H.A. Weymann and Son of Philadelphia (1865–1940’s) are best known for their beautifully crafted, elaborate 1920s tenor banjos, but they also made exquisite guitars and in this case a beautiful Guitar Banjo.
This is a Style 2 Model 40 Banjo Guitar with lovely inlays on the ebony fretboard and slotted headstock with matching inlay. The neck is two-piece flamed maple, the rim is heavy, multi-ply maple with a nice veneer to it, and it features the signature, super-practical Weymann neck brace/tensioning bar on the rear. The resonator box is also finished in a flamed maple in 8 segments with a lovely inlay to the outside perimeter, which matches that on the outside of the drum rim.
The serial number on this Guitar Banjo dates the instrument to 1919. It is in fantastic condition and has obviously been well maintained throughout its 100+ years. As part of that maintenance we can clearly see that the hardware has been changed and it has new machine heads, frets, drum skin, bridge, tail piece and chrome arm rest. The rest of the guitar is all original and including that rather wonderful removable resonator box. The banjo guitar comes complete with a vintage hard case – not original to the guitar.
Weymann products were always well made with fine workmanship, and they were priced accordingly. The quality of their guitars were on a par with Martins’ and at the time equivalent instruments of both companies sold at similar prices. While obviously having a following it must have been hard for Weymann guitars to compete in the market with such a well-established maker as C.F. Martin and Co. instruments.The small number of Weymann guitars seen today reflects this.
From 1910 to 1927 Weymann’s applied for and were granted 7 different patents connected to stringed instruments. From new stringed instrument designs, to tuners and tailpiece designs. They were also one of the first makers of a 6 string Jumbo and extra Jumbo guitar in about 1910-11, twenty plus years before Gibson launched its Jumbo range and a few years before Martin’s dreadnoughts. One of these patents was for the “banjo attachment”, the removable resonator box that is seen on this guitar banjo – our last 2 pictures are in relation to this patent.
Shipping within mainland UK using fully insured 24-hour courier service @ £35.00.
Customers outside of UK should contact Vintage Rare & Retro Guitars for a shipping quotation. Free pick-up is always available at our Gullane shop.
