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Editors Note:
Each issue of Mandolin Magazine features an instrument or other
mandolin product in a detailed, objective report by Luthier Ken
Cartwright of Cartwright's Music Repair, Stayton, Oregon. Prior to
publication, the manufacturer is provided the opportunity to read the
review and provide a response to be printed with the review. |
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Our
first Product Review is a Weber, Big Sky, F-5 mandolin, manufactured
by Sound to Earth located in Belgrade, Montana. The instrument is
Serial # 9919903. |
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Sound to Earth is an eight-person manufacturer consisting of former
Flatiron / Gibson mandolin employees. |
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When Gibson acquired Flatiron of Bozeman, Montana, in the 80s, the
company was so impressed with the Flatiron craft persons that it moved
all of its mandolin production to Montana. Then, in the mid-1990s,
Gibson decided to move the mandolin production back to the East Coast
to save labor costs. The employees, residents of Montana, elected to
stay and not take pay cuts. |
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Most of the former sales people and builders of the Flatiron / Gibson
line comprise the current team at Sound to Earth, which formed its own
company around Bruce Weber, mandolin designer. |
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By
the way of background, initially a Big Sky purchased and shipped to be
sold in my music store was returned to the manufacturer because the
tone was thin and too bright for my personal preference - for some
that tone would have been acceptable. |
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That instrument was returned and replaced with the one being reviewed.
During the exchange process, Sound to Earth was unaware that the Big
Sky was to be evaluated and reviewed. With that said, the company's
service and attitude should serve as an inspiration in our industry in
efforts to please consumers. |
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The
instrument being reviewed came ready to play with John Pearse phosphor
bronze strings and tuned down several notes. Upon tuning to pitch, the
mandolin came alive. It is normal for new instruments to play stiffly
and sound thin when played for the first time. This one did not. |
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The
bridge on the instrument is a Brekke, licensed exclusively to Sound to
Earth. The Brekke is one of the best bridge designs in the world. It
has a great footprint on the top, but not too much to dampen the tone
and is adjustable on both the bass and treble sides for action
adjustment. |
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My
only complaint with the bridge is that the tool sent to adjust the
bridge breaks easily at the bent handle or triangle end (I broke three
in the same spot). This can be eliminated by loosening the strings
before raising or lowering the bridge or using a better quality 4-40
Allen wrench. |
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The
instrument was set up with action at 1/16 inch or .064 from the top of
the 12th fret to the bottom of the G string. For bluegrass and old-timey
playing, this is a perfect setup. The tone was impressive and rich and
yet very clear in all positions. |
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The
fret wire is larger than the old, standard wire, but not too large
which can be a problem on some mandolins. |
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* The lacquer nitrocellulose finish is a beautiful brownish red to
yellow sunburst on the top and back. Every millimeter was given great
detail in the finish and rubbing out. |
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* The scroll on the Big Sky is the cleanest and most carefully
crafted of any I have ever seen. |
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* The binding is three-ply white/black/white ivoride top, back and
head stock. |
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* The fingerboard is plain ivoride-bound. |
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* The Weber name is inlaid with mother of pearl (MOP) above a MOP
Celtic knot. |
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* The machine heads are Schaller with MOP buttons and gold
plating. |
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* The top wood is master-grade Sitka spruce with X-bracing. The
back and sides appear to be German or Swiss maple and the flame on all
of the maple is magnificent. |
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* The tailpiece is a simple, but, well-plated gold, traditional
Gibson-style 12-hook design. |
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* There is no pick guard for the instrument. Sound to Earth has
yet to find a manufacturer for pick guards and at this time feels they
are not ready to include one as an option. |
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* The instrument has a scale length of 14 1Ú8 inches, 10 inches
wide on the back, 1 11Ú16 inches thick. |
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* The manufacturer's suggested list price with a hard, fitted case
is $4,300. |
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Except for its plain tailpiece and absence of a pick guard, The Weber
Big Sky F-5 is one of the best values in the mandolin market today.
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Manufacturer's response |
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I'd
like to thank Mandolin Magazine and Ken Cartwright of Cartwright's
Music for the review. As with any new venture we are trying many new
things, new graduations and new processes, all to improve the tone and
quality of our instruments. This type of review and feedback is
incredibly important to our success in building the best mandolins
possible and to insure our customer's satisfaction. |
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In
response to a few details in the review: |
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When Gibson moved Flatiron to Nashville, it was to create a bluegrass
division consisting of Flatiron, Dobro and the banjo currently being
built there. Very few employees were offered the opportunity to
relocate. Those who were offered the relocation, even with pay
increase, chose to stay in Montana to find other employment and
continue the Montana way of life. |
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We
use exclusively John Pearse strings on all instruments. |
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We
believe that our new Brekke Bridge, designed by acoustic design
engineer Vern Brekke, is one of the most exciting things to come along
in the mandolin world in a long time. Thanks to feedback and
field-testing by Ken and others, we've been able to make further
improvements on Vern's design. The Brekke Bridge was designed to
adjust under full string tension. To make this a little more
efficient, we've increased the size of our adjustment screws from a
4-40 to a 6-32, improving strength and durability. |
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Our
cheap adjustment wrenches are kind of like having a flat on your new
truck and discovering one of those solid rubber donuts in place of a
spare. Oops, my mistake. All Brekke bridges will now come with a
wrench that's up to the task! |
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We
did start out with the traditional two-piece tailpiece but have been
diligently working on a one piece that will knock your socks off. Look
for it on new instruments some time in June. The mounting hole pattern
matches our current tailpiece as well as many other well know
manufacturers. |
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For
you pick-guard enthusiasts, we've got one in the works ... so many
things to build, so little time. |
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Thanks again to Mandolin Magazine and Ken Cartwright. |
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Bruce D. Weber and Sound To Earth, Inc. |
