Weber mandolins

[Jeff May]

I'm new to the mandolin and I was wondering about the differences betweeen some of the Webers. There is a pretty big price difference between a Yellowstone and a Fern but on Weber's "specs" page they appear to use similar materials and construction, with the differences being in the way they are "dressed up". Given that there is natural variation among instruments, if a Fern and a Yellowstone were constructed from the same wood, would they sound the same, or is more time and care put into the Fern that would make is sound "better" than the Yellowstone?

[Ken Olmstead]

They do spend more time on a Fern and they try and use the absolute best woods in the Ferns. That being said, I have seen MANY beautiful and superb sounding Yellowstones! There are a few of us that believe the Fern has that extra something but to be honest, beyond a certain point your entering the relm of imagination! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif I have liked EVERY Fern I have played. I did sell my Yellowstone for a sound improvement in my Fern (which you can see in action on my youtube channel...shameless plug), which I feel I got. I have played other Yellowstones that were so good that I would not have made that choice. It still boils down to playing them if you can. They are both top shelf instruments made by the talented and careing artisians at Weber!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Rick Banuelos]

Given that there is natural variation among instruments, if a Fern and a Yellowstone were constructed from the same wood, would they sound the same, or is more time and care put into the Fern that would make is sound "better" than the Yellowstone?
Species-wise, the Yellowstone and Fern are built from the same types of woods. This, however, is where the similarities stop. The difference in the grade of our tonewoods is markedly different when comparing the two models, as is the time and care we invest in building them. A Fern is a much more intricate build than a Yellowstone is in almost every respect-- binding, inlay, color, and so on.

So to quickly answer your question: yes, if they were built with the same woods, using the same methods, they would have a similar sound.

The longer answer to your question is that we wouldn't build a Fern with Yellowstone materials.

Hope this helps,

[Snakebeard Jackson]

I'm a major Weber supporter. I think the Weber is a bit mystical of a mandolin. All are great but some have that mystical masters touch. In truth I play a Gallatin and I can't count how many times I've head "that's the nicest mandolin I've heard" Not all of the same models I've played sound this way. It could be due to any number of factors. One could be I pick it all of the time. I had a chance when I was in the market five plus years ago to buy a Yellowstone, but I went the other way.

You can't go wrong with a Weber, but then again given a chance to play a few there will be one that speaks to you.
p.s. I'm looking at those vintage oval holes they've got out right now.

[Ken Olmstead]

Thanks Rick! There are a lot of us who have made the climb to the Ferns and I for one am so happy with mine, that playing anything else is usually a dissappointment. So imaginary or not, it was worth every penny for me personally.

[jim_n_virginia]

I have a friend who plays a Bitteroot and that is one great sounding mandolin. The fit and finish is fantastic and it is a LOT of mandolin for the money.

Never heard a Weber Fern but I'd like to! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Jeff May]

Thanks for the response Rick B. I bought a Honey and Tortoise Yellowstone F back in January and I really love it. As you can tell though, since I upgraded to the Yellowstone and have been able to tell such a huge difference, I've started wondering about what it would be like to go even "higher". I guess what they refer to around here as MAS is slowly but surely taking hold.

[JeffD]

I love my Aspen II. An excellent mandolin, with a sound that can only be purchased with a lot more money.

[Rick Banuelos]

Thanks for the response Rick B. I bought a Honey and Tortoise Yellowstone F back in January and I really love it. #As you can tell though, since I upgraded to the Yellowstone and have been able to tell such a huge difference, I've started wondering about what it would be like to go even "higher". #I guess what they refer to around here as MAS is slowly but surely taking hold.
I do feel compelled to tell you that I have not played a Honey & Tortoise Yellowstone (either A or F) that I didn't like.