2016 Weber mandola w/ original case - A-style w/ f-holes. Signed by Bruce Weber

Description

2016 Weber Gallatin A-style mandola w/ F-holes
Signed by Bruce Weber
Satin buckskin finish.
Comes with original contoured Weber hardshell case
Built under Bruce Weber's supervision before he sold the company.
Gorgeous wood and hardware -- and monster sound!
Weber's new management just announced a "temporary" halt to production of mandolins and will be building only guitars from here on out. Whether this halt is temporary or permanent remains to be seen but the superiority of original Bruce Weber's instruments like this one suggest that the instruments built when he owned the shop will increase in value due to quality and rarity.
The only mandola currently built by the new Weber company is the Yellowstone F-5 selling for ,600.
Dimensions and Specs
: OL: 30"; body width: 10 3/4; body thickness: 2 ¼"; 17"scale length. Solid spruce top, solid flamed maple back, sides, neck; tone bar bracing; dovetail neck joint; adjustable truss rod; 1-1/4" wide bone nut; ebony radiused fingerboard; 24 frets; nickel tuners w/ pearloid buttons.
Condition
: Minimal play wear: light scratches and dings on top and sides. My left hand has rubbed away quarter-size patches of finish from either side of the neck just south of the nut. Slight discoloration in finish alongside the edge of the bridge base. NO deep scratches, belt buckle "rash," cracks, seam separation, or warpage.
What's a mandola?
The mandola is to the mandolin what the viola is to the violin. The mandola is tuned the same as the viola - a fifth down from the mandolin tuning: C - G - D - A. Almost anything played on the mandolin can be played on the mandola using the same fingerings and chords BUT due to difference in the mandola's tuning [C - G - D - A] instead of the mandolin's G - D - A - E the key will be different. The basic chord shapes are the same on both instruments so you don't have to learn new shapes and chord fingerings but the key will be different. Examples: a mandolin's G chord played on the mandola is a C, a mandolin's A chord is a D, a C chord is an F, a D chord is a G, etc. It's not as confusing as it seems. Just keep in mind that you have no E string and therefore your chords are just one string over from where they would be on your mandolin.
Upgrades and extras:
New ebony truss rod cover with MOP fleur-de-lis inlay (original cover will be shipped); strap button added to side of neck heel (I contacted Weber company before drilling the screw hole and its luthier told me exactly where to do so), Big Softie leather strap. Sorry, armrest is NOT included. A Cumberland Acoustic ebony bridge is also included if you wish to experiment with the instrument's tone and volume.
Ships inside original Weber case in very good condition (Weber has the absolutely finest contoured instrument cases) with extra sets of mandola strings.
More photos available -- just ask!  I have a sound clip but not sure if it's too big to be sent.  Can try, at least.
Due to fees charged sellers by Ebay and PayPal I have to ask for 00 plus 0 shipping to lower 48 States. Please note: Surplus shipping cost will be refunded.
I prefer FedEx because of last I saw it had a discount EBAY fee including insurance.
Buyers:  Do NOT use a PO Box address.  FedEx and UPS will NOT deliver to PO Boxes so if you use a PO Box I will not be able to carry out the transaction.
PayPal and CONUS only.
Sorry, European buyers: As I've explained already to two buyers on your side of the Atlantic who have contacted me in the past: Custom fees and the rigors of overseas transportation are too risky for both of us so I regret that I will only ship in the lower 48 States. If you have a friend or family living in the US and wish to have the mandola sent to them, I can ship it to them and they can take responsibility for shipping it to you. But I will not be responsibility for what happens after the sale and it arrives in the hands of the recipient.
Flat 00 cash for local pickup only: Milwaukee, Wisconsin