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Thread: Weber Yellowstone Transformation

  1. #1
    Registered User Martin's Avatar
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    Default Weber Yellowstone Transformation

    Weber Yellowstone, I posted about this awhile back but I've made some improvements so here you go.
    after removing what seemed like 5 pounds of poly on this and revealing some awesome flame also allowed the mando to really bark.
    I recently sent this to Bruce Weber and had him replace the veneer on the headstock with a different logo and replace the knot with flowerpot. I also had him radius fingerboard and install stainless steel frets.
    I did some more work on the speed neck and cleaned on the back where neck joins headstock and rubbed in another 4 coats of tung oil.
    Some folk say looks don't matter I respectfully disagree
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    martin keimig
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  3. #2
    Registered User Jill McAuley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Weber Yellowstone Transformation

    Looks great!
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  5. #3
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    Default Re: Weber Yellowstone Transformation

    Agree, big improvements all around!
    Chuck

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  7. #4
    Orrig Onion HonketyHank's Avatar
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    Default Re: Weber Yellowstone Transformation

    Two things I am curious about:
    a) what year was your Yellowstone made?
    b) I am surprised that it had polyurethane or that it was so thick.

    If the year is unknown, it can be determined from the serial number: if number is six digits, add the first digit to 1990 to get the year. If the s/n is seven digits add the first digit to 2000. If the s/n is eight digits take the first two digits as a single two-digit number and add it to 2000.

    I have a Yellowstone F with similar looking finish that sounds pretty "woke up". It's a 2006. Not sure I would contemplate the refinishing work but it is interesting that you did and got tonal improvements results as well as changing the looks.
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    Just send an email to rob.meldrum@gmail.com with "mandolin setup" in the subject line and he will email you a copy of his ebook for free (free to all mandolincafe members).

    My website and blog: honketyhank.com

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  9. #5
    Registered User jim simpson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Weber Yellowstone Transformation

    I can't remember what year my Yellowstone was, owned it about 20 years or so ago. I know it was x-braced. I just couldn't get much volume out of it, I replaced the Brekke bridge with a traditional bridge, then a bone saddle. It wasn't that the tone wasn't there, just too darned quiet. I wonder if the finish might have been choking mine? I decided to sell it as I had a newly acquired Gibson F5-G that was plenty in volume, etc.
    Old Hometown, Cabin Fever String Band

  10. #6
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Weber Yellowstone Transformation

    Why is the pick rash in two different spots of the top?
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

  11. #7

    Default Re: Weber Yellowstone Transformation

    Quote Originally Posted by HonketyHank View Post
    Two things I am curious about:
    a) what year was your Yellowstone made?
    b) I am surprised that it had polyurethane or that it was so thick.
    Webers never had poly. Only Nitro (gloss or satin) or Varnish.

  12. #8
    Registered User Martin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Weber Yellowstone Transformation

    Quote Originally Posted by Charles E. View Post
    Why is the pick rash in two different spots of the top?
    the original condition of the mando with that pick rash is how i got it, the second is my best attempt at copying a Weber distressed model
    martin keimig
    my youtube-kansasblues

    It doesn't matter....I'm Going To Winfield...

  13. #9
    Registered User Martin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Weber Yellowstone Transformation

    Quote Originally Posted by Brett Byers View Post
    Webers never had poly. Only Nitro (gloss or satin) or Varnish.
    sounds like you certain, and i won’t disagree, but when trying to get that stuff off was very thick and hard and having stripped some strat bodies that i know were poly was very similar
    martin keimig
    my youtube-kansasblues

    It doesn't matter....I'm Going To Winfield...

  14. #10
    Registered User Martin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Weber Yellowstone Transformation

    [QUOTE=HonketyHank;1877081]Two things I am curious about:
    a) what year was your Yellowstone made?
    b) I am surprised that it had polyurethane or that it was so thick./QUOTE]

    This looks to be a 2002 model
    I stand corrected another posted informed me that Weber never used poly, so just let me say I think Bruce Weber builds a fine instrument and that they may have had a difficult time getting that finish figured out, just my guess.
    I played several of their Distressed models and thought they all sounded killer, so then I went down the rabbit hole.
    I don't think this sounds quite as good as those models, splitting hairs, but I really liked there look
    martin keimig
    my youtube-kansasblues

    It doesn't matter....I'm Going To Winfield...

  15. #11
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    Default Re: Weber Yellowstone Transformation

    IIRC, Brett was their finish guy for a lot of years, so I'd trust his input (and, apologies if I'm incorrect on that, Brett). Not every one can be a cannon, and, man, think of all the top tier mandolins that have been re-topped or regraduated over the past 100 years or so...I agree that Bruce builds a mighty fine mandolin (having played a few and owned a BW signed OM for a lot of years), and the folks out in Bend were doing the same (I now own a more recent OM). I'm just glad this worked out well!
    Chuck

  16. #12

    Default Re: Weber Yellowstone Transformation

    Quote Originally Posted by CES View Post
    IIRC, Brett was their finish guy for a lot of years, so I'd trust his input (and, apologies if I'm incorrect on that, Brett). Not every one can be a cannon, and, man, think of all the top tier mandolins that have been re-topped or regraduated over the past 100 years or so...I agree that Bruce builds a mighty fine mandolin (having played a few and owned a BW signed OM for a lot of years), and the folks out in Bend were doing the same (I now own a more recent OM). I'm just glad this worked out well!
    Chuck, you do recall correctly.
    And you’re absolutely right, every mandolin is different. I stripped countless guitars and mandolins over my 15 yrs in the business. In fact my first task working for Gibson was stripping the nitro off acoustic guitars. All day every day. There’s an art to removing a stubborn nitro finish, and it usually involves a heat gun or heat lamp, (delicately deployed), microscope slides, and a small, dull chisel. And the thicker the nitro, the easier it comes off when you have the right tools.

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