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bluespiderweb
Akahai
USA
91 Posts |
 Posted - 11/09/2004 : 9:05:35 PM
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Aloha folks,
I first posted this just about the Gold Tone, but now edited it
to ask about the tunings and string guages you use, thanks!
I finally hooked up with a Weissenborn copy, by Gold Tone, and I just wanted to pass this on to whomever might be interested in a good quality, nice sounding guitar, at a decent price.
I bought the Spruce topped version,(listed at Elderly for $680 without case) with mahogany back and sides, all solid woods. It's a keeper! I haven't played any other Weissenborns, but I have been playing acoustic guitar for about 35 years, and I would say I have a decent ear for hearing the quality of tone in an acoustic guitar. This has a very good tone, very nice resonance and projection, and sustain is good too. The construction and workmanship look good, also.
They also make an all Mahogany solid wood version,(listed at Elderly for $625 without case). This I have not heard, nor have I heard anyone comment about it. But I believe it will sound similar to mine, but with a little darker tone with less projection, but more sustain with the mahogany top.
The bonus is that solid wood guitars age well, and sound better with time and playing. So, they will continue to improve in tonal qualities as they are used.
There is an all laminated version that I have read two reviews on from others who have tried them, and they were not impressed overall with the tone. However, as a beginning instrument it might be OK, if you aren't too picky about sound quality, or you install a pickup and use an amp to get more sound out of it. Elderly doesn't list this one, but you can read more about them at Gold Tone's website.
Elderly also lists another Weissenborn copy made here in Georgia of all laminated mahogany by the name of Andrew and that lists for $550 with gig bag from Elderly.
And if anyone is interested in a decent quality Dobro with great tone that also doesn't cost a lot, Gold Tone has two models designed by Paul Beard(who builds his own great dobros)and built in China to his specs. Elderly also lists these, and you can buy them from Beard's own website too.
None of these guitars are in stock in any great quantities as yet, so you might have to order and wait if you can't find any now. I believe it probably would be worth the wait. I have seen, played and shop adjusted Gold Tone banjos, and the quality that I saw in them lead me to believe in the Weissenborns they are making. That is why I felt better about ordering one sight unseen and unheard!
The choices keep getting better for good quality instruments at good prices for the people who need the price breaks like me!
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Koaniani,
Ola, Barry
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Edited by - bluespiderweb on 10/19/2005 05:27:06 AM |
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 11/11/2004 : 09:58:14 AM
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Hi Barry -
Is this the guitar that John Pearse had a hand in? I ran into Mary Faith Rhodes of John Pearse/Breezy Ridge about a year ago and she informed me John owed the rights to the Weissenborn name, and that they were in the process of releasing a reissue Weissenborn.
Knowing John, this is reason for celebration. He's always into something very cool.
But of course, since he "owns" the name, I can't call my axe a Weissenborn. Ken Bloom calls 'em "Weissenborn-agains." Since mine was made in Canada, maybe "Weissenborn, eh?" Otherwise, I'm sticking with "Weissen-heimer."
cheers,
Mark |
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bluespiderweb
Akahai
USA
91 Posts |
Posted - 11/12/2004 : 2:25:15 PM
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Hi Mark,
I don't know if JP had any hand in it, although he does own the rights to the name. He had a Weisse repro that he put out on the market a year or two ago that he was directly involved in, and they weren't around for long.
These seem to be of good quality and price, for a factory instrument, so I believe they should be around for awhile, as long as people are able to see some and play them, and hear how good they sound. Right now, they aren't available widely, as they haven't been in production for long.
I guess you have a Celtic Cross Weisse, or a Yanuziello? I have heard good things about both of these independent luthiers. Weissies are a great design. You wouldn't think they would have a voice as big as they do for such a shallow instrument, but I imagine the hollow neck helps in this respect. Very soulful sound! |
Koaniani,
Ola, Barry
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 11/14/2004 : 09:14:30 AM
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Hi -
I've got a Celtic Cross all mahogony puppy. Picked it up used right here on TaroPatch.
It's less deep than some vintage Weissenborns I've seen, and does not have that piano-like bass that the reall great ones have. But it is a peach, very well balanced and sweet-toned. Pretty, too; though the finish work is not as fine as some luthiers. (Mine was "slightly" used, as in "dead mint," when I bought it, and quite inexpensive - so it may have been a second.)
I'd recommend one to anyone looking for a great steel at a reasonable price.
Incidentally, I made my steel debut last night in a concert I did with cowboy singer Pop Wagner. We were exploring the paniolo-cowboy connection throughout the show, so naturally I had to lug the steel out. Didn't embarass myself (or Pop) too awfully much.
cheers,
mark |
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Larry Miller
Akahai
USA
65 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2005 : 07:25:05 AM
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Hi!
I'm the new guy- Larry Miller, Cambridge MA- I too just bought the Gold Tone Weissenborn copy. I wish that I had Googled a bit nmore and gotten the better model. I bought the LM (Laminated Mahagony) from Musician's Friend for $546 (real good case for $84). I usually avoid laminated guitars, but by the time I got it and unpacked, I figured I might well stick with it.
The finish isn't the greatest, and the sound is not as loud or well-projecyted as oe might like, but t's good enough for me. I'm an aging hobbyist and don't play professionaly, so it's ok for just messing around.
I got the Stacy Philips book and cd and have ordred 4 ces of slack key and steel to listen to.
I'm mostly in G tuning, and just tried something different. I removed the low D, moved all the strings down one notch, and then adde a .10 guage high G. So far, so good.
I chose "Blue Hawaiian Moonlight" SOH version for a starter practice piece.
A little background: born and raised in CA; moved to the islands at age 14. I learned slack key while going to Hilo High back in the 50s; in the early 60s I used to hang out at Honey's in Kaneohe, when Don Ho's band included Gabby and Sonny.
I was a semi-pro folkie back then , and have kept my hand in as a hobby since. i have a home studio (Dell, Adobe Audition, Echo Gina 2, Folio mixer, 2 condensor mics, Radio shack monitor amp) and am doing some overdubs with guitar and stuff.
Glad to be here!
Larry Miller
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Larry Miller
Akahai
USA
65 Posts |
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2005 : 11:52:11 AM
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Hi Larry -
Welcome to the Patch. Interesting idea you have on the stringing -- should open up some stuff for ya!
Good luck with Stacy's book -- he's a great player, but sure likes those slants. I'm still on the first couple of tunes.
So what's a "semi-professional folkie?" Is there any other kind???
cheers,
Mark |
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Larry Miller
Akahai
USA
65 Posts |
Posted - 01/26/2005 : 6:57:50 PM
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| Note: the new Musician's Friend catalog, which is where I got my Gold Tone LM (laminated mahogany)Weissenborn, has added the SM ( solid Mahogany) to it's line. The LM is $546 (list $726) and the SM in $675 (list $899) ( A really nice hardshell case is $84.) |
Whee ha!
Larry M |
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Konabob
`Olu`olu
USA
928 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2005 : 4:46:16 PM
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Ok, I just had to jump in and put in a plug for http://www.berkeleymusic.com/ which is where my baby came from... In fact, if you go to the Hawaiian Lap Steel Page, and scroll down to the bottom, you will see my actual guitar in the hands of it's previous owner, Ken Emerson.
I have modified mine in several ways:
1) I installed a koa finger pick guard during my learning curve days. I was really digging into the cedar top for a while there, and it was not a pretty sight.
2) I made a koa pickup mount and installed a Barcus Berry humbucker pickup in the sound hole, and installed an endpin jack for performing.
3) At Bob Brozman's suggestion, I removed the bone saddle and replaced it with 3/16th stainless steel rod. The difference in sound is astonishing! Between that and the pickup, I get a sound that is very expansive, and the sustain is much greater than with the bone saddle.
4) The early Superiors used a cheap Korean tuner set. One of them cracked last week, so I now have a nice new set of Gotoh tuners... Mmmm they are nice.
I hope some of you are planning to bring you WeissenKine's to Hawaii this June.
-Konabob |
Konabob's Walkingbass - http://www.konawalkingbass.com
Taropatch Steel - http://www.konaweb.com/konabob/
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=Konabob2+Walkingbass |
Edited by - Konabob on 03/24/2005 4:46:55 PM |
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jcfergus
Aloha
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - 04/13/2005 : 09:56:12 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by bluespiderweb
I don't know if JP had any hand in it, although he does own the rights to the name. He had a Weisse repro that he put out on the market a year or two ago that he was directly involved in, and they weren't around for long.
This is not John Pearse's first attempt to revive this design. John had some built several years ago, in Italy I believe. A friend has one. The workmanship appears to be pretty good, but his has problems with the bridge coming up. It has a spruce top with maple back and sides. I don't think it sounds as good as when I strung up my Gibson L-00 repro with a high nut. It sure is a lot lighter than a metal-body National, though.
I am looking forward to hearing one of the Goldtones in person.
Jim |
Jim Ferguson
Roseville, CA |
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bluespiderweb
Akahai
USA
91 Posts |
Posted - 04/15/2005 : 8:32:23 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Konabob
Ok, I just had to jump in and put in a plug for http://www.berkeleymusic.com/ which is where my baby came from... In fact, if you go to the Hawaiian Lap Steel Page, and scroll down to the bottom, you will see my actual guitar in the hands of it's previous owner, Ken Emerson.
And every time someone leaves a link out to click on(Bob!), I can't resist, go to the Superior guitar website, and feel I need to try one of these too! Works every time! They do a nice job on them too, and what I like is that they do have different choices for woods, finish, and decoration, that you can get one to your tastes and preferences. The trouble is that their showroom is on the left coast and I'm on the right!
...and then there's the squareneck Johnson Tricone that's been calling my name for a while...
For now, at least, I'm happy to have my Gold Tone, it's a very nice guitar too! |
Koaniani,
Ola, Barry
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Edited by - bluespiderweb on 04/15/2005 8:50:03 PM |
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bluespiderweb
Akahai
USA
91 Posts |
Posted - 10/19/2005 : 05:13:13 AM
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Aloha People,
What string guages have you been using for Weissenborn, and which tunings do you prefer? Open D(DADF#AD)or other? |
Koaniani,
Ola, Barry
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Konabob
`Olu`olu
USA
928 Posts |
Posted - 10/19/2005 : 5:14:05 PM
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If you are playing a lot of Slack Key-ish types of tunes, why not tune your Weissenborn to Taro Patch? I can also tell you about a couple of string sets that work for my Superior.
1) For Taro Patch tuning - D'Addario EJ42 phosphor bronze have a nice warm tone, and a nice ring - especially if you do the Bob Brozman bridge modification on your guitar. (Replace the bone bridge with 1/16" stainless steel rod.)
Guages: .016, .018, .026, .035, .045, .056
2) John Pearse Set #7300 was designed for electric steel tuned to Am (C6th), but oddly, they work quite well on my Superior. They are cheaper than the EJ42, and the high G is not wound, so it has a smoother sound. The middle D is a little slack when you play in taro patch, but the upside is you can tune it to an E and play your guitar in G6th for a nice Waikiki sound.
Guages: .016, .018, .022, .032, .046, .054
I had fun in San Jose, playing Rob O's Superior at Espresso Garden Cafe. (Rob, I hope you have had a chance to try the Brozman bridge!)
Aloha,
-Konabob
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Konabob's Walkingbass - http://www.konawalkingbass.com
Taropatch Steel - http://www.konaweb.com/konabob/
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=Konabob2+Walkingbass |
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Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
Posted - 10/19/2005 : 8:23:08 PM
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Aloha Bob, (from Kona) pardon my ignorance, please: I know what a nut is, and I know what a bridge is, but what is a "saddle"? Another name for bridge? How many terms must I learn here to sound non-ignorant?
I would hate to go to Keola's workshop in February and sound dumb when I take my cute lil' Rickenbacker there... 
Hugs, Julie
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Konabob
`Olu`olu
USA
928 Posts |
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jmk
Lokahi
USA
115 Posts |
Posted - 10/29/2005 : 2:46:41 PM
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RE: Steel Rod Modification
Thank you KonaBob. I replaced the saddle on my Washburn steel guitar with a steel rod and I'm very happy with the result.
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