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2005 Weber Yellowstone
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Serial#: 501606, signed by the maker
Body size at lower bout: 15" Body Depth at Endpin: 4" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut: 1 3/4"
Finish: Cherry sunburst finish, nitrocellulose lacquer type.
Materials: Solid bookmatched handcarved Adirondack (red) spruce top; handcarved figured tiger maple back, sides, and neck; solid ebony fingerboard; pearl headstock logo; grained ivoroid body binding; solid bone nut.
Hardware: All original gold hardware includes custom open-V Weber tailpiece; Grover Sta-Tite 16X1 tuners; contoured ebony finger rest and compensated adjustable ebony bridge. Genuine 1959 vintage DeArmond FHC floating single coil pickup, with volume control and removable mounting assembly.
Notes: We think it's no coincidence that a number of the finest acoustic archtop luthiers got their start crafting high end mandolins. Monteleone, Gilchrist, and Andersen are but to name but a few who made the leap with notable success. And no wonder: the fundamental skills of carving and tuning the plates and bracing vary little from one instrument to the other.
A legend in the mandolin world, Bruce Weber started his career in the 1980's with the Flatiron Company in scenic Bozeman, Montana. Founding his own firm in 1987, Bruce went on to become one of the most renowned builders of top end mandolin family and other fine hand carved instruments. So it was little surprise that Weber's skill with chisel and plane would lead him in 2005 to debut his now extensive line of acoustic archtop guitars.
The six string counterpart to Weber's famed Yellowstone mandolin, this guitar is an original design deeply rooted in tradition, combining the compact size of the smaller prewar Epiphone and Gibson archtops with the greater body depth of the most popular Martin flat top designs. The result is an instrument that combines the punch and projection of the traditional f-hole guitar, but with significantly greater bass response and sustain. This is especially notable given its compact size: a breeze to hold, but with a voice far bigger than its footprint would suggest.
The soundboard of the Yellowstone is hand-graduated of solid Adirondack red spruce, the most sought after of topwoods, and largely unavailable since WWII. The one-piece tiger flame neck is reminiscent of the prewar D'Angelico, with a comfy D-profile and a nicely radiused solid ebony fingerboard, with its generous 1 3/4" nut. The tailpiece is Weber's original design, the bridge is solidly built in 20's Gibson style of solid ebony, and the ebony pickguard is elegantly scalloped on its surface. The voice is clear and forward, with a depth and resonance quite remarkable in a guitar so easy to play. Action is smooth and low over a nicely radiused solid ebony fingerboard with a generous 1 3/4" nut, and the peghead facing has an ornate Celtic knot design in finely inlaid pearl.
The guitar has 100% original finish and hardware, and shows no pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, with original fretwork in gleaming condition. Several finish dings are visible near the tailpiece, but the guitar shows no cracks and few signs of play otherwise. A special plus is the 1959 vintage DeArmond FHC floating single coil pickup, with volume control and mounting rod. Easily installed or removed in minutes, this legendary pickup is notably detailed and accurate in capturing the brilliant acoustic voice of this instrument. All cradled in Weber's ultra-premium heavy duty Cedar Creek arched plush lined hardshell case.
Rarely found on the vintage market, these unique guitars are true acoustic marvels, and built that way from the ground up. One only: call now.
Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge bronze roundwound strings (.013-.056). The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 5/64" to 6/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.
Case: Original Weber ultra-premium Cedar Creek arched plush lined hardshell case.
