Gold Tone SM-Weissenborn+ Hawaiian Slide Guitar with Gig Bag
$ 1,199.99
The Gold Tone SM-Weissenborn+ is a premium Hawaiian-style hollow-neck slide guitar with solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, original-style maple and mahogany rope binding, and ebony bridge with bone saddle. Professionally set up at the Gold Tone factory in Titusville, Florida before shipping. Gig bag included.
In stock
Nobody has studied the original Hawaiian steel guitars of Herman Weissenborn more carefully than Gold Tone. I have handled a lot of these instruments over the years, and the SM-Weissenborn+ captures what makes the originals special — the hollow neck that acts as an extension of the body’s resonating chamber, the woody warmth that no round-neck guitar can replicate. The SM+ steps up from the entry-level GT with a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and the original-style maple and mahogany rope binding that sets it apart visually and tonally.
The Weissenborn design demands respect for its tuning requirements. Gold Tone includes strings gauged for open G and open D tunings, and the instrument is built around those tunings. Standard E tuning will void the warranty — the construction simply is not built to handle that tension. This is an instrument for the player who wants to explore slide guitar in its most authentic acoustic form, whether for Hawaiian music, country blues, or experimental acoustic work. The SM+ includes a passive bridge-mounted pickup for amplified use without compromising the acoustic character.
Every SM-Weissenborn+ receives a professional factory setup at Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida before it ships.
Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse
Banjo Warehouse in Yellow Springs, Ohio is an authorized Gold Tone dealer. I have been in the instrument business since the late 1970s — I wrote Banjo Primer, the top-rated beginner banjo method, and I have deep experience with acoustic instruments of all kinds. We offer financing on all orders through PayPal Pay in 4 and Afterpay, with 3, 6, 12, or 24-month payment plans and no late fees.
SM-Weissenborn+ Specifications
| Top | Solid Spruce |
| Back & Sides | Mahogany |
| Binding | Maple/mahogany rope (original style) |
| Fingerboard | Walnut |
| Bridge | Ebony with Bone Saddle |
| Nut Width | 1-15/16″ |
| Tuners | Open Gear Guitar-Style |
| Finish | Honey Brown Satin |
| Scale Length | 25″ |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs |
| Tuning | DADF#AD (open D) |
| String Gauge | .056w, .044w, .034w, .026w, .018, .014 |
| Bag | Padded Gig Bag Included |
| Hardware | Chrome Plated |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the GT and SM+ Weissenborn models?
The GT features sapele construction and a natural satin finish. The SM+ upgrades to a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, original-style maple and mahogany rope binding, and a honey brown finish that more closely echoes the pre-war originals. The SM+ also has an ebony bridge with bone saddle for better tone transfer.
What tunings can I use on the SM-Weissenborn+?
The instrument is built for open G (DGDGBD) and open D (DADF#AD) tunings. Standard E tuning and Dobro G tuning exert too much tension and will void the warranty. Total string tension should not exceed 165 lbs at A440 pitch.
Does it have a pickup?
Yes — a passive bridge-mounted pickup is included for amplified playing. It captures the natural acoustic tone without any modification to the body.
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