Weissenborn

Fern's Guitars Weissenborn Style 3 acoustic lap steel guitar, front view.

Fern's Weissenborn modellen

Since 2006 I make Weissenborn guitars from mahogany wood. Although the original guitars were made from Hawaiian Koa wood, I get a better tone from mahogany. I have lots of experience with mahogany and a better 'feel' with the wood. In the past I made also Weissenborns from bubinga, sitka spruce and even Dutch oak wood with good results.


Just like any guitar, I try to achieve for the Weissenborn a good balance between a light build instrument and an instrument that is strong enough to whitstand the string tension. I keep the construction of the Weissenborn very close to the originals.


Just like Hermann, I make Weissenborn guitars in a few 'styles'. Style 1 and Style 3 are all constructed in a similar way and with the same wood types. They are only different in decoration.

Style 1

  • Single maple soundhole inlay
  • Dot fretboard inlay
  • Maple binding around top and back

Style 3

  • Soundhole inlay with traditional rope pattern
  • Traditional fretboard inlay
  • Traditional rope bindings around top and fretboard
  • Maple binding around the back

Made in Amsterdam.

Bone parts

The bridge of the original Weissenborn had a piece of fretwire installed instead of a saddle. I make Weissenborn bridges close in dimension to the originl bridge but I use a bone saddle and bone or horn bridge pins. The topnut is also made from bone. This can improve the brightness of the instrument slightly.

Gotoh tuners

The Weissenborn has modern open back Gotoh tuners from the SE770 series. The tuners have a 1:15 gear ratio and have a plastic button fitting the instrument.

Original details

De Style 3 Weissenborn heeft een "rope" inleg net als de originele instrumenten uit de jaren twintig. Deze inleg maak ik handmatig in de werkplaats.

Listen to the Weissenborn:

Amazing Grace

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René Tweehuysen / all rights reserved

Joe's Tune

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René Tweehuysen / all rights reserved

Look So Good

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René Tweehuysen / all rights reserved

Construction

Solid mahogany wood

The Weissenborn has a solid mahogany top, sides and back. I select mahogany like other tone woods. The top and back are plained and cut in a way they both enhance the guitars tone and and are well balanced in the instrument.


All mahogany used in the workshop is legal and have the right certifications if neccesary. This makes it safe to travel with the instrument or to ship the instrument outside the European Union. By now, I have replaced all original rosewood parts (bridge, fretboard and inlays) by walnut without loosing or changing the tone of the instrument.

Specifications:

  • Solid sapeli mahogany top, back and sides *)
  • Walnut fretboard, 19 positions, 25" scale
  • Walnut bridge
  • Bone topnut, saddle and bridge pins
  • Gotoh tuners
  • French polish finish
  • Gigbag
  • Five years warranty
  • Four months construction time

  • Style 1 € 2500,00


  • Style 3 € 2900,00


  • K&K pure mini pickup installed: + € 150,00
*) Amount of "curly" pattern in the wood may vary depending on availability. I can provide pictures of the sets available and reserve them for your order. The pattern of the wood does not make a difference in the sound of the finished Weissenborn.