Weber Hyalite

**cooper4205** · Jun-23-2006, 12:56pm

i have seen a few weber hyalite mandolins for around $600 dollars, i know thats a good price for a weber, but how do thet sound, suitable for bluegrass and blues? i'd like to step up from my 380s but money is kinda tight, and the weber is around my price range. should i get a new or used eastman for around the same price ( i have seen As in the $400 range and Fs for $650-700. any opinions would be appreciated.

**Eric F.** · Jun-23-2006, 5:15pm

Most people will say the Hyalite is unsuitable for bluegrass because it has a mahogany back. I think if you can find one for $600, that's a terrific deal. They can be very nice mandolins. I played a D-hole one that still haunts my dreams - tremendous presence and clarity. You can get a Glenn student model for $600, as well, I believe.

**Richard Russell** · Jun-23-2006, 5:29pm

I honestly think the Weber Hyalite is a tremendous "cross-over" instrument. The one that I played was new in the store featured f-holes and was the standard mahogany model. It had excellent volume and also the sweetness in tone that mahogany provides. It could be used in bluegrass, no doubt in my mind. It had a powerful chop that would cut through the mix. Celtic music and old-time would also work and blues and jazz for sure. I should have bought it and I will someday own one. By the way, the best I've found in a used one was $750. Buy one if it is in the 600 range and if you don't like it, you should be able to sell it rather easily.

**jim_n_virginia** · Jun-23-2006, 5:31pm

Originally Posted by (cooper4205 @ June 23 2006, 13:56)

but how do thet sound, suitable for bluegrass and blues? #

I take a Weber over a Eastman any day of the week. But then again I am kinda partial to good quality American instruments. You can't go wrong with a Weber!

And I don't know about the Hyalite not being suitable for Bluegrass because Charles Johnson of Mandolin World Headquarters has one for sale and he says it's good for Bluegrass AND Old Time music and I'd say that guy know a few things about mandolins!

And if you can get one in good shape for $600.00 thats a pretty good deal.

**cooper4205** · Jun-27-2006, 12:58am

thanks for the response fellas. i think i might look into that glenn student model that eric f. mentioned. the thought of having a handbuilt mandolin made for me is very tempting. i read favorable reviews on here, so i think that is the way i should go. if he could do a dark brown satin finish, black headstock with only the glenn script in white and no inlays, i'd have a poor man's A9