1900s Weymann 5-String Openback Banjo

Overview: We originally worked on this guy for a customer but he swapped-over to a different banjo instead, so it's now up for grabs. It's a quirky instrument because it has the simple, multi-ply maple rim with a Little Wonder-style tonering while also being mated to a mahogany neck. It's refinished at the rim and topcoated at the neck so the original finish coloring is, of course, missing. It's possible it's a Frankenstein instrument, but I have handled two other Weymann 5-strings from around the same time with exactly the same sort of build. In any case, it makes a nice old-timey instrument and we've strung it with Nylgut to simulate the gut strings it would've been used with originally.

Repairs included: We gave it a level/dress of the frets, fit a new head, new bone nut, new bridge, cleaned it up, and set it up. It previously had a refinish job on the rim and geared pegs installed. It's playing spot-on and ready to go.

• Weight: 5 lbs 5 oz
• Scale length: 27 1/8"
• Nut width: 1 1/4"
• Neck shape: medium-fuller C/V
• Board radius: flat
• Head diameter: 11”
• Depth overall at rim: 2 1/2"
• Rim wood: ply maple
• Tonering: Little Wonder-style hoop in sleeve
• Bridge: maple/ebony
• Fretboard: ebonized
• Neck wood: mahogany
• Action height at 12th fret: 3/32" overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: Aquila Nylgut lights
• Truss rod: nope
• Neck relief: hair of relief
• Fret style: low/small

Condition notes: It's inconclusive whether the rim and neck are original to one another, but they mate well, anyhow. The rim is refinished and the neck has overspray. There's wear and tear throughout the instrument via scratches, scuffs, nicks, etc. here and there. The head, bridge, and tuners are all non-original. Some of the hook/nuts are replaced or non-original. The headstock veneer has hairline cracks in it. We added side dots.

It comes with: Sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: BRDY