Weymann Orchestra Style 4 Deluxe open back tenor banjo (1928), made in Philadelphia, serial # . Natural varnish finish, rosewood neck and rim and ebony fingerboard.

The Style 4 Orchestra model was one of the top banjos in Weymann’s professional “Megaphonic” line, a superb high quality instrument retailing originally in 1928 at the then fantastic sum of $320.00. It features the company’s patented megaphonic rim with the hooks running through it, the most elegant of all 1920s banjo designs. Like all Weymann banjos, this is an extremely finely made instrument with the company’s customary attention to detail evident.

The Style 4 is a very fancy banjo, even by the standards of the day. Made with rosewood, ebony, and pearl, it is somewhat more tasteful than many with a distinct lack of pearloid or other overtly gaudy touches. The neck is laminated from solid rosewood with multiple coloured wood laminations in the centre and fingerboard underlays. The triple-bound ebony fingerboard is inlaid with fancy shaped pearl pieces in a continuous vine pattern, all hand cut. The headstock overlay carries a “Weymann” logo of inlaid pearl letters with an elaborate floral design. It mounts the company’s elegant patented recessed tuning pegs, gold-plated with real pearl buttons. The heel is carved in a fairly simple pattern.

All hardware is gold-plated and the tension hoop, tone ring sheath, and tailpiece heavily engraved. The rim is solid rosewood with multiple binding on every edge. The rim top has inlaid pearl in a floral pattern and there is elaborate wood marquetry around the outer resonator side wall. There is a natural rosewood armrest mounted to the hoop, which is covered in a bone type material. The WEYMANN name is embossed across the armrest (a later custom feature). Overall this is a great sounding and superbly classy tenor banjo in the 1920s or today!
 
Overall length is 34 in. (86.4 cm.), 11 in. (27.9 cm.) diameter head, and 3 7/16 in. (8.7 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 22 in. (559 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/8 in. (29 mm.).

The gold plating throughout is in excellent condition as is the lacquer finish to the neck and rim; The frets are in good condition, the neck is straight and plays up the fretboard in low action. I fitted a new Deering 11″ black head as I feel it adds to the gold plating and character of the banjo. I also fitted a new Farquer ebony bridge with pearl inserts under the string positions.

I can’t believe the tone of this banjo for an open back, it is rich and sustaining and has the volume needed for any large session. Comes with a new custom open back hardshell case.