Weissenborn Question

Brad Richard · Post by **Brad Richard** » 26 Aug 2022 9:39 am

I'm thinking of buying a Weissenborn type slide guitar. Does anyone have any experience with the Gold Tone? I'm trying to find something decent that I can afford (I don't know that the el cheapo Chinese products would fill the bill). Thanks for your help. Brad

Peter Krebs · Post by **Peter Krebs** » 26 Aug 2022 9:47 am

There’s a good looking Iseman in the classifieds right now. Might be a bit more that you’re thinking of spending, but it’s a good price for a great guitar that’ll last you for a good long while!

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 26 Aug 2022 10:02 am

Imperial out of California builds some nice model Weissenborns.
I bought the deep model from them and I like it.
Erv

Brad Davis · Post by **Brad Davis** » 26 Aug 2022 10:09 am

I reviewed the SM+ model a couple years ago, compared it to a nicer more professional style 4 model Gold Tone once made.

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=352525

The SM+ is just okay, decent enough to start, IMO. For a bit more money you can maybe do better. GT used to have a couple different "cheap" models I think which were considered fairly lackluster, but now they seem to just have one GT-Weissenborn model below the SM+. It's probably well constructed for what it is, although the tone may not be all that special. Try one if you can but at retail it's probably not a bad deal. If you want to spend a little more you'd probably want to talk to a custom builder.

Brad Richard · Post by **Brad Richard** » 26 Aug 2022 10:51 am

Peter - Beautiful guitar, but a ways out of my price range. Thanks for replying.

Brad

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 26 Aug 2022 11:09 am

You can buy a real nice Imperial off of E Bay right now for $688.00.

Erv

Mark Evans · Post by **Mark Evans** » 26 Aug 2022 11:41 am

Give Lance at Lazy River guitars a call.

He often has a model off the bench with a flaw that he’s willing to sell for less.
More than a Gold tone, but WAY WAY WAY more tone and quality than a Gold Tone… will hold value. His sapelle guitars are reasonable and excellent
] http://lazyriverguitars.com/

Brad Richard · Post by **Brad Richard** » 26 Aug 2022 12:55 pm

Hi Erv - I saw an Imperial on ebay and made an offer. Thanks for the tip!

Brad

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 26 Aug 2022 1:02 pm

Brad,
I think that's a good deal.
If you pull up the Imperial site they are asking a couple of hundred more for the same guitar.

Erv

Brad Richard · Post by **Brad Richard** » 26 Aug 2022 1:11 pm

Well, we'll see

Jeff Bell · Post by **Jeff Bell** » 26 Aug 2022 1:19 pm

Mark Evans wrote:Give Lance at Lazy River guitars a call.

He often has a model off the bench with a flaw that he’s willing to sell for less.
More than a Gold tone, but WAY WAY WAY more tone and quality than a Gold Tone… will hold value. His sapelle guitars are reasonable and excellent
] http://lazyriverguitars.com/

I concur. Great person to deal with, also!

Brad Richard · Post by **Brad Richard** » 26 Aug 2022 3:31 pm

Well, that was quick. Erv, I made an offer on the Imperial, it was accepted and I'll probably have it next week. I'm really looking forward to it.
Thanks to all who replied. I always get the help I need at the SGF.

Brad

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 27 Aug 2022 7:12 am

Brad,
I think you'll like it, congratulations.

Erv