Gold Tone GT-Weissenborn Hawaiian-Style Acoustic Lap Slide Guitar with Gig Bag

Name: Gold Tone GT-Weissenborn Hawaiian-Style Acoustic Lap Slide Guitar with Gig Bag
Brand: Gold Tone
SKU: 49388
Availability: InStock

$ 699.99

Experience authentic Hawaiian slide guitar tone with the Gold Tone GT-Weissenborn. This hollow-neck lap steel features all-mahogany construction delivering the warm, resonant voice that made Weissenborn guitars legendary in the 1920s-30s. Perfect for Hawaiian, slack-key, blues, and ambient music. Includes padded gig bag and comes professionally set up. Whether you’re exploring Hawaiian traditions or creating modern soundscapes, the GT-Weissenborn delivers professional tone at an accessible price of just $699.99.

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Description

Discover the Soulful Voice of Hawaiian Slide Guitar

After 50+ years of playing stringed instruments, I can tell you that the Weissenborn-style guitar has one of the most distinctive, hauntingly beautiful voices in all of music. The Gold Tone GT-Weissenborn brings this legendary Hawaiian sound to modern players at a price that won’t break the bank.

I’ve personally set this one up in my shop, and it delivers the warm, resonant tone you’d expect from guitars costing two or three times as much. If you’ve been curious about Hawaiian slide guitar, slack-key music, or just want to add a unique voice to your musical palette, this is your entry point.

What Makes a Weissenborn Special?

The Weissenborn design dates back to the 1920s when Hermann Weissenborn created these hollow-neck acoustic guitars specifically for Hawaiian music. Unlike a traditional guitar, the Weissenborn is played flat on your lap with a slide (steel bar), creating those signature gliding, singing tones you hear in classic Hawaiian recordings.

The GT-Weissenborn faithfully recreates this iconic design:

**All-Mahogany Construction:** Body, neck, and fingerboard are solid mahogany, giving you that warm, woody tone with excellent sustain. This isn’t a laminate – it’s real mahogany throughout.

**Hollow Neck Design:** The secret to the Weissenborn sound. The hollow neck acts as an extension of the body, creating unprecedented resonance and sustain. Notes bloom and ring in a way that solid-neck guitars simply can’t match.

**Acoustic Power:** No electricity needed. The large body and hollow neck produce surprising volume and projection for an instrument you play on your lap. Perfect for intimate performances or recording.

**Full-Scale Length:** Standard 25″ scale means you can use regular guitar strings and standard tunings (though most players use open tunings like Open D, Open G, or C Wahine).

Why You’ll Love the GT-Weissenborn:

**Incredibly Expressive:** The combination of slide technique and that hollow neck creates a voice that’s almost vocal. You can make this guitar sing, cry, and soar in ways that regular guitars can’t.

**Versatile:** Yes, it’s designed for Hawaiian music, but players use Weissenborns for blues, ambient music, folk, gospel, and experimental sounds. David Lindley made it famous in rock music, Ben Harper brought it to modern audiences, and ambient musicians love it for drone-based compositions.

**Easy to Start:** If you’ve never played slide guitar before, the Weissenborn is actually EASIER than playing slide on a regular guitar. You’re not fighting gravity or trying to fret notes – you just lay it flat and slide. The learning curve is gentle.

**Unique Sound:** Nothing else sounds like a Weissenborn. If you want a voice that stands out, this is it.

**Travel-Friendly:** Despite the large body, it’s surprisingly portable. The included gig bag has backpack straps, making it easy to carry to sessions, beach bonfires, or wherever music happens.

Playing Position & Technique:

The Weissenborn sits flat on your lap (or across your knees if you’re standing). Your fretting hand uses a slide (steel or glass bar) held against the strings above the frets – you never actually press the strings down to the fretboard. Your picking hand plays with fingers, pick, or combination of both.

Most players tune to open tunings where the open strings form a chord, making it easier to play melodies and harmonies with the slide. Common tunings include:

– Open D (D-A-D-F#-A-D)

– Open G (D-G-D-G-B-D)

– C Wahine (C-G-E-G-A-E)

– Slack Key variations

Perfect For:

✓ Players wanting to explore Hawaiian and slack-key music

✓ Blues slide players looking for a different voice

✓ Ambient and experimental musicians

✓ Guitarists wanting to add a unique instrument to their arsenal

✓ Anyone fascinated by vintage acoustic tone

✓ Recording artists seeking distinctive textures

✓ Traditional Hawaiian music students

✓ Folk and Americana players

Technical Specs:

– 6-string acoustic lap steel guitar

– All-mahogany construction (body, neck, fingerboard)

– Hollow neck design for maximum resonance

– 25″ scale length

– Chrome-plated tuners

– Dot position markers

– Natural mahogany finish

– Guitar-style bridge

– Teardrop body shape

– Played with slide bar (not included)

– Includes padded gig bag with shoulder straps

What’s Included:

– GT-Weissenborn guitar

– Padded gig bag with backpack straps

– Professional setup

– My personal inspection before shipping

Getting Started Tips:

You’ll need a slide (I recommend starting with a 2.5-3″ glass or steel bar), and I suggest trying Open D tuning first (D-A-D-F#-A-D, low to high). There are excellent online resources and instructional videos for learning Hawaiian and slide techniques. The GT-Weissenborn plays beautifully right out of the bag.

A Note on Strings:

The guitar comes strung and ready to play. Most players use light or medium gauge strings. When restringing, you can use regular guitar strings – many players prefer pure nickel or phosphor bronze for warmer tone.

Why This Price Is Remarkable:

Vintage Weissenborn guitars from the 1920s-30s now sell for $5,000-$20,000+ when you can even find them. Modern handmade Weissenborns run $2,000-$5,000. The GT-Weissenborn gives you authentic hollow-neck construction and genuine Hawaiian tone for under $700. That’s not just affordable – it’s remarkable value.

My Promise to You:

I’ve set this guitar up personally. The action is smooth, the intonation is accurate, and it’s ready to make music the moment you receive it. Every GT-Weissenborn I sell gets my full attention before it ships – you’re getting 50 years of setup experience included in the price.

Whether you’re drawn to the romance of vintage Hawaiian music, the raw emotion of slide blues, or just want an instrument that sou