Brunswick Guitar- A surprise

Subject: Brunswick Guitar- A surprise
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 19 Apr 21 - 02:17 AM

I've ended up with a Brunswick Rodeo Tiger Maple Dreadnought guitar.
I picked it up for very little money with a view to giving it as a present to a member of the family.
Just about everything told me it was going to sound totally naff. Laminate top and sides bridge riveted on, plastic nut and bridge insert, plastic pins.
It's about 25 years old. I set it up and put a decent set of strings on it. Changed the machine heads and pins, it sounds far better than it ought to!
I am amazed, and humble enough to say I am completely wrong about Brunswick. They are a UK firm and have been around since the 1990's. Has anybody else had any dealings with their guitars?

Subject: RE: Brunswick Guitar- A surprise
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 19 Apr 21 - 04:28 AM

Their website says that they’re “British-designed” so they’re probably built in the far east.

You say it’s a drednaught; I thought those were designed by CF Martin in the first half of the 20C!

Subject: RE: Brunswick Guitar- A surprise
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 19 Apr 21 - 05:40 AM

Yes it's now a standard size. Have you played a Brunswick?

Subject: RE: Brunswick Guitar- A surprise
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 19 Apr 21 - 06:01 AM

Guitars can defy expecttions and brand name prejudices...

Even more so nowadays with cheap guitars mass produced in modern CNC machine factories..

The real importance of expensive 'tonewood' is an ongoing contentious debate.


At our* age should we be too bothered if a £3000 guitar
might age better in 70 years than a good £300 copy...???

[* this week the average age of a surviving mudcatter is... ? ]


Guitars are tools,
and so are most guitarists...

Subject: RE: Brunswick Guitar- A surprise
From: GUEST,Derrick
Date: 19 Apr 21 - 06:20 AM

I agree with pfr re price versus quality of performance of guitars and violins.You mostly get what you pay for but occasionly a particular instrument defies the odds and gives an unexpectedly good performance.
Rare but it happens.

Subject: RE: Brunswick Guitar- A surprise
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Apr 21 - 10:33 AM

Have I ever played a Brunswick? - no, never knowingly seen one.

Anyone who hasn’t lived with a £3000+ guitar or three for an extended period wouldn’t really appreciate one. Cheapo guitars are way better than they were 30 odd years ago but many of them lack character. I play what I can afford.

You can also treat an expensive guitar as an investment. I paid £1650 for a used guitar just over a decade ago. A new one today would set me back £8400.

Subject: RE: Brunswick Guitar- A surprise
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 19 Apr 21 - 10:34 AM

Last post t’was I.

Subject: RE: Brunswick Guitar- A surprise
From: GUEST,matt milton
Date: 19 Apr 21 - 11:07 AM

Just had a look at the Brunswick website. They don't look bad! Although I regard a solid top as pretty much standard these days, even on cheap guitars.

I mean, my cheap mahogany parlour from Thomann was solid top and laminate back and sides and was still only £150 (and sounds great).

I also couldn't see a Brunswick with a wider nut width - for me that's a big deal. Having a nut width of at least 44mm is very important for me.

Subject: RE: Brunswick Guitar- A surprise
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 19 Apr 21 - 03:05 PM

Yes. The flame Maple and Rodeo series seem to have bee discontinued. I think I can get a bit more out of this with some more tweaking. It's got a beautiful ebony fingerboard, and purfling all the way round. The only minus is an outsized head stock, which only just fits in a D/N case. Reckon I'll probably sell it though.

Subject: RE: Brunswick Guitar- A surprise
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 20 Apr 21 - 07:24 AM

I've just made a private video of the guitar. If anybody is interested in hearing it I'll send the video to you. Still have not made up my mind if I am going to sell it or not. I need some help. I'm a Libra! We don't do decisions easily! Contact [e-mail]