Right: model 5250 (1928).began in 1864 as a partnership of businessmen George W. Lyon and Patrick J. Healy, acting as the outlet for publisher. By 1865, Lyon & Healy had expanded into and some small instruments.
The company achieved independence by 1880, and around 1888 the company launched fully into fretted and plucked instruments (, and )under the 'Washburn' brand, which happened to be Lyon's middle name. Tracing the history of any particular instrument of this period presents many obstacles.
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. As well, they built instruments for other retailers and distributors under various, and of some models.In 1912, Washburn introduced the Lakeside Jumbo guitar, which some consider the first dreadnought-sized guitar. It bridged the gap between smaller-bodied 'parlor' guitars of the late 19th and early 20th century and modern-day acoustic guitars.George Lyon retired from the company in 1889 (died 1894). 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. Their 1892 catalog claimed to manufacture 100,000 instruments annually.
Healy died 1905.By the 1920s, Lyon & Healy faced growing competition from other instrument manufacturers as well as from the rise of other forms of entertainment, particularly. 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.Tonk Brothers turned to manufacturer J.R. Stewart Company to purchase and operate the massive factory, but this transition proved problematic and Stewart went bankrupt in 1930.
Some of the Stewart assets were acquired by the, which had purchased the 'Regal' brand name in 1908 from Lyon & Healy (who acquired it in 1905). Regal was chosen to reopen the Washburn factory (producing Regal instruments as well).
Though the Washburn brand was preserved, it never regained its preeminence, and by the early 1940s had declined to nothing.Modern era An unbroken lineage is often alluded to by Washburn International, in press releases and advertising materials, and on the company website:Washburn has been building stringed instruments since 1883. 130 years of history is at the root of our strong foundation building high quality instruments.There is no direct connection between the original Washburn brand and the modern Washburn International.In the early 1960s, retail store The Chicago Guitar Gallery hired Rudolf 'Rudy' Schlacher, a young German, as a repair technician. A few years later, Schlacher opened The Sound Post (in Evanston, Illinois) to focus on guitars.
He soon realized the sales potential for lower-cost quality instruments.Tom Beckmen and his wife Judy Fink Beckmen in 1972 left careers as music salesman and teacher (respectively) to launch a wholesale music business in Los Angeles, Beckmen Musical Instruments. It was Beckmen Music that resurrected the Washburn name, and beginning in 1974 applied it to a series of quality imported acoustic guitars, made in Japan by Terada, as well as a selection of mandolins and banjos.Schlacher and Rick Johnstone, as Fretted Industries, Inc., acquired the Washburn name in 1977 (for $13,000) when the Beckmens took their business a different direction, and so the Washburn name was returned to Chicago. With assistance from (founder of ), Schlacher was able to find instrument factories in Japan that could meet the desired standards.Fretted Industries acquired other lines as well, such as.Schlacher bought out Johnstone in 1987, and changed the company name to Washburn International.
A stateside manufacturing operation was opened in 1991 for higher-end, short-run, and one-off instruments, as well as development and prototyping. That year, a article confidently places Washburn 'among the top three guitar manufacturers in the world,' behind only and.On December 15, 2002, Washburn International announced that it had completed acquisition of, and would be rolling its assets into that company in a. Schlacher remained as, appointing Gary Gryczan to; Gryczan had been Washburn's CFO from 1995 through 1998. The new USM's headquarters were in (440 E. Courtland Street), which also housed the stateside Washburn, often referred to as 'the USA Custom Shop.'
Schlacher announced completion of selling USM to JAM Industries on August 24, 2009, and that he would be stepping away from his company after fully four decades.We are pleased to join forces with a strategic partner like Jam Industries, that has a long, successful history in the music industry and has been a long-term business partner with U.S. Music for more than 20 years. It has been a thrilling and rewarding 40-year ride that has allowed me to realize my dreams and goals.As R S Consulting he remained a consultant to the musical-instrument industry and was an executive producer for a small-budget filmThe corporate offices of U.S. Music were relocated to in 2012.Production Very few modern Washburn instruments have been built by the company itself. It has relied on outside factories and luthiers to fulfill their designs and meet public demand.The first modern Washburn instruments were full-size acoustic guitars imported from Japan by Beckmen Music. The 1974 range included one folk-style guitar (W-200) and eight dreadnoughts of increasing quality and decoration: W-240-12, W-250, W-260, W-280, W-300, W-300-12, W-500, W-600.Under Rudy Schlacher, most Washburn models were ordered in runs of 200 units, rather than ongoing production; if sales went well, a further run might be ordered.
This application of (or ) kept the company from needing to warehouse and liquidate overproduction, improving profitability. As a result, many Washburn instruments (acoustic or electric) are difficult to locate once out of production, and are scarcer than the 'limited editions' of other manufacturers.The first Washburn electric guitars were the Wing Series models, offered 1978-1984. These instruments featured innovative push-pull split humbuckers, brass hardware and inlays, and construction. Most of the Wing Series models were produced by Yamaki, a Japanese manufacturer of Washburn acoustic guitars as well as their own Daion brand (late 1970s to early 1980s).By 1991, production of Washburn instruments had shifted almost entirely to Korea, built. When Samick opened their, Indonesia, facility in 1992, this factory also began to produce Washburn-branded instruments, generally identifiable by an 'SI-' serial number prefix.Between 1994 and 2001, ten models of acoustic guitar were built for Washburn in the United States, five by (Tacoma, Washington) and five by (Lewiston, Maine).Washburn brought out a line of four USA-made dreadnoughts, available from 2002 to 2008. These were the D-78, D-80, D-82, and D-84.
(All had the '-SW' suffix, for 'solid wood,' indicating that no laminate wood was employed.)In 2012, when JAM Industries declined to renew the lease on the Mundelein facility, the Washburn luthiery closed. At the time, the Washburn facility was the ninth-largest employer in the village (the third-largest business), providing 180 jobs. The stated intent was to reopen at a smaller building in Buffalo Grove (1000 Corporate Grove Drive) but this did not materialize.
A few Washburn models (particularly the N4) are produced in Cincinnati.As of 2017, primary production has largely shifted from Korea to factories in Indonesia and China.Innovations Most widely known for its guitars (both and ), Washburn also makes, and, as well as accessories including guitar cases, clothing, and straps.In the 1980s, Washburn introduced the Festival Series of acoustic/electric guitars (the EA series, for 'electrified acoustic'). They were thinner than standard acoustic guitars and less acoustically resonant by design, thereby reducing susceptibility to, a significant problem using acoustic or electrified acoustic guitars in large-venue performances. The addition in later models of sound slots (rather than the traditional round soundhole), a patented innovation, further reduced the possibility of feedback, and the guitars quickly became the go-to stage acoustic for artists such as,.
In the early 1990s when introduced their series, hardly a show went by without seeing a Festival Series guitar. The design also lent itself well to acoustic basses, and Washburn's AB Series quickly became popular both for its look and its tone, whether amplified or unplugged. Of a Washburn RB2802 eight-string bass.In recent years, Washburn licensed several guitar construction features:. the Tuning System — a corrected-temperation tuning formula, using a compensated nut and saddle to minimize the inherent problems of the Western tuning formula. The BFTS was first used by Washburn in 1995 on a very few models, then increasingly with the introduction of the WI-64 (1999), and was entirely phased out after the 2010 production year. At its peak, this system came standard on U.S.-made Washburn guitars and basses and the better imports.
Stephen's Extended Cutaway — a unique neck joint invented by luthier Stephen Davies to allow greater unrestricted access for a guitarist's fretting hand. J5 Jazz guitar. Left: AB-10 acoustic bass.right: XB-600 6-string bass (right). PrefixSeriesa.k.a.typedurationcommentsB1983-1985B1992WingScavenger1980-1981BStage1981-1984BStage1981-1984BForceP copy1983-1986BABT1987-1989XSAxxess1990-1991BBBantam2006-2010XBBantam1994-2006MBMercury1992-1993MBMercury2002-2006RBRB1999-2003WPShadowP copy1997-1999WJShadowJ copy1997-1999SStatus 100SHBStu Hamm2012-2016signatureTTaurus2002-dateAB2004-2006Bootsy CollinsSpace Bass2002-2006CB2007-2010DB2000Force2002-2010M2002-2003WBIdol2007-2010SBSonamaster2016-dateABFestivalAcoustic1988-dateAcoustic guitars. XX anniversary edition.
Nuno Bettencourt models are flagshipped by the American hand-made. The N4 is a small reverse- that features the neck joint for easy access to the higher frets. It is outfitted with a Bill Lawrence ® and a pickup, and a licensed -type tremolo. The N1 and N2 are production (budget) models of this line, factory-built in, and feature standard bolt-on necks and lower-grade pickups and tremolo systems. The N3 (discontinued) was also produced in Korea and sported the Stephen's Extended Cutaway but used lower-grade pickups.Bettencourt has endorsed several Washburn acoustic models as well. There is the N7 7-string model, and an acoustic/electric based on the Festival Series, the EA20SNB. Ola Englund Solar (2013/2014): Signature model announced by Washburn in 2013 for Swedish guitarist Ola Englund of, Feared, and.
Warren Haynes - vocalist and guitarist, and the Warren Haynes Band. The Washburn WSD5249 acoustic guitar is based on the original Washburn Solo Deluxe from 1937, which is similar in size to the popular OM shaped guitars on the market today. Adirondack Spruce top with period-correct vintage sunburst finish. Hand-shaped scalloped Adirondack Spruce bracing, solid rosewood sides, 2-piece back with vintage-inspired 1930s zipper-style inlaid herringbone stripe. The top has 3-ply ivoroid binding and the sound hole is finished by a ringed herringbone rosette.Previous signature instruments. Model.
Paul Stanley Models for 2014were the PS2014, PS2012, PS 12 and PS10. Previous models have been the PS600 and PS800 (extensively used while touring with ), as well as the 'Preacher' PS7000/PS7200/PS9000/PS9200 (used during the 2006-2007 tour to promote his solo album ). Stanley's line also includes the PS9 and PS11E acoustic guitars that feature his image on the front and come bundled with a custom. Jennifer Batten — three guitars based on the WM (the USA version of the Maverick BT Series guitars).
All had three single-coil pickups: JB-80 (Korea), JB-100 (USA), JB-100 MIDI (USA) with installed GK-2A divided pickup system. Steve Stevens Signature Model (1993) — SS80 and SS100 models made at Washburn's Chicago custom shop, the SS40 mass-produced in Korea.
The SS80 was produced in black with gold hardware, a -licensed tremolo, and JB humbucking pickups. The SS100 featured black hardware and graphics. George Washburn / Stephens Extended Cutaway electric models — introduced in 1987, designed entirely by Stephen Davies. The series comprised the EC-26 Atlantis, the EC-29 Challenger, and the EC-36 Spitfire. The EC-29 and EC-36 were the first mass-produced guitars that had over 27 frets. The 26-fret EC-26 was made in the United States and is a very rare model. Nick Catanese Signature Model (1999) — Idol Series (WI) models for.
Stu Hamm - signature electric basses designed with. Dan Donegan Signature Model/ Maya Series (2003) — six-string electric guitar series for guitarist and named after his daughter Maya: the Maya Standard (DD-70) and the Maya Pro (DD-75). Both use pickups. Bootsy Collins Space Bass (2006): model for.
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Features pickups.References. Hubert Pleijsier (2008). Washburn Prewar Instrument Styles. Anaheim Hills, CA: Hal Leonard.
Lyon & Healy, Inc. John Teagle, U.S.
Washburn, Over One Hundred Years of Fine Stringed Instruments (1st ed.). New York: Amsco Publications. P. 73. Bacon, Tony (1 September 2001). The history of the American guitar: 1833 to the present day (1st ed.). Hal Leonard. 'The History of Washburn Guitars'., heading of 'Rudy Schlacher' video in Oral History video project.:Beckmen Music became 's distributor for the western United States in 1976, and in 1978 a 50% partner in founding Roland USA.
The Beckmens sold their share back to Roland in 1993 and bought a vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley. Di Perna, Alan (July 2009).
Guitar World. Retrieved 7 March 2017., February 17, 1991. Hoovers.com, entry: U.S. MUSIC CORPORATION Company Profile.,., in Music Inc Magazine., Guitar maker leaves Mundelein. Washburn Guitars / U.S. Music Corp., a division of JAM Industries, LTD. Washburn Guitars.
Archived from on 2011-12-21. Stephen's Extended Cutaway.
Archived from on 2012-03-17. Washburn Guitars. Archived from on 2011-12-29.
Guitar Noize. July 1, 2013. Ola Englund recently posted an announcement that he wouldn’t be renewing his contract with and I also recently mentioned that S7G are no longer manufacturing the Strandberg Boden and Washburn have taken over those duties.
Well it seems Washburn are making a big move back into the Metal guitar community as Ola Englund has just signed with Washburn to create a new Solar Series guitar, which will be part of the new series. Washburn Guitars. Washburn Guitars. Archived from on 2014-08-12. PS10BK / PS10WHK / PS12BK / PS12WHK / PS2012B / PS2012WH / PS2014TS. Washburn Guitars.
Archived from on 2014-04-19. SHB30B / SHB30SVS / SHB40RS / SHB40TNG / SHB60NM / SHB60TSS / SHBH3N / SHBH3TNGExternal links Wikimedia Commons has media related to.
Thanks,Chris in Roswell, GAHey Chris,Cool guitar! You really don’t see many of these anymore. You are correct that it’s similar to the Washburn Wing series, specifically the Washburn Eagle from the late ’70s and early ’80s. In fact, aside from different fretboard inlays and brand names on the headstocks, when you compare the two they’re nearly identical.
If this connection seems odd, the occurrence of very similar guitars with different brand names is more common that many of us would think.This circa late 1970s/early 1980s Lotus bears a striking similarity to the Washburn Eaglefrom the same era, and for good reason.Midco International, a former musical distributor, sold the Lotus brand as an exclusive trademark of guitars during the 1970s and 1980s. Like many other distributors, Midco commissioned a manufacturer in Asia to build guitars under a unique brand name. However, many of these factories in Asia received requests to build guitars for multiple manufacturers/distributors, meaning the same guitar could essentially end up under multiple trademarks. This isn’t much different from what Harmony, Kay, and other house-brand jobbers from the Chicago area were doing in the 1940s through the 1960s.The standard practice for many distributors was to offer a line of guitars based on popular American designs like Les Pauls and Strats, for example, along with a few original designs. And all were offered at a bargain price or were at least inexpensive enough to compete with the American manufacturers. While the majority of imported Asian-built copies from the era aren’t considered to be of very good quality, the Lotus brand was an exception, mainly because of the factories they were built in.That said, information regarding Asian-guitar production from the 1970s and early 1980s is cloudy at best.
Most lower-end Lotus-branded guitars were produced by either Samick or other factories in Korea or Indonesia. However, some of the higher-end Lotus instruments were built by the Cort factory in Korea or by one of three factories in Japan: Yamaki, Matsumoku, and Moridaira.
Since the Washburn Eagle was produced circa 1979 to 1984, it’s more than likely your Lotus was made during this time period as well.From my research, your guitar was built at the Moridaira factory and is based on the Morris VX-45R. (Morris was a house brand of Moridaira.) And the VX-45R is also the same as, alas, the Washburn Eagle. Further proof is the silver serial-number sticker on the back of the headstock that appears to be unique to Morris models of that era.Specs for your guitar include an ash body and carved maple top (rosewood was an option) bound with an abalone border, and a 5-piece maple/rosewood through-body neck.
Other features include the bound 22-fret ebony fretboard with brass circle inlays, a matched-finish headstock with abalone border, 3-per-side tuners, two exposed humbuckers, and controls for each pickup. Its ivory finish is probably the most desirable color for this model, but the guitar was also available in a natural finish that highlighted the maple or rosewood carved top.Your Lotus “Eagle copy” appears to be in excellent condition and I estimate the current value to be between $400 and $600. Since the Washburn Eagle was produced circa 1979 to 1984, it’s more than likely your Lotus was made during this time period as well.A guitar’s factory of origin plays a huge part in its quality and assessed value, so don’t just write off an unfamiliar brand of vintage guitar when you come across one. The silver serial-number sticker (right) on the back of the headstock tells us the Moridaira factory in Japan probably built this Lotus.Lotus guitars still continued to appear through the 1990s, and Midco International eventually became part of Musicorp in the early 2000s.
Washburn Guitar Strings
Around that time, they discontinued all Lotus guitars and began using the trademark on a line of bluegrass instruments.There’s still a lot of confusion over Japanese- and Korean-built guitars from this era in regards to trademarks, who built them, when they were offered, and the connection between them all. However, many of these guitars are high quality and you should always pay close attention when encountering an unknown trademark. If a guitar was produced at one of the aforementioned factories, it could very well be a treasure, just like your Lotus.