Weymann Orchestra Style A Plectrum Banjo (1927), ser. #42115, original black hard shell case.

Weymann Orchestra Style A Model Plectrum Banjo (1927), made in Philadelphia, PA, serial # 42115, natural varnish finish, laminated mahogany neck, rim and resonator; rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case. The Style A Orchestra model was the plainest banjo in Weymann's professional "Megaphonic" line but this is still a top quality instrument retailing originally at the not inconsiderable sum of $140.00. It features the company's patented megaphonic rim with the hooks running through it, the most elegant of all 1920's banjo designs. The pop-off resonator, held by spring clips with a decorative flange around the top edge is another beautifully engineered feature. Like all Weymann banjos, this is an extremely finely-made instrument with the company's customary attention to detail evident. The Style A is a very austere banjo by 1920's standards, with an almost Shaker aesthetic compared to many pearl (or pearloid) encrusted competitors. It offers all of Weymann's professional Megaphonic features with little added decoration. The neck is two-piece laminated mahogany with bound rosewood fingerboard inlaid with small pearl dots. The headstock overlay carries an arched "Weymann" logo inlaid in pearl letters and mounts the company's patented elegant recessed tuning pegs and a small identifying gold sticker on the back. The resonator is nicely figured mahogany with dark wood binding on both edges. The metal flange around the top rim of the resonator is the only purely decorative element. There is a natural rosewood armrest mounted to the hoop, another stylish and unique Weymann feature. The adjustable tension tailpiece is attached to the heavy hoop and has a nicely engraved slide-off cover. The parented Weymann neck adjustor is hidden under the resonator and still works quite well.This is a great sounding plectrum banjo, with a deeper and richer tone than many other types. Plectrum banjos by Weymann are rarer than the Tenor styles, which are not all that common themselves. Despite (or to some because of) the lack of heavy ornament this Style A is a timelessly elegant and very classy banjo for the 1920's or today!Overall length is 38 1/4 in. (97.2 cm.), 11 in. (27.9 cm.) diameter head, and 3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 26 3/4 in. (679 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/16 in. (30 mm.). This banjo remains in extremely clean original condition, unaltered and apparently not much played for well over 90 years. The finish has some dings, scrapes and chips overall but no heavy wear. The most noticeable are a few deeper dings on both sides of the neck above the 15the fret. All hardware is original, and even the skin head is an original, or at least period Rogers "1st quality Warranted" and the bridge is a period Grover Deluxe. The head is a bit dirty on the top but still sounds great; this 1920s quality skin is very hard to find these days. The neck has a very slight relief and playability is excellent. Overall this is about as nice as we generally expect to find nearly 100 year old instruments that have seen some play time along the way. It is complete in the original hard case that shows some external wear but is very well preserved and completely solid. Excellent + Condition.