Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 30

Thread: id help on Weymann

  1. #1
    Michael Culliton mculliton123's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Aurora, Illinois
    Posts
    271

    Default id help on Weymann

    Can anyone help me find out more about my Weymann mandolin, please?
    It's a bowlback "tater-bug" with Serial No. 24049 on the head and the Number 15.( maybe model no.?) looking for info as to date made, location, etc
    THX
    Mike Culliton
    Last edited by mculliton123; Dec-10-2009 at 10:42am.

  2. #2
    Registered User bigbike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Rogersville TN
    Posts
    166
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: id help on Weymann

    Do you have a photo or two that you can post? The Weymann tag on the back of the peghead could help, as these did change slightly over the years, so if we can see a photo of it, that will help narrow the years down. Weymann plant use to stand where "The Gallery" shopping mall is in downtown Phila. When they built that blasted mall, they leveled everything within a couple of block area. At least my Stewart instruments still have the original building (even if the facade has changed) that I still may take them back to to see if any resonate when they get near their birthplace!
    If it ain't got at least 3 strings on it, it ain't worth playing.

    Just sittin back, pickin and grinnin!

    Thank you AMY RAY for giving me an interest in mandolin and bouzouki, as well as Bill M, and countless others!

  3. #3
    Michael Culliton mculliton123's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Aurora, Illinois
    Posts
    271

    Default Re: id help on Weymann

    Thx for the reply. sorry the camera won't focus any closer to the tag.
    it says " Weymann Keystone State" in a larger block font then " manuf'd by Weymann & Sons" in a smaller script font. then U.S.A.
    it's missing the tail-piece cover, which leads to another question: try to find a replacement cover or just replace the whole tail-piece?
    it sounds great, lots of sustain. this is my first mandolin and i'm really lovin' it.
    thx again
    Mike Culliton
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	mandolin 001.JPG 
Views:	480 
Size:	324.7 KB 
ID:	48261   Click image for larger version. 

Name:	mandolin 003.JPG 
Views:	368 
Size:	324.1 KB 
ID:	48262   Click image for larger version. 

Name:	mandolin 004.JPG 
Views:	415 
Size:	320.4 KB 
ID:	48263  

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	mandolin 005.JPG 
Views:	362 
Size:	274.7 KB 
ID:	48264  

  4. #4
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,874

    Default Re: id help on Weymann

    It was sold by Weymann in Philadelphia, it might have been made by them or it may have been farmed out to another manufacturer (no matter what the decal says). Weymann was also a retailer of musical instruments. You're looking for a Waverly Cloud tailpiece cover. That same tailpiece was used by most manufacturers including Martin, Kay, Harmony and was used on some Gibson models as well. You can place an ad in the classifieds here on the cafe and see if someone has one or you can watch eBay for one. If you don't care about keeping it original you can replace it or you can just play it without the cover.

  5. #5
    Michael Culliton mculliton123's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Aurora, Illinois
    Posts
    271

    Default Re: id help on Weymann

    thx, Mike. i'll try to find a replacement. this once had a 'bad' repair job done on it so the collector 'value' isn't there. a local luthier did a great job getting it back into shape w/o any collatoral damage. don't mind playing w/o the cover but the string ends catch on my sleeve. lol
    thx again
    Mike C

  6. #6
    Registered User bigbike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Rogersville TN
    Posts
    166
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: id help on Weymann

    I would say that the tuners have been replaced at sometime. They certainly do not look original to me (or it could be the photo). Other than a few minor issues like the tuners and the tailpiece-how does it play? Does it have good tone and sustain? What guage and brand strings are on it?
    If it ain't got at least 3 strings on it, it ain't worth playing.

    Just sittin back, pickin and grinnin!

    Thank you AMY RAY for giving me an interest in mandolin and bouzouki, as well as Bill M, and countless others!

  7. #7
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Rochester NY 14610
    Posts
    17,378

    Default Re: id help on Weymann

    Quote Originally Posted by bigbike View Post
    I would say that the tuners have been replaced at sometime. They certainly do not look original to me...
    I had a Weymann Keystone State mandolute that had quite similar tuners -- the button and worm gear shaft cast in one piece. Doesn't mean these couldn't be replacements, though.
    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
    Natl Triolian Dobro mando
    Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

  8. #8
    Michael Culliton mculliton123's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Aurora, Illinois
    Posts
    271

    Default Re: id help on Weymann

    Sorry that the pix are so bad, the camera won't focus any closer . the buttons/shafts look to be 2 different pieces, buttons might be aluminum ??
    not steel but a light metal.shafts look to be inserted in the buttons. the strings are 9/13/20/32 GHS. I never played a mandolin before wednesday, been a guitar guy for many years. but i inherited a 1925 Martin Tiple which perked my interest in all things fretted ( with at least 3 strings lol)..I got this mando at a local pawn shop. Like i said, it was the victim of a bad repair job at some stage, so the tuners might not be original. I had a local Luthier get it back in playing order. i am surprised by the sound of this instrument. very bright and the sustain goes on forever.!!! had to learn a few new chord shapes but this thing is a ball. guess i won't be playing my D-28 for a while.
    thx for your help
    Mike Culliton

  9. #9
    Registered User 8ch(pl)'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Suburb of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
    Posts
    2,221

    Default Re: id help on Weymann

    There is a serial number list, but it starts at 35,000 for 1924. Yours would be, of course, much earlier.

  10. #10
    Michael Culliton mculliton123's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Aurora, Illinois
    Posts
    271

    Default Re: id help on Weymann

    I did not know that there was a list. thx for pointing this out.. is it available on-line?
    thx for all of your help.
    Mike C

  11. #11
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,874

    Default Re: id help on Weymann

    I'm not so sure the tuners aren't original. I've had the same tuners on early banjo mandolins. If they were changed it was a long time ago. The screws aren't phillips, they are slotted from what I can tell.

  12. #12
    Michael Culliton mculliton123's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Aurora, Illinois
    Posts
    271

    Default Re: id help on Weymann

    Yes the screws are indeed slotted, and the worm-gear shafts appear to be squared off and inserted into the buttons.
    so, .... if the serial number list is correct, depending on the production volume per year, this could be as old as ~ 1920?? or teens ?
    didn't realize that, cool.
    Thx
    Mike

  13. #13
    MandolaViola bratsche's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    south florida
    Posts
    2,820

    Default Re: id help on Weymann

    Hi guys,

    I have a Weymann Mandolute Style 40 with the serial number 15931. Since you're talking years and lists, does anyone know when this one was made? Thanks!

    bratsche
    "There are two refuges from the miseries of life: music and cats." - Albert Schweitzer

    GearGems - Gifts & apparel for musicians and more!
    MandolaViola's YouTube Channel

  14. #14
    Registered User 8ch(pl)'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Suburb of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
    Posts
    2,221

    Default Re: id help on Weymann

    There is a banjo list on Joe Bethancourt's site, White Tree Productions. When you get there go to the Miscellany, then to Banjo serial numbers.

    it is a really good list for Fairbanks Vega and Vega, as well as others. i believe the Vega banjo serial numbers are in line with their mandolins as well.

  15. #15
    MandolaViola bratsche's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    south florida
    Posts
    2,820

    Default Re: id help on Weymann

    Hi Glen,

    If the Vega banjo numbers are in line with Vega mandolin numbers, then that puts my Vega bowlback at 1911. However, if that is true of Weymann as well (and I don't know if it is), then the list on that site for Weymann banjos doesn't go nearly far back enough to help identify the date of my Weymann mandolute.

    bratsche
    "There are two refuges from the miseries of life: music and cats." - Albert Schweitzer

    GearGems - Gifts & apparel for musicians and more!
    MandolaViola's YouTube Channel

  16. #16
    Registered User 8ch(pl)'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Suburb of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
    Posts
    2,221

    Default Re: id help on Weymann

    No that's true. I believe the list is made up from surviving sales receipts and maybe some historical information from the manufacturer. I can't swear to this. My Vega mandolin banjo's serial number falls between the last known number for 1918 and the first known number for 1919, on this list.

    There were a number of Weymann Tenor bnajos in Nova Scotia, I have seen several and heard of others and would guess they may have been as popular here as were Vega instruments. I have seen a lot more Vega mandolin banjos than I have Weymanns however, but perhaps Vega built more of them at the time.

    it seems to me that I have seen a Weymann Serial Number at about 17,000. I remembered at the time how far off from the list they were.

  17. #17

    Default Re: id help on Weymann

    Just to chime in, I've got a Weymann Model 12, serial 18703. Anyone know approx. age & or value? needs a little repair, but not bad at all. Thanks.

  18. #18
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Westchester, NY
    Posts
    30,753

    Default Re: id help on Weymann

    Quote Originally Posted by bigbike View Post
    I would say that the tuners have been replaced at sometime.
    For some reason, Weymann used those metal button tuners on many of their bowlbacks -- and they were one of the few mandolins that had them. Most of the examples I have pics of, tho, were the inlaid kind, like the one attached.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	2827..jpg 
Views:	343 
Size:	64.4 KB 
ID:	56232  
    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
    Facebook
    19th Century Tunes
    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

  19. #19
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Ann Arbor/Austin
    Posts
    6,281

    Default Re: id help on Weymann

    Quote Originally Posted by bigbike View Post
    Do you have a photo or two that you can post? The Weymann tag on the back of the peghead could help, as these did change slightly over the years, so if we can see a photo of it, that will help narrow the years down. Weymann plant use to stand where "The Gallery" shopping mall is in downtown Phila. When they built that blasted mall, they leveled everything within a couple of block area. At least my Stewart instruments still have the original building (even if the facade has changed) that I still may take them back to to see if any resonate when they get near their birthplace!
    Found this Weymann ad recently which has an address for 'factory' in what I presume is Philadelphia. Google maps shows it somewhere between the mint and the river. Looks like a couple of later smaller infill buildings on the site at that address. Bigbike, maybe the Gallery perhaps took over the 9th St. site mentioned on this ad? Any more first-hand information on the Weymann sites in Philadelphia? Sounds like we are both interested in the history of these old mandolin production sites.....

    I admit to being a bit lazy on my general 'Weymann' search here so I might have missed more posts of more comprehensive Weymann catalog information.

    Mick
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Weymann Ad.jpg 
Views:	336 
Size:	167.7 KB 
ID:	71366  
    Ever tried, ever failed? No matter. Try again, fail again. Fail better.--Samuel Beckett
    ______________________

    '05 Cuisinart Toaster
    '93 Chuck Taylor lowtops
    '12 Stetson Open Road
    '06 Bialetti expresso maker
    '14 Irish Linen Ramon Puig

  20. #20
    Registered User Mattmando's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    New York
    Posts
    8

    Default Re: id help on Weymann

    Hello,
    New guy on the board here- I'm getting my grandfather's
    Weymann 15 back into playing condition, so I was searching
    around old posts and found this thread. McCulliton, I have
    Weymann 15, number 24079, thirty past yours! Something of
    a coincidence...
    I'm new to playing mandolins, and have everything to learn.
    I'm a ukulele player, also play bass guitar, and played cello years ago.

    Cheers,
    -Matt

  21. #21
    Registered User
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Posts
    8
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: id help on Weymann

    If anyone is still interested I've managed to compile a Weymann Serial number list from the 14,000's listed below. This was compiled by 2 mandolutes coming to light, one with a purchase date and the other was dated from the patent pending tag. As has been pointed out the same sequence was used by Weymann for all their instruments, however for some reason some do not contain serial or model numbers.
    I believe this list below is accurate to within a year, the serial number listed is at the start of the year. I have not found any information as to dating serial number prior to this list, if anyone can help please leave a post.
    14000 1911
    16000 1912
    18000 1913
    20000 1914
    22000 1915
    23500 1916
    25000 1917
    26300 1918
    27800 1919
    29200 1920
    30600 1921
    32100 1922
    33500 1923
    From existing website
    35000 1924
    37000 1925
    39000 1926
    41000 1927
    43000 1928
    45000 1929
    45500 1930
    46000 1931
    46800 1932
    47500 1933
    48200 1934

  22. #22
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Westchester, NY
    Posts
    30,753

    Default Re: id help on Weymann

    mathura: Perhaps you can clarify what your list is. I understand taking a number from an instrument with a sales receipt (is that what you mean by purchase date). But what do you mean by "patent pending tag"? I assume this is the "existing website"?

    Thanks for the addendum to the list.
    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
    Facebook
    19th Century Tunes
    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

  23. #23
    Registered User
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Posts
    8
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: id help on Weymann

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    mathura: Perhaps you can clarify what your list is. I understand taking a number from an instrument with a sales receipt (is that what you mean by purchase date). But what do you mean by "patent pending tag"? I assume this is the "existing website"?

    Thanks for the addendum to the list.
    Hi Jim, Yes the first was from an instrument with a sales receipt. The other was a mandolute with a 'patent pending' label, and the patent was approved in March 1912. Production started 1910 so the instrument was most likely made 1910-early 1912.

    Another Weymann instrument has turned up with a serial number of 34034 with a sales receipt of 1924, so this will change the existing list a little.

  24. #24
    Registered User 8ch(pl)'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Suburb of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
    Posts
    2,221

    Default Re: id help on Weymann

    That instrument may have been in the shop for a period of time before it was sold, or could have been delayed in the factory before it was shipped. There is no way to tell the lag time between a date of manufacture and a sales date.

  25. #25
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Ann Arbor/Austin
    Posts
    6,281

    Default Re: id help on Weymann

    Old Weymann catalog up for sale on the ebay:

    Weymann Catalog

    Mick
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Weymann Ad 3.jpg 
Views:	269 
Size:	56.9 KB 
ID:	97098  
    Ever tried, ever failed? No matter. Try again, fail again. Fail better.--Samuel Beckett
    ______________________

    '05 Cuisinart Toaster
    '93 Chuck Taylor lowtops
    '12 Stetson Open Road
    '06 Bialetti expresso maker
    '14 Irish Linen Ramon Puig

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •