… 130 years of history is at the root of our strong foundation building high quality instruments. Washburn has been building stringed instruments since 1883. Though the Washburn brand was preserved, it never regained its preeminence, and by the early 1940s had declined to nothing.Īn unbroken lineage is often alluded to by Washburn International, in press releases and advertising materials, and on the company website: ![]() Regal was chosen to reopen the Washburn factory (producing Regal instruments as well). Some of the Stewart assets were acquired by the Regal Musical Instrument Company, which had purchased the "Regal" brand name in 1908 from Lyon & Healy (who acquired it in 1905). Stewart Company to purchase and operate the massive factory, but this transition proved problematic and Stewart went bankrupt in 1930. Tonk Brothers turned to manufacturer J.R. Lyon & Healy gradually shifted manufacturing chores onto wholesaler Tonk Brothers, to whom they sold the guitar portion of the business in 1928, continuing to produce their own lines of harps, pianos, and organs. “Washburn guitars, zithers & mandolins manufactured by Lyon & Healy, Chicago Best in the World” ad, 1899īy the 1920s, Lyon & Healy faced growing competition from other instrument manufacturers as well as from the rise of other forms of entertainment, particularly film and the gramophone. Their 1892 catalog claimed to manufacture 100,000 instruments annually. Patrick Healy then led the company into a period of major expansion, beginning with a larger new factory and improved mass-production techniques, and soon dominated the domestic market. ![]() George Lyon retired from the company in 1889 (died 1894). Washburn Presentation Banjo, 1894, American Banjo Museum. It bridged the gap between smaller-bodied "parlor" guitars of the late 19th and early 20th century and modern-day dreadnought and jumbo acoustic guitars. In 1912, Washburn introduced the Lakeside Jumbo guitar, which some consider the first dreadnought-sized guitar. As well, they built instruments for other retailers and distributors under various house brands, and outsourced construction of some models. Not only did the Lyon & Healy company often change designs to follow the rapidly evolving consumer demand, but the company also repaired instruments, and offered engraving services, including decorating instruments that it retailed but did not actually manufacture. Tracing the history of any particular instrument of this period presents many obstacles. Lyon & Healy 1898 catalog listed 28 different styles of "Washburn" guitars, ranging from $15 to $145. Under the "George Washburn" brand, which was Lyon's first and middle name. The company achieved independence by 1880, and around 1888 the company launched fully into fretted and plucked instruments ( guitars, mandolins, banjos, ukuleles and zithers) By 1865, Lyon & Healy had expanded into reed organs and some small instruments. Healy, acting as the Chicago outlet for Boston sheet music publisher Oliver Ditson and Company. Lyon & Healy began in 1864 as a partnership of businessmen George W. I don't normally ship overseas, but if you really want to buy it, contact me for a quote and whether or not I will ship to your country.Right: archtop guitar model 5250 (1928), Museum of Making Music. Shipping is estimated, so please contact me to get an exact quote. I'll be posting a vintage 1970's Ibanez Concord shortly as well! I like the ebony board on my Larivee and it has a pickup built in, so it own out. My wife wanted me to keep this over my Larivee. I am not a Martin fan, but this guitar really doe sound nice. From what I have gathered, this is Washburns knock-off of a Martin. The crazy part?! SERIAL NUMBER 4!! I have never seen a guitar with that low of a serial number. When strumming regularly or finger picking, it isn't there. ![]() There is a slight fret buzz on the open E when struck hard. It has not been an issue, as it still plays and sounds great and it totally stable. It looks like there is a bead of glue residue on either side of the neck heel. I noticed today that it looks like the joint between the body and neck may have been repaired at one point. It looks absolutely amazing especially considering it's age (wish I looked that good pushing 50 :P ) Check out the photos, they spell out the condition more than my limited words. This is a rare, 1970's Washburn Acoustic, made in Japan, guitar.
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