Weber Sopranino Piccolo Mandolin Test Drive
This is part of a longer thread in the Miscelaneous section. Got a suggestion to put this part in the picture section. So here it is...
A while back, Guitar Tex (San Antonio, TX) sent an e-mail with the first picture below enclosed with the simple message: Its here. I knew it was on order and I was really curious about it, even if I am a ways from being in the buying mode. I love to see, touch and play any new instrument. It goes into my mental database for future reference. A new Weber is always a special treat. A new type of Weber is cause for extra excitement.
Ive got to say, Im really impressed. I did not know what to expect of that smaller body. Would it be real tinny? Overly bright? Well there is no denying that it is higher pitched but the sound is really full, in its range. My thought was sort of like a uke on steroids. Its tuned an octave above a mandola, C G D A. I have a mandola so I knew what was what. Other than reducing my hand span at the nut (kind of automatic pilot, it seems) I did not have any problem playing it. I routinely play up the neck on my Big Horn so I can deal with narrower spacing. Once going it plays easily, which is my experience with well set up Webers.
This particular mandolin is the F style Gallatin with a couple of Weber add-on bells and whistles. Im sort of neutral on scrolls but I have never cared for the proto-scroll that Weber uses on Gallatins. However, I thought it was very much appropriate for this downsize mandolin. Im a real fan of this dark rich, chocolate color. It really seems to emphasize the workmanship. This particular Weber comes with a factory arm rest (classy but I would prefer a McClung) and a wood nymph string damper. ($2.2K)
George Wilson
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ca. 1900 Clifford Mandolinetto
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