2007 Weber Custom Elite "old wood"
2017 Ratliff R5 Custom #1148
Several nice old Fiddles
2007 Martin 000-15S 12 fret Auditorium-slot head
Deering Classic Open Back
Too many microphones
BridgerCreekBoys.com
2007 Weber Custom Elite "old wood"
2017 Ratliff R5 Custom #1148
Several nice old Fiddles
2007 Martin 000-15S 12 fret Auditorium-slot head
Deering Classic Open Back
Too many microphones
BridgerCreekBoys.com
I'm sure there's an interesting story behind all this, that we may not ever hear about.
Anyway, I can't imagine the new production to be anything too far from a traditional Gibson/Weber template. Maybe a sweet pea or Sage OM, but probably traditional designs for the main lineup. Breedlove didn't get very far with a non-traditional body shape at the lower end, or Giacomel at the high end. It's a deeply conservative market, at least in the "American mandolin" segment.
Gilchrist F5 Mandolin #273, 1993, built for Tom Rozum
Apitius Vanguard F5 Custom Mandolin 2019
White Mandola (custom build, expected April, 2023)
Sumi Sullivan F-5 Mandolin 2003
Weber Diamondback Octave F-Style Mandolin 2014
Flatiron Cadet “Army-Navy” Flat Top Mandolin 1987
Martin HD-28V Guitar 2004
Well, I went to the site to check what the countdown was....can’t find the counter anywhere. Regardless, looks like there are a few new pics. Has anyone heard more about the product line that we will (hopefully) see in 4-5 months? Total guess on the timing...,but I can’t wait!
Gilchrist F5 Mandolin #273, 1993, built for Tom Rozum
Apitius Vanguard F5 Custom Mandolin 2019
White Mandola (custom build, expected April, 2023)
Sumi Sullivan F-5 Mandolin 2003
Weber Diamondback Octave F-Style Mandolin 2014
Flatiron Cadet “Army-Navy” Flat Top Mandolin 1987
Martin HD-28V Guitar 2004
Still counting downhttps://www.montanalutherie.com/webe...therie-future/
2007 Weber Custom Elite "old wood"
2017 Ratliff R5 Custom #1148
Several nice old Fiddles
2007 Martin 000-15S 12 fret Auditorium-slot head
Deering Classic Open Back
Too many microphones
BridgerCreekBoys.com
He has my Dream Mando in the classifieds
I looked at that mando - that is a beautiful piece of work!
Less than 6 days left on the timer...
Girouard Custom Studio A Oval
P.W. Crump OM-III
Bruce and I will be picking out the woods for my new mandolin in a couple of weeks.
Hoping to get my repair in before he's too swept up in the new ventures!
Personally I hope he writes a book of all his adventures. He probably won't because of he seems like one of those guys who would think the whole thing would be like taddlin or something. But he wouldn't be the first craftsman just doing what he loves and it all gets too big and noticeable and he loses his dream of doing what he loves. What with these contracts of non compete and non disclosure and who knows what else there are a lot of stories that never get out. From the bleachers us arm chair quarterbacks seldom make sense of it. I am surprised and glad he's back out in the wild again.
Well, his no compete clause is up and he is free to build again. Now he can get started on my two point. Can't wait until I can pick her up.
Anyone know what a B2 model is? It will be interesting to see what they come up with and how close to Weber designs they are. George, any inside info you can share?
I was at he shop a couple of weeks ago and asked Bruce what the mandolins would be called, he didn't have anything at that time. From what Mary said the B2 line will be a standard line and the 'The Bruce' will be custom line. I will be talking with him later this week and discussing my upcoming build and I will get the lowdown on the lines. Will report back.
It would be tempting for me to have “The Bruce” on my headstock. B2 also works well since my last name also starts with the letter B.
Thanks,
bruce
All you need to do is call him and place an order.
Just got off the phone with Bruce Weber, and as in every contact I have had with him over many years, it was uplifting! I knew it was coming sometime soon, but it has finally been officially launched. Bruce Weber is building custom instruments again!!!
I have a herd of great custom instruments he has built for me in the past, 2 Fern Mandolins (each very different woods), and Elite Mandolin, a 10 Sting F Yellowstone adirondack top Mandola, a Bandit resonator Guitar, a Bighorn Octave Mandolin, and a Soprano Mandolin. Each one is amazing on it's own, but hearing them played together when I perform in 'Cordas Ecletica' with Kent Brauninger (of the KC Symphony), is like sibling harmonies. Very special interaction!
I am SO excited to see him start building again on his own! I asked him to put me in line for one, 'cause this guy really builds great instruments!
Bruce Graybill
www.BruceGraybill.com
A thoughtful response. Having spent a great deal of time with Bruce over the years, I can tell you that building and creating is far more rewarding for him that doing the day to day administration of running a large business! It really doesn't get talked about much, but in the last few years before Bruce sold STE to Tom Bedell (Two Old Hippies), the number of Mandolin family instruments he build and sold exceeded the numbers at Gibson! He has literally cut an instrument in half that he didn't deem the quality he was willing to sell and represent his work! Bruce has always loved the creative designing and building aspects of the musical instruments business. He did the administration and management functions very well also, as evidenced by Gibson not only gobbling up Flatiron (which he managed and designed for), but later handing him the Flat Top Guitar division to run as well as the Mandolin division he designed an ran for nearly 10 years. I remember skype-ing with him when he and Mary were at the ranch in the hills of eastern Montana. It was like his retreat from the grind of the business. He showed me his little workbench in the cabin where he built two of my Mandolins. Mary sent me a pic of him at that bench working on the custom Elite Mandolin we had hammered out the specs on together when I spent a week with them in Montana. I wanted something more non-traditional, so we selected some maple (tree cut in mid 60s) for a one piece back, Port Orford Cedar for the top (tree cut in 1952), herringbone binding, bound F holes and a Koa pick guard, armrest and headstock overlay. Tongue oil finish on the neck and lacquer on the body. Feels like playing bare wood! Can't wait to see and play the new Mandolins he will build!
Bruce Graybill
www.BruceGraybill.com
Can someone give me a ballpark estimate of some of the prices Bruce charges? I'm only curious. I'm sure they're out of my price range at this point.
I played one of his instruments at Dusty Strings and it was by far my favorite of the 10+ mandos I tried out that day.
Mary will be add posts to their website on prices and build time. Give him or Mary a call and let them tell you. He is building a two point for me, but I am not at liberty to discuss the cost.
2B or not 2B, that is the question...
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