Established - 1864 

Founded in Philadelphia, PA

 Weymann Musical Instrument Company

Remains one of the nations oldest and most coveted musical instrument manufacturers

 

 

While Weymann's legacy is most strongly associated with high quality acoustic instruments built between 1890 - 1940,

our new (modern) era should reflect a story, that of innovation and perseverance. The company's history is best understood in three key phases: the early innovative era, the decline driven by the Great Depression, and the contemporary revival. 

 

1864–1929: Rise and innovation:

H. A. Weymann and Son was founded in Philadelphia in 1864, beginning as a general item product retailer. In 1892, founder Henry Arnold Weymann died, and his son Harry W. Weymann took over, transforming the business from retail to full-scale manufacturing.

 

Acquisition of talent: 

A pivotal moment occurred in 1899 when Weymann bought equipment and hired employees from the recently shuttered S. S. Stewart banjo factory, further enhancing their instrument production.

 

Acoustic innovation: 

During the early 1900s, Weymann patented and produced one of the first "jumbo" body acoustic guitars—a design that produced a powerful, resonant sound nearly two decades before it was used by other manufacturers. The 1920s marked the peak of the company's manufacturing, Weymann produced both "highest grade" lines along with finely crafted "Keystone State" instruments.  Both of which, are highly regarded by collectors today.

 

 

Patents & Designs: 

Mandolute (Patent No. 43,684): Patented in 1913, the Mandolute was a cross between a lute and a mandolin. It was a commercial success and was heavily produced in the 1910s and early 1920s.

 

Stringed Musical Instrument (Patent No. 1,215,598): Patented in 1917, this invention, applied to banjo-mandolins, allowed for the adjustment of the string height above the fretboard to suit the player's preference.

 

Banjo Attachment (Patent No. 1,312,882): Patented in 1919, this patent was for a removable resonator box for banjos.

 

Tuning Peg (Patent No. 1,554,772): A patent for a variable geared tuning machine head was granted in 1925.

 

Tailpiece for Stringed Musical Instruments (Patent No. 1,615,152): This patent was issued in 1927.

 

 

Artist collaborations:  

In 1928, Weymann built a custom guitar for country music star Jimmie Rodgers, which influenced a signature "Special" edition.  Jimmie, who is considered the father of modern Country music, would go on to perform with his Weymann until his passing in 1933.

 

Bumps in the market: 

The stock market crash of 1929 and the death of Harry Weymann in 1930 would facilitate considerable challenges for the company. Instrument sales plummeted, and the company struggled to stay afloat.  By 1933, in-house manufacturing was reduced nearly 95%.  Though the retail shop continued up until the late 60's, Weymann's manufacturing would wind down to a near full-stop; surplus inventory was then parked into varying auxiliary warehouses owned by the family/company. 

 

Modern revival:

The Weymann brand has been revived in recent years. In 2017, the brand announced plans for a museum dedicated to the company's legacy.  Modern Weymann products are being released in very limited quantities and are of the highest boutique quality, almost all are made exclusively in the USA in collaboration with many industry giants.  In 2025, Weymann offered a line of limited edition, custom-shop electric guitars called the "Artist Pro".  While these instruments are different from the acoustics from the turn of the century, the use of archival materials, such as the 30's era "Model A" prototype bodies, connects the brand's past and present, shining into the future.  

 

Today, Weymann exists as both a collectible vintage brand and a modern, boutique grade instrument manufacturer.

The contemporary instruments pay homage to the company's history while catering to a new generation of musicians and collectors.