"I have been making weissenborn style guitars for more than twenty five years, inspired by my own father’s lap steel playing and our childhood household music."
~ Paddy Burgin
Paddy Burgin is not only recognized for his mastery of the lap steel guitar and his contributions to the New Zealand music scene, he's also a renowned lap steel guitar builder whose instruments are known for their craftsmanship, playability, and tonal qualities.
Built by Hand, One at a Time in New Zealand
Each Burgin Weissenborn is handcrafted by Paddy in his Wellington workshop using native and sustainably sourced tonewoods. The result is an instrument with soul, intention, and a deep connection to its materials and environment.
Resonant, Lush, and Surprisingly Powerful
Burgin’s guitars are renowned for their rich, open tone - warm and deep in the lows, with ample sustain and clarity in the trebles. They deliver that unmistakable Weissenborn sound with surprising projection and depth, making them a favorite for players chasing expressive slide tones.
Tradition Meets Modern Refinement
While Burgin honors the classic Weissenborn shape and sound, his builds benefit from modern structural integrity and thoughtful bracing. These are road-worthy instruments meant to be played, not just admired.
Burgin Weissenborn FAQ
Common questions about Burgin Weissenborn lap steels - the builder, the instruments, and where to find one near Boston.
Where can I try a Burgin Weissenborn near Boston?
The Music Emporium in Lexington, Massachusetts is an authorized Burgin dealer and keeps Weissenborn lap steels from Paddy Burgin's Wellington, New Zealand workshop in stock at our showroom near Boston. Players from across New England come to try these rare instruments in person - reach out or check the page to see what is currently available.
What is a Weissenborn guitar?
A Weissenborn is a type of acoustic lap steel guitar with a fully hollow neck - unlike a resonator, which uses a metal cone to project sound, or a standard guitar, which has a solid neck. The hollow neck is integral to the instrument's tone: it adds resonance and warmth to the body's natural acoustic voice, producing the open, singing, sustain-rich sound associated with Hawaiian and slide styles. Weissenborns are played flat on the lap with a slide bar rather than fretted in the conventional position.
Who is Paddy Burgin?
Paddy Burgin is a Wellington, New Zealand-based musician and luthier who has been building Weissenborn-style lap steels for over 25 years, inspired by his father's lap steel playing. He is recognized both as a player - known for his contributions to the New Zealand music scene - and as a builder whose instruments are respected for their craftsmanship, playability, and tonal character. Each guitar is built by hand, one at a time, in his Wellington workshop.
What Burgin models does The Music Emporium carry?
We carry Burgin Weissenborns in a variety of tonewood combinations. Current inventory includes a Style Two Weissenborn in mahogany and a Weissenborn built from Ancient Kauri and Tasmanian Ash - the kauri being subfossil wood recovered from New Zealand bogs, often thousands of years old and among the rarest tonewoods in the instrument world. Paddy sources native and sustainably harvested materials throughout. Inventory is limited by production volume; check the page or contact us to see what is available.
What styles of music are Weissenborns suited for?
Weissenborns were central to Hawaiian music in the early 20th century and have since been embraced across blues, country, Americana, folk, and contemporary slide guitar styles. Their warm, open tone and natural sustain make them expressive instruments for anyone who plays with a slide. Burgin builds his to be played, not just admired - road-worthy instruments with modern structural integrity alongside the traditional Weissenborn voice.