Weymann Mandolute

**Darryl Wolfe** · Jan-25-2005, 7:50pm

it's kinda heavy for its size..ie not real lightly built

**Darryl Wolfe** · Jan-25-2005, 7:55pm

like this

**Jim Garber** · Jan-25-2005, 8:14pm

Originally Posted by (f5journl @ Jan. 25 2005, 20:48)

OK..so what did I just accidentally receive that was not what I bid on and won from this guy in Hawaii

Darryl:
Please explain... you accidentally received a Weymann mandolute?

Jim

**Darryl Wolfe** · Jan-25-2005, 10:11pm

I won this...

link

and received the above (two posts up pic) in the mail today

**bratsche** · Jan-25-2005, 10:48pm

Looks like the same instrument to me. What were you expecting to receive?

bratsche

**Martin Jonas** · Jan-26-2005, 2:59am

I think the second half of Darryl's story is here. It only makes sense to me on reading both threads, but I believe what happened is that he bid on the Weymann specifically for the open tuners shown on Ebay, whereas the one he got has closed tuners. Looking closer, it's indeed not the same instrument -- the one he received has the fiddle-like rim around the edge, which doesn't seem to be on the Ebay photos, and the binding looks different. Have I got that right, Darryl?

That's a strange substitution, but at least it doesn't look like deliberate deception: The instrument you got looks to be higher up the range than the one you bid on, so as long as the condition is similar, it may well have been a better deal. Won't help you, of course, if you only wanted to scavenge the tuners from it, but at least it means that you should be able to sell it on for at least what you paid if the seller won't exchange for the right instrument.

Martin

**Bob DeVellis** · Jan-26-2005, 7:16am

Darryl - The one you got is a dead ringer for mine, aluminum tuner buttons and all.

**bratsche** · Jan-26-2005, 8:57am

Hmm... I see, I think. Though the ebay pictures are more numerous, they are of poorer quality, and we only have the one picture of Darryl's actual received instrument. The former looks to be mahogany, and the latter flamed maple. So to me, from what I've read, it seems as though the one received (Style 20) is a higher quality model than the one pictured!

(Where are you, Mandolooter Jeff?) I believe Jeff said the closed tuners - if those are what are on the received instrument - were a decided upgrade over their open ones. Indeed, they are the only tuners (the closed ones) on Weymann Mandolutes that I've ever read consistent praises for (or even seen personally). So I really don't understand why Darryl was hoping to get the cheaper ones...

Or am I the one who's still confused?

bratsche

**Jim Garber** · Jan-26-2005, 9:02am

Originally Posted by (bratsche @ Jan. 26 2005, 09:57)

So I really don't understand why Darryl was hoping to get the cheaper ones...

I think he was thinking that they would be the proper tuners for other vintage mandolins, likely Gibsons. The higherned tuners would only work in routed headstocks which Gibsons never used.

Jim

**danb** · Jan-26-2005, 9:04am

They're replacement arrow-end tuners for vintage Gibson A-models..

**bratsche** · Jan-26-2005, 10:10am

So you're saying someone would spend over 200 bucks, plus shipping, to snag a vintage instrument in nice condition, just to strip the tuners off it to use on another vintage instrument (leaving the first one tunerless)? If so, I guess I really do live in a different world... or universe, maybe

bratsche

**Darryl Wolfe** · Jan-26-2005, 10:35am

QUOTE>>So you're saying someone would spend over 200 bucks, plus shipping, to snag a vintage instrument in nice condition, just to strip the tuners off it to use on another vintage instrument (leaving the first one tunerless)? If so, I guess I really do live in a different world... or universe, maybe

bratsche

OK Bratsche..lighten up..I didn't say I would strip them off..but to me...the mando with the tuners on it that are worth $175 alone..makes the $225 I paid for the thing more worth it than $225 for one without them...(on Gibson mandolins, they only appeared on Loar era snakeheads).And...just in case a dire need comes up, I could always replace the ones on the Weymann with some others, that are from the period..I have about 10 sets of teens and '20's tuners...but I have no arrow-end Loar period tuners on hand like the one on the Weymann I bid on. #I hope that clarifies things

dgw

**Darryl Wolfe** · Jan-26-2005, 10:38am

BTW...one of our other cafe member paid about $900 for a screwy banjo mandolin with Loar A-5 tuners on it..so..go figure

**Jim Garber** · Jan-26-2005, 10:39am

Interesting dilemma, Darryl. You got a nicer Weymann but not one with the tuners you wanted. So what will you do? Strange predicament.

Jim

**Darryl Wolfe** · Jan-26-2005, 10:41am

try to get them both at a discount

**onthefiddle** · Jan-26-2005, 10:48am

Somewhere, in one of my many still unpacked boxes, I have the catalogue of a small old German family firm who will make tuners to your design and specification (plating, engraving, button materials etc...). Their prices were very reasonable when I was last in touch with them.
I'll post their contact details here when I come across them (don't hold your breath though - I've got a pile of work to do before I carry on unpacking).

Jon

**bratsche** · Jan-26-2005, 10:50am

Didn't mean to come off as a "heavy", Darryl, I'm just tryin' to comprehend the situation here. So you are sayin' that Weymann's low-end tuners, that nobody seems to think are near as good as their high end ones, are worth $175 in the current market? Wow! (whistles) I just didn't realize the tuners were the make-or-break part of the deal for you, and thought you got the instrument you did for a pretty decent price, if it's in the condition as stated.

bratsche, still scratching head

**Darryl Wolfe** · Jan-26-2005, 10:54am

thanks Bratsche...I didnt mean to sound heavy either. I'm just now acquiring a Weymann taste too...

Here is the response from the seller

ALoha, I just looked in my closet and holy God the Weymann is sitting right
> here! What did I send you?

Holy God, which one did I send you? I'm so
> sorry, what's your tel. # and I'll call you and work it out and I'll send you
> the Weymann, my fault totally, thank you, Irving

**onthefiddle** · Jan-26-2005, 11:06am

It just occurred to me that a friend sent me the contact details of the tuner maker in an email - so you didn't need to wait so long!
The company I was talking about is:

Ewald Sommer
Rosenhuegel 4,
91088 Bubenreuth
tel.: 0049 9131 24181
fax.: 0049 9131 24182

He also recommended another company, who are very helpful apparently:

Thomas Rubner GmbH
Gewerbepark 16
08258 Markneukirchen
tel.: 0049 37422 2540
fax.: 0049 37422 6000

Hope that helps!

Jon

**Darryl Wolfe** · Jan-26-2005, 11:17am

thanks..I'll check that out

**Darryl Wolfe** · Jan-26-2005, 11:20am

I'm going to post only in the other thread on the rest of this story (Looking for Information...)

**Nalleymon** · Jan-29-2011, 3:17pm

1920"s Vintage Weymann Model 25 Mandolute Mandolin
After playing this Mandolin I and others after listening say its projects the complete range Bass and Treble very well its very clear and warm and loud if ya want
The Finger board and frets are set up well
This Mandolin has some scratches and wear but its has allot of years put on her. I'm really happy with the sound and the way it plays There are more beautiful instruments to the eye but the sound and playability don't get much better
The construction is solid that's why they last. Its old growth wood
Its a sweety and a player for recording and concerts

They get allot more expensive but not much sweeter
;-)

Blessed again
PMN

**mathura** · Jul-22-2012, 10:18am

Hi bratsche, I know this is an old post but do you have the serial number of the mandolute in the "Attached Thumbnails" ? It looks like an early one from the decal and it maybe helpful in verifying other serial numbers.