View Full Version : Weber Bitteroot
Dave Hanson
Dec-09-2011, 5:45am
I'm now on the verge of buying a Weber Bitteroot A5, what is the general consensus of opinion of this instrument ?
Thanks, Dave H
My F5 Bitteroot is a hoss
Bob Clark
Dec-09-2011, 6:58am
Great instrument! You didn't say if it's new or used, but when you get it, be sure to put up a few pictures. Good luck with your purchase.
Bob
Dave Hanson
Dec-09-2011, 8:32am
Getting a new one Bob, I'm not good at doing pictures, similar one on view at TAMCO.
Dave H
Lukas J
Dec-09-2011, 9:55am
Keep in mind that if you are buying a used one, the backs and side wood changed from mahogany to maple a few years ago, if that influences your decision as to which you prefer. Wonderful craftsmen, wonderful sounding and playing instruments!
Dave Hanson
Dec-10-2011, 2:05am
Well I've gone ahead and ordered one, should be here next week.
Dave H
trevor
Dec-10-2011, 7:15am
Its going out Tuesday, should arrive on Wednesday. Its a beauty.
Dave Hanson
Dec-11-2011, 3:14am
Nice one Trevor.
Dave H
Dave Hanson
Dec-14-2011, 6:41am
My Weber Bitteroot A5 arrived from Tamco this morning, I couldn't be more pleased, top class instrument and a top class service from TAMCO, despatched yesterday, arrived today, in perfect condition.
I would recommend TAMCO to anybody, best selection of mandolins in the UK
Dave H
Bob Clark
Dec-14-2011, 6:55am
Congratulations Dave, I hope you will enjoy your Weber as much as I enjoy mine.
Bob
greg_tsam
Dec-14-2011, 1:25pm
Bright, woody, dry and loud. Really impressive mandos.
ColdBeerGoCubs
Dec-14-2011, 3:21pm
I was eyeballing that thing the other day, nice snag on that one Dave. Very nice.
mandobassman
Dec-14-2011, 8:18pm
Best Weber I ever played was a Bitteroot. Love the looks too.
Dave Hanson
Dec-14-2011, 11:44pm
I love it already.
Dave H
Ivan Kelsall
Dec-15-2011, 11:34pm
C'mon Dave - where's the piccies ???,
Ivan ;)~:>
Dave Hanson
Dec-16-2011, 1:47am
I can't do photos Ivan, no digital camera, I still using the old 35mm Nikons and it's too much trouble.
The Bitteroot on the TAMCO website is very similar.
Dave H
Ray(T)
Dec-16-2011, 4:40am
I still have a couple of old 35mm Nikons rusting away somewhere, Dave, - I take it you're still on the dial-up connection?
Ivan Kelsall
Dec-17-2011, 1:17am
I had an old Nikon F-3 stashed away until i sold it last year. I got next to nothing for it & got more for the 2 Nikon zoom lenses.You must know somebody who'd take a few piccies for you ?,
Ivan
Dave Hanson
Dec-17-2011, 2:13am
Ivan, I tried to sell the 2 Nikons and a few lenses, like you I was offered next to nothing, I'd rather scrap them than sell so cheap.
I'll see a friend of mine next week, he may do some pics for me.
BTW, this could quickly become my favourite mandolin.
Dave H
Ivan Kelsall
Dec-17-2011, 5:15am
I'm pleased that you're liking the Webber Dave.Well set up & with good strings,for me they rival anything i've heard (live) to date.
I haven't heard a Loar,Dude.or Gil.live,so i'd hesitate a comparison with that trio !,
Ivan
trevor
Dec-17-2011, 5:20am
The one on my website is in stock.
George R. Lane
Dec-17-2011, 1:42pm
Ivan, I tried to sell the 2 Nikons and a few lenses, like you I was offered next to nothing, I'd rather scrap them than sell so cheap.
I'll see a friend of mine next week, he may do some pics for me.
I spent 30 years as a newspaper photographer and I can attest that the old 35mm cameras are best used as bookends. I have 2 Nikon F4s on my closet shelf and that is where they will stay for a long time. I now have a Nikon D300s digital and all my old lenses won't work on it. Thats' progress for you.
KarlM
Dec-18-2011, 12:10am
I have 2 Nikon F4s on my closet shelf and that is where they will stay for a long time. I now have a Nikon D300s digital and all my old lenses won't work on it. Thats' progress for you.
Which ones? Nikon has always used the same lens mount and the D300 has an AF screw. It should be able to take practically any lens (and likewise most current lenses should work on the F4, except for the all-electronic ones).
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond300/page5.asp
Ivan Kelsall
Dec-18-2011, 1:08am
As an aside to the OP,the advent of the digital camera has hit the owners of high quality 'film' cameras hard. Although still in use by some photographers,these cameras can't upload pics.to a PC. An old works colleague of mine & a terrific amateur photographer with several commercial Calenders to his name,had a couple of NikonF-3's,2 Hasselblad large format cameras complete with the 'bulk film backs' & a very expensive Leica.As most of the companies he dealt with gradually changed over to 'digital',he decided to sell all his equipment & buy a high quality digital camera.He lost 1000's on the deal - literally !,:(
Ivan
Ray(T)
Dec-18-2011, 4:02am
Just as there are people who still think there is merit in producing vinyl records, there are those who still prefer film cameras. One option is to scan your negatives/slides (or have them scanned) and this is the route I chose whilst digital cameras were at their 1 Megapixel stage. Unfortunately my Nikon film scanner, being a SCSSI device, will no longer work on my current computer and it has never been capable of scanning my medium format negatives, so my Mamiya 6x4.5 languishes away with the Nikon bodies.
The first camera I owned with autofocus was a digital one and if autofocus isn't important to you Dave, and you're prepared to work manually, one solution might be to look for a cheap second hand digital body and use the lenses you have. Unless you're intending to crop heavily or print larger than A4, you don't really need more than 5 Megapixels. Most of the newer cameras have simply been upgraded with bigger sensors and more bells and whistles that aren't essential. The only thing to watch out for with the older models is battery life.
George R. Lane
Dec-18-2011, 2:04pm
Which ones? Nikon has always used the same lens mount and the D300 has an AF screw. It should be able to take practically any lens (and likewise most current lenses should work on the F4, except for the all-electronic ones).
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond300/page5.asp
Karl,
Most of my lenses are over 25 years old, none are autofocus. There is a program in the camera that allows me to use my old 300mm f2.8. I bought a couple of newer AF lenses, got them used from KEH camera brokers. My eyes aren't as good as when I was younger, one of the reasons for my retirement. It is also getting harder to find film here in Montana and when you do it is priced pretty high. The digital and the AF are nice but, I miss the old film days.
I want this thread to stay on track, So Dave enjoy your new Weber. Iknow it will give you many years of enjoyment. I do love my new Yellowstone.
hi, this my 1st post! I've been reading forums and studying the classifieds for a while though! In fact I bought a used bitteroot f recently off the classifieds and I love this thing. Somedays I swear I spend more time flipping the thing around in my hands and looking at it, than I do playing it! They are beautiful.
chasray
Dec-22-2011, 4:40pm
I have a Hasselblad medium format camera, a 4x5 view camera with several wonderful lenses, and a Nikon FM2 gathering dust. All replaced by a Nikon D3 and D40 (for quick grab shots). HOWEVER, I have a Weber Bitterroot made in 2002 that keeps sounding better and better. And there's an old Gibson Loar placed in the classifieds today that doesn't seem to have lost much value...
steadypluckinaway
Dec-22-2011, 11:19pm
hi, this my 1st post! I've been reading forums and studying the classifieds for a while though! In fact I bought a used bitteroot f recently off the classifieds and I love this thing. Somedays I swear I spend more time flipping the thing around in my hands and looking at it, than I do playing it! They are beautiful.
:) I just scored one m'self through the classifieds on a trade deal, and I've just got to take the opportunity to say that my Weber Bitterroot F (Mahog/Spruce) is a beast! I have owned somewhere around 20 mandolins and she's the finest. By far. The sound chamber is obviously tap-tuned by Bruce Almighty, and the playability and setup are insanely good. I love my mandolin.
Beanzy
Dec-23-2011, 1:20am
BTW, this could quickly become my favourite mandolin.
Dave H
You've got to update your signature / sign off too ! ;)
Dave Hanson
Dec-23-2011, 2:15am
Never had a problem before but I just can't figure out how to change my signature now.
Dave H
Most of my lenses are over 25 years old, none are autofocus.
That's fine; you'll have to use the manual focus and aperture, but the important thing is that the mount is the same. I was actually considering getting an old Nikkor macro lens for my Canon (ironically, the new Canon mount can accept practically every type of lens except Canon's own older ones!). Set it in time-priority or full manual mode and the camera will tell you when the exposure is correct. And while the AF can't control the lens, it should indicate when an object under the AF spot is in focus.
Sorry to keep going OT; I just wish I had a Weber!
Dave Hanson
Dec-24-2011, 1:59am
Signature updated now thanks to Beanzy for sending me the info, did it in minute or so.
Dave H
Peggy Cabe
Dec-27-2011, 4:30pm
I don't own a Weber yet, but my mando teacher in Boone, NC plays an Absaroka ("land of the sparrow hawk people" in the Crow language"). I love that Webers are made in Montana, my home for 22 years.
George R. Lane
Dec-29-2011, 5:01pm
Peggy,
You should make a trip back and stop in to send Bruce and the crew. If you call ahead I bet Brett would let you play his new Elite.
Peggy Cabe
Dec-29-2011, 8:20pm
You're right, George. I haven't been back to the Big Sky in a few years before I picked up the mandolin. Isn't the Weber shop in Belgrade or Manhatten? Hope to meet some day. Florida has its unique charms, but I still get homesick sometimes.:mandosmiley:
George R. Lane
Dec-29-2011, 8:21pm
Peggy,
It is located in Logan, between Three Forks and Manhatten.