1925 Weymann Model 540 6-String Guitar Banjo

German immigrant Henry Weymann founded Weymann & Son in Philadelphia, PA in the late 1800s. Weymann & Son was known mostly for its banjos but also made guitars, mandolins and ukuleles. The company was both innovative and precise in its manufacturing process. By 1920, the company would enter its Golden Era producing a line of fine “Orchestra” grade instruments, as well as amateur or student grade pieces. The neck is two-piece super flamey maple carved in a sharp ‘V’-shape of the era, and features the gold foil Weymann Keystone State decal. The slotted head stock is overlaid with Brazilian rosewood veneer. The fingerboard is ebony with four pearl dot position markers, and bound in white celluloid. The original tailpiece is cast metal with a stylized ‘W’-shape evident to the astute observer. The 12″ rim is maple rim features 24 hooks, which are conveniently set flush into the rim bottom and appears to be bound in Brazilian rosewood. The skin head measures 12″ across. Scale length is 24 7/8″. The neck measures 1 15/16″ across at the nut, with string spacing 2 1/4″ across at the bridge. The tuners are semi-fancy engraved strip tuners popular in the era. What makes this example so special is it still sports its original slide-on flamey maple back resonator cover. This guitar banjo is very similar to the Style 540 listed in the 1925 Weymann catalog. It features high quality craftsmanship and materials and the combination neck brace and adjuster. “This device is indispensable to banjoists in securing permanency in correct position of the neck.” touts the ’25 catalog. Other than 1 repaired crack on the side of the back resonator cover, she’s excellent overall & comes in a nice padded gig bag.