~1924 Weissenborn Style 1 Koa
Description
Weissenborn Style 1 c 1923 Lap Guitar | $3450 | (v2539) Hermann Weissenborn emigrated from Germany, eventually settling in Los Angeles. He was initially trained as a violin maker, but in LA, about 1914, he met Chris J. Knutsen who was making Hawaiian guitars at the time to satisfy the growing demand for Hawaiian instruments. By 1916 it appears that Weissenborn was producing Hawaiian instruments in his factory. Weissenborn is credited with refining the hollow neck lap guitars favored today by many steel guitar players. In 1924 Henry Stradlmair began as sole distributor of Weissenborn instruments east of the Mississippi, a relationship which lasted until 1927. This Style 1 Weissenborn instrument bears the Henry Stadlmair Co. Inc. New York brand which dates it to that mid-twenties time period. Some aficianados claim this era to have produced the best-sounding Weissenborns due to the high quality, air-dried koa logs used!
The top, back and sides/neck are made from gorgeous curly koa which presents a rich orange glow. The fingerboard and bridge are also koa. The tuners are stamped Waverly. The bridge pins are original, as is the round, aluminum saddle. The Style 1 features five pearl position dots, and three inlaid sound hole rings. There is a contrasting decorative inlay at the end pin. There are no frets, only inlaid strips of contrasting wood to mark each fret position.
The body measures 15 3/8" across at the lower bout. Body depth at the end pin is 2 25/16". Scale length is 25".
The guitar is 100% original, with no prior repairs. Even the strings that were on it appear to date to pre WWII. The are no cracks; the original finish still gleams and there are only minimal nicks from age and use.
Weissenborn have achieved iconic status by lap players world wide. They produce a unique tone, and are aesthetically among the most pleasing of American-made instruments.
Comes with its original "trap-door" case also in excellent condition.
The top, back and sides/neck are made from gorgeous curly koa which presents a rich orange glow. The fingerboard and bridge are also koa. The tuners are stamped Waverly. The bridge pins are original, as is the round, aluminum saddle. The Style 1 features five pearl position dots, and three inlaid sound hole rings. There is a contrasting decorative inlay at the end pin. There are no frets, only inlaid strips of contrasting wood to mark each fret position.
The body measures 15 3/8" across at the lower bout. Body depth at the end pin is 2 25/16". Scale length is 25".
The guitar is 100% original, with no prior repairs. Even the strings that were on it appear to date to pre WWII. The are no cracks; the original finish still gleams and there are only minimal nicks from age and use.
Weissenborn have achieved iconic status by lap players world wide. They produce a unique tone, and are aesthetically among the most pleasing of American-made instruments.
Comes with its original "trap-door" case also in excellent condition.