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Topic: Early 20's Weissenborn |
Brian Pelky
From:
Portland, OR
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Posted 10 Jun 2008 5:31 pm |
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Hi all. I've been talking to Ben Elder regarding my Weissenborn...but thought I'd post for others to see. I discovered I have an early 20's pre-standardized Weissenborn. It's only 1 1/2 inches thick...a thin one. I'm posting pics here for y'all to check it out. It's bird's eye maple (instead of the usual Koa) and spruce top. This thing has loose bracing inside, and I've had it looked at by luthier Kerry Char. I REALLY want to play this thing. The big question: Should I have the back pulled off (only way it can be done) and have the bracing repaired? Will it affect the value/collectibility of the instrument? It's all original as far as anyone can tell. However, at some point, it had a bad refinish job. My thought is....repair the bracing, have a GOOD restoration/refinish job put on it, and it's now playable AND looks better. I'd probably feel otherwise if the finish hadn't been touched already. This guitar was built for my great great uncle while he was in the servicein the early 20's. It's been in my family the entire time.....my dad got it handed to him when my uncle died in the 1970's. My dad gave it to me 15 years ago. All this time, we thought it was a knock off! What a discovery. Let me know your thoughts! Thanks in advance,
Brian
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Sho-Bud Super Pro D10,Tele,Strat,Martin D-28,Korg Triton Pro,Nashville 400 |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 11 Jun 2008 3:35 am
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| Brian, it's a cool guitar. I'd get it fixed, and refinished. |
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Fred Kinbom
From:
Berlin, Germany, via Stockholm, Sweden.
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Posted 11 Jun 2008 5:11 am
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Very cool guitar Brian! I understand your concerns about having such an old guitar taken apart, but as it has been tampered with before finish-wise, and as a guitar is meant to be played, I'd say go for it, but make sure you give the job to the best luthier you can find, and one who has experience with original Weissenborns.
Congratulations on having such a fine Weissenborn!
Fred
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www.fredrikkinbom.com - New lap steel album out now - listen here: fredrikkinbom.bandcamp.com/album/songs-for-lap-steel-and-harmonium |
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Fred Kinbom
From:
Berlin, Germany, via Stockholm, Sweden.
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Gary Lynch
From:
Creston, California, USA
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Tom Wolverton
From:
Carpinteria, CA
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Posted 11 Jun 2008 6:12 am
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I've had braces re-glued by Yuris Zeltins at The Blue Guitar Workshop in San Diego. He did it without taking the back off. He works on David Lindley's Weissenborn guitars and knows them well.
http://www.theblueguitar.com/index2.php
Also, if it sounds good, I'd leave the finish alone. It does not look that bad in the photos. Just get it structurally sound and play it (and enjoy it). |
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Fred Kinbom
From:
Berlin, Germany, via Stockholm, Sweden.
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Brian Pelky
From:
Portland, OR
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Posted 11 Jun 2008 7:53 am Weissenborn
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Thanks for the input guys. Yah, Ben Elder thinks it's definitely a Weiss built after looking at the photos. I also had it appraised from Gruhn in Nashville. Elder said he has seen at least one other like this one, but it was a pre standardized - prototype if you will - with the thinner body and maple back/sides. I will definitely contact your luthier referals here for input, as well. Kerry Char and Ken Cartwright are who I have had look at it so far. As far as the finish: The photos don't really show it, but you can see brush marks and running in spots. Plus, it's starting to flake off in a couple of spots around the bridge and butt. Char thought it would also help conceal the back removal by refinishing, as well. Thanks again for any input guys!
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Sho-Bud Super Pro D10,Tele,Strat,Martin D-28,Korg Triton Pro,Nashville 400 |
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Eric Ebner
From:
Texas Republic
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Posted 11 Jun 2008 10:19 am
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Did Gruhn comment on the builder or where it fit in Weissenborn lineage? A most amazing guitar!
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Tribo-Tone™ Bars |
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John Dahms
From:
Perkasie, Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 11 Jun 2008 1:44 pm
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I know I have never seen one like it. Between the maple and the thin depth body I would expect that it might not have the full range to use as a solo instument as we most commonly use them these days but I think it would make a great take-off lead voice in an ensemble situation. I really like it.
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Time flies like an eagle
Fruit flies like a banana. |
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Darrell Urbien
From:
Echo Park, California
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Posted 12 Jun 2008 11:34 am
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| Wow, that thing is SUPER thin! I would of course defer to Ben as to what's best, both in terms of playability and collectability... But if it was mine (i.e. passed down to me from the original owner) I'd fix it and play it. |
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John Bushouse
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Posted 14 Jun 2008 8:39 pm
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| Do what Kerry says should be done, and have him do it. He's done so many of Gregg Miner's Knutsens that he knows those guitars pretty well. |
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Brian Pelky
From:
Portland, OR
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Posted 16 Jun 2008 12:14 pm weissenborn
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Thanks all! I'm gonna have Kerry do the job. I can't wait to play this thing and see the thing refinished. I'll post pics when it's done. Thanks again!
Brian
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Sho-Bud Super Pro D10,Tele,Strat,Martin D-28,Korg Triton Pro,Nashville 400 |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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