Paul Simpson
- Type: People Who Play
Never a man to keep things simple, I immediately proceeded to torture Mary and John at Weber with custom requests for my Yellowstone. Here's some of what went into the "Weber-Wonder."
First, what you don't see: .Tone-bar bracing, which ages better over time. .A cedar top, which makes for a richer sound and better projection. .A McIntyre Acoustic Feather pick-up, the perfect assist when playing with enthusiastic banjo players, electric keyboardists and drummers.
Second, what's up front: .A custom "filled" tailpiece (Mary's idea) that matches the color of the cedar top. .A "Wood-Nymph" with custom inlay of "Hypomone" - a Konia Greek word that roughly translates "God's grace under fire." .A fossilized, walrus-bone bridge and nut. This improves tone and volume. Vern was kind enough to create a custom "Brekke" bridge on this. .The Gecko inlay in the scalloped fret-board. In the desert Southwest, the sighting of a gecko is considered to be a blessing upon a home. The three stones on his back are sapphire - the stone for September (the month we married and the birth month for both of our children). .I wanted a finger rest, and Mary wisely suggested making it scalloped to flow with the fret-board. .A truss-rod cover inlaid with "Wonder" - my middle name (my parents had a sense of humor). .The "Fern" abalone headstock. An upgrade for the Yellowstone.
Thirdly, on the back: .A cross in the heel - a reflection of the most significant relationship in my life. .The headstock inlay - the date of our 20th wedding anniversary. This was an innovative design suggested by Mary.
What can I tell you? She plays like a dream. This truly is a treasured family heirloom that, by God's grace, will be passed down for generations. The team at Weber was fantastic to work with, and Mary has the patience of Mother Theresa.