Weymann Orchestra Style 2 Guitar Banjo (1925)

Weymann Orchestra Style 2 Model Guitar Banjo (1925), made in Philadelphia, PA, natural varnish finish, laminated maple rim, neck and resonator, original black hard shell case.

This is an extremely rare instrument; Weymann's 1920's banjos are fairly well known in tenor form, but 6-string guitar variants hardly ever surface. The Style 2 Orchestra model Guitar-Banjo was a catalog item briefly in the mid-1920's when the Megaphonic line was line was introduced but was only made in very small quantities. Generally Style 2 was only the second model up in Weymann's Megaphonic professional line, but is absolutely a top quality fancy banjo retailing originally at the not inconsiderable sum of $185.00. It features the company's patented "megaphonic" rim with the hooks running through it, the most elegant of all 1920's banjo designs. Like all Weymann banjos, this is extremely finely-made with the company's customary attention to detail evident everywhere.

The neck is chunky but comfortable with a medium "V" profile, built of flame maple with multiple colored wood laminates through the center, at the heelcap and under the fingerboard. The ebony fretboard is inlaid with fancy shaped pearl and multi-bound in grained ivoroid. The large 6-string size (but banjo-style) headstock carries a diagonal "Weymann" logo of inlaid individual pearl letters surrounded by an elaborate floral design, with multiple wood underlays on the front and back. The resonator is nicely figured maple with binding on both edges, the rim top is capped in rosewood with an inlaid half-herringbone strip. There is an attractive solid rosewood armrest mounted to the hoop, a unique Weymann feature. The unique Weymann adjustable tailpiece has an engraved slide-off cover. This is a beautifully crafted, great sounding and extremely classy guitar banjo, one of the most striking of its type we have ever had.
 
Overall length is 36 1/2 in. (92.7 cm.), 11 in. (27.9 cm.) diameter head, and 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 1/2 in. (622 mm.). Width of nut is 1 7/8 in. (48 mm.). A beautiful original piece; no modifications or repairs. There is some finish wear overall but all original finish and parts except one of two screws securing the heck brace internally and probably later (but not recent) bridge. Plays and sounds excellent, complete with the vintage (5-string length) OHSC. Excellent Condition.

Item # 4883
 
This item has been sold.


 
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