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syungen
Aloha
USA
22 Posts |
 Posted - 09/10/2009 : 3:53:55 PM
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I was given an instrument that is patterned after a Weissenborn. It needs some work. The only identifying markings is the tag inside the soundhole the says "Hawaiian KONA Guitar" with 'Trade Mark Registered" in smaller letters. It has six strings and 19 frets. The body, soundhole, and neck have inlay rope binding. I've removed the strings for cleanup. It needs a new nut and bridgepins, but other than that, it looks playable.
My question is, what kind of strings should be used and how should it be tuned? I'm guessing it would be played with a slide, so perhaps an open G (taro patch) would work. Don't know what kind of wood it is.
Here's some pics:     
Thanks for the help.
Steve
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Konabob
`Olu`olu
USA
928 Posts |
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syungen
Aloha
USA
22 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2009 : 07:13:53 AM
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Thanks, KonaBob. I'm excited about making this instrument playable, again. Any preference on string gauge?
Steve |
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2009 : 08:00:25 AM
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Hey Steve -
What you have is a Kona Style 3 or 4, judging from the binding. 4 was the top of the line model. Most are koa; yours certainly looks like it.
Here's a particularly sweet Style 4: http://guitarbench.com/index.php/2009/04/22/1920s-weissenborn-kona-style-4-guitar-database/
It is a Weissenborn, and it is a major collectable guitar. Nothing sounds as good as a Kona, in my opinion-- the bass strings ring like a piano!
I have been looking for one of these for years... well, I've found a few, but I did not want to pay the kind of inflated prices they command these days. You are one lucky dog; it's a beauty.
Ok, now that you have it, a couple thoughts:
1) Take it to the best luthier you can find to get it back in shape. Weissenborns are notoriously prone to flying apart, so make sure all the braces are nice and solid. Steve Spaulding in Ashland is very good, though there are some guys in Eugene and Portland who specialize in vintage restoration who are even better. Call me.
2) When you get it set up, put on your basic set of light guage guitar strings (12 top) if you want to tune it into Taropatch like Kona Bob does. Alternately (and using the same set) tune to open D like Ben Harper. Both tunings will be easy to get started.
3) If you want to try other tunings, like high G (Dobro tuning: G-B-D-G-B-D) or high A (old Hawaiian steel tuning-- like dobro tuning, but up a whole step) you'll need to buy either a string set labeled "Dobro" or individual strings. Again, err on the side of too light.
4) Buy a bullet bar, not one of those dobro-style bars they sell at Musicians Friend. Here's one source if Cripple Creek doesn't have any: http://www.scottysmusic.com/steel_bars01.htm
5) Give me a call and come over for some TIPS. I play the dang thing, y'know.
6) OK I'm lying. It's really a piece of junk, and you don't want to be seen playing it. I'll take it off your hands for a six pack of Dead Guy Ale.  |
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Konabob
`Olu`olu
USA
928 Posts |
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rendesvous1840
Ha`aha`a
USA
1055 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2009 : 11:24:39 AM
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There was a thread a while back about bars, and the general consensus was the bullet bar is best. I bought a very heavy bullet bar, butI find it hard to hold onto, and prefer a flat bar. But I haven't got much experience, and the arthritic hands may be a big part of the problem. In any case, try a few weights of bar and see if the lighter or heavier model is more comfortable. I don't think you want to be dropping a 7 ounce bar onto a very nice instrument. You may want to practice on a cheap Kay,Harmony, etc first. At least toll you get past the "drop the bar stage."
Unko Paul |
"A master banjo player isn't the person who can pick the most notes.It's the person who can touch the most hearts." Patrick Costello |
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PearlCityBoy
Lokahi
USA
432 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2009 : 11:55:35 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Mark
Here's a particularly sweet Style 4: http://guitarbench.com/index.php/2009/04/22/1920s-weissenborn-kona-style-4-guitar-database/
Mark,that style-4 Weissenborn is a beauty, and a "steal" at $79.00 . . . that is if you were shopping for it in 1930. Just curious how much one of those vintage bad boys would cost today?
Steve, thanks for sharing photos of your guitar. You are very lucky to have it.
Aloha,
Doug |
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syungen
Aloha
USA
22 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2009 : 4:01:25 PM
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Thanks to everyone for their input on this instrument. Regarding the value of a vintage model, it's been my experience that the value is directly related to what someone is willing to pay for it. In my case, I'm interested in restoring this piece to playable condition, and perhaps learning to play it myself. However, everything has its price, and the offer of a six-pack of Dead Guy Ale is a good starting point!
Steve |
Edited by - syungen on 09/11/2009 4:07:44 PM |
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 09/12/2009 : 11:41:18 AM
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quote:
Regarding the value of a vintage model, it's been my experience that the value is directly related to what someone is willing to pay for it.
Heck, I'll up the offer to a sixer of Morimoto. Though Dead Guy is dang fine beer....
Here's some links with more info on your guitar & Hawaiian guitars in general:
http://www.weissenborn.es/g_history_hermann.html
This next one has an interesting take on the history, as well as great pix:
http://www.drewdotcom.com/hollowneck/about_home/history.html
Be sure to check out the dude on the homepage, too: http://www.drewdotcom.com/hollowneck/index.html
Yep, we was hippies back then, too!
Paul, Steve at al: Here's a tip about getting the hang of holding a bar (thanks and a tip o' the hat to Fred Lunt & Geri Valdriz, both of whom offered this suggestion at their classes):
Regardless of which bar you choose, spend at least one sold week with the thing in your hand. Yep, all the time. Just walk around with it no matter what else you are doing. Get the sense that it belongs there. After a while, it will feel like it does.
Just be careful when you scratch your noggin.... |
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Konabob
`Olu`olu
USA
928 Posts |
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rendesvous1840
Ha`aha`a
USA
1055 Posts |
Posted - 09/12/2009 : 4:26:08 PM
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Mahalo for the tip and the web sites, Mark.
I'll have to get in the habit of carrying a bar with me.
My boss oughta love that. "What are you doing?"
"Practicing holding my bar."
At least my steel-toed work shoes will protect my
feet when I drop that turkey!
Unko Paul |
"A master banjo player isn't the person who can pick the most notes.It's the person who can touch the most hearts." Patrick Costello |
Edited by - rendesvous1840 on 09/12/2009 4:27:23 PM |
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slipry1
Ha`aha`a
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - 09/12/2009 : 5:51:45 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by rendesvous1840
There was a thread a while back about bars, and the general consensus was the bullet bar is best. I bought a very heavy bullet bar, butI find it hard to hold onto, and prefer a flat bar. But I haven't got much experience, and the arthritic hands may be a big part of the problem. In any case, try a few weights of bar and see if the lighter or heavier model is more comfortable. I don't think you want to be dropping a 7 ounce bar onto a very nice instrument. You may want to practice on a cheap Kay,Harmony, etc first. At least toll you get past the "drop the bar stage."
Unko Paul
Paul - the big, heavy ones are for pedal steel, which doesn't require much dexterity bscause you don't slant the bar, you just push on the pedals. I use Dunlop Jerry Byrd model steels, lighter and easier to use. They are also better, imho, than Stevens steels for slanting and making 3 note slanted chords (which give you diminshed and minor chords in C6 tuning). The Jerry Byrd model is a bit longer than the other bullet lap steels of the same diameter. |
keaka |
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rendesvous1840
Ha`aha`a
USA
1055 Posts |
Posted - 09/13/2009 : 11:27:34 AM
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The one I have trouble holding is a Dunlop 920. It's 7/8" diameter, 2&7/8" long & weighs7.5 ounces. I had trouble finding one here in Ohio, so I got this one in Hawai`i a year ago. I may have bought the wrong one,not knowing much about it at the time. (Or now, for that matter!) I'm going to try Mark's suggestion, and also keep trying the flat bar. Next time I get to Hawai`i, i may look for a lighter bar.
Unko Paul |
"A master banjo player isn't the person who can pick the most notes.It's the person who can touch the most hearts." Patrick Costello |
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What do I have here?
