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Some of you know that while I live in the STL area, I'm from Bozeman, Montana. I miss home immensely even though my wife, daughter, and I get back 2 or 3 times a year. I've always aspired to play the mandolin, and the banjo for that matter. Well, one of the best mandolin brands in the world are Weber. When Gibson and Flatiron were making their acoustics, mandos, dobros and bouzoukis in Bozeman, Bruce Weber was running the mando and Flatiron part. He broke off when Gibson moved to Jersey(I think) and most of the employees in Bozeman stayed behind. Weber mandolins were initially made in Belgrade, MT, a town of 8,ooo about 8 miles from our house, which is in rural Bozeman. They recently moved to Logan, MT which is not too much further.
So 2 weeks ago, my wife takes her lunch break and goes to Fazio's Frets and Friends and, unbeknownst to me, she talks with them about their Webers they have in stock. I wanted the Gallatin model, which is an F style mandolin named after the Gallatin River, which I grew up on and still flyfish regualrly. She was going to buy this mando for me right there on the spot but wanted to make sure it was the one I liked. So we both went up there last Saturday and I walked out with a beautiful, handmade (literally) Weber Gallatin mandolin. Of their F style mandolins, this is the "plainest" of the models. They can get quite ornate and Weber does amazing custom work. These pics are of mine. MOP diamond shaped inlays, cedar top, mahogany back and sides. The finish is called leather, it has Brekke bridge which are considered the best adjustable bridge you can get. The action can be lowered with the strings under tension. As some of you know, I have the most supportive and loving wife a man could want. I'm not just a metal head. I like country, bluegrass, just as much as I like prog metal, blues, and the like. Laurie can play a little guitar and she sings beautifully. I'm helping her with the guitar and we may put together a little acoustic thing down the road a bit. She also plays the flute really, really well and we both sit in with her dad's oldies band (8 members, horn section, 2 keys, guitar ,bass, drums). Anyway, this was supposed to be a post about my mandolin but I also wanted to point out that my wife Laurie is pretty damned amazing.
BTW, Fazio's Frets and Friends in Manchester, MO is the nicest bunch of people. Truly the best experience I've ever had in a music store. They spent several hours with me covering the Webers and the construction, tone woods, etc, and they also treated me great on the price. The Gallatin model lists for around $2055 and, like Mesa, there's not any wiggle room there. We got it for 1800 with a custom fitted hardshell case (leather!). Webers are warrantied for LIFE! If you're into this kind of thing, check them out. Fazio's has a HUGE selection of guitars from Suhr to Melancon, to Dean, to Ibanez, Fender, Taylor, Martin, Breedlove, Rainsong, and a lot of true custom, boutique amps and guitars. Let me know what you think of this mando.
So 2 weeks ago, my wife takes her lunch break and goes to Fazio's Frets and Friends and, unbeknownst to me, she talks with them about their Webers they have in stock. I wanted the Gallatin model, which is an F style mandolin named after the Gallatin River, which I grew up on and still flyfish regualrly. She was going to buy this mando for me right there on the spot but wanted to make sure it was the one I liked. So we both went up there last Saturday and I walked out with a beautiful, handmade (literally) Weber Gallatin mandolin. Of their F style mandolins, this is the "plainest" of the models. They can get quite ornate and Weber does amazing custom work. These pics are of mine. MOP diamond shaped inlays, cedar top, mahogany back and sides. The finish is called leather, it has Brekke bridge which are considered the best adjustable bridge you can get. The action can be lowered with the strings under tension. As some of you know, I have the most supportive and loving wife a man could want. I'm not just a metal head. I like country, bluegrass, just as much as I like prog metal, blues, and the like. Laurie can play a little guitar and she sings beautifully. I'm helping her with the guitar and we may put together a little acoustic thing down the road a bit. She also plays the flute really, really well and we both sit in with her dad's oldies band (8 members, horn section, 2 keys, guitar ,bass, drums). Anyway, this was supposed to be a post about my mandolin but I also wanted to point out that my wife Laurie is pretty damned amazing.
BTW, Fazio's Frets and Friends in Manchester, MO is the nicest bunch of people. Truly the best experience I've ever had in a music store. They spent several hours with me covering the Webers and the construction, tone woods, etc, and they also treated me great on the price. The Gallatin model lists for around $2055 and, like Mesa, there's not any wiggle room there. We got it for 1800 with a custom fitted hardshell case (leather!). Webers are warrantied for LIFE! If you're into this kind of thing, check them out. Fazio's has a HUGE selection of guitars from Suhr to Melancon, to Dean, to Ibanez, Fender, Taylor, Martin, Breedlove, Rainsong, and a lot of true custom, boutique amps and guitars. Let me know what you think of this mando.
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