Weber Carved Top Mandocello (2016)
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Weber Carved Top Mandocello (2016), made in Bend, Oregon, serial # 1619008, black top, dark cherry stained back and sides finish, maple back and sides, Sitka spruce top, original grey tolex hard shell case.
This instrument is a fairly rare modern interpretation of the classic Gibson K-4 Mandocello format built by the Weber company of Bend, Indiana. It retains most of the design elements of the original 1910s Gibson but with a noticeably slimmer more modern feeling round-backed maple neck equipped with an adjustable truss rod. The top is finished in "Black Ice' (says the label) while the back, sides and neck are a cherry stain over attractively grained sugar maple. The instrument is single bound on the top, back, soundhole edge and headstock. The arched fingerboard is single bound with small diamond pearl inlay. There is no soundhole rosette or pickguard the only other decorative touch being a pearl Weber logo and diamond inlay underneath. The adjustable bridge and tailpiece are Weber's own fittings.
Most Weber mandocellos are built with an F-hole format; this one follows the older F-4 pattern with an oval hole giving a somewhat rounder tone with a more open character. The top is braced in a thin scalloped X-pattern, a major deviation from any Gibson 'cello adding to the unique sonic character. It also features a built in pickup wired to an endpin jack for an excellent amplified sound. This is an unusual instrument, even as mandocellos go and definitely has a unique sound and feel, as well as its badass black-topped look!
Overall length is 41 in. (104.1 cm.), 14 3/8 in. (36.5 cm.) across at the widest point, and 3 5/16 in. (8.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 in. (635 mm.). Width of nut is 1 9/16 in. (40 mm.).
This instrument is not quite 10 years old and shows only very light signs of play. There is a strap button on the heel that was probably added. This is an excellent player, certainly more friendly feeling to most modern stylists than the vintage Gibsons it is descended from. The sound is fairly bright with a nice transparency, and if lacking some of the depth and warmth of the best older "Gibson's is much more practical as a full chorded instrument than most of those are, and single lines, dyads and triads punch through nicely as well. Foe anyone seeking a superbly playable modern mandocello this is a cool find, complete in its original (and very heavy) fitted HSC. Overall Excellent Condition.
This instrument is a fairly rare modern interpretation of the classic Gibson K-4 Mandocello format built by the Weber company of Bend, Indiana. It retains most of the design elements of the original 1910s Gibson but with a noticeably slimmer more modern feeling round-backed maple neck equipped with an adjustable truss rod. The top is finished in "Black Ice' (says the label) while the back, sides and neck are a cherry stain over attractively grained sugar maple. The instrument is single bound on the top, back, soundhole edge and headstock. The arched fingerboard is single bound with small diamond pearl inlay. There is no soundhole rosette or pickguard the only other decorative touch being a pearl Weber logo and diamond inlay underneath. The adjustable bridge and tailpiece are Weber's own fittings.
Most Weber mandocellos are built with an F-hole format; this one follows the older F-4 pattern with an oval hole giving a somewhat rounder tone with a more open character. The top is braced in a thin scalloped X-pattern, a major deviation from any Gibson 'cello adding to the unique sonic character. It also features a built in pickup wired to an endpin jack for an excellent amplified sound. This is an unusual instrument, even as mandocellos go and definitely has a unique sound and feel, as well as its badass black-topped look!
Overall length is 41 in. (104.1 cm.), 14 3/8 in. (36.5 cm.) across at the widest point, and 3 5/16 in. (8.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 in. (635 mm.). Width of nut is 1 9/16 in. (40 mm.).
This instrument is not quite 10 years old and shows only very light signs of play. There is a strap button on the heel that was probably added. This is an excellent player, certainly more friendly feeling to most modern stylists than the vintage Gibsons it is descended from. The sound is fairly bright with a nice transparency, and if lacking some of the depth and warmth of the best older "Gibson's is much more practical as a full chorded instrument than most of those are, and single lines, dyads and triads punch through nicely as well. Foe anyone seeking a superbly playable modern mandocello this is a cool find, complete in its original (and very heavy) fitted HSC. Overall Excellent Condition.