History
Weber Ancestors; circa 1997
Weber Fine Acoustic Instruments traces it's origins to Flatiron Mandolin and Banjo Company in Bozeman, Montana. Several of us also started around 1987 when Flatiron become part of Gibson Guitar. The 'Montana Era' of Gibson/Flatiron is remembered for the consistent, high quality of the instruments that were built here.
In 1996, Gibson decided to move Flatiron to Nashville. Paula Lewis, who many of you know for her years of excellent mandolin customer service and sparkling laugh, expresses it the best. "None of us were willing to move. We live in Montana because we like the scenic beauty of the mountains, the fresh air, and the people who live here. Bruce Weber, the general manager and head luthier of the Gibson/Flatiron Division found Sound To Earth, Ltd. so that we could continue to build the instruments that we love in the midst of the country we love."
In March of 1997 Bruce Weber, Joe Schneider, Bob McMurray, Steve Birch and Paula Lewis moved into the shop at Bruce's house excited to build acoustic instruments their way. They were soon joined by Helen Beausoleil and Vern Brekke and others who had worked with us over the years.
With orders coming in and an expanding line of mandolin family instruments Bruce moved the shop into Belgrade, Montana in 1998. It was a time of enormous creativity and around 20 different models of Mandolins were established with a Mandola, Octave and Mandocello in each model. These models cover the entire range of music genres through instrument design. Weber acoustic instruments cover many price ranges from affordability by offering models that are 'stripped down' to the basics to highly ornamental instruments with special woods- all offering the same detail in building and tonal excellence. There is always room at Weber for new ideas, while keeping the beauty and integrity of the traditional.
In 2004 the Weber shop moved to an old school in Logan, Montana which is located about 25 miles west of Bozeman. The school, built in 1922, has many big windows, wood floors and the Gallatin River right across the road. Bruce and his wife Mary now live at the shop, too. With the extra room came new acoustic instruments. Bruce designed and built his Arch Top and Shallow Carved Guitars introduced in 2005. Next, a core group with Bruce in the lead, designed and introduced the Weber line of Resonator Guitars in 2007.
Some of our original friends and co-workers have gone on to other things. While we miss them they do visit the shop and many times go back to work for a few hours. We have a fine crew now with a few who are crafts-people in training, and a few with years of acoustic instrument building experience.
But the special joy and challenge of all of the luthiers in the shop is customizing any and all of the Weber instruments. In 2008, we changed and narrowed down the Mandolin Lines a bit when we realized about 90% of our instruments were customized in some way. However, as John Lowell sums up, while anything is possible we reserve the right to be the 'Taste Police'. Take a look at our Design a Weber section if you need more information and have some ideas.
The latest development is the opening of the Otter Creek Custom Shop. The Webers have rented a cabin on a ranch and Bruce has set up a small shop where he can devote time to special projects such as the 10th Anniversary Mandolin and new instruments. For a little more history and personal information take a look at Bruce's and others' Bios. Please do not hesitate to Contact Us at anytime as we love to talk to all players and dealers out there about past and future acoustic instruments.
STE original group, left to right:
Steve Birch, Bob McMurray, Paula Lewis, Joe Schneider, Bruce Weber
