I am in Love

[Dano Reible]

Well it has happen;
she was hanging in a case on the wall next to a couple of nice looking Galatins but there was just something special about her. I have always loved blonds and never have gone for the traditional look so when I saw that deep blond colored Weber Galatin hanging there I fell in love.

This was no stock run of the mill Galatin but a custom ordered beauty. Her back and side were upgraded to a wonderful curly maple like her big brothers and sisters. Hre finish was remakable going from an anmost dark burnt amber color to a rich medium blond in the middle of her face covered iwth a super high gloss shide that was so deep you could get lost in her. She was not a fancy girl at all and thats what I liked most I think. None of that fancy binding or anything just simple but classy with every smooth edge glowing in pride. Comfort was a must with a tailpiece/armresr combonation to die for.
She responded to the lightest touch of the strings, almost effortless and sounded dark and sweet.

I realise I have not had more than a few weeks of playing time, and my Eastman 515 is a beautiful girl and all but there was just something about that Weber that I can not get over. I know there are many others out there that would turn my head but there was just something about that blond beauty.

No I didn't take her with me. I wanted to but in a rare moment of restrain I left her behind but not without getting the details on a buisness card with sir# and 90 day lay-a-way info.

Now it seams to me that upgrading a Galatin is a way of getting a Weber with some top quality wood and finish with out the cost of a Fern or other high end model RIGHT??

I personaly like the no binding look, that is one reason I get the 515 Eastman because the back does not have binding.

Have any of you gone with an upgradde Galatin and what do you think.

Thanks so much

[jim_n_virginia]

The mandolin spoke to you and you walked away? WOW!

You know that doesn't happen very often and almost ALWAYS when you go back it is gone and you get to think about the mandolin for the rest of your life.

Go back and get that thing man! Just blame it on MAS like everyone else! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[good_ol_al_61]

Dano:

Great Story!

But I have to ask (with a possible terminal MAS case in mind)are you really in love or do you think just infatuation? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Larry S Sherman]

I really like my Gallatin even though it is stock mahog. I've since picked up a Terris F with traditional maple & spruce but I have no plans of getting rid of my simple Weber blonde beauty.

However, if you do special order one someday I recommend backing off on the gloss finish. It's tough enough getting a new mando to open up without fighting the finish.

I think you should run back there and at least put a deposit on it. When the mando calls you you must obey...

Larry

[Steven]

Yes I have a natural blond matt finish tone bar Galatin myself and consider it the best buy on the market today for an F style interms of quality and tone.When I first got it the mando was somewhat reserved but after a year of playing it is really becoming a very loud and bright sounding instrument,just beautiful bell like tone with lots of sustain.Interestingly you will hear comments from many people that they dont like Weber mandos in general but specifically because of a supposed lack of volume and a non-bluegrass tone(whatever that is).I have no complaint on either count.After hearing so much about how changing out the Brekke bridge to a Loar style would supposedly improve the volume I just had to try it and on this mando and it actually made for a decrease in volume and sustain.Anyway I like mine,there are lots of great mandos out there,be sure to play them if you can before deciding what is right for you.

[adgefan]

Dano, I have never played a Weber but I have tried out Breedloves which are similar to the Galatin in their simplicity. I loved the sound and playability of them, but due to being in the UK they are vastly overpriced so did not buy one. That might be another make to consider if you're set on a "simple" upgrade.

I should add, the Breedloves were the first handmade mandolins I ever played (my mandolin at the time was a MK). After, I came straight on here and posted something very similar to what you have above. The quality of factory produced instruments these days is very high, but it's nothing compared to a hand built instrument.

[Dano Reible]

What is MAS by the way, so I know what to blame it on as I do not know if I can make it through the day without making a call with a deposit!!!!

[Greg H.]

MAS = Mandolin acquisition syndrome
Incurable but can sometimes go into remission after new additions.

[Dano Reible]

I like that http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[bsimmers]

I bought a Maple Galatin about 3 yrs ago. It had been hanging in the store for almost 2 yrs. The store owner said a guy ordered it and then changed his mind and ordered a Fern. My Galatin had a price tag of 1650. They sold it to me for 1400 including the tax. It was a great buy, and it sounds better all the time.