Highs and Lows - Waldorf&Bertha #1

As in music, so in life: variation is what makes things interesting. But this project takes things to a whole new level.

After three weeks of working through the evenings, Saturdays and Sundays, I am happy to have overcome all the HIGHS and LOWS of building the Richard Long setup for Frickelfest 2025.

This will be a very emotional story with eigth HIGHS and seven LOWS about the biggest speaker I have ever built. There are more facts in later Waldorf&Bertha posts.

HIGH: It is a beautiful piece of work, building up an acoustic lens from solid wood.

LOW: I couldn't finish it in time. But then, while sitting by the fireplace during Frickelfest Essentials in autumn last year, Olli came up with the idea of building this disco setup.

HIGH: The idea grows in sketches and the horn lens grwos in our kitchen at Christmastime. Furthermore, Robert is going to help with carpentry and equipment on the other side of Germany to set up at Frickelfest.

LOW: Starting the big work made my new nailer misfire, which made me nervous. Working on such a large scale requires me to use PU glue like carpenters do in the States, which I don't like.

HIGH: The Waldorf cases look really impressive, and the children are having fun hiding in them and painting them.

LOW: We used about 90 square metres of plywood, and at least the visible sides need to be sanded down. It's no fun if the sanding belt keeps tearing or if the measurements of some pre-assembled boxes are just not right and need to be cut.

HIGH: Seeing things grow to this size is a very sublime feeling. And the freedom to shape, arrange and brace in an aesthetic manner is wonderful.

LOW: The day before the break-up, I had to crawl into the shavings press because some walnut shavings were blocking the dust extraction process and I couldn't continue working.

HIGH: My wife helps me spray the logo. The last strut has been attached, and the van that was booked in error is still available.

LOW: I arrived at Frickelfest, ready to relax, but there was more and more work to be done until the very late hours of the night, while everyone stared at me and asked when I was going to play.

HIGH: The first tones after wiring are very promising, and the equipment of Holger and Roberts is doing its job properly.

LOW: I didn't like the first tuning. After three hours' sleep, I felt somehow empty and needed to rest inside my speaker.

HIGH: Then Olli did the tuning and, together with our DJ, adapted the sound to create a great atmosphere. Not only was the DJ's setup amazing, but listening to music through these speakers was a thrilling new experience.

LOW: All the equipment came in two transporters and had to fit in my one. It took hours of packing and removing some of the dividing cabin walls to get everything inside.

HIGH:On the last evening of Frickelfest, we sat by the fireplace and burned the plywood rests. The next day, I had a quick clean-up with Klaus.

What a project!

Thank you to everyone who helped bring the Richard Long setup to life, whether by lending a helping hand, providing materials or sharing ideas.