Bruce Weber started his small shop with just himself and three other instrument crafters, and now has a staff of 12 luthiers working in a converted schoolhouse in Logan, MT. They have developed a reputation for building very high quality mandolins and mando-family instruments, plus arch top guitars.

Weber launches his reso line with four models, all available in three configurations. Round neck models will be offered with either the spider cone (typically preferred by bluegrass and country players) or the biscuit cone (favored by bluesers), and square neck models with a spider. All of the new Weber resos will be built using their Carousel soundwell, with an open body design designed to maximize airflow through the chamber. It is built using a pair of wooden rings supported by small posts.

The four models differ in the woods used for the body.

• Vigilante – all mahogany
• Renegade – mahogany with spruce top
• Outlaw – flame maple back and sides with spruce top
• Bandit – all flame maple

More photos and details can be found on the Weber web site.

The first place winner will receive the Weber mandolin Rhonda is holding on the cover. Second places gets you a Shure KSM-44 microphone she used in the studio recording this project, and the third place winner gets the custom earrings Rhonda is wearing on the cover.

To enter, you must pre-order a copy of the new CD, Good Thing Going, by December 19, 2007 from her online store, or by mail from the Rhonda Vincent fan club.

All prizes are guaranteed to be delivered by December 24, and pre-orders for the new CD will be delivered by January 8, 2008.

Find complete contest details on the official Rhonda Vincent web site.

The Octar is an octave mandolin built on a guitar body with a carved top and f-hole style sound holes. It is being offered in both 22″ and 23.5″ scale lengths. The Octar comes standard with the same appointments as Weber’s existing carved-top guitar line, but can be built to order with any of Weber’s custom options.

The Octar synthesizes the percussiveness of the carved-top f-hole guitar with the haunting drone of the octave mandolin. The scale length options offer maximum playability for multiple venues, from the stage to the recording studio.

Weber Fine Acoustic Instruments is located in Logan, Montana.

For more information on the Octar, or to locate an authorized Weber dealer, visit www.soundtoearth.com.