Weissenborns and related Hawaiian guitars can be found in the hands of a variety of contemporary musicians. Here's a rundown on the instruments, strings, and tunings used by seven prominent players.

Ben Harper could be considered the godfather of Weissenborn guitars. His road instruments are a Weissenborn Style 4, Style 2 (and teardrop), a Kona Style 4, and a Dart Bowl Back. Besides, he plays a huge range of electric lap steel guitars (Ashers, Cole Clarks, Matons, Justin Sane´s...). He even has a signature model made by luthier Bill Asher. He uses D'Addario phosphor bronze lights on acoustic instruments tuned with a D or higher on bottom and mediums for tunings with a C (or lower) on the bottom. His tunings include low G (D G D G B D) and a secret tuning that he uses in four different keys--one for each instrument.For microphones, Ben Harper favor vintage tube mikes like the AKG C-12 and M-50.

Ben Harper recently launched his new album "Lifeline", wich will has been released on August 28th. Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals recorded this soulful album while on Paris for the last European tour.

Watching a Ben Harper concert just once, means with no doubt you´ll be catched by his strengh.


Below picture shows Ben Harper at Claremont, his hometown. Image´s been taken from benharper.net. It corresponds to a moment he speaks to the audience presenting his weissenborn guitar. Previously unknown for almost everyone. The image can be seen at the Pleasure and Pain DVD;...Ask Ben...Who is Hermann Weissenborn? Can´t be well seen at this picture, but it´s a style 4 Weissenborn.