Weber Custom Elite

[Brett Byers]

Finally getting some finish on my Weber Custom Elite. It's taken almost 4 years to get it to this point, but I think it's been worth the wait.
Specs:
85 yr. old Englemann top
110 yr. old maple back, rim, and neck
ebony board and PH veneer
Black, White, Tortoise bound body and PH, White/Black bound F-holes.
Abalone/MOP PH inlay
Abbreviated and scalloped FB extension (20 frets)
abalone side dots (double dot at 12th)
impressionistic fishook FB markers
Stainless Steel .080 fretwire
Three piece neck with Ebony stringer.
Faded Antique Tobacco double stain
Oil Varnish. I haven't decided yet whether to go with a hand-rubbed satin sheen or buff it out for high gloss. It'll end up with an integrated armrest, bound ebony pickguard, and traditional Brekke bridge.

[Brett Byers]

Here are a couple of shots of the peghead inlay and fret markers

[George R. Lane]

Brett,
As usual stunning work. You know if you didn't spend so much of your summer fishing for those big browns, you might have had it done sooner. Aging, great work.

[Ed Goist]

Congratulations, Brett!
That is one stunning mandolin!
Love (and envy) that wood selection. :)

[Jill McAuley]

what a beaut Brett! That finish is gorgeous - can't wait to see pix of the finished product one day!

Cheers,
Jill

[Brett Byers]

thanks for the kind words, I appreciate it. I'll be sure to post pics of it when it's all setup, and I'll post a video clip so you can see/hear it in action. It will probably take me a couple more months to get it all done.

[jschall84]

Oh wow Brett. That is simply amazing. I mean wow. You make some amazing instruments, and this is one of the nicest I've ever seen. Good job!

[Tavy]

OMG, I think I just lost my sight looking at that flame! Amazing! :)

[brmichaelpaul]

wow... incredible, it puts Gibson's "Goldrush" to shame. Can't wait to hear it.

by the way Brett I just posted a video with some of your work...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGulmvu9s9k

[Brett Byers]

Thanks for the compliment, but this Elite and the Goldrush are apples and oranges. Each instrument is an attempt to achieve different things, and I certainly don't want this to be used as an opportunity to put down anyone else's work.


wow... incredible, it puts Gibson's "Goldrush" to shame. Can't wait to hear it.

by the way Brett I just posted a video with some of your work...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGulmvu9s9k

[greg_tsam]

Awesome job. What has taken so long to complete? Is it a side project? Another question, if I may, what do you mean when you state the age of the wood? Does that refer to how long it's been since it was cut down?

[Brett Byers]

It's my own personal mandolin, and it's awfully hard to find time to fit it in to the daily flow. This was a collaborative effort between myself, Bruce, Bruce Jr, Dan, and Ben. The age of the wood does indeed refer to how long its been since it was cut.


Awesome job. What has taken so long to complete? Is it a side project? Another question, if I may, what do you mean when you state the age of the wood? Does that refer to how long it's been since it was cut down?

[Charlieshafer]

Absolutely stunning, makes me proud to be a Weber owner! But 4 years? Wait... took me 18 to finish my bathroom... shoemaker's kids syndrome.

[Brett Byers]

Exactly. It's why the painters house always needs painting and the plumber has dripping faucets. My own mando was very low priority

[greg_tsam]

Figured as much. As a massage therapist I never get one and desperatly need it.

[Mary Weber]

I think perhaps you used your dogs for color inspiration...

[Kirk Albrecht]

Wow that is some amazing looking wood. Hope it sounds as great as it looks!

[Brett Byers]

Got my mandolin setup tonight. Took this video about three minutes after I had everything dialed in. Taken with my iPhone in the setup room at Weber. (large room with plaster walls and high ceilings). The video is available in 720p HD if you prefer that. I'm going to let it settle in for a couple of days and then make some adjustments if needed. I tried to hit the whole fingerboard to show how it sounds. Please excuse the fact that I play like a second grader who doesn't play mandolin. I'll post another video after I get some playing time on it and it starts to wake up. Overall I'm pretty darn happy with how it turned out. It's been a long time coming, and it felt REALLY good to hear those notes for the first time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyVQdPsFXbo

[Malcolm G.]

That sure is pretty, Brett.

Ya forgot to show us what looks to be an amazing neck.

I like the way the finish works on the Engleman top a REALISTIC distressed look.

This is the overall blond with dark binding, tuners, arm rest etc. that I crave.

Can I assume J74's?

[Ed Goist]

Brett; congratulations!
She looks and sounds fantastic!

[GaelicHunter]

Stunning...I've never seen maple like that.

[chasray]

Great that you got notes all the way up the neck! Sounds balanced.
By the way, how's Millie's Bar-b-que? Just kidding.

[Mary Weber]

Great, Brett! Man, a lot goes on around here and I have to read about it on mandolincafe...

[Jill McAuley]

What a beauty, love the finish on that thing!

Cheers,
Jill

[trevor]

You're at at again Brett. Congratulations. Its a beauty.

[George R. Lane]

Great, Brett! Man, a lot goes on around here and I have to read about it on mandolincafe...

Mary,
You have to get out of the office once in a while.

Brett,
That is almost as beautiful as my Yellowstone. :)):)):))
As usual you have created a beautiful instrument. Enjoy it my friend, it has been a long time in coming. Guess I had better get to my flytying bench and create a few Missouri beauties for you and Dan.

[Gerry Cassidy]

Wow, Brett! What a beautiful instrument.

I've been a Weber owner/fan for a few years now and have yet to see one quite that nice.

Congrats!

[MiG-19]

WOW, that is some serious Mando porn! Brett, that has to be one of the best looking mandolins anywhere on the Cafe. Thanks for taking the time to put something like that together.

[Brett Byers]

Thanks for all of the kind words, I really appreciate it. I've been getting to know my new mandolin and I'm really enjoying it. Unfortunately I haven't played much over the last couple of years, and all of my calluses are gone, so I've had some sore fingertips the last couple of days. :) If anyone is planning to visit the Weber shop and would like to check out this mando and play it for awhile send me a PM a couple of days before and I'll make sure to bring it in for you.

[Ed Goist]

Brett, once again congratulations on the magnificent mandolin!
And thanks to you, Bruce, Mary, and everyone at Weber for your remarkable customer focus.
Have a great Holiday!

[Barry Wilson]

I agree with mig-19, that's mando porn.

[Ivan Kelsall]

From Brett - "If anyone is planning to visit the Weber shop and would like to check out this mando and play it for awhile.." - I wish,i wish !!!!. Oh !,but then you'd never get it back. A truly beautiful piece of craftsmanship,
Ivan:disbelief::mandosmiley:

[Wilbur James]

That mandolin has quite an aura about it, very impressive.

[Pete Jenner]

Beautiful finish too Brett. Is it oil?

[Brett Byers]

Thank you. Yes, it is an oil varnish buffed to a high gloss