Circa 1929 Weissenborn Style 3 Hawaiian Guitar – Used

Simply the finest original Weissenborn Hawaiian guitar Gryphon has offered in at least twenty years and maybe longer. While the condition is what draws the eye, playing this Weissenborn is perhaps more inspiring as it rewards your ear even when playing the most simple melodies and riffs with a slide. Wonderful book-matched koa on the top and back, the finish appears to be original throughout, and displays a fine pattern of crazing. There’s only the slightest finish wear to the top, in one spot where you might anchor your pinkie. Tuners and bridge are original, looks like the bridge might have been reglued many years ago, but since Weissenborns were finished with the bridge in place it’s hard to be sure. All internal bracing is original with no sign of repairs. In the upper left corner of the center strip of the back, where the H. Weissenborn hot stamp appears, is carefully inked “Florence Boyd”, so we’re assuming she was the original owner.

Equally impressive is the original hardshell case, with a highly arched top and back. The handle has been replaced, and the center latch beneath it can be slightly stubborn, but both the purple lining and the outer black Keratol covering are in near-perfect condition. This is the best of the mere handful of hardshell cases for Weissenborns we’ve seen, even Style 4 versions usually show up in canvas cases. Case pocket has what’s left of the original handle, plus a slide and picks, and best of all, an old unused set of Black Diamond Hawaiian Guitar strings!