Weber Yellowstone Carved Top Mandola (2000)
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Weber Yellowstone Model Carved Top Mandola (2000), made in Belgrade, Montana, serial # 001701, sunburst finish, maple back and sides, spruce top, maple neck with ebony fingerboard, original black tolex hard shell case.
This instrument is a fairly rare modern interpretation of the Gibson H-5 Mandolin format built by the Weber company back when they were in Belgrade, Montana. It retains most of the design elements of the original 1920s Loar-era Gibson but with a noticeably longer scale length, 17" versus the Gibson's 15 3/4". This adds a little extra resonance and the fairly slim modern feeling round-backed maple neck makes this an superbly playable instrument.
The top is carved from very tight grained spruce; it as well as the attractively grained maple back, sides and neck are all finished in a dark sunburst. The instrument is single bound on the top, back, and headstock. The flat-radius fingerboard is full length without a treble side extension and is single bound with small diamond pearl inlay. The only overtly decorative touch is a pearl Weber logo and single inlay underneath. The pickguard, adjustable bridge and solid tailpiece are Weber's own proprietary fittings.
While this mandola is built in the classic F-hole format the top is braced in an X-pattern instead of with twin tone bars. This major deviation from the Loar/Gibson formula adds to the unique sonic character, giving a somewhat rounder tone with a more open character. This is an unusual instrument, even as mandolas go and definitely has a unique sound and feel. It is signed on the label by Bruce Weber and was crafted by him and his team in January 2000. Now 26 years along this mandola does not appear too much played and the tone is still maturing.
Overall length is 37 3/4 in. (95.9 cm.), 10 15/16 in. (27.8 cm.) across at the widest point, and 2 1/16 in. (5.2 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 17 in. (432 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.).
Although this instrument is over 25 years old it shows only very light signs of play, appearing not too much used. The original finish shows some small dings, dents and scuffs but no heavy wear. The most notable flaw is a bit of disturbance under the treble side bridge foot from the bridge shifting at some point.
This is an excellent player, certainly more modern friendly feeling than the vintage shorter scale, heavier strung Gibsons it is descended from. The sound is fairly bright for a mandola with a nice midrange punch. If lacking some of the depth in the lower register compared to many older Gibsons this weber is much more practical full chorded instrument than they are, and single lines, dyads and triads punch through nicely as well. For anyone seeking a superbly playable modern mandola this is a cool find, complete in its original rectangular HSC. Overall Excellent Condition.
This instrument is a fairly rare modern interpretation of the Gibson H-5 Mandolin format built by the Weber company back when they were in Belgrade, Montana. It retains most of the design elements of the original 1920s Loar-era Gibson but with a noticeably longer scale length, 17" versus the Gibson's 15 3/4". This adds a little extra resonance and the fairly slim modern feeling round-backed maple neck makes this an superbly playable instrument.
The top is carved from very tight grained spruce; it as well as the attractively grained maple back, sides and neck are all finished in a dark sunburst. The instrument is single bound on the top, back, and headstock. The flat-radius fingerboard is full length without a treble side extension and is single bound with small diamond pearl inlay. The only overtly decorative touch is a pearl Weber logo and single inlay underneath. The pickguard, adjustable bridge and solid tailpiece are Weber's own proprietary fittings.
While this mandola is built in the classic F-hole format the top is braced in an X-pattern instead of with twin tone bars. This major deviation from the Loar/Gibson formula adds to the unique sonic character, giving a somewhat rounder tone with a more open character. This is an unusual instrument, even as mandolas go and definitely has a unique sound and feel. It is signed on the label by Bruce Weber and was crafted by him and his team in January 2000. Now 26 years along this mandola does not appear too much played and the tone is still maturing.
Overall length is 37 3/4 in. (95.9 cm.), 10 15/16 in. (27.8 cm.) across at the widest point, and 2 1/16 in. (5.2 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 17 in. (432 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.).
Although this instrument is over 25 years old it shows only very light signs of play, appearing not too much used. The original finish shows some small dings, dents and scuffs but no heavy wear. The most notable flaw is a bit of disturbance under the treble side bridge foot from the bridge shifting at some point.
This is an excellent player, certainly more modern friendly feeling than the vintage shorter scale, heavier strung Gibsons it is descended from. The sound is fairly bright for a mandola with a nice midrange punch. If lacking some of the depth in the lower register compared to many older Gibsons this weber is much more practical full chorded instrument than they are, and single lines, dyads and triads punch through nicely as well. For anyone seeking a superbly playable modern mandola this is a cool find, complete in its original rectangular HSC. Overall Excellent Condition.