This example is in excellent shape and completely original.
Not a bluegrass instrument, the Mandolute is well suited for Celtic or Classic music, or solo work. These instruments are larger bodied than a Gibson, L&H, or Martin mandolin, and as such have more bass response than you’d generally expect. Apart from the very plain Model 20, all Mandolutes feature steam-bent tops and backs, fiddle-edge sides, and ornate hand-engraved front-side tuning machines. The Mandolutes were popular in their day, and are the most oft-encountered Weymann-branded instruments today. We infrequently stumble upon their guitars, banjos, and mandolin family instruments of many varieties. Pennsylvania-based Weymann & Son were a smaller-scale manufacturer of fretted instruments operative between 1864 and WWI. With a tone somewhere in between a carved and a flat-top instrument this Kay Kraft Mandola offers something pleasantly unique. Neck and frets are in good shape, body is crack free and well arched. It’s entirely original but for newer Schaller tuning machines and is well set-up. The instrument features a long 18.25” scale, arched spruce top and mahogany back. However Mandolas and Mandocellos are quite rare, and this example is the only of its kind that we’ve as yet discovered. Over the years we’ve encountered many four and six string guitars, tenor and 5 string banjos, and a number of mandolins. Built by Stromberg-Voisinet in the late 1930’s, the Kay Kraft line included guitars, mandolins, and banjos. Completely original, and in excellent condition. Martin Gibson Other Acoustic Guitars Resonators Mandolins & Banjos Archtop GuitarsĬlassical Guitars Electric Guitars Amplifiers Miscellaneous Lefty InstrumentsĪ 1950’s all-metal banjo-uke, with a big and loud voice.