (for future use - never been electrified yet) and no soundhole inlay (which seemed to complicate things - I ended up ringing them and trying to say it in my very poor German: "Neine Schalloch Umrandung". Luckily the Pfeiffer's were patient and we worked it out in the end).
The only thing I didn't like was the strings, but I'd already bought some of Ken Middleton's Living Water DGBE strings so I was able to put them straight on. It sounds so nice, and when I'm brave enough I will get a clip sorted... it's an odd one, the baritone - not quite a ukulele, not quite a guitar. It has a sound all of its own, which I'm looking forward to learning.
And speaking of odd, I also got a Seagull Merlin today, which is a dulcimer 'inspired' er... instrument. It is very nicely made, all solid woods, unusual but comfortable shape, and sounds lovely, but kinda limited note-wise. Compared to a stick dulcimer it has less than half the frets! Fun to noodle on though, and I've found that with a slide you can hit the 'missing' notes, plus it has a really nice Seasick Steve sort of sound then too.
Anyhow, family more or less nonplussed at my excitement, so thought I'd share with some people who may understand my glee!
PS, sorry for the limited pics, camera is not playing - will try again in daylight!
The only thing I didn't like was the strings, but I'd already bought some of Ken Middleton's Living Water DGBE strings so I was able to put them straight on. It sounds so nice, and when I'm brave enough I will get a clip sorted... it's an odd one, the baritone - not quite a ukulele, not quite a guitar. It has a sound all of its own, which I'm looking forward to learning.
And speaking of odd, I also got a Seagull Merlin today, which is a dulcimer 'inspired' er... instrument. It is very nicely made, all solid woods, unusual but comfortable shape, and sounds lovely, but kinda limited note-wise. Compared to a stick dulcimer it has less than half the frets! Fun to noodle on though, and I've found that with a slide you can hit the 'missing' notes, plus it has a really nice Seasick Steve sort of sound then too.
Anyhow, family more or less nonplussed at my excitement, so thought I'd share with some people who may understand my glee!
PS, sorry for the limited pics, camera is not playing - will try again in daylight!