Here is what I was told was one of the prototypes for the parlours that they were selling about 20 years ago that were made in Japan and then Korea if I'm not mistaken. This one was supposedly made in the US, I have no idea by who. There are no markings otherwise on it and honestly, it had a few flaws in the finish. I walked into the store that had it and bought it off the wall just because it was a fun guitar. Sounds great, rosewood back and sides, I have no idea what kind. I'll also note that I had some hair in that picture.
We recommend visiting our Guitar Archives and viewing the annual catalogs to find the closest match. Washburn maintains limited production records. Washburn can only identify instruments via email, and with a clear digital photograph and serial number. We cannot guarantee that we are able to date your instrument.
I bought a Washburn 1892 Re-Issue Model R306 about 20 years ago on a whim. I had been looking for a small-body 12-fret & this one looked pretty solid.Upon later inspection, with a mirror at home, I found that the holes for the strings all had missed the bridgeplate.I returned the guitar and received a replacement.I like it very much and it is my 'beater' guitar. It closely resembles the original issue, but is 'clunkier' overall. The inlay, bridge, etc. But I can pound on it like I am sure an original would not like!It is a very pretty little guitar & sounds good as well. I suspect it may be a laminate back & sides, but the top is very straight grained cedar or spruce; I am not sure which it is. The finish has proven indestructible; no pickmarks!
The modern Washburn parlor series vary wildly. The best I've seen are the ones that were priced in the low 4 figures.
I had a student with a solid wood (Rosewood back and sides) model that was easily as good as my 100-year-old Braz. Washburn parlor.Maybe better.The model before that was in the mid-3 figures and was a lot of bang for the buck. It had a narrower nut and I don't think it had solid back and sides (memory might be failing me here). They are great little travel guitars.My recollection of the earlier ones (from the 70's?) was that they looked a lot spiffier than they sounded. Mike, I'll bet that's a different model than what I saw offa google. It said plywood and Indonesia.Northfolk guy, yea, they are handbuilt (by me) and quite a bit more than the Washburns.Yeah Hans, this one is different.
It's funny, whomever built it wasn't real good with the herringbone trim. Beyond that it's pretty decent. Great sounding.
After they built this model they started building a very similar model (not quite the same) overseas. They weren't the same either.
Honestly this one plays a heck of lot better than the two or three Washburn and other Lyon and Healy parlour guitars that went through here. I bought one of Ebay a few months ago and was expecting to be disapointed when it arived.I was actually far from disapointed, more delighted to be honest!It's very nice. Even though it is made in Indonesia (whatever that matters):confused:Mine has solid Trembisi back and sides (similar to mahogany) and a solid spruce top.The build quality is good and the inlay is well done.Tuners are a bit challenging but they can be swapped at some point perhaps.Nice short scale length and a huge 48mm wide V neck (and I mean a V neck).Cool guitar but make sure on the model number as previously mentioned some are all laminate.Oliver. Actually, I have two of these. I bought the first one (a sww series, tembesi 1883 re-issue) five years ago and it has just gotten better.
I used a Tone-right on it and improved both tone and volume. Only problem was, the bridge started lifting on the treble side.
I sent it back to Washburn ($140!) and they sent it back at no charge. Bridge is now fine and shows no sign of problems, however, a similar model was offered as a door prize at a local festival and it had major bridge lifting problems, Allthough it was a new guitar, the shop that had it had gone out of business ( due to the death of the owner) and Washburn refused to honor the warranty. I bought an r 306 from ebay and it is beautiful. I put a teardrop pick guard on it ( I play with finger picks) put it on the Toneright and it has surpassed all my expectations.
Got the action down by adjusting the neck and it plays with no buzz, no problem. I thought this was a solid wood guitar, but when I pulled the strap button from the end I noticed a striation in the side woods where it attaches to the end block. Guess it's a lamination.
I will install a GHS interior mic in it this week and see how that sounds. I would not sell either one, regardless!Dropthumbs. Best advice is from someone who owns one.or in my case 2!I absolutely love them and they are NOT cheap guitars. The Rosewood version. Super pretty good tone for a small guitar. All soliud rose wood.not made this way anymore. Thee can be had for $500.2.
The real 125th anniversary model that is a 250 count limited production. I have a good music instrument budget and often stop a high end music stores and play this guitar along many different ones and seldom do I find a small body guitar that I like as much as this one. These sell for $800-$1200 if you can find one. I would not trade this guitar for anything. Finger picking to strumming its a great guitar.
'125th anniversary' of what? Not of 1984, when U S Music Co. Registered the 'Washburn' trademark.The present-day Asian-made Washburn instruments have nothing/nada/absolute nothingness to do with the Lyon & Healy Co.'
S Chicago-made Washburn instruments from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. To claim that the new guitars, excellent though they may be, represent the '125th anniversary' of anything is advertising puffery.I'm glad U S Music is importing some decent parlor guitars from Asia. Good for them. But trying to evoke a 'century-old tradition,' as so much of the modern advertising seems to do, is a fraud, in my book - even if the new guitars are similar in design and materials to the old Washburns. That would just make them good knock-offs, right? Doubtless they are very satisfactory guitars. I just find it irritating that outfits like U S Music, Gibson/Epiphone et.
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Try to invoke a corporate history that has nothing to do with the instruments they're currently importing from Asia. At least when Gibson, Martin or Fender issues an 'anniversary' model, they can claim a legitimate relationship with the instrument(s) they're commemorating.The 'new' Washburn is nothing but a US distributor picking up an unused trademark, formerly identified with the Lyon & Healy Co. Of Chicago, and using it for a line of imported instruments. Nothing shady about it, but I do find U S Music's attempt to connect with the Washburns of the past - check out their website! - a bit disingenuous.
ExcellentThis product is in 'like new' condition and shows little to no signs of use. Free from blemishes, scratches, and user wear. All controls are completely functional.
GreatThis product shows little signs of use and all controls are completely functional. It may have minor surface scratches. GoodThis product is completely functional and shows some signs of use. It may have surface scratches and/or dings and dents. FairThis product is functional but shows signs of heavy use that could include, but not limited to; scratches, dings, dent, chips, and worn parts/controls. PoorThis product shows significant cosmetic and functional wear.
It may need repair and/or part(s) replaced. The world of stringed instruments would be very different today if it wasn't for Washburn. In fact, it was Washburn who introduced the first dreadnought-shaped guitar back in 1912 with the introduction of the Lakeside Jumbo. From then on, Washburn became even more synonymous with high quality craftsmanship by the day. Their easy playability and exceptional tone was even favored by many Delta Blues guitarists that moved to Washburn's hometown of Chicago during the 1920s. By the time rock'n'roll took the country by storm, the Washburn name was respected globally, and their guitars were often the go-to choice of famous artists like Jimmy Page and Bob Dylan.From cutaway acoustic-electrics and vintage electrics to hollow-bodies and even portable travel guitars, Washburn has an axe for every style and taste. Need a great model to start your search with?
Turn your attention to the best-selling WD 20S Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar. Ideal for aspiring up and comers who want an affordable guitar that boasts many quality features, the WD 20S is everything you'd expect from a company that became renowned for its dreadnoughts. From the solid Alaskan Sitka spruce top to the rosewood fingerboard and mahogany neck, the tonal quality and comfortable feel of this guitar is jaw-dropping given its friendly price tag.Another popular Washburn model is the USM-HB35 Hollowbody Dual Humbucker Electric Guitar. Sporting a timeless look with state-of-the-art Duncan USM pickups, this guitar is lightweight, and its resonant tone makes it perfect for jazz, blues and rock. Or, for those who play a more intricate plucking style, you'll be happy to know that Washburn constructs an impressive line of nylon-stringed guitars. The C80S Madrid Classical Guitar has an inlaid soundhole rosette, solid cedar top and bound rosewood fretboard that all serve to enhance this guitar's striking sonic capabilities. No doubt, the crystal-clear projection and balanced tone of the C80S Madrid is as pleasant as a Spanish summer afternoon.And this is only a taste of what Washburn has in store for you.
With a simple browse through this section, you'll see for yourself that Washburn is still delivering the goods when it comes to guitar design. So feel free to explore each and every one of their models - you'll be glad you did.