View Full Version : My New (to me) Weber Diamondback
cigarfan
Jan-29-2014, 9:29pm
http://home.comcast.net/~dglair/pwpimages/Weber-Diamondback-01.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~dglair/pwpimages/Weber-Diamondback-02.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~dglair/pwpimages/Weber-Diamondback-03.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~dglair/pwpimages/Weber-Diamondback-04.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~dglair/pwpimages/Weber-Diamondback-05.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~dglair/pwpimages/Weber-Diamondback-06.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~dglair/pwpimages/Weber-Diamondback-07.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~dglair/pwpimages/Weber-Diamondback-08.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~dglair/pwpimages/Weber-Diamondback-09.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~dglair/pwpimages/Weber-Diamondback-10.jpg
FLATROCK HILL
Jan-30-2014, 8:29am
(Sorry, Double Post)
FLATROCK HILL
Jan-30-2014, 8:32am
That's a beauty. I don't keep up with the Weber product line so excuse my ignorance. Their Diamond Back model looks pretty similar to the Fern to me; slightly different peghead finish and inlay. Is it the diamond shaped fret markers that set it apart?
Canoedad
Jan-30-2014, 8:39am
Your pictures are so good we can see your A strings are loose! Nice mando. Enjoy.
cigarfan
Jan-30-2014, 9:24am
That's a beauty. I don't keep up with the Weber product line so excuse my ignorance. Their Diamond Back model looks pretty similar to the Fern to me; slightly different peghead finish and inlay. Is it the diamond shaped fret markers that set it apart?
I suppose so. I am brand new to mandolin. As I searched for a Weber Fern (suggested by many as one of the best) I came across this Diamondback. I'll have to check into it but I think you've pretty much nailed the differences.
Your pictures are so good we can see your A strings are loose! Nice mando. Enjoy.
You mean those little loops at the bottom? It came with these strings on it. I have a new set on order and will be attempting my first string change soon.
You picked a heck of a nice mandolin to be brand new to the mandolin with! Great pics with good detail. That's a beautiful instrument. I look forward to your review on how it plays and sounds.
I wonder why Weber puts so much black on it, though. Seems a shame to hide that beautiful wood.
Tiderider
Jan-30-2014, 9:37am
Very nice, I owned a Diamondback for a short period of time, then the previous owner asked to buy it back. Regretfully I sold it back to her.
cigarfan
Jan-30-2014, 12:24pm
You picked a heck of a nice mandolin to be brand new to the mandolin with! Great pics with good detail. That's a beautiful instrument. I look forward to your review on how it plays and sounds.
I wonder why Weber puts so much black on it, though. Seems a shame to hide that beautiful wood.
I see from your avatar you have no slouch yourself!
Very nice, I owned a Diamondback for a short period of time, then the previous owner asked to buy it back. Regretfully I sold it back to her.
I hope you can get one again someday.
cigarfan
Jan-30-2014, 12:25pm
That's a beauty. I don't keep up with the Weber product line so excuse my ignorance. Their Diamond Back model looks pretty similar to the Fern to me; slightly different peghead finish and inlay. Is it the diamond shaped fret markers that set it apart?
Here is what I've been able to find.
Seems the woods on the Fern are listed as "top grade" and those on the Diamondback are (AAA).
The peghead veneer on the Fern is listed as Ivory/Black/White bound ebony and the Diamondback just "bound ebony." My Diamondback peghead overlay is also something other than ebony. Looks more like rosewood?
The peghead inlay on the Fern is listed as "The Weber" script in MOP and Fern Inlay in Abalone. The Diamondback is listed as MOP "The Weber" Script & Flowerpot. My Diamondback does not have a flowerpot in MOP; it has a fern done in abalone.
The Fern is listed as having an "Inlay In Heel: Back Bound Maple Button." I can't find any Fern photos that show what that is.
The Fern has fret markers of 6mm MOP Dots and the Diamondback has MOP Diamonds.
Fern color is listed as Fern Burst ... Diamondback as Distressed Antique Tobacco.
Fern finish is listed as Varnish ... Diamondback as Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer. My Diamondback is not satin, definitely gloss.
Everything else is the same on both. Honestly it seems I have some kind of custom. I'm going to send an email off to Weber with my serial number and see if they can tell me more about it.
Ken Olmstead
Jan-30-2014, 12:52pm
My goal is to get past this finger pain and get another Weber Fern, but that is one fine looking mandolin!! Congrats!!
Brandon Sumner
Jan-30-2014, 1:41pm
Welcome and very nice! The Weber is an excellent mandolin. I love my Gallitin, Hope you enjoy yours as much!.
Markelberry
Jan-30-2014, 2:16pm
That is a beautiful mandolin, I bet it sounds as good! Music good life good!
Ivan Kelsall
Feb-01-2014, 4:31am
Cigarfan - I've owned a Weber "Fern" from new for the last 7 years. 99% of the time i've used D'Addario J74's on it & they've been fine. Just over 3 months ago,i put on a set of DR MD11 strings,the same gauges as J74's.What they've done is to retain the 'tone' (sound) of the mandolin,but the 'power' has increased two-fold !.It's as though i'm playing twice as loud,it's really quite amazing.
With your mandolin only being a speck away from the build standard of a 'Fern',if you get the chance,try a set of DR's on it. Two Cafe members on here have recently converted to DR's after i recommended them for a 'try-out'. Both own Summit mandolins which are very similar in build to the Weber 'Fern',
Ivan
Susan H.
Feb-01-2014, 5:31am
That is a real beauty, Dennis. Very nice mandolin. I hope you get many, many years of enjoyment.
cigarfan
Feb-01-2014, 7:52am
Cigarfan - I've owned a Weber "Fern" from new for the last 7 years. 99% of the time i've used D'Addario J74's on it & they've been fine. Just over 3 months ago,i put on a set of DR MD11 strings,the same gauges as J74's.What they've done is to retain the 'tone' (sound) of the mandolin,but the 'power' has increased two-fold !.It's as though i'm playing twice as loud,it's really quite amazing.
With your mandolin only being a speck away from the build standard of a 'Fern',if you get the chance,try a set of DR's on it. Two Cafe members on here have recently converted to DR's after i recommended them for a 'try-out'. Both own Summit mandolins which are very similar in build to the Weber 'Fern',
Ivan
Appreciate the kind words folks. I think I am going to enjoy learning this instrument if I can stop looking at it and focus.
Ivan, thanks for the tip. My Diamondback has a new set of J74s on it but I will pick up a set of DRs to try.