2000s Superior (Berkeley Music) Weissenborn-Style Hawaiian Lap Guitar

While this is a more-recent Weissenborn-style Hawaiian slide guitar -- probably from the late '90s or early '00s -- it's also a nice one and more akin to the vintage instruments in overall sound and feel than a lot of Asian-import models being offered at the moment.

It was made in Mexico, and like many of the Paracho-made guitars and folk instruments coming out of Mexico, it has features that ground it in the trade down there. First-off, it has very wide rope binding like you see on bajo quintos and the like. Next, the solid cedar top over solid mahogany back and sides is a staple of guitar builds from the region. Capping that off is a classical-style rosette and nice, rosewood bridge and fretboard.

This one has some finish "gatoring" on the back of the headstock and a tiny repaired hairline crack on the upper-bout, bass side. It has some finish "weather-check" and a little "dishing" in the back finish (which causes it to look like it might have cracks when the light glares on it -- thought it doesn't) but it's otherwise in good order and appears nearly unplayed.

I like the wide string spacing, Knutsen-inspired nut shape, and general vibe of the whole thing,. I jammed with it on Friday, too, and it's quite loud and punchy for such a thin-body, 00/000-size instrument. It's built trim and tidy, has a thin finish, and has the looks nailed.

It comes with an oversized hard case.