As with many of the early instrument makers of note, Herman(n) Weissenborn came to guitars via other timber work, initially working with his cabinet-maker father in Germany, then, after moving to the United States, with pianos in New York City. Violins followed, then back to pianos, until introduced to Spanish-style guitars by his Mexican housekeeper, Concepcion, (later his wife).
Hawaiian music
Around the same time Herman was discovering guitars, 1915's huge Pan Pacific International Exposition was held in San Francisco, exposing vast numbers of people to the delights of Hawaiian music across its ten month run. By the following year, Hawaiian music was, hands down, the most popular in the entire country! The island sounds received another big boost in the early 1920s, with the advent of radio. The rest, as they say, is history.
Ben Harper
And, as with much of history, things come and go, then often come back around. Herman Weissenborn's instruments were first overshadowed by the advent of resonator guitars in the mid-twenties, then, half a decade later, by electrically amplified instruments. Weissenborns all but disappeared for the next half century, until a young Californian musician called Ben Harper repopularised them in the 1990s.
Koa and white Holly
The most highly prized Weissenborns are those featuring all Koa construction, per our Style 1 here. The Koa was bought and milled by Herman's friend and business partner, Albert Kolb, who operated a timber business in the same LA neighborhood. All air-dried, then hand-selected by Herman; top, back and sides - even the fretboard - are all Koa. Mother-of-pearl dot markers, with another in the central position on the bridge, plus the small luxury touch of white Holly fret markers, all make the Style 1 easily recognisable. And, while not identified in the original specs, the inlaid soundhole rings may also be white Holly. (If not, then most likely Maple)
Hand-rubbed nitro
The hand-rubbed nitro finish really brings the Koa to life, and the decades of lacquer checking has only boosted the vintage apearance and desirability. Almost entirely original, (the strip tuners were replaced some tme ago, now themselves looking appropriately aged), the guitar weighs close to nothing - you pick it up and very nearly loft it skyward! At 2lb 12oz, this is almost certainly the lightest guitar we have ever encountered.
100 years old
No imagination whatsoever is required to understand why Ben Harper fell in love with the instruments thirty-odd years ago - the 3" body depth, the Koa, the fully hollow neck - this thing absolutely sings, and as any vintage guitar person will tell you, old timber just keeps sounding better and better with the years. Herman Weissenborn almost never numbered his instruments, so unless accompanied by a sales receipt, or some other proof of date, exact years can be tricky to determine, however based on detailed inspection of timber, features, and the slightly worn H. Weissenborn interior stamp, this amazing instrument can be dated to the four years from 1933 to the first week of January 1937. Back in the day, guitar timbers were typically air-dried anywhere from 15 - 40 years, so the Koa here is at least 100 years old.
Free courier delivery
The accompanying case we are not sure about. It's old, but we think not quite old enough. It could be a forties or fifties Gibson/Victoria case, but it's in excellent shape, clean, and is a near perfect fit. Guitar and case come with our FREE COURIER DELIVERY to any address in Australia - generally 1 -2 days on the east coast, more distant areas slightly longer. ($100 air express to New Zealand, and $175 to the US, Canada, UK and mainstream European destinations)
Weight: 2lb 12.3oz / 1.26kg
Just Guitars
