Pics..need some help with old arch top Weymann

Since I am the family member that is into guitars, I got a call from my sister in-law about an old Weymanns arch top in rough condition. She thought she would call me about it before it went into the trash. I'm glad she called. It's pretty cool looking, but it is missing the bridge and has lots of scratches, but the neck looks straight, body is intact and looks like the original tuners. Really cool inlay on the fret board

It was played a lot from looking at the wear on the back of the neck. Inside it is stamped 6596.
I told her I would help find out more about it. I did look around online, but I didn't see much on them...I would think someone would be into bringing it back to playable condition.
Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks Bill

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Hi Bill and welcome to LTG. That's very interesting guitar you have there. If you poked around on the internet, then you've probably already seen these links:

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/foru ... p?t=138963

From this link above:

" ......l had a argument with a martin collector as l told him l looked it up on the internet which stated that martin made guitars for weymann in return for banjos and ukes which were badged martin . not unusual for that period of time. l contacted martins head office and three months later they confirmed yes they would have made it and regal made weymanns lower priced models. usually made of birch. what martin told me was if a weymann was rosewood and so on they made it."

As with lots of things on the internet, it could be true, partly true, or pure BS. Nevertheless, a couple of other links:

http://theunofficialmartinguitarforum.y ... opic/69312
http://theunofficialmartinguitarforum.y ... opic/88045

The economic problem with extensive restorations is that they are labor-intensive and, if the guitar itself isn't highly acclaimed ... I think you get my point. In any event, good luck with your guitar and welcome to LTG.

I did a quick search and found a few other sites:

Here's a copy of an old Weymann catalogue. It shows a Weymann guitar with f holes but not an arch top.
http://rosestreetguitars.com/?p=135

And here is a guy who is selling a Weymann archtop:
http://rosestreetguitars.com/?p=135

I think it's a really neat looking guitar As you said those fret markers are pretty cool, and it looks to be in pretty good shape. Good luck with it. If you decide to refurbish it, I'd love to see how it turns out.

This might help estimating the value after restoration (from Intermountain Music in Salt Lake City):

Weyman Archtop Guitar, early '30s, Exc Condition & Playability, $950 Figured maple body, all solid & hand-carved

Click to expand...

For pics, go here:
http://www.guitarandbanjo.com/
Click "Inventory"
Click "Archtops"
Scroll to the bottom and click the camera icon on the right.

Thanks for all the great information and suggestions. I think I might take it to a vintage shop not to far from me to get it looked at...I keep you posted.

Interesting guitar!!
The f holes in the guitar look alot like the f holes in vintage Harmony's.
Weymann could possibly be a brand that was made by Harmony "back in the day".

skinny

I'm familiar with the brand, mostly because of the "Weymann MandoLute", which is really just an ugly flat backed mandolin. They should be decent instruments, but not high end like most older Martin & Gibson instruments, but better than entry level. Worth restoring if you don't have to put many hundreds of $$ into it.