1920 Weymann No. 40 Banjo Guitar Natural Maple

Weymann No. 40 Banjo Guitar 1920 | $1550 | (vbg 2038) By 1920, in a new factory at Broad and Butler in Philly, Weymann & Son had been constructing stringed instruments for about twenty years. At this time, banjos were all the rage and small combos and bands sought the latest sounds. Banjo guitars filled the need of a combo that lacked a pure banjo player by allowing the guitar player the ability to create the banjo sound using the familiar six string guitar arrangement. These instruments weren't real common, but they're not super rare in the market today, either.

This is a particularly nice example. Weymann was known for its high craftsmanship and quality materials in both its banjos and guitars.

The head diameter is 12" over a multi-ply maple rim. The neck is a high grade of tiger-striped maple, which has mellowed to a pleasing honey color. The scale length measures 25". The (replaced) fingerboard is rosweood. The neck is carved in a flat-ish 'V' shape and is very modern feeling and comfortable in the hand, and appears to have been resprayed at the time of the board replacement. The neck is 1 13/16"across at the nut, and string spacing is 2 1/16" across at the custom-made bridge. The tuners are a deluxe variety with engraved leaves around the screw holes. The back of the headstock sports the gold-foil Weymann decal. The head is a synthetic replacement, and the board is fretted with larger frets than would have been original. The tailpiece appears to be a 'homemade' replacement and sports a Richelieu 'Master Mute'. Sliding the mute closer to the bridge will dampen the sound, which can come in handy if your dog becomes annoyed.

The combination of straight and comfortable neck, generous frets, and low action make this the smoothest playing banjo guitar we've offered for sale.

Comes with a soft case.

Check out the sound clip!