My New Weber Bridger A is here!

[Rod_Neep]

It arrived this morning... My New Weber Bridger A is here!

http://www.rod-neep.com/rod/instruments/mandolin-weber-bridger-a/weber-bridger-01.jpg

http://www.rod-neep.com/rod/instruments/mandolin-weber-bridger-a/weber-bridger-02.jpg

http://www.rod-neep.com/rod/instruments/mandolin-weber-bridger-a/weber-bridger-03.jpg

http://www.rod-neep.com/rod/instruments/mandolin-weber-bridger-a/weber-bridger-04.jpg

Its different to a standard Bridger A in that the finish is "Buckskin".
http://www.rod-neep.com/rod/instruments/mandolin-weber-bridger-a/weber-bridger-05.jpg

[Rod_Neep]

http://www.rod-neep.com/rod/instruments/mandolin-weber-bridger-a/weber-bridger-06.jpg

http://www.rod-neep.com/rod/instruments/mandolin-weber-bridger-a/weber-bridger-07.jpg

http://www.rod-neep.com/rod/instruments/mandolin-weber-bridger-a/weber-bridger-08.jpg

http://www.rod-neep.com/rod/instruments/mandolin-weber-bridger-a/weber-bridger-09.jpg

Initial impressions:

It is immaculately built! Flawless!

The "buckskin" finish works particularly well at "popping" the flame of the maple. (The standard finish is a little lighter than this).

It sounds a little "tight" at the moment", but I am hearing a difference after only an hour of playing, as it is leaning not to be a tree.

I am aware of the matte finish neck being a little "sticky" under the thumb when moving around, but that will probably smooth up with playing.

Verdict: I love it already!
Well done to the guys at Weber. You made an old guy very happy indeed! Thanks.

Rod

[CES]

Man, she's pretty!!

[viv]

WOW! love the color. very pretty little thing, she is.....enjoy! :mandosmiley:

[JEStanek]

I've always loved the design on those Bridgers. Congrats, Rod. Enjoy it.

Jamie

[Barbara Shultz]

Congratulations! Those must have been fast swimming mules!! :)) I love mine!

Barb

[sykofiddle]

Wow! That is truly beautiful.

I'm particularly interested because the burgundy finish Bridger that used to be at Guitar Tex in San Antonio is on its way to me as I type....should be here Friday.

[Kevin Briggs]

Awesome! Sound clips?

[Rod_Neep]

Well... OK then, but bear in mind that I am totally novice at the mandolin, and this little video clip was made just 4 weeks after picking one up for the very first time.

I'm already loving it though.

gcyjIX8Pl_c

Rod

[Kevin Briggs]

Awesome! I love the sustain. That sounds like a dream, and you have the spirit for it.

[DougC]

Well Rod, your video is appreciated here in Minnesota. Thank you very much for the video. I wish everyone would make a nice little video like yours, so we could hear, as well as see, these fine instruments.

[mandolirius]

<Man, she's pretty!!>

Yeah. And really nice job with the pics.

[John Hill]

Wonderful. I've always admired the Bridger A look and the tone is there for sure.

[sgarrity]

Good looking and great sounding mandolin! Gotta love that deep, resonant oval hole tone.

[Don Grieser]

Rod,

The smile on your face when you start playing is what it's all about. The Bridger sounds wonderful. I believe you two were made for each other. Congratulations.

Don

[dulcillini]

Sounds wonderful Rod. Congratulations from a fellow Weber-ite !

My Weber Bridger A Mandola (or tenor mandola as you call them in the UK) is due to arrive in two days. Can't wait.

Mike:mandosmiley:

[Rod_Neep]

Rod,
The smile on your face when you start playing is what it's all about. Don

Ah! you noticed. :grin:
It was always going to be hard to hide that.
And its the same every time I pick it up.:mandosmiley:

Mike said:
My Weber Bridger A Mandola (or tenor mandola as you call them in the UK) is due to arrive in two days. Can't wait.
Mike

That should be awesome! I am sure that you will enjoy that one! I can imagine a similar sound but even bigger and more round. You can probably guess what I have been looking at on the Weber site this evening. :whistling:

Rod

[JeffD]

I have a Weber Aspen II. It similarly rings and rings and rings and rings.

I suspect yours has a slightly warmer sound than mine - mine might be a little brighter. But its hard to tell via video clip.

Enjoy.

[Jill McAuley]

I was just wondering this morning how you were getting on with your new Weber, lovely tone out of it! Nice custom Bridger A in the Cafe classifieds right now - if I had a bunch of disposable income I'd be all over that one. My next addition is likely to be one of Steve Smith's little Traveler Pancakes, but after that I've definitely got a Bridger A in my sights! All the best and enjoy!

Cheers,
Jill

[Tony Polecastro]

Rod,
Glad to see a smile on your face playing that Bridger!!! Thanks for the call too!!! I am thinking you will learn the mandolin very quickly!

And a message to everyone don't forget to wish Rod Happy birthday tomorrow (1-30-09)

Happy Birthday Rod, keep on pickin'

[Rod_Neep]

Thanks Tony. :)

Today I am going to see if I can "rent a cottage in the Isle of Wight, if its not too dear".

Cheers
Rod