~1931 Weymann Style 740 Natural

Weymann Flattop Style 740 c 1931 X-Braced | $1650 | (v2008) About 1930, Weymann & Son had moved its factory to W. Cumberland St. in Philadelphia, and was continuing to produce guitars that rivaled those made by C.F. Martin. The company had been manufacturing stringed instruments for about thirty years, but with the depression in full force, manufacturing was shut down by the mid-thirties. The bulk of their six-string guitar production, from what we've seen, had been ladder-braced tops. Of the very small number of X-braced Weymann flattops we've seen, most have been made in the very late twenties and into the thirties. The serial number on this X-braced Style 740 guitar dates it to about 1931 and fits right in to that time frame.

Most would call this a 'mojo' guitar. It came to us needing lots of structural work to get it solid and playing again. We felt the guitar was worthy enough for restoration, so we sent it to a luthier who is experienced with taking guitars apart, making needed repairs and re-assembling them. It was a good call, because the guitar is structurally solid but retains its fadingly attractive appearance.

The back and sides are a fine grade of mahogany. The top is spruce, and X-braced. The top is bound in b/w/b purfling and bound in Brazilian rosewood. Multiple purfling rings surround the sound hole. The neck is mahogany with a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. Pearl position dots are at the 5th, 7th and 9th frets. The head stock is overlaid in Brazilian veneer, and sports the 'Weymann' gold decal on back. The original bridge is a flat-pyramid type made from Brazilian rosewood. The original tuners are Waverlys engraved with a trailing leaf pattern.

The body measures 13 1/2" across at the lower bout. Scale length is 24 15/16". The neck measures 1 13/16" across at the nut, and is carved in a very flat 'V', very comfortable in the hand. String spacing across the saddle is 2 1/4". Body depth at the end pin is 4".

The back was removed and all top cracks were stabilized and cleated where necessary. All loose braces were glued. A missing top brace was replaced. A 'popsicle' brace was added under the fingerboard extension to support some lateral cracks in the area of the treble upper bout, and a few finger braces were added under the area where a pick guard is normally found. A back crack was glued. The bridge was reglued. Some crusty playing wear and dirt were removed from bare spruce, and the bare wood covered over in finish. The neck was removed and reset. The frets are original and show some playing wear. The finish is original but for the one spot of bare wood on top finished over. The finish on the body shows decades of wear, with lots of checking, scratches and dings. The finish on the neck, however, remains in excellent condition providing a nice tactile feel.

The guitar is ultra-light in weight, and with its aged woods is quite responsive to the touch with nice sustain. The X-bracing provides a full sound across the range, with the mids and trebles being more pronounced than the bass, which could make for a nice recording instrument. As a bonus, we'll include a period appropriate, purple-lined Geib hard case in clean condition.

Check out the sound clip!