Natural Simplicity

Basic Weissenborn style acoustic lap steel. Loosely based on the original Style One Weissenborn. It is ideal for those after a simple unassuming guitar that is very natural in appearance, built to the same exacting standards as all subsequent models but without the added trims and customisations. The lack of binding and its low-key satin finish gives this guitar a very earthy appearance.

AUD$1,600

Unassuming Trim

This guitar features the addition of top and back body binding to provide an elegant instrument, also affording the added structural integrity by sealing the end-grain of the timber and protecting the edges from impact. Its robust build makes it ideal as a stage instrument.

AUD$2,000

Intricate Beauty

A contrasting timber binding and optional purfling makes this guitar visually striking. As well as additional trim, this guitar features a polished full gloss finish that will make the high figured blackwood body sparkle.

AUD$2,400

Inspired by Tradition

Made from Hawaiian Koa, the timber used on original Weissenborn guitars. Koa is a difficult wood to source and is subject to availability. A throwback to the early days of Hawaiian music and Hermann Weissenborn's original creations.

AUD$2,400

Unique tonewoods, body shapes and much more

In addition to the standard range of instruments listed above, there are a number of custom style instruments that can be built. Listed below is just a few of the virtually endless possibilities. Contact us discuss custom instruments.

• Alternative tonewoods including Spruce, Western Red Cedar and Bunya Pine soundboards and Queensland Maple, Alpine Ash and Mango bodies.
• Unique body shapes including the 'teardrop' Weissenborn, deeper bodies, wider necks and much more.
• 8, 10, 12 string models.

(Contact for a quote)

Buy Accessories

Visit the Store now to buy slides, cases and other accessories.

Construction

All instruments are individually crafted in a humidity-controlled environment that ensures all components are stable during assembly.

Pickups

Guitars are sold without pickups; a range of pickups can be installed. Listed below are the most common options. Many slide players elect to install two or more pickups -- all the pickups listed below can be installed in tandem with separate output jacks.

L.R. Baggs M1 Active

Magnetic soundhole-mounted pickups are among the most popular for many slide players, popularised by players such as Ben Harper and Jeff Lang. Richard Wilson Guitars recommends the L.R. Baggs M1 Active humbucking pickup for its lovely warm tone and adjustability. It features an onboard preamp, volume control and a 1/4" output jack (located in the tail end of the guitar). Price: $350 (incl. installation).

Fishman Matrix Infinity

For a more traditional acoustic pickup, a Fishman Matrix Infinity can be installed. It features an undersaddle transducer, offering outstanding note clarity. Features a 1/4" output jack with onboard preamp, and a soundhole-mounted volume control. Price: $350 (incl. installation).

L.R. Baggs iBeam Active

The award-winning L.R. Baggs iBeam Active bridge plate transducer is among the most faithful acoustic pickups available on the market, without the normal sticky 'quack' sound offered by piezo pickups. Features a 1/4" output jack with onboard preamp, and a soundhole-mounted volume control. Price: $400 (incl. installation).

Other pickups can be installed -- contact for a specific quote.

Standard Features

Most Weissenborns from RWGuitars come with the following basic features and specifications:

• Basic Specifications:
  • Weissenborn-style 'hourglass' shape
  • 15.25" Lower bout / 10.5" Upper bout / 8.5" Waist
  • 3" Body Depth at tail / 1" at headstock
  • 25" Scale length
  • Soundhole Rosette
  • GHS Phosphor Bronze Strings (setup for Open D tuning)
  • Hand scarved interal bracing
• Tonewoods:
  • Solid bookmatched tonewoods for top, back and sides
  • Solid spruce internal bracing
• Fretboard:
  • Solid Ebony
  • Mother of Pearl position markers
  • Flush timber fret markers
  • Genuine bone nut
  • 1.75" (45mm) string spacing at nut
• Bridge:
  • Hand carved solid Ebony
  • Hardwood bridge pins
  • Genuine bone saddle
  • 2.5" (63mm) string spacing
• Finish:
  • Pre-Catalysed Lacquer

Alternative Tonewoods

In addition to the standard Tasmanian Blackwood and Koa, there are many native and imported timbers available, as well as a range of soundboard woods.

• Sitka Spruce (soundboard; imported)
• Lutz Spruce (soundboard; imported)
• Western Red Cedar (soundboard; imported)
• Bunya Pine (soundboard)
• Queensland Maple
• Alpine Ash
• Mango (imported)
• Mahogany (imported)
• Sapele (imported)
• Cocobolo (imported)
• Indian Rosewood (imported)

Contact us if you'd like more information about alternative tonewoods.

Lacquer Finishes

As standard, all guitars are finished with a satin pre-catalysed lacquer. This finish adds a richness to the appearance of the instrument, bringing out the natural beauty of the woods.

For an additional charge of AUD$500, any custom guitar can be finished with a gloss lacquer. Such a finish will generally add a minimum of four weeks onto the expected completion date, due to the necessary periods of levelling, respraying, buffing and curing that aren't required for the standard satin finishes.

About the Weissenborn

The Weissenborn's creation is largely owing to a Hawaiian music boom in the early 20th Century. Hermann Weissenborn, a German immigrant to New York who originally worked building and repairing violins and pianos before moving to Los Angeles and focusing on building guitars.

It is Weissenborn's Style 1-4 instruments made from Hawaiian Koa that have led to Weissenborn's name becoming synonymous with the iconic hollow neck lap steel.

The Weissenborn is known for its 'hourglass' or 'teardrop' body shape, tapered neck and 'fretboard' with flush markers. Its deep rich tone and booming volume are owing to its hollow neck design that extends the acoustic chamber the length of the body and its stiff Koa that offers amazing sustain and warmth.

The Weissenborn's resurgence in recent years is owing largely to its beautiful tone that has seen it become the instrument of choice for players like Ben Harper.

Old versus New

The instruments sold through this website feature a number of changes to the original design.

• Modified bracing design including hand carved braces to maximise tone and structural integrity
• Martin style "flattop" bridge
• Modern "reverse" kerfed linings, offering greater strength and transfer of energy in the joint between the rim and top/back.
• Genuine bone for nut and saddle