Weymann 12 string Mandolin Banjo (1911)
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Item # 12022
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Weymann 12 string Model Mandolin Banjo (1911), made in Philadelphia, serial # 11105, natural varnish finish, spunover rim, mahogany neck with ebonized fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
From the weird and wacky world where instruments have a headstock bigger than their body comes this Weymann 12-string Mandolin banjo, the only one like it we have ever seen! The 12-string bowlback mandolin was a "thing" briefly in the early 1900s, the thought being that if double courses were good, triple must be even better! These went the way of the Dodo quickly enough, but not before Philadelphia's H.A. Weymann company applied the idea to their original small-rim style banjo-mandolin. We have seen a number of these in the standard 8-string version, but cannot say if this 12-stringer was a catalog variant or a custom ordered piece.
This instrument dates to around 1911-12 and although rather comical looking is very well built, as are all of this maker's products. It is a fairly standard spunover rim design in the Stewart mold, with a mahogany neck, ebonized dot-inlaid fingerboard and rosewood headstock veneer. The 6-to-a-side metal button tuners are unusual for the period, but appear original. The early gold "Keystone state" logo decal is on the beck of the headstock. This instrument plays surprisingly and offers a bright, slightly cacophonous sound that is thoroughly unique!
Overall length is 23 1/2 in. (59.7 cm.), 7 1/16 in. (17.9 cm.) diameter head, and 2 1/8 in. (5.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 13 1/8 in. (333 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.).
Overall this is a nicely preserved instrument, especially considering it is at least 110 years old. It shows only minor wear, plays surprisingly well and appears all original except for a replaced tailpiece. The original stamped metal mandolin style tailpiece is in the case but is no longer in really functional condition. Unique for sure, this is an oddball but a well made and historically interesting one. It resides in a functional if not particularly well fitted modern HSC. Excellent - Condition.
From the weird and wacky world where instruments have a headstock bigger than their body comes this Weymann 12-string Mandolin banjo, the only one like it we have ever seen! The 12-string bowlback mandolin was a "thing" briefly in the early 1900s, the thought being that if double courses were good, triple must be even better! These went the way of the Dodo quickly enough, but not before Philadelphia's H.A. Weymann company applied the idea to their original small-rim style banjo-mandolin. We have seen a number of these in the standard 8-string version, but cannot say if this 12-stringer was a catalog variant or a custom ordered piece.
This instrument dates to around 1911-12 and although rather comical looking is very well built, as are all of this maker's products. It is a fairly standard spunover rim design in the Stewart mold, with a mahogany neck, ebonized dot-inlaid fingerboard and rosewood headstock veneer. The 6-to-a-side metal button tuners are unusual for the period, but appear original. The early gold "Keystone state" logo decal is on the beck of the headstock. This instrument plays surprisingly and offers a bright, slightly cacophonous sound that is thoroughly unique!
Overall length is 23 1/2 in. (59.7 cm.), 7 1/16 in. (17.9 cm.) diameter head, and 2 1/8 in. (5.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 13 1/8 in. (333 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.).
Overall this is a nicely preserved instrument, especially considering it is at least 110 years old. It shows only minor wear, plays surprisingly well and appears all original except for a replaced tailpiece. The original stamped metal mandolin style tailpiece is in the case but is no longer in really functional condition. Unique for sure, this is an oddball but a well made and historically interesting one. It resides in a functional if not particularly well fitted modern HSC. Excellent - Condition.