More resonant or "hollow" sounding? More sustain? Perhaps less bass than a dred or 000 but with more focused midrange?

Any thoughts on the Lazy River models?

Steinar

I just got one of these, see link, from a guy from here, Australia and hollow and resonant is exactly how I've described it to friends who've yet to see and play around with it. That's the cedar top model anyway. He has another one made from Tasmanian Blackwood. I think Slider on this forum has one of them so he might be able to help you with an opinion on that model. Daniel ships all over the world, is really helpful and makes to suit your needs. And they are incredibly inexpensive I reckon for how good they are. I've only had it for about 2 months and could not be happier. Given the exchange rate, I think you'd come out pretty well. You'd probably get it shipped and all for under $2000, for a wonderfully crafted, luthier made wiess. it's cheap compared to the others I've seen. However, I'd get in fast if I were you because he'll be putting his prices up pretty soon I'd say as he's getting a very good name. And I'd have to say, having payed for mine now , he deserves to be getting alot more than he is given the quality of what he does. If you're interested at all, everything you need to know can be found in the link I've left. But quite honestly, the sustain is extraordianry. A pick up is optional as well and personaly I luv playing through the amp. I think it's only about another $150 for a pickup. But I also find it sounds great through mic. One thing, you may find the look a little different. The sound holes are like carved flames reather than round. But best to let you take a look and stop rambling on. Good luck. Hope you find what you're after.

(This thread is starting to sound like a testimonial for Brauchli guitars )

Here's what the Blackwood version sounds like.

...and here's a Cedar version like aloka has.

... very different from each other.

(By the way, Loud Librarian, the first song on my myspace page is my spruce/black walnut Lazy River, if you want to hear another example (the other three tunes are Oahus)).

Fred

quote:

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Originally posted by buggy rider:
I'm a little bit excited that my DB should be finished in the next fortnight or so - I've ordered a blackwood model with black tuners and the K&K pick up. Will post some pics so we can compare Aloka and Slider. I actually saw them on this forum and ordered one straight away - couldn't belive the price for such a great looking instrument. Sorry to hijack the thread about my impending arrival. Loud Librarian - what's your price range?

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Sounds like it'll look a lot like mine.

Daniels fortnight* is a little longer than most - well worth the wait though.

*I heard the other day that Americans do not use/know the term fortnight - is that correct?

quote:

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Originally posted by Weissen-guy:
Two weeks?

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I made the film just for fun because I like these cheap old Oahus, and the response was quite surprising (getting messages along the "Dude, thanks, you just saved me $600!" lines ).

Fred

Oh yeah, my string arrangement of 46 38 24 18 13 works out perfectly for me because I like using bass G and D so with that arrangement both tunings sound good without any neck stress worries. Daniel double braced it for me anyway, just to allay any fears I may have had.

I also own a Lazy River mahogany which has a real "smoked voice" as Rance describes it.
You can hear a clip here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5IhuzpODco

Most lapslide-playing-time receives my "Tony Francis" weiss. It's a all blackwood copy of a Style 4 Weissenborn. Killer sound and huge sustain. Compared to the LR and certainly to the DB its stingheight is low. I love to play my old blues and gospel stuff on it. Tony's website will be up soon so keep an eye on him.
Here's a clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t53K9ahCddU
at the end of the clip I show the guitar in detail.

I've been fingerpicking since 1971 and lapsliding only since last year. I really regret I did not start earlier...these guitars have a streak of magic...you will not regret investing in one of these. It's also a welcome variation to regular guitarplaying plus I'm told that lapsliders get all the girls :-)

that Lazy river is back on ebay with a starting bid of $799
http://cgi.ebay.com/Lazy-River-Weissenborn-Lap-Steel-Guitar_W0QQitemZ200096730049QQihZ010QQcategoryZ2384QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

there's also an interesting vintage Hilo, restored by Paddy Burgin, a great player and Weiss luthier as well

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-HILO-Weissenborn-Style-Guitar_W0QQitemZ280102971688QQihZ018QQcategoryZ2385QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The construction is very well done.. It has great sustain and is a joy to play. Part of me wishes I had gone with Koa instead of blackwood as it hasn't 'opened up' as much as I had hoped. This is not the fault of the instrument but likely more a mistake I made on selecting the right wood for the sound I was looking for. Having played several original Koa Weiss' and as well as some Koa replica I prefer that sound.

By the way... I was at the 12th fret in Toronto a couple weeks ago and hanging on the wall were two beauty Weiss''; A 1921 Style 3 and a brand new Rayco Master Grade Koa Hawaiian Guitar:

http://rayco.ca/RRGallery/More-Koa-available

I feel compelled to say that after putting down the '21 Style 3 and picking up the Rayco.. I can honesly say that the Rayco is as close to the real deal as I have played. Rayco is new to building Weiss replicas but they are doing a FINE job and I highly suggest that if you are in the position to drop about $3200 CAN you consider the Rayco. It played like it was 80 yrs old. They are out of Smithers BC and as a Canadian it is nice to have such an option while shopping locally.

Hope that helps.
Peace.

Marty

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Originally posted by Yama:
I would definitely work with Rance again.

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So will I, he's built two weissenborns for me so far and I have only positive experiences with him. My next Lazy River might be a flattop bottleneck slider though....

Steinar

Some more audio/video samples please!

quote:

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Originally posted by buggy rider:
Will post some mp3's when I've had a chance to play and record the DB... Aloka/Slider have you got any tracks we could hear?

BR

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I bought one of Daniel's first Weissenborn-style guitars and have had a couple since - blackwood and cedar. I currently have a cedar top and this is the one for me - so warm, yet the loudest weissenborn-style guitar I have heard with heaps of bite. It must be the carbon bracing and the larger than normal depth.

I just bought an original Kona and was going to have to sell the Brauchli to finance it - the Kona is absolutely awesome, but when I A/B'd the two guitars I just couldn't sell the Brauchli - it's just too good. It's a keeper for sure.

quote:

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Originally posted by Tim G:
Did someone say 'Brauchli Weissenborn'?

I bought one of Daniel's first Weissenborn-style guitars and have had a couple since - blackwood and cedar. I currently have a cedar top and this is the one for me - so warm, yet the loudest weissenborn-style guitar I have heard with heaps of bite. It must be the carbon bracing and the larger than normal depth.

I just bought an original Kona and was going to have to sell the Brauchli to finance it - the Kona is absolutely awesome, but when I A/B'd the two guitars I just couldn't sell the Brauchli - it's just too good. It's a keeper for sure.

Tim

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Glad to hear it Tim, you had me worried for a while there.

AND I still reckon Daniel should put you on commission.

The originals were sold off several years ago and have since been replaced with very high quality “Celtic Cross” copies. To my ears it’s not just the wood and the builder but also the tuning that makes the sound of the instrument. I find that by taking a “D” (151351) shape up to an “E” or even down to a “C” can really bring out the best in some instruments, The same is true with the other tunings.

The choice of woods for the top seems to make the biggest difference but not always. I had a baritone weissenborn (30” scale) built with a black walnut body and a mahogany top, it was a beautiful instrument but very muddy sounding. I replaced it with a baritone built with a Paduk body and a mahogany top from the same plank. This instrument sounds amazingly huge with a clear but mellow tone; it records very well and lives in “A” tuning. My new blackwood “Celtic Cross” Kona copy was very bright, and loud. It started life in a “G” tuning but as its mellow over the last year its been moved to a “D” tuning and is by far the finest sounding and looking instruments I have ever owned or played. My standard (25”scale) all Mahogany “Celtic Cross” weissenborn Copy is tuned to a “G6th” (615135) but sounds best in “E” tuning.

I’ve had all of my weissenborn copies built by Neil @ “Celtic Cross” in Victoria, B.C., and couldn’t be happier with my instruments, the personable service and great pricing.

quote:

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Originally posted by Tim G:
Did someone say 'Brauchli Weissenborn'?

I bought one of Daniel's first Weissenborn-style guitars and have had a couple since - blackwood and cedar. I currently have a cedar top and this is the one for me - so warm, yet the loudest weissenborn-style guitar I have heard with heaps of bite. It must be the carbon bracing and the larger than normal depth.

I just bought an original Kona and was going to have to sell the Brauchli to finance it - the Kona is absolutely awesome, but when I A/B'd the two guitars I just couldn't sell the Brauchli - it's just too good. It's a keeper for sure.

Tim

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Fred

quote:

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Originally posted by TonyFrancis:
[QUOTE]Yep. I think the old ones are more for collectors. Git building technology has come a long way since the oldies were built. A.[QUOTE]

Surely that comment shows a total lack of knowlege on the part of the quoter. I believe strongly that more of these amazing instruments needs to be in the hands of players...where they can be appreciated!
A far superior sounding and playing instrument to 95% of modern remakes...even if some of the earlier models were a little crude.
Surely we should all be striving to at least play a late 20's H Weissenborn before we knock the most influential acoustic hawaiian maker?

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"In any event, the Weissenborn is a really magical instrument. They used to be quite common. I'm on the same label in France as Ben Harper and so, of course, all these French journalists are saying [adopts Vairry French accent] , “Oh, Monsieur Brozman, you are using ze same eenstrooment like Ben 'a-pur." And I'm forced to reveal my age by saying, “Yes. I bought my first Weissenborn the same year Ben Harper was born." Which is kind of a double-edged thing…

Anyway, they're fascinating instruments. They have an incredible bass. You know, the body depth is quite shallow, actually. But you've got this long piece of wood on the back that's the entire length of the instrument. They're lovely instruments to use on stage. I just think they're fascinating.

I've got my set of them and I'm happy. But I don't expect that I'll ever get any more. Harper's got about 30 of 'em. Now there are makers actually starting to make them again - but it's really a case of function following form. If you don't make it exactly like the old ones they just simply don't have the sound. There's some real secrets to how they were made."

Amen to that Mr Brozman.

Steinar

Every fine old instrument that has passed through my hands has left me in better condition then when I acquired it, it’s the least I can do for these fine pieces of history.

I have to agree with Alan. I do not in anyway mean to take away from these fine old instruments but they were a production built item, some very finely built others not so much. The two original Weissenborns that I owned had loose bracings and one had a pulled top, they were both long past there prime.On the other side of the coin I have played a couple of real fine examples, now well out of my price range.

The small independent luthiers of today have more time to send at there craft, modern tools and materials that make the job easier along with world wide sales due to the internet.