When they were still made in Montana, Weber mandolins earned the well-deserved reputation as some of the finest 8-string instruments ever built. Bruce Weber was the head luthier of the Gibson Mandolin Division when it was still in Bozeman, but he didn't want to relocate when Gibson moved mandolins to Nashville in 1996. So, he started his own company where he could dive deep into his own designs and innovations. Weber remained in Montana until the company sold in 2012, and sadly the quality of the instruments has never been the same. This 2008 Bitterroot was made in Weber's Bozeman shop—the old Logan schoolhouse just a stone's throw from the Gallatin river. The Bitterroot is Montana's state flower, and the Bitterroot Mountains follow the border between Idaho and Montana. Imbued with the Montana spirit, this Bitterroot is a straightforward F-Style. Its carved Spruce top produces plenty of chop and volume, and the Maple back and sides keep the sound punchy and focused. This 2008 Bitterroot shows some cosmetic wear from use and play. There are minor nicks, scratches, and scuffs around the body, and the worst is pick wear on the top, right in the playing area (see photos). But fortunately it has no history of repairs or issues. The original Weber Brekke bridge allows for precise intonation and setup flexibility. At present, this mandolin is set up low up and down the Ebony fingerboard, but the bridge has plenty of breakover to help it sing across the room. This 2008 Weber Bitterroot has a 1-1/8" nut width, and the original tuners keep everything stable. The original cast tailpiece is sturdy and built to last. Many Weber mandolins have X-bracing, but this Bitterroot has parallel tone bars like a proper F-5. It's well voiced to cut through the mix, and it includes its original hardshell case and an LR Baggs Radius pickup.
