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The Unwound Third => Gitfiddles, Harps, Washboards & Kazoos => Topic started by: Dolly Tree on April 09, 2010, 11:23:26 PM

Title: Kauffman Vib-Rola Arm
Post by: Dolly Tree on April 09, 2010, 11:23:26 PM

Hello:

Looking for a Kauffman "Vib-Rola" arm for my Weissenborn spanish Style B.

Anybody have one?

Thanks

Title: Re: Kauffman Vib-Rola Arm
Post by: Slack on April 12, 2010, 06:58:03 AM

I had to look it up - we used to call these vibrato or bigsby bars.  :P

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vib-Rola_front.jpg  (great looking 1935 Ric)

I'm trying to imagine the advantage or use of a vibrato bar on a lap steel guitar - what am I missing?

Title: Re: Kauffman Vib-Rola Arm
Post by: Parlor Picker on April 12, 2010, 09:00:22 AM

Is it to get a pedal-steel effect maybe?

Title: Re: Kauffman Vib-Rola Arm
Post by: Dolly Tree on April 12, 2010, 11:23:05 AM

Towards the end of his guitar building career, in the mid '30's, Mr. Weissenborn was experimenting with getting more volume from his guitars, both hawaiian and spanish style. Resonators were on the rise. Along comes Clayton "Doc" Kauffman (who later worked with some guy named Leo Fender) and his new Vib-Rola unit, and Mr. Weissenborn made a spanish style guitar with a Kauffman tailpiece setup. Mr. Weissenborn passed away in 1937. I've seen photos of a Vib-Rola unit on a teardrop style hawaiian Weissenborn.

Once I find a Vib-Rola arm, and there should be a few around as Rickenbacker made them into the '70's, I'm going to test drive this weird Weissenborn Style B flat top with Vib-Rola and compare it to my mid-20's Weissenborn spanish (with batwing bridge) flat top guitar.

Thanks