Description
Exc Condition / SN: 9808804
1-1/8″ width at nut / Gloss sunburst finish
Gold EVO Frets / Radiused Fingerboard
This is an early Weber Absoroka A style model mandolin in a stunning burgundy sunburst finish! This is a rare find, very likely from the first year this model was made. The lacquer has been intentionally shaved off of the neck, making what we call a “speed neck”.
The traditional teardrop shaped A model features a figured maple two-piece back and sides, a figured maple neck, and grained ivoroid binding. The nut width is 1-1/8″. Paddle style peghead with rosewood overlay. “Weber” silkscreen and Celtic knot decal in the center. There are a few dings and tiny chips on the back of the headstock.
Wooden truss rod cover, bone nut, and Nickel Schaller tuners with pearloid buttons. The radiused ebony fingerboard has stylized pearl diamond inlays. It has been recently refretted with EVO frets and the back of the neck has had the finish removed and a light oil finish applied for a speed neck feel. It has also been slightly reshaped to a modified V profile. The “V” profile Flame Maple neck is easy to glide across and is very comfortable all the way up the neck. The fingerboard is bound with grained ivoroid binding with black dot position markers on the bass side.
Both the top and back edges of the body have grained ivoroid binding, and there is a black heel cap. The back of the mandolin is very clean with beautiful book matched figured maple, and the top is also very clean with only a couple of small bumps. The tailpiece is the original Weber cast tailpiece with artistic resin around the “W” and has the Weber metal endpin. There is an original adjustable Brekke bridge with micarta saddle. Factory installed Ebony pickguard with cream binding. Metal strap button professionally installed on neck heel.
Overall, this 1998 Weber Absoroka A model mandolin is a rare find with a stunning burgundy sunburst finish and exceptional quality craftsmanship. It is in good playing shape, having just been set up by our Luthier. Comes in the original hard case.
This mandolin has recently been set-up and plays and sounds really good. Compares to Collings MT mandolins.
