Two Old Hippies, the parent company of Breedlove Guitars, has bought a Montana mandolin maker and plans to move its production to Bend, the company announced Thursday.
Production of Weber Fine Acoustic Instruments will continue in Logan, Utah, through the end of the year, according to a news release, and will begin moving to Bend in the first quarter of next year. The acquisition is expected to add six to 10 employees at the facility on American Loop in southeast Bend, said Ryan Bouslaugh, director of marketing for Two Old Hippies, Bedell and Breedlove Guitars.
Weber instruments makes a mandolin that appeals to traditional players, Bouslaugh said, which should help Two Old Hippies in the bluegrass music market.
Weber Fine Acoustic Instruments traces its roots back to the Flatiron Mandolin and Banjo Co. in Bozeman, Mont., which later became part of Gibson guitars. Bruce Weber, founder of Weber instruments, worked for Flatiron, according to the release.
