What Does Bruce Weber Have Planned?

[mandoglobal]

Very excited to see the website for Bruce Weber's new venture! Looks like he has more in store for us, as expected, once his no-compete terms expire. The link below is literally counting down the days, hours, and minutes (scroll down to mid page)

https://www.montanalutherie.com/webe...therie-future/

What do you think (or know) that Bruce has in mind for his new mandolins? Something different? Weber version 2.0? Would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks.

[Tobin]

They're being rather coy with the information, understandably, but their gallery has a lot of hints!

I see a travel/backpacker type mandolin being played in the white, as well as a prototype or two being burned in the fire pit. I see what looks like a flat-top mandolin being glued in the jig. I also see templates hanging on the wall for A-style, two-point, and F5 mandolin shapes, as well as larger F-style bodies which would suggest mandola, octave mandolin, and perhaps even mandocello builds in the future. I also see a guitar-body template hanging on the wall that's labeled octar.

[UsuallyPickin]

Ah yup...... looks like the man is doing what he loves. More power to him. R/

[red7flag]

Ah yup...... looks like the man is doing what he loves. More power to him. R/

I could not agree more. I wondered from the beginning why he sold to TOH, and unless some financial issues, nothing made sense to me.

As far as the OP, having seen Bruce's work, whether Flatiron or Weber, he has always put his own stamp on everything he does. My guess is that he will have some tricks up his sleeve, but something that says "Bruce". Tobin mentioned shapes like the traditional pancake, F and A models, along with GOMs (Octar), but the new ones will be different from the "Weber" line and certainly not traditional, except maybe in shape. At some point he will offer something we never expected (something like the Ancient series that just popped up). Guess I will sit back and watch the show.

[WoodyCTA102]

I've had Flatirons, and a number of Webers. Currently I have a Weber Bridger mandola and a Gallatin mandolin. They are in good shape. When it's time, I'll hunt down Bruce for the work. Glad to see him in a small shop.

[mandoglobal]

I was surprised at the number of models that were discontinued when Bruce finally ended his involvement with S2E, but now I'm wondering if that was intentional....perhaps he will be reviving new versions of those older designs that Tobin mentioned. Man....very excited.

[mandoglobal]

Also looks like there's going to be a ton of customization.....

https://www.montanalutherie.com/mand...customization/

[allenhopkins]

One thing for (pretty) sure, whatever he builds won't be labeled "Weber." He would have sold the name along with the company.

Around here, Walter Taylor started up a vineyard after the Taylor family sold their Taylor Wines business, in Hammondsport NY, to Coca-Cola. He wanted to put his name on his products, got sued for his trouble, ended up putting "Walter Who?" or some such on his labels. I guess he's now the Bully Hill Wine Co., and Taylor Wines, sold to Seagram's after Coke couldn't make it pay, is no longer around, though "Taylor Dessert" wines are sold by Constellation Brands. Whole affair generated a book, apparently.

So, "Bruce Who?" mandolins? Maybe so...

[multidon]

Looks like he's going to resurrect the Sweet Pea, or some variation of it. Clearly the one he's playing in the white displays the sheriff's star logo he's using for Montana Luthiery. Maybe that's the same name he'll use for the new mandolin? Personally, I'd like to see him bring back the "Sound to Earth" name for nostalgia. Surely no one else owns that?

[George R. Lane]

Looks like he's going to resurrect the Sweet Pea, or some variation of it. Clearly the one he's playing in the white displays the sheriff's star logo he's using for Montana Luthiery. Maybe that's the same name he'll use for the new mandolin? Personally, I'd like to see him bring back the "Sound to Earth" name for nostalgia. Surely no one else owns that?

It will be called the Ranger.

[Mike Arakelian]

That's exciting news. Love my Flatiron and can't wait to see what Bruce comes up with next.

[Buck]

Good to see Bruce back in action.

My #1 since 1999.

[mgap]

I wonder what the theme will be. I liked what he did before with names of his models.
Bitteroot
Yellowstone
The River
Gallatin
Diamond Back
Big Horn
Rawhide
Etc.....
Those are all great names right out of Montana. So whats next?

[George R. Lane]

I guess we will have to wait and see.

[Bill Kammerzell]

Cool.

[MontanaMatt]

When I was in for a setup I saw some "backpacker" models he was sending to troops in Afghanistan...it looked awesome...didn't hear them, but I want one, if not for me, for my kid to abuse before he gets the real deal.
Bruce and Mary are nice folk, looking forward to having more of their creations in my quiver.

[Ivan Kelsall]

If TOH are still going to produce mandolins under the 'Weber' name & to Bruce's original design,then i'm expecting something 'very different' from Mr B.Weber !!. No way is Bruce going to be producing old style Weber 'clones' in his new shop (IMHO of course).

One thing that i do hope,is that he'll still have an 'entry level' mandolin or 2 in his gallery. The ones he's made in the past have all been excellent & there's a lot of folks who come in at that level wanting a good mandolin. As for his 'premium' builds - expect terrific quality (as usual),
Ivan

[spufman]

Awesome news! I have a wonderful old maple Gallatin that I bought used and was warmly welcomed to his family when I asked about its history. Great guy, fine luthier indeed!

[multidon]

The "Ranger". Cute! Perhaps Bruce is planning a running theme with his new line, named after Old West law enforcement officers? Perhaps we will have the "Sheriff", the "Marshall", the "Deputy"? Or getting more specific, perhaps the "Earp", the "Masterson", the "Garrett"?

[Ancient]

Wish Bruce had not sold his good name.

[CarlM]

Perhaps he wants to spend his time building mandolins instead of spending most of it on the details of running a business.

But the moderators on prior thread on this suggested that discussing possible future plans puts him at risk of legal action over his non compete agreement so it is probably best to let things unfold at the right time when that risk is not there.

[bratsche]

Wish Bruce had not sold his good name.

Maybe he can put "The Bruce" on his new headstocks.

bratsche

[Ryk Loske]

The "Ranger". Cute! Perhaps Bruce is planning a running theme with his new line, named after Old West law enforcement officers? Perhaps we will have the "Sheriff", the "Marshall", the "Deputy"? Or getting more specific, perhaps the "Earp", the "Masterson", the "Garrett"?

How funky a "Bart" ... from Blazing Saddles would be.

Ryk

[red7flag]

Just a thought - Names after large mammals indigenous to Montana:
Moose
Black Bear (Brown, etc, for different top colors)
Bighorn
Bison
Bobcat
Grizzly
Red Fox (for a Ancient A like instrument)
Lynx

[Tobin]

But the moderators on prior thread on this suggested that discussing possible future plans puts him at risk of legal action over his non compete agreement so it is probably best to let things unfold at the right time when that risk is not there.

I would have agreed with that sentiment, but if he already has an active website with photos and previews of what's to come, including a counter that's ticking away to the moment the non-compete clause expires, then I'd say he has already put it out there. Trying not to talk about it would be hopelessly futile.