$3000 limit Weber, Collings, Pava or?

[mee]

It sure is fun trying to help someone else spend money.

[Trey Young]

My Tyler White F-5 fits the tonal/sonic description of you’re looking for. I think his prices currently (but I bet they go up soon!) are $3500 for a custom made F-5...but in my opinion, that’d be an extra $500 well spent!

[Jesse Kinman]

I was about to mention saving up an extra $500 and having Tyler White make one! You’d be on a waiting list tho, but it would be worth it!

[lflngpicker]

Thanks for the Tyler White tip guys.

[colorado_al]

BAM!

2017 Weber Bitterroot F Mandolin -Mint- $2,499
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/123728#123728


I'd snap this one up before it disappears
New, that's $3700-$4000 depending on where you buy it

The description doesn't seem to comport with the photos, but I'd call them to ask about it. Fingerboard is unbound in pictures, and bridge looks like traditional thumbwheel, not Brekke.
Looks very nice though, and $1200 cheaper than new.

[lflngpicker]

BAM!

2017 Weber Bitterroot F Mandolin -Mint- $2,499
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/123728#123728


I'd snap this one up before it disappears
New, that's $3700-$4000 depending on where you buy it

The description doesn't seem to comport with the photos, but I'd call them to ask about it. Fingerboard is unbound in pictures, and bridge looks like traditional thumbwheel, not Brekke.
Looks very nice though, and $1200 cheaper than new.

I do have eyes for this one, I admit. Thanks for noticing the description misalignment. You're a big help, Colorado Al!

[Ivan Kelsall]

I've played 2 Summit 'F' styles,one back to back against my Weber 'Fern'. Both were excellent in every way, & the one i played my Weber against,was indistinguishable from it in a 'blind' test i did with it's owner. Bruce Weber & Paul Scheider (Summit), did work together at one time & there's a great similarity between the Summit & Weber build standard & indeed,tone. I've only played one Capek mandolin & that also was very good indeed,
Ivan

[lflngpicker]

I've played 2 Summit 'F' styles,one back to back against my Weber 'Fern'. Both were excellent in every way, & the one i played my Weber against,was indistinguishable from it in a 'blind' test i did with it's owner. Bruce Weber & Paul Scheider (Summit), did work together at one time & there's a great similarity between the Summit & Weber build standard & indeed,tone. I've only played one Capek mandolin & that also was very good indeed,
Ivan

Great info, Ivan. This specific information about the overlap between Weber and Summit is helpful, to be sure. Thank you! Dan

[Mark Wilson]

Not a bluegrasser maybe but really sweet sounding and looking small builder F5. And on the west coast taboot.

[lflngpicker]

Thanks for that, Mark. I am watching the video of that Dart as we write. How's your two point coming?

[Northwest Steve]

There are two Summit mandolins at a great price -

https://www.bfstrings.com/store/c5/Mandolins.html

[pheffernan]

Since I accidentally posted this link elsewhere, allow me to post it deliberately here:

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/123699#123699

[lflngpicker]

Would Marc Dwaileebe qualify? I'm not too familiar with his work.

http://www.talltoadmusic.com/product...style-mandolin

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/123067#123067

Yes, Pat. I think these look really well made. I don't know anything about them and wish I could drive up the coast and visit them. I like the idea of California builders as you and Mark have both suggested.

[lflngpicker]

Neither Bruce Sr. or Jr. are at TOH anymore. Yes, Bruce is building again and I have a two point on order.

A two point to be built by Bruce Weber-- can't beat that, George! I look forward to seeing your new build!

[lflngpicker]

Silverangel with the right voice would really suit your style. I bet there's some small shop builders on the west coast that would make you a happy picker.
I hear you. I should get back down to prolly two myself. Life is short though - dream big and pick a goodun'!

Yeah, Mark, don't you get down to two! You have so much talent and you need the variety. Well, I will dream big-- I wonder how I can get the one and just play it for years! I am inclined to get the sure bet, which if I stated here it would be gone. Thanks for the encouragement, Mark.

[Mark Wilson]

Thanks for that, Mark. I am watching the video of that Dart as we write. How's your two point coming?

3 pt Done but the finish

[Mark Wilson]

which if I stated here it would be gone

Yep. MAS is strong around here

[lflngpicker]

3 pt Done but the finish

3 point of course and that is so cool!

[George R. Lane]

A two point to be built by Bruce Weber-- can't beat that, George! I look forward to seeing your new build!

Me too.

[darylcrisp]

this:
https://gregboyd.com/product/2010-we...ot-f-mandolin/

call up greg and talk. I've always found his descriptions to be very accurate. Purchased used from him in the past, always very pleased with what I received.
I've owned everything you listed. All are fine mandos, its if the certain maker has the tone you want to hear. I'd drop the $ on this weber in a heartbeat(I've owned mult Bruce W era mandos and currently a Bend 20H, all have been fine, the 20H weber is the best I've had in my hands..........of any mandolin I've owned(Northfield, Collings F/A, Weber pre bend, Pava, Summit)

good luck
d

[lflngpicker]

this:
https://gregboyd.com/product/2010-we...ot-f-mandolin/

call up greg and talk. I've always found his descriptions to be very accurate. Purchased used from him in the past, always very pleased with what I received.
I've owned everything you listed. All are fine mandos, its if the certain maker has the tone you want to hear. I'd drop the $ on this weber in a heartbeat(I've owned mult Bruce W era mandos and currently a Bend 20H, all have been fine, the 20H weber is the best I've had in my hands..........of any mandolin I've owned(Northfield, Collings F/A, Weber pre bend, Pava, Summit)

good luck
d

Hi Daryl, I have looked at this one. I hesitated because of the fret wear, but then I think I will get more detailed in my quest for information. Love that traditional look on this custom version. Thanks for the encouragement to call directly. Great idea!

[Ivan Kelsall]

From lflngpicker - "..I hesitated because of the fret wear, ..". Despite having some fret wear,as long as it's not severe enough to be causing any problems,you'd most likely a few years wear out of them. I bought 2 meters of EVO Gold fretwire about 8 years back, in anticipation of needing my Weber & Lebeda re-fretted - i'm still waiting for the frets to wear enough to need it !,
Ivan

[yankees1]

From lflngpicker - "..I hesitated because of the fret wear, ..". Despite having some fret wear,as long as it's not severe enough to be causing any problems,you'd most likely a few years wear out of them. I bought 2 meters of EVO Gold fretwire about 8 years back, in anticipation of needing my Weber & Lebeda re-fretted - i'm still waiting for the frets to wear enough to need it !,
Ivan

Still waiting for the frets to wear more ? You just need to play more !

[Lane Pryce]

Have you considered a Northfield NF5S? Occasionally a used one will show up for a decent price but new is within your stated price point. Lp

[CES]

I think there’s a Bighorn at Lowe Vintage for just under 3 grand. I played it a few weeks ago and really liked it, but didn’t take the plunge. The Pomeroy they have there for just over 3 grand is an excellent mandolin as well. Actually preferred it to the Big Horn, but it is on consignment, and I didn’t have time to wait for them to communicate with the owner about trades the day I was there. NFI, just good guys who’ve, thus far, been very pleasant to deal with...

Edit: Nevermind, both are gone, sorry

Also, to the question regarding the quality of Weber instruments since the move to Bend, there does not yet appear to be a drop off in quality. I owned an Octave pre-TOH and bought a mandocello built in late 2016 (after both Weber’s were out), and the ‘Cello is just as meticulously built as the OM, and is a tone beast. Fit and finish are spectacular. I’ve played a later Gallatin that was also an excellent mandolin. So, unless you’re concerned with the “politics” of buying a TOH Weber (which I can imagine someone like George, who knows Bruce personally, could have), I would still consider them to be in the upper crust of “production” mandolins available. And, I’m not trying to put words in George’s mouth, as he’s told me nothing of the sort, but I can imagine myself feeling that way. Had I realized both Bruces were out I may not have bought the ‘Cello, but once I had it I couldn’t even consider sending it back...