WEYMANN
Established 1864
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
United States of America
Weymann was founded by Heinrich Weymann (Wegmann) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Heinrich, affectionately known as "H.A." or "Henry," immigrated to the USA during the Swiss-German immigration wave of the 1800s. H.A.'s lineage has been largely obscure due to varying language and translation errors. (Click "Meet the Team" for more historical details!)
The Weymann store began as a general retail shop selling various commodities, including jewelry and cutlery. Between 1870 and 1885, the company began introducing finely crafted instruments from domestic manufacturers as well as German and French makers. H.A. developed an in-house manufacturing team by 1890 to produce unique instruments and hardware components. In 1892, his son Harry transformed the business into a thriving, full-scale musical instrument manufacturing operation.
A pivotal moment occurred in 1899 when Weymann purchased the surviving warehouse supply from the recently shuttered S.S. Stewart banjo factory and recruited the majority of the Stewart luthier staff who had lost their livelihoods.
Acoustic Innovation
Between 1900 and 1910, Weymann developed and patented the first "Jumbo" and "Super Jumbo" body acoustic guitars—designs that delivered a powerful, resonant sound. This was a vital development, as guitars were often drowned out by a band's horns and piano. The Weymann Jumbo was produced nearly two decades before any other manufacturer. The company found great success with the Weymann Mandolute, banjo, and acoustic guitar lines. They produced both "highest grade" lines and "Keystone State" instruments, which offered fine craftsmanship at a more accessible price. Both lines are highly regarded by collectors today.
Artist Collaborations
In 1928, Weymann built a custom guitar for country music pioneer Jimmie Rodgers, which inspired a signature "Special" edition. Rodgers, considered the father of modern country music, performed with his Weymann until his passing.
Market Challenges
The stock market crash of 1929 and the death of Harry Weymann in 1930 brought considerable challenges. Instrument sales plummeted during the Great Depression, and by 1933, in-house manufacturing was significantly reduced. By 1940, Weymann instruments were produced by other American manufacturers under OEM standards and licensing terms. The downtown retail shop and general distribution continued until 1969, while surviving surplus inventory was held in family-owned warehouses.
Modern Revival & Revolutionary Creations
Unlike businesses forced to liquidate, Weymann focused on legacy preservation. The estate preserved a sizable portion of warehouse surplus for a future chapter. In recent years, Weymann products have been released in very limited quantities, including "Reverb Exclusive" items. Almost every component is made in the USA.
Weymann’s current line includes the solid-body Model A, Model B, Artist, and Artist Pro. These instruments are constructed using archival surplus material, connecting the brand’s past and present. Today, Weymann exists as both a collectible vintage brand and a modern, boutique manufacturer, honoring its history while catering to a new generation of musicians.
(Reverb Exclusive) Weymann Model A Solid Body
The Weymann Model A is a solid-body electric guitar with a comfortable 25.5" scale. Made in the USA from overstock Weymann Mandolute body blanks, the Model A is a unique instrument with elegant appointments. With a total production run of only 100 units, it has been well-received by both modern and vintage enthusiasts.
Weymann Model A Prototype
The Model A Solid Body was developed from its predecessor: the Model A Prototype. Only 24 of these instruments were produced before the final version was approved. The Model A Prototype is one of the most significant and rarest instruments in the history of guitar evolution. Had it been released in the 1930s or 40s as intended, it would have been the world's first solid-body electric instrument. Still, we gladly tip our hats to P.A. Bigsby where credit is due!
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.