Can Weissenborns open up / go to sleep?

Premier Sponsors

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue, we will assume that you agree to our privacy policy which includes details of cookie usage. Hide this notice

Weissenborn Players

Join This Group

This group is dedicated to the Weissenborn players around the world.

179 Members, Created 2/15/2011 -

Administrators: Grizz (owner)

< Back to Home

From Seabass on 7/1/2013 1:43:23 PM

I own an original weissenborn which apparently has been stored in its case for most of its life. I assume it hasn't been played very much due to its condition (hardly any playwear). Since I bought it about 1.5 years ago I've played it regularly but always stored it in its case when I didn't play. I noticed that it sometimes sounds a little dull when it hasn't been played for days. So, 3 days ago I took it out of the case and since then kept it in my living room just to give it some "air". For the past 3 days I've also tried to play more in areas of the fretboard where I usually don't play, just to get the instrument out of its "familiar surroundings". Well, I have the impression that my weiss now sounds clearer than before with more sustain.

Does anyone of you know if Weissenborns (especially originals) can go to sleep or open up under certain conditions? One of you had similar experiences?

7 Comments
x says: 7/1/2013 2:07:09 PM Guitars certainly open up over time, with regular play. I've never heard of one "going to sleep." Set ups changing, strings going dead and such, sure- but never changing ts fundamental tone so much as to be characterized as "going to sleep." Interesting idea. Anybody heard of that sort of thing? Weezy
	CaseyHunter says: 7/1/2013 2:36:04 PM I have noticed similar behaviors; however, I always attributed it to temperature and humidity. I always assumed that once opened up it was always open, so it is definitely something ponder.
x says: 7/1/2013 2:52:18 PM I suppose extreme differences humidity and wood absorption could give the impression of an instrument clamming up... Hmm.
	yeti says: 7/1/2013 8:48:34 PM I just got my Style 1 Weissenborn about 2 weeks ago and when I strung it up with light gauge phosphor bronze strings ( The guitar was headed to a repairshop but I had to hear it even with loose braces and all) I noticed a dramatic change in sound-fullness and volume after going at it pretty hard for about 5 minutes. I'm usually very skeptical about this stuff but I guess I must have woke her up;)
	Seabass says: 7/3/2013 10:59:31 AM I don't know if it's humidity, temperature or just playing harder or in different areas of the fretboard. But I'm pretty sure my guitar sounds different (better) than a couple of days ago. In the various guitar forums on the web there are so many opinions on this topic...
	paddy burgin says: 7/4/2013 2:11:55 PM It's quite common for any stringed instruments to go into sound hibernation if they are not played, Why this happens is a source of endless speculation, which includes the possibility of actual cellular changes in the wood. (the alarm clock goes off when you start strummin') An interesting part of instrument making is the first listen off the workbench and sure,...they do change alot: sometimes within half an hour, sometimes it takes a day or so for all those cells to fall into line and start singing.
x says: 7/4/2013 4:31:59 PM Interesting! Thanks, Mr. B- and welcome to the group.
Post a Comment
You must be logged in and a member of this group to post a comment.

Forum Post: Which string gauge to use for 8 string Weissenborn ? Linked by KoloradoReso 9 months ago
	Jack Stepick Built 7- string Kona style Weissenborn Guitar, DADF# ADB Tuning Linked by jacknj 6 years ago
	Jack Stepick Kona Style Ash Weissenborn Linked by jacknj 6 years ago
	Jack Stepick Laminate/Solid Kona style Weissenborn Demo 06 30 2020 Linked by jacknj 6 years ago
	Wild Mountain Thyme - for Weissenborn - Open D Tuning (DADF#AD) Linked by LessonsWithTroy 6 years ago
	Jack Stepick Hand Built Weissenborn Style Guitar Linked by jacknj 6 years ago
	Kona dual height nut Linked by jacknj 6 years ago: Dual height adjustable nut on the Kona
	Kona style Weissenborn Linked by jacknj 6 years ago
	Custom Jack Stepick 8-String Weissenborn Style Guitar Linked by jacknj 7 years ago
	Custom 6-String Weissenborn Style Acoustic Steel Guitar Linked by jacknj 7 years ago