I don't know so much about Kona's model, but I tried some and it was everytime time a great moment and feeling. Love the joyous sound of these deep bodies. Some of them have the spruce top and others are all-koa. I don't know if these features belongs to specific periods or models. How do you define the differences between these models? I think that Knusten and Weissenborn started the production in 1915, but after 1923 Weissenborn was the only one. I don't have my precious book of Tom (I'm not at home) but i know he talks about that in it. Tom, if you're reading me, I need your wisdom ;)
I'm gonna try this week this particular model that keeps catching my eye: http://www.vintageguitars.fr/guitare-weissenborn-kona%20style%201-4-278.html
I know it's hard to judge an instrument by pictures but I'm really interested in all feed-back or any advice about it!
20 Comments |
 | Tom_Noe says:
4/28/2013 2:20:03 PM
I would say that after 1915 Weissenborn was the only builder of Kona guitars. Konas were built in 4 styles: 1 - plain all koa; 2 - koa back/sides, spruce top, white binding; 3&4, same ornamentation as Weissenborn styles 3&4. Charles Summer De Lano owned the Kona trademark and the Konas were made exclusively for sale by De Lano. In late 1924 De Lano realized that claiming trademark registration when it was not registered was fraud, so began clipping the "trademark registered" off the label. He designed a new label, which he did register as a trademark, and began using it April 1, 1925.
In the photos shown on vintageguitars.fr. website, the Kona appears to be in great condition. The back isn't shown. Why don't you email them and ask for additional photos?
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 | Fabien says:
4/28/2013 4:10:02 PM
Tom, you're the man! Thanks for your quick response and all these precious informations. It's very fascinating to learn more about these amazing instruments. I'm not sure you saw all the photos. I juste have uploaded here the 10 I have and there's one of the back. (resohangout.com/myhangout/phot...?id=34727)
Benoit, the seller is a very nice guy who regularly brings back from the States plenty of wonderful instruments. He's the one who sold me my Weissenborn style I. He told me this Kona is really great and I can't wait to try it!
I will be very curious to have your opinion about Konas, Tom (I also wonder why Tony doesn't built this model...)
Thanks again Tom!
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| Tom_Noe says:
4/28/2013 5:23:34 PM
I have high regard for Konas, They are X braced and project very well. They were built with the same quality as all Weissenborns. I think the all koa models sound a bit better than the spruced-topped Style 2s, but that is just a matter of opinion. My friend, Weissenborn collector and musician Chris Merwin, tells me that his Style 3 Kona is his best-sounding guitar. You should visit Benoit and try the Kona out and see what you think.
Tony is on this forum and can speak for himself. I can tell you that he has restored a number of Konas, however. Give him time.
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| Fabien says:
4/29/2013 1:02:50 AM
Ok Tom, you preach to the choir. Benoit owns this beautiful Kona (vintageguitars.fr/guitare-weis...7-16.html) and it sounds like hell !!
When I try it, I definitely thought "Wow it sounds quite a bit diferent from the "classic" weissenborn but this one is one of the best instrument i ever heard (but maybe I'm too young to say that!).
And you're right, the best way to speak about an instrument it's obviously to let it sounds by itself. I'm gonna visit him tomorrow i guess.
By the way, i followed your collaboration with Tony on the solid-neck Weissenborn and it arose very hard my curiosity. Great work you two have done on this project...
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| Tom_Noe says:
4/29/2013 7:11:33 AM
Fabien, you confused me! You say the Kona sounds like hell, which means really bad. Then you say it's one of the best you've heard, which means really good.
Tony is definitely the Master! And being in his mid-20s is really just beginning!
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| Fabien says:
4/29/2013 7:24:39 AM
Oops sorry Tom, it was a false-friend from french! In french we can also say it sounds like THUNDER which means that guitar sounds like a cathedral!
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| Tom_Noe says:
4/29/2013 8:02:31 AM
This is a different Kona than the first one we looked at. Notice the bottom of the label is clipped off, putting its date of construction in early 1925. Gorgeous!
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| Fabien says:
4/29/2013 8:38:27 AM
Yes indeed, it's a different one, and i will probably compare both of them when I try them tomorrow. It will be interesting I guess!!
I noticed the label ;), but if i understood you right, this one is a style I, spruce-top without white binding. Another style than the 4 ones you described earlier to me?
The first one we talked about has the same feature, but produced post April 1925, right?
This third one has the white binding and the spruce top: vintageguitars.fr/guitare-weis...7-67.html
And finally just for pleasure, a gorgeous style 4: vintageguitars.fr/guitare-weis...7-24.html
I already told you but I do enjoy reading you, talking about this guitars!
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| Fabien says:
4/29/2013 8:44:33 AM
I'm afraid, i confused you. To resume:
The first one we talked about is the only one for sale.
The second one is Benoit's kona. I already tried it few month ago but he won't sell it, he just adores it too much!
The third and the last one are already sold.
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| Tom_Noe says:
4/29/2013 9:02:42 AM
It is unusual to see a Style 1 with a spruce top, but it is still a Style 1. It is pre-1925 with the early label. The post-1925 label is a different design. That Style 4 with all the diamond fret markers is from the pre-factory days. I own one like that myself, and have seen a half-dozen others like it. One of the nicest looking Konas. De Lano could order whatever he wanted. I have seen some with inlays on the headstock.
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| Fabien says:
4/29/2013 9:45:29 AM
I'll die less stupid thanks to you Tom!
I hardely dare imagine the guitars in your possession ;)
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 | Seabass says:
4/29/2013 11:33:17 AM
Fabien, I've noticed that guitar on the website some time ago and also find it quite interesting. Let us know how you liked it!
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| Fabien says:
4/29/2013 11:36:09 AM
No problem, I will give you my impression!
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| Fabien says:
4/30/2013 12:31:57 AM
Hey Tom,
The label designed post April, 1925 looks like this one right? ebay.com/itm/ca-1925-Weissenbo...e74822115
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| Tom_Noe says:
4/30/2013 8:46:37 AM
Yes, this is the later design, first used April 1, 1925. I also checked my notes and have to correct what I said about Style 1 Konas. The woods generally used were koa back and sides, with spruce tops. So the one you are looking at is not unusual.
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| Fabien says:
4/30/2013 11:05:38 AM
I just come back from Benoit's. After a good meal and a good wine (Benoit is one of the best hosts!!) I tried the famous kona! Of course I played with some friends of her too (Benoit's Kona and two gorgeous Teardrops)
The kona is stunning, huge bass, and incredible projection but precise and really in balance. I really love the sound of konas!!! I made a record of the first minutes with my iphone (sorry for the poor quality! - resohangout.com/myhangout/musi...?id=34727) and some photos (resohangout.com/myhangout/home...?id=34727).
Tom, did you notice the difference between the shape of the two kona's necks ? H. Weissenborn seems to have modified its neck over the years. Matter of comfort when you play it the spanish way? What's your opinion?
We also noticed a difference of width when we mesured their neck...
Whatever, I'm afraid I'll give in to temptation to this kona... ;)
P.S.: thank you Tom for the specification!
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 | Liz Williams says:
4/30/2013 11:25:07 AM
Fabien, I think you and this Kona are a good match. You sound wonderful on it.
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| Fabien says:
4/30/2013 1:07:39 PM
Thanks a lot Liz!! (I don't know why my message appears 3 times... I may have messed up with something - is there a way to delete them?)
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| Tom_Noe says:
4/30/2013 2:07:58 PM
Fabien, you sound great on that Kona! As for the Kona necks, I have noticed differences in the contour. Some are round, and some are in a sharp V shape. I don't know if De Lano requested these differences based customers requests. And while most Konas have metal frets, I have seen one with flush wooden frets. Thank you for the music and photos!
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| Liz Williams says:
5/13/2013 10:50:56 AM
Deleted the duplicate posts. Wish I knew why that happens.
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