Banuelos Guitar Studios - Music, Repairs, and More

Photo: Dan Albright

Bruce Weber Plays A Big Sky Guitar

Photo: Dan Albright

Rick Banuelos Plays An Almost-Finished Outlaw Resophonic Guitar

Photo: Dan Albright

Phil Jolly Plays a Custom F-Style Weber Mandolin

Photo: Dan Albright

Weber Mandolins.

When it comes to value, no instrument I’ve played compares to a Weber Mandolin.

These guitars are truly unique in the acoustic world. The smaller-bodied archtop guitars are easily playable in your lap, which means you don’t have to stand up for hours wrestling a behemoth guitar to get that great, percussive archtop sound. The resophonic guitars are as innovative as they are fun to play; an open soundwell gives a louder, deeper voice to the traditional resophonic sound.

Banuelos Guitar Studios Now Offers Weber Mandolins And Guitars To The Local Community.

Since moving to Billings, I have seen an opportunity to introduce fellow players to the mandolins and guitars I had the privilege to play every day while I worked at Weber. Now, through an agreement with Sound To Earth, I have the opportunity to bring these instruments to players in the greater Yellowstone and Northern Wyoming region. Weber builds two basic types of instruments: Guitars and Mandolins. The varieties in these families, however, are numerous and diverse. We’ll start with a short description of Weber’s guitar offerings, and continue with a portrait of Weber Mandolin-family instruments.

Custom-Built Guitars.

Weber Fine Acoustic Instruments builds two types of guitars: resophonic guitars (improperly nicknamed “Dobros”), and Carved Archtop Guitars.

In every aspect--tone, fit, and finish, playability and affordability--I have never played an instrument whose value so outstripped its price. These are great instruments for both beginners and serious players, and I am happy to bring them to you in the greater Yellowstone region. If you reside in Billings, Montana, or the outlying parts of Yellowstone, Carbon, Stillwater, Treasure, or Big Horn County--even as far away as Sheridan, Wyoming or Miles City--I’m ready to answer your questions and help you design, play and purchase your mandolin or mandolin-family instrument. You may call me any time at (406) 690-0605, or follow the email link at the bottom of this page to contact me and set an appointment.

Photo: Dan Albright