Advice--Breedlove or Weber

**PastorDoug** · Jul-18-2012, 1:21pm

I'm looking at a Weber Bitterroot, Weber SE, and a Breedlove FF. Any guidance out there? Thanks.

**Lukas J** · Jul-18-2012, 1:39pm

It really depends on the sound you're looking for. The best advice you can get is from your ears. if you have a chance to play a bitterroot and a breedlove side by side, definitely do it. for what it's worth (a grain of salt), I've been playing the snot out of my Special Edition for almost a year now, and I'm more and more in love with it every day. The two makers produce very different sounds. Happy Picking.

If this is at all helpful, here's a review I did of my Special Edition.

**Lukas J** · Jul-18-2012, 1:44pm

Also, I might add... there's no other American-Made F-style for the price range and availability of a Special Edition that I'm aware of. The Breedlove "f-style" mandolins sure don't look like F-styles to me. then again, buyers should shop with their ears and not with their eyes.

**kirksdad** · Jul-18-2012, 1:49pm

As a former Weber SE owner, I would recommend the model to any one. Fair price, good build, very good sound. If you are coming over to the mando from guitar, you may consider the wider nut spacing which is standard with Breedlove and available with Weber.

I only sold me SE to move to a Yellowstone....

**PastorDoug** · Jul-18-2012, 3:24pm

Thanks for the response. I'm trying to decide between the SE and a Bitterroot. Also between a standard and wide nut. Don't have enough experience to know all the differences and don't live anywhere close to a Weber dealer.

Any thoughts?

Originally Posted by kirksdad

As a former Weber SE owner, I would recommend the model to any one. Fair price, good build, very good sound. If you are coming over to the mando from guitar, you may consider the wider nut spacing which is standard with Breedlove and available with Weber.

I only sold me SE to move to a Yellowstone....

**kirksdad** · Jul-18-2012, 7:30pm

Cant really go wrong with either model. The SE is essentially a Bitterroot without binding. Both great values. THe wide nut helps if you are coming over from the guitar world. Good luck, Weber makes a great mando......

**Marcus CA** · Jul-18-2012, 8:31pm

Originally Posted by PastorDoug

Thanks for the response. I'm trying to decide between the SE and a Bitterroot. Also between a standard and wide nut. Don't have enough experience to know all the differences and don't live anywhere close to a Weber dealer.

Any thoughts?

Time for a road trip!

http://www.soundtoearth.com/locatedealer.php

I've never played an SE, but I have played a few Gallatins, Bitterroots, and Yellowstones. They all feel pretty much the same (except for that 1/16" difference between the standard nut and the wide one --- which does make a difference). I've found the tone of each model to be fairly consistent, but the three models really have different tones, to my ear.

Originally Posted by Lukas J

buyers should shop with their ears and not with their eyes.

and the only way to do that is to go to the store. If you're planning to do the bi-annual upgrade, it won't matter as much. But seriously, if you're planning to hang on to this instrument for a long time, I encourage you to somehow get to a dealer who carries both of the models that you're interested in. Or, make sure that you never cross paths with that other mando, preserving the bliss of ignorance.

**greg_tsam** · Jul-19-2012, 9:10am

The Bitterroot has a dry, woody tone compared to the Breedlove which is more resonant. Haven't played the SE but did play an Elite last night. Great mando. My Big Horn is creamy like butta' but all my mandos are different in tone. Weber necks are thinner profiles than Breedlove but I never notice much unless switching from one to another then promptly forget.

Either way any of these mandos will make you happy. The best thing to do is try them out for yourself and see which one has the tone you're looking for and fits your hands and playing style the best. The best thing is you can resell them later and buy something else. Welcome to MAS!

**nickster60** · Jul-20-2012, 7:18am

Really hard to beat Weber. There customer service is some the best I have ever experienced. Dealing with Weber is like being transported back in time. There care about there products and if you want you can ever talk to Bruce.

**Santiago** · Jul-20-2012, 10:59am

There are a lot of different Webers and they sound different from one another. Most Weber owners seem to be very satisfied with them. I like the sound Breedloves, but it's an apple to oranges comparison. It's a decision I'd love to be making, but you have to hear the individual instruments for yourself.

**jackmalonis** · Jul-20-2012, 12:32pm

Originally Posted by PastorDoug

I'm looking at a Weber Bitterroot, Weber SE, and a Breedlove FF. Any guidance out there? Thanks.

I'm the exact same boat.

Can anyone elucidate the major tone differences/indications between the two?

I would try myself but I don't know where I could find a Weber.

**greg_tsam** · Jul-20-2012, 1:19pm

Originally Posted by jackmalonis

I'm the exact same boat.

Can anyone elucidate the major tone differences/indications between the two?

I would try myself but I don't know where I could find a Weber.

You guys are killing me. haha.. Did you read any of these posts by those of us with experience with one, the other or both? Post #8 for example?

**George R. Lane** · Jul-20-2012, 1:38pm

Pastor Doug,
I have tired not to comment here but, as the resident Weberaholic here on the Cafe I will say buy the a Weber. The Breedloves I have tried all have had a baseball bat for a neck (very uncomfortable) and didn't have the tone I was looking for (more midtones). If you are looking at buying a new one call Bruce and tell him what you are looking for in the way of tone. He will recomend what type of topwood you should go for. They can shape the neck for whatever width and shape you prefer. Bruce is a very patient man especially with me as I was fortunate enough to spend a couple of hours picking out the wood for the three builds they have done for me.
The one I am holding in my avatar is a Gallatin with a cedar top and maple rims and back. I wish I still had that one. My Vintage A has a sitka top and my Yellowstone an englemann top. all of them sound great and play great.

**greg_tsam** · Jul-20-2012, 2:22pm

Hey George. I never got the reference to BL having baseball bat necks until the other day. I was playing a custom Weber Elite of my new buddy and he had them shave it even thinner than usual. The difference between that custom job and my BL was remarkable but the difference between the standard Weber neck and my BL was less so but now I can feel the difference. Guess it's similar to the difference between nut widths. Small but noticeable.

BL do have beefier necks if that matters to you. I really liked th tiny neck of the custom I played. Odd. Never noticed it until then.

**George R. Lane** · Jul-20-2012, 3:07pm

Greg,
The neck on my Vintage A is very slim. The neck on my Yellowstone is 1 3/6" but, I had them shave down the shoulders. I have developed a little arthritis in my hands and needed a slightly wider neck. I can only play the A for a little while before my hands start to hurt. It is a shame because the A sounds wonderful. I tried to sell it a couple of times here on the Cafe but, no real takers. It just sits in the case, too bad.

**jackmalonis** · Jul-20-2012, 9:25pm

Sorry I had seen it post number 8, but I was thinking more in terms of tone ranges as opposed to tone quality (for example are Weber's really bassy, or do they have nice bright higher ends?). I should have been more clear.

**George R. Lane** · Jul-20-2012, 9:32pm

Originally Posted by jackmalonis

Sorry I had seen it post number 8, but I was thinking more in terms of tone ranges as opposed to tone quality (for example are Weber's really bassy, or do they have nice bright higher ends?). I should have been more clear.

The tone depends on what wood is used. Again, I urge you to call Bruce. If you have a store that carries them, play as many as you can. To me most Webers have a good mid-range and nice highs. They are not normally a bassy instrument, but can be with the right wood combination.

**Brett Byers** · Jul-20-2012, 11:15pm

We have five dealers in Texas, including Fiddler's Green right there in Austin.

Originally Posted by jackmalonis

I'm the exact same boat.
I would try myself but I don't know where I could find a Weber.

**dcoventry** · Jul-20-2012, 11:59pm

Originally Posted by jackmalonis

I'm the exact same boat.

Can anyone elucidate the major tone differences/indications between the two?

I would try myself but I don't know where I could find a Weber.

I think this could only be from lack of trying. If you are in seaarch of a great instrument, well then, SEARCH!

Those of us who have been lucky enough to have found a great mando put some work into it, I can only believe.

You're up. Get to work.

**jackmalonis** · Jul-21-2012, 1:52am

Originally Posted by dcoventry;10721[QUOTE=Brett Byers

We have five dealers in Texas, including Fiddler's Green right there in Austin.

Right, I just won't be back home in Austin for another month! But then I'm sure I'll be making the rounds at Fiddler's green a couple times a week!

I think this could only be from lack of trying. If you are in seaarch of a great instrument, well then, SEARCH!

Those of us who have been lucky enough to have found a great mando put some work into it, I can only believe.

You're up. Get to work.

You're right, looks like I need to plan a road trip!

**kirksdad** · Jul-21-2012, 7:53am

There is a Weber SE for sale in the classifieds (not affiliated with seller)

I'm biased and squarely in the Weber camp, currently working on my fourth a custom build (an Oval Hole Bitterroot F style).

I think Breedlove makes good products across the board, but have never owned one. I play out a few times a month with my Weber, and get a lot of compliments on specifically to sound. I prefer the neck width of 1" 3/16 and am very comfortable with the neck depth on Webers.

I would bet that few days with either company's mandolin would be enough time to adjust to the feel of the neck.

**Bob Clark** · Jul-21-2012, 8:49pm

Ok, here's another vote for a Weber. You'll be happy with a Weber. All aspects of your life will suddenly improve if you own a Weber. You'll even grow a little younger, drop a couple of pounds, grow more hair (assuming you want some) and begin to play really, really well. To be honest, some of this might be a slight exageration, but the message is sincere. I have been overwhelmingly happy with my Webers and I think you will probably be happy with one, too.

It is, of course, always a good idea to test-drive before you buy, as others have suggested. But if you can't, I'd buy a Weber.

Best wishes, Bob