View Full Version : I bought a Weber ( for those that gave advice)
nate w
Mar-20-2009, 1:12am
Thank you all for everyones advice on buying a "better" instrument. I made the 5 hr trip with full intent on buying a Collings MT A. After being in the shop for a while I picked up a Gallitan F with an engleman spruce top, and knew then and there I was in love. I am amazed at this instrument, simply outstanding. And I am amazed I have been overworking myself so hard on that Kentucky model, now I can just play and enjoy. Once again thanx cafe' everones input is appreciated, but most of you were right, I had to go and see for myself.
Rod_Neep
Mar-20-2009, 3:51am
And there was immense rejoicing!!!
Great choice Nate. Now watch your playing go forwards in leaps and bounds.
Rod
http://www.rod-neep.com/graphics/sm-biggrininvasion.gifhttp://www.rod-neep.com/graphics/sm-biggrininvasion.gifhttp://www.rod-neep.com/graphics/sm-biggrininvasion.gifhttp://www.rod-neep.com/graphics/sm-biggrininvasion.gif
man dough nollij
Mar-20-2009, 4:29am
There's no substitute for pickin' one out by hand. I lucked out recently-- The Mandolin Store had a boatload of new Eastmans, and were blowin' 'em out cheap. I just called Brian and asked him to send me the best sounding 505 in the lot. Being a first-rate retailer, I believe they actually played 'em to find me the nicest one. It is a GREAT sounding mandolin.
Outside those unusual circumstances, I'd definitely go for visiting the shop and plinking on multiple instruments. Yep.
:mandosmiley:
Capt. E
Mar-20-2009, 9:03am
Just what happend with my Bighorn. It wasn't the brand so much as the particular instrument. Congratulations on the choice.
Nate I thought we had a deal?:) Im going in 3 weeks. Where did you go geographically and did you get to try the Collins MT?
... I made the 5 hr trip with full intent on buying a Collings MT A. After being in the shop for a while I picked up a Gallitan F with an engleman spruce top, and knew then and there I was in love....
There is nothing like trying them out in person. Just think how much money you saved by not shipping back and forth while you checked them out.
Congrats, man...I expected you to come back with a Collings, also, the way the thread was going, but I guess that's why they call it March MAdness :)
I'm also glad you found "the one" after the 5 hours of driving...it would have been painful to have come home empty handed...
Hear where you're coming from on the playability...I recently got a Flatiron Pancake (Bozeman), and I really have to make myself pick up my Kentucky when I need an F-hole sound...even with the action a little high (working on it) the Flatiron's just easier for me to play because of the balance and shape of the neck...
Happy pickin'
allenhopkins
Mar-20-2009, 11:45am
Another piece of evidence that actual hands-on comparison testing, overcomes all the "are Shmergels better/worse than McGillicuddys" discussions that proliferate on the Cafe. Variations among individual instruments can be so significant that they transcend the generalizations -- which most of us base on having played maybe a half-dozen instruments by each builder.
Remember, you're buying one individual mandolin, not the manufacturer's entire output. Play a bunch of 'em, find the one that's "love at first sight," and get it regardless of all the opinions you've accumulated.
Eric F.
Mar-20-2009, 12:54pm
Congrats, Nate. I hope you have many years of happy playing with it. That's similar to how I got my Weber - it just sang to me. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down.
Ken Olmstead
Mar-20-2009, 2:26pm
Congraduations man! I am sure you two will be very happy together. NOW GET A ROOM! :))
Marcus CA
Mar-20-2009, 9:33pm
After being in the shop for a while I picked up a Gallitan F with an engleman spruce top, and knew then and there I was in love. I am amazed at this instrument, simply outstanding.
I have a Gallitan F mandocello, and I have played a mandola of that model. To my untrained ear, that model is the overlooked child of that family. I haven't played the mandolin, but I think that Gallatins are incredibly rich instruments that somehow lack the glamor of the many Weber models higher up the line.
Enjoy!!!
Dr. Jazz
Mar-26-2009, 8:34pm
Weber is definitely on an upswing. The quality is really high these days. It's wonderful to see.
I like Montana a lot. - Whatever that has to do with anything. :-)
CBeaver
Mar-26-2009, 9:31pm
Thats how I got my Gallatin, I was in a music store trying to figure out the best way to amplify my old Fender F, and there was this Gallatin just staring at me. Two days later I had sold my old two mandolins and took home the Gallatin, it just spoke to me, I treasure it more than any other possession I own.
Capt. E
Mar-27-2009, 8:55am
Ebay has two custom Gallatin F's for sale with beginning bids of $999, Seems to be old store stock being cleared out. I agree the Gallatin is a great value.
http://cgi.ebay.com/2008-Weber-Custom-Gallatin-F-Style-Mandolin-w-HSC_W0QQitemZ270364117273QQihZ017QQcategoryZ10179Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/2008-Weber-Custom-Gallatin-F-Style-Mandolin-w-HSC_W0QQitemZ280326694034QQihZ018QQcategoryZ10179Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem