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mystery washburn
http://www-.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10137&t=54034		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Conor_Searl [ Thu Mar 18, 2021 12:34 pm ]
Post subject:  mystery washburn
An old timer brought me his dad's guitar to see if there was anything I could do to make it whole again. We're not really interested in restoration, his dad had done a lot of work on this over the years himself, and if we can make it structurally sound without removing any of that "mojo" then that's what we're aiming for.

I'm trying to identify it though so I can at least figure out what it might have been originally, anyone have any experience with these old guitars?

It's ladder braced, 12 frets to the body, it has an angled slotted headstock, there's binding on the back, but not the top, it would appear to be all solid wood. There's a lot of other stuff that appears not original.
Author:  Chris Pile [ Thu Mar 18, 2021 12:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: mystery washburn
Probably made in Chicago, old Washburns like this one are pretty cool, and usually well-made. I don't think there is much info out there available in the way of technical help on them, Conor. If there is, I've never found it. I've worked on more than a few. I just did my best to respect the old parts and methods of construction.
Author:  Ol'burns [ Thu Mar 25, 2021 1:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: mystery washburn
The book by Hubert Pleijsier is the definitive text on the Washburn instruments of the pre-war and wartime era although Washburn essentially died off in the early 40's for 20 or so years until Rudy Schlacher reintroduced it.
I'm not familiar with that headstock logo nor is it depicted in the Pleijsier book.
For reference, I am the former director of design and development for Washburn and would often deal with informing owners of ancient Washburn's about their instruments (referencing the Pleijsier book or examples in the Washburn collection). Needless to say, I've seen quite a lot of Washburn's over the years.
Sorry I couldn't be of further help.

Doc

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Author:  Chris Pile [ Thu Mar 25, 2021 2:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: mystery washburn
There's a Washburn book? I'll be looking for it. I am a lover of Washburn since the 80's, having owned (even now) a number of them. Is there anything in it about the other brands that Washburn made like American Conservatory?
Author:  Ol'burns [ Thu Mar 25, 2021 2:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: mystery washburn
Chris Pile wrote:
There's a Washburn book? I'll be looking for it. I am a lover of Washburn since the 80's, having owned (even now) a number of them. Is there anything in it about the other brands that Washburn made like American Conservatory?
There are a couple but the Pleijsier is, in my opinion, the more useful for identification of the older instruments. The other (written by John Teagle) is more of a blanket of the 100+yrs of Washburn including from when Rudy reintroduced the brand.
Washburn was really under the blanket of Lyon & Healy (Washburn being the middle name of George "Washburn" Lyon) and the Pleijsier book touches ever so slightly on the other lines L&H owned but it really focuses on the Washburn brand.

Doc

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Author:  Chris Pile [ Thu Mar 25, 2021 3:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: mystery washburn
Cool. I'll be looking to add them to my library of guitar books.
Author:  Chris Pile [ Thu Mar 25, 2021 6:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: mystery washburn
Both of them are on their way to my door....
Author:  Barry Daniels [ Thu Mar 25, 2021 6:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: mystery washburn
Welcome to the OLF, Gerald.
Author:  Ol'burns [ Thu Mar 25, 2021 7:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: mystery washburn
Barry Daniels wrote:
Welcome to the OLF, Gerald.
Thanks Barry! Please, call me Doc...most folks do :)

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Author:  Conor_Searl [ Fri Mar 26, 2021 2:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: mystery washburn
Is it true that Washburn's fortunes were tied up with the south during the civil war while Martin's were tied up with the north?
Author:  Chris Pile [ Fri Mar 26, 2021 3:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: mystery washburn
Never heard that...
Author:  Conor_Searl [ Fri Mar 26, 2021 7:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: mystery washburn
Someone once told me that at the music store I worked at. I figured now was as good a time as any to vet some of the trivia that's rolling around my brain.
Author:  CarlD [ Fri Mar 26, 2021 8:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: mystery washburn
Hey Conner, we're not supposed to talk about politics here beehive .
Author:  Ol'burns [ Fri Mar 26, 2021 9:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: mystery washburn
Washburn wasn't founded until 1883.

Doc

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Author:  Chris Pile [ Fri Mar 26, 2021 11:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: mystery washburn
Quote:
Hey Conner, we're not supposed to talk about politics here beehive .


WTF? You trying to be funny? If you are - that's a BIG FAIL.
Author:  DanKirkland [ Sat Mar 27, 2021 9:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: mystery washburn
Conor_Searl wrote:
Someone once told me that at the music store I worked at. I figured now was as good a time as any to vet some of the trivia that's rolling around my brain.


That's definitely not accurate. Washburn was the result of a partnership between George Washburn and Lyon and Healy and it started in Chicago. A major share of those makers like Harmony/Lyon and Healy and such was through catalog orders which frankly were not dependent upon borders or politics.
Author:  Ol'burns [ Sat Mar 27, 2021 11:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: mystery washburn
DanKirkland wrote:
Conor_Searl wrote:
Someone once told me that at the music store I worked at. I figured now was as good a time as any to vet some of the trivia that's rolling around my brain.


That's definitely not accurate. Washburn was the result of a partnership between George Washburn and Lyon and Healy and it started in Chicago. A major share of those makers like Harmony/Lyon and Healy and such was through catalog orders which frankly were not dependent upon borders or politics.

Just for clarity sake, the brand "Washburn" was solely the efforts of Lyon & Healy. Lyon & Healy was founded in 1864 by Patrick Joseph Healy and George Washburn Lyon. In 1883, after first a number of hardships (a fire which destroyed their premises in 1870 and a second time in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871) the company saw great growth and success and after the construction of a 6-story factory & warehouse, in the later part of the year, the "Washburn" brand was first used on the companies own manufactured guitars. Later followed self manufactured mandolins, zithers and banjos.

Doc
Author:  Conor_Searl [ Sat Mar 27, 2021 3:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: mystery washburn
CarlD wrote:
Hey Conner, we're not supposed to talk about politics here beehive .


I'm Canadian. We don't have those here... idunno
Author:  Chris Pile [ Wed Mar 31, 2021 3:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: mystery washburn
Currently enjoying Teagle's book. Good recommendation.
Author:  WudWerkr [ Wed Mar 31, 2021 4:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: mystery washburn
Classical that had tail piece added later on
Author:  Chris Pile [ Mon Apr 05, 2021 7:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: mystery washburn
Got the Pleijsier book today.... What a great reference!
Author:  gxs [ Sat May 08, 2021 5:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: mystery washburn
Ol'burns wrote:
DanKirkland wrote:
Conor_Searl wrote:
Someone once told me that at the music store I worked at. I figured now was as good a time as any to vet some of the trivia that's rolling around my brain.


That's definitely not accurate. Washburn was the result of a partnership between George Washburn and Lyon and Healy and it started in Chicago. A major share of those makers like Harmony/Lyon and Healy and such was through catalog orders which frankly were not dependent upon borders or politics.

Just for clarity sake, the brand "Washburn" was solely the efforts of Lyon & Healy. Lyon & Healy was founded in 1864 by Patrick Joseph Healy and George Washburn Lyon. In 1883, after first a number of hardships (a fire which destroyed their premises in 1870 and a second time in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871) the company saw great growth and success and after the construction of a 6-story factory & warehouse, in the later part of the year, the "Washburn" brand was first used on the companies own manufactured guitars. Later followed self manufactured mandolins, zithers and banjos.

Doc



The relationship between Lyon & Healy gets really murky in the late teens and 1920's. It seems Regal made most of the Washburn in that period, and then J. S. Stewart, until Tonk Bros. (apparently) licensed the Washburn name from L&H, and Regal took over J. S. Stewart. The Tonk Bros. Washburns are teriffic instruments (Gibson made a few too). I think that was the peak of Chicago guitar building (late 20's - 30's)
Author:  gxs [ Sat May 08, 2021 6:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: mystery washburn
Ol'burns wrote:
The book by Hubert Pleijsier is the definitive text on the Washburn instruments of the pre-war and wartime era although Washburn essentially died off in the early 40's for 20 or so years until Rudy Schlacher reintroduced it.
I'm not familiar with that headstock logo nor is it depicted in the Pleijsier book.
For reference, I am the former director of design and development for Washburn and would often deal with informing owners of ancient Washburn's about their instruments (referencing the Pleijsier book or examples in the Washburn collection). Needless to say, I've seen quite a lot of Washburn's over the years.
Sorry I couldn't be of further help.

Doc

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk


Thanks Doc. I have the a Teagle book, I did not know about Pleijsier, I'll pick it up. I also have Bob Carlin's Regal book, that touches on the Washburn relationship. It was a pretty facinating time for Luthiers and guitar building.
Regards,
GS
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