WEBER 10th ANNIVERSARY LIMITED RUN

[Tony Polecastro]

37633

We just shipped our first of ten, tenth anniversary mandolins here are some pics of this beauty. For more details check out our website or Music Villa in Bozeman MT

[Tony Polecastro]

37634

[Kevin Briggs]

Tony,

That puppy looks awesome!

Of course, sound clips are mandatory. Please post some clips.

[Tony Polecastro]

37635

[Tony Polecastro]

37636

[Tony Polecastro]

37637

[Tony Polecastro]

37638

[jjboone101]

that sure is a beauty...and $25K, according to the Music Villa site.

[Tony Polecastro]

It is no longer in the shop so i can't post sound slips... But we will be bringing #2 to NAMM so anyone going stop by and see us at:

NAMM BOOTH 1701

It would be great to meet some cafe folk out there!!!

Oh yea and the sound... hmmm... Even if I say it sounds as good as it looks it still doesn't do it justice. These instruments are truly awesome, and after playing just one chop on this puppy I was blown away... It screams!!!

[Tony Polecastro]

$25k is correct only 10 of them will be made.

[Rob Powell]

whoah...as James Brown would have said "hot in the hot tub...unh! Yunh, jump back, hot!":grin:

Looks fantastic and I'm sure it sounds fantasmagoric....retail was made to be broken, right? ;) I mean, who pays retail anymore?

I suspect even discounted, this is one puppy who will stay at the pound.:)

[Jason Renzi]

that is truly an awesome piece of work...i love the finish..
if i give them 50 bucks do you think they'd let me pluck the G string a couple of times?...

[Michael Cameron]

I want,at least,one of those!

Yup.

[papa willie]

I just ran to the store and bought a piggy bank!

[Chris Biorkman]

Cool, but $25,000 seems pretty astronomical. You could buy a Gil for that much coin.

[Tony Polecastro]

Thanks for all the great comments!!! We have certainly taken alot of pride in this run of instruments. After the completion of this one Bruce is busy finishing up #s 2 and 3. As I said before 2 should be ready for NAMM. We are very excited to be celebrating our 10 years with these ten special instruments.

As for price regardless of what name is on the headstock an instrument must have the workmanship, tone, playability, fit, and finish to justify it's price.... In my opinion this one does.

[Ivan Kelsall]

OMG - They've done it again !!. I'd REALLY love to get 'up close & personal' with one of those babes. That is one superb looking instrument Tony. I'll allow you to ship one out to me to 'appraise for the UK market' -it should only take me 20 years or so. Seriously awesome,
Saska ;)
PS - The 'F' holes look to be quite a bit larger than the usual Weber 'F' hole size ???.

[Rob Powell]

Tony, don't get me wrong....I'm sure it's well worth the price. Unfortunately, I'm also pretty sure they will sell for a price out of my range. 10 lucky people are going to wind up with a fine mando!

Simply beautiful!

[Tony Polecastro]

The F-hole dimensions seem to be the same... Possible optical illusion due to them being bound???

[G. Fisher]

Cool, but $25,000 seems pretty astronomical. You could buy a Gil for that much coin.

You can get a Gilchrist for less than that. However, you'll be getting 1 of hundreds not 1 of 10. To my knowledge there has never been a Gilchrist with that much fine inlay work build. I believe Sharon Gilchrist's has the most inlay work ever done on a Gilchrist.

[Ken Olmstead]

Well, i guess I am the party pooper but it visually does not appeal to me. I mean I appreciate that it is a fine, well crafted instrument but it visually leaves me stone cold. Being a Weber guy, it hurts to say it but it is my opinion. I was not a big fan of the Gibson Orville or Victorian and I voiced that opinion, so I guess fair is fair. :)

However, I do want to congradulate Bruce and Mary for taking the risk and celebrating 10 years in business and for building some of the finest mandolins around and backing them up with sincere pride! Here is to many more anniversaries!!! :mandosmiley:~o):cool:

[allenhopkins]

Some day I'd like to see a thread here discussing the economics of "limited edition," high-priced instrument offerings.

First of these that I remember was the Martin D-76, back at the Bicentennial; I think that Martin was making 1,976 of them, or some such. Eagle inlay on the headstock, distinctive fretboard inlays. Seemed to be aimed more at collectors than musicians, though it was a nice instrument -- basically a D-35, three-piece back. Now I see there's a website (http://www.thed76.com/) devoted to it.

Martin now seems to be releasing a couple "signature series" limited editions per month; I particularly remember the one that had half-mahogany, half-rosewood back and sides. (I think it was the "MTV Unplugged" model.) Some of them are great guitars; I did some recording with Anne Price, a NYCity folkie who had a Keb Mo model koa HD-28KM, and it was a fine sounding guitar.

Gibson, of course, has its many limited editions, and we've had them from a variety of other domestic and foreign manufacturers (Kentucky "Dawg" models, "Jethro" mandolins from Rigel and Washburn, etc.). I own a limited edition 20th anniversary Taylor XX-MC guitar, which was the first of their "grand auditorium" size models; think they only made 200 of them.

So my questions:
[1] Are these more for collectors or for musicians -- or both? Do people buy them and hold on to them, hoping the price will go up due to demand vs. limited supply?
[2] Many of them are associated with particular well-known performers: Skaggs DMM's, Clapton OM-45's, Scruggs model 5-strings. Are those who buy them particular fans of those performers? Is it necessary to get the performer to play one a) frequently, b) exclusively? (Try to find where Earl Scruggs played the "Scruggs Model" Vega banjo made in the '60's-'70's.)
[3] Since some of them have been around for a while, have they really gone up in value beyond comparable non-limited-edition instruments of the same vintage? Is a D-76 much pricier than a 1976 D-35?
[4] What's the main basis for buying one:
a. Overall quality -- appearance, choice of materials, musical quality?
b. Rarity, collectable value?
c. Identification with the endorsing performer?

Sorry to stray off on a bit of a tangent, but I just wonder what factors make a super-limited-edition instrument command a price several times that of another top-line instrument.

[sgarrity]

Webers tend to have a recognizeable aesthetic and this mandolin is definitely from that mold. I'm not big on top inlay on a mandolin but Bruce seems to like doing it. Congrats on 10 years!!

[Patrick Sylvest]

All ten will sell, most likely before they're all completed.

Ironically, My weber mandolin has 'limited edition' written on the label as the model. Cedar top, pointed scroll. I got it used, traded a dobro for it. No regrets, love this thing!

[Sean Greer]

Well, i guess I am the party pooper but it visually does not appeal to me. I mean I appreciate that it is a fine, well crafted instrument but it visually leaves me stone cold. Being a Weber guy, it hurts to say it but it is my opinion. I was not a big fan of the Gibson Orville or Victorian and I voiced that opinion, so I guess fair is fair. :)


Uhh, yea, I'm gonna have to disagree with you, Ken. That mandolin is gorgeous to my eyes and I'd sure love to give it a test drive.

However, if I had the coin, I think I'd still consider a Gibson DMM, a Gil or a Dude. Of course, there's also the idea of owning a Brentrup AND an Ellis. Yep, $25,000 in the mandolin fund would make for some interesting decisions.

[Andrew B. Carlson]

Some day I'd like to see a thread here discussing the economics of "limited edition," high-priced instrument offerings.

First of these that I remember was the Martin D-76, back at the Bicentennial; I think that Martin was making 1,976 of them, or some such. Eagle inlay on the headstock, distinctive fretboard inlays. Seemed to be aimed more at collectors than musicians, though it was a nice instrument -- basically a D-35, three-piece back. Now I see there's a website (http://www.thed76.com/) devoted to it.

Martin now seems to be releasing a couple "signature series" limited editions per month; I particularly remember the one that had half-mahogany, half-rosewood back and sides. (I think it was the "MTV Unplugged" model.) Some of them are great guitars; I did some recording with Anne Price, a NYCity folkie who had a Keb Mo model koa HD-28KM, and it was a fine sounding guitar.

Gibson, of course, has its many limited editions, and we've had them from a variety of other domestic and foreign manufacturers (Kentucky "Dawg" models, "Jethro" mandolins from Rigel and Washburn, etc.). I own a limited edition 20th anniversary Taylor XX-MC guitar, which was the first of their "grand auditorium" size models; think they only made 200 of them.

So my questions:
[1] Are these more for collectors or for musicians -- or both? Do people buy them and hold on to them, hoping the price will go up due to demand vs. limited supply?
[2] Many of them are associated with particular well-known performers: Skaggs DMM's, Clapton OM-45's, Scruggs model 5-strings. Are those who buy them particular fans of those performers? Is it necessary to get the performer to play one a) frequently, b) exclusively? (Try to find where Earl Scruggs played the "Scruggs Model" Vega banjo made in the '60's-'70's.)
[3] Since some of them have been around for a while, have they really gone up in value beyond comparable non-limited-edition instruments of the same vintage? Is a D-76 much pricier than a 1976 D-35?
[4] What's the main basis for buying one:
a. Overall quality -- appearance, choice of materials, musical quality?
b. Rarity, collectable value?
c. Identification with the endorsing performer?

Sorry to stray off on a bit of a tangent, but I just wonder what factors make a super-limited-edition instrument command a price several times that of another top-line instrument.

I agree with most of what you said. I would rather have a DMM than this Weber but, as far as signature models or limited editions go, the nicest sounding guitar I ever played (to my ears) is the Martin 000-28EC Clapton signature model guitar. I've played the regular version of it (000-28,and I know there's minor differences in construction) but the Clapton just sounded much better. But again, playing a instrument with someone elses name on it is kinda weird. I should talk tho. I have an SRV pickguard on my Fender Strat.
:redface:

[pickinNgrinnin]

Congratulations to Bruce and Company for a great 10 year run. Here's wishing you many more years of success. I respect the work you do and how you run your business. Well done!

[kidgloves2]

I LOVE the thicker binding. Is it possible to get a Fern with binding of the same thickness? Not with the abalone/pearl, just white/black/white/black or something like that? And bound f-holes?

How much would that add to the cost of a Fern?

[man dough nollij]

I LOVE the thicker binding. Is it possible to get a Fern with binding of the same thickness? Not with the abalone/pearl, just white/black/white/black or something like that? And bound f-holes?

How much would that add to the cost of a Fern?

If you look closely at the binding, it is extremely labor-intensive. It's not only top and side bound, but it looks like the side binding is two-ply, and the top binding is about SIX plies! I bet quite a bit of that $25K is right there. :disbelief:

Edit: I looked again-- it looks like the top binding is white-black-abalone-black-curly maple. Does that sound right Tony?

[viv]

oh my my....pure, unmitigated, unadulterated lust--that thang's GAWjus!! *insert deep heaving sigh*

[pjlama]

Beautiful mandolin and congrats on ten years but... I'm sorry but no mandolin should cost that much and I'll be a monkey's uncle if they sell out in a year.

[gibson mandoman]

Beautiful mandolin and congrats on ten years but... I'm sorry but no mandolin should cost that much and I'll be a monkey's uncle if they sell out in a year.

That's funny! I think no motorcycle should cost that much either. Much rather spend the money on a mandolin! Wish I had it. That Weber looks sweet!

[Gerry Cassidy]

It's a beautiful instrument made by a person who has many years of experience built upon natural ability. I reckon he has the right to ask whatever he would like for it.

PJ: Is a 1098R REALLY worth $40K? To some, it is. Some, not.

If I had the funds I'd buy one of each! :mandosmiley:

[jim_n_virginia]

I'm not big on top inlay on a mandolin but Bruce seems to like doing it. Congrats on 10 years!!

Shaun other than the small headstock inlay and fret markers and the small inlay on the back on the heel I don't see anymore inlay.

When I first expanded the front image the image is distorted and looked like inlay around the edge but if you expand again it is a beautiful top and side binding. Looks like 6 ply on top and 3 ply on the side.

Very beautiful looking mandolin, the wood grain is fantastic, and I like how it minimal with the "bling" on it.

[jim_n_virginia]

Beautiful mandolin and congrats on ten years but... I'm sorry but no mandolin should cost that much and I'll be a monkey's uncle if they sell out in a year.

I was going to make a motorcycle comment too but someone beat me to it! :))

It is worth what someone is willing to pay for it and you can tell a LOT of work went into that mandolin it is a beautiful work of art but as they say... beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

With that said I would bet anything that EVERY one of them will be sold pretty quickly or maybe even in advance before each one is finished.

[sgarrity]

By top inlay I'm talking about the abalone inlay around the edge. I guess some people might consider that part of the binding.

[Susan H.]

To all at Weber aka Sound To Earth, congratulations on a great first 10 years. I hope you all have many, many more to come. The 10th anniversary mandolin is beautiful, just out of my price range. And I like my Weber, even if it is just an SE model, it plays great and sounds great. I love mine. Maybe some day I can get a Fern or Yellowstone. But, I don't quite have MAS yet, I'm liking my SE way too much right now. It does way more than I could have ever imagined. Thanks Bruce for making such awesome mandolins, etc. :grin:

[pjlama]

I put a response here but rather than ruin a nice thread on a beautiful instrument built to celebrate a milestone for a wonderful company I'm going to start another thread about mandolin prices; stay tuned :)

[Ken Olmstead]

Good call PJ, I will wait on my previous comments for your thread. This is about Weber's 10th anniversary!!

The wood and coloring on this mandolin is unreal! I am not sure why it does not appeal to me but the overall balance does not feel right for some reason. I am trying to like it honest but I just can't get there! :crying:

[JGWoods]

Would that I were rich enough to own one. That is a marvelous piece of work, surely a delight to the eyes, one hopes the ears as well.

I kidded Rick Banuelos about some fancy Weber models- telling him I was waiting for the sidebound pickguard etc., and each time I did that the next model exceeded my desires.

Please do a fabulous 2 point- Bighorn- one of these days...

[Rob Powell]

Ya know....This Weber is probably around the same street price as a DMM. That said, I think for the money most people would opt for the DMM...however, there are only 10 of these and I suspect we should start calling pjlama Uncle Kong ;-)

Yep, I predict going, going, gone.

I know I'd be torn if I had the moo-lala. :grin:

[frankenstein]

besides if you did buy it you could sing 'dem 'ol poor boy blues and really mean it.. great mando ..

[Kevin Briggs]

I have some thoughts regarding the price.

If you custom order a varnish Fern with a red spruce top from Sound to Earth, it will retail in the neighborhood of $9,000. That's the same specs as a Gibson MM. The Gibson MM retails for $18,000, as far as I remember. The Weber is half the price.

If you look at the history of the mandolins STE puts out, they have to do an awful lot to make their mandolins cost as much as other premier mandolins. For example, the Elite basically takes the $9,000 I mentioned above and adds Waverly tuners, some crazy binding, a custom neck, and some other visual upgrades. The 10th anniversary has even more insane visual upgrades, and the most select wood available.

The point is, the price is more about labor than anything else. For the first time in the history of the company, Bruce has devoted his time to individually making a set of mandolins. Therefore, his labor is 100% devoted to these instruments, just like Lynn Dude, Steve Gil, or whomever. So, like them, he is charging for his labor. The difference is, he is not just making a F5 mandolin with standard visual appointments and saying okay, "that'll be $25,000." He is making an insanely ornamental F5 mandolin and saying, "Here's an F5 with visual appointments nobody's ever seen. They've required countless hours to complete, on top of crafting a standard F5 mandolin.

It seems simple to me: Bruce's price of $25k is justified by an unusual amount of labor tied up in an extraordinary amount of aesthetic appointments. Some 10th anniversary marketing certainly come into play, but I argue that STE approaches its marketing from an honest angle, and they are not saying the mandolin retails for $25k just because it puts it in the DMM, Dude, Gil, Nugget, Monteleone price range. The market dictates that $25k is a price bracket, but the 10th anniversary naturally fits into it.

I'll further argue that STE could charge much more for their mandolins than what they do. The quality of my custom Fern is second to none, and it would retail about $7k. Webers are top shelf mandolins, and Bruce, his family, and his staff are offering them at unprecented prices.

I can't wait to play one of these astounding instruments.

[Nick Triesch]

The Gibson Master Model is also carved to Loar specs. Nick

[Ken Olmstead]

Nobody needs to justify their price, only get it. Bruce lives in a free market economy (mostly) and he has the freedom to ask whatever he wants! That is what makes America great!

[woodwizard]

Cool, but $25,000 seems pretty astronomical. You could buy a Gil for that much coin.

I really like the color and wood on that baby & congrats on 10 years but I think I feel the same way Chris does about it.

[Ivan Kelsall]

Well said Kevin - i'm with you on that one especially re.the Fern,it's quality & price.I know that you've played far more 'good' quality Mandolins that i have - i'm just in the wrong country to get close to top spec.instruments. But the ones i have played & there have been a couple costing far more than my Fern,were either 'not as good' or 'as good as',but there hasn't been a 'better one',at least not for me. Plus, the build quality that Bruce expects is second to none - period.
My answer to 'kidgloves2' is,if you want Bruce's guys & gals to build you something 'special' - just ask. They'll build you what you want to your spec. - ask Mr. K.Briggs,he's got his 'dream machine' as i have mine. My Fern is going nowhere - i've had it just over 2 years & even now,it surprises me all the time,
Saska ;)

[Nolan]

I wonder if they used hot hide glue?

[JGWoods]

I wonder if they used hot hide glue?

Only from Kentucky Derby winners.
:)

[Don Hurtt]

Further to Mr. Briggs' point about the value proposition with Weber, I recently purchased a brand new, non-distressed Diamondback (a bit of an oddity, there) w/ red spruce, fern inlay, and The Weber" inlay for an even $3k (some might look at this piece and describe it as a "poor man's Fern"), delivered to my doorstep (and please don't flame me - I know this thread is about ultra high-end instruments, and I'm not suggesting in any way, shape, or form that mine qualifies to be considered in that category).

I do think, however, my instrument is another illustration of the notion that relative to other makes, STE arguably stands pretty tall on value. It's not all that often these days that one feels under-promised and over-delivered and when I consider the build and fit / finish quality of my Weber, the aesthetics, and the tone, I'd submit that you don't even have to go to the $6k-$7k range with STE to get something that's very, very nice.