From the apt, inventive mind of builder Benjamin Wilcox to his woodbench, and now to our hands, a bold new hybrid instrument. Thanks to the generosity of its proud new owner, Doug Young, the JazzMando laboratory research assistants have had the opportunity to pluck, pick and prod this new creature, The BRW Oval, officially designated the LT-H4-E.

Excerpt from our critique: The asymmetrical two-point and elliptical oval hole from the "waist up" will deceive the player into thinking he/she is about to pluck a characteristically tubby but warm vintage classical instrument. However, the young innovator infuses some magnificent hybrid construction deviation. Embracing (pun intended) an internal X or cross-bracing pattern for punch under the Red Spruce top, and an elevated fingerboard, he has melded the best of both worlds, a mid-range defining clarity and an upper-mid producing crunch atypical of a two-point Oval."

Read full review & see exclusive pictures: BRW Oval

Posted by Ted at October 5, 2006 9:42 AM