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Thread: How and where to find the age of my instrument.

  1. #1

    Question How and where to find the age of my instrument.

    I have an old washburn mandolin and I cannot find any information on putting an exact age on it. If anyone knows of any good places to find out please let me know.

  2. #2
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: How and where to find the age of my instrument.

    Hubert Pleijsier's recent book about vintage Washburns will tell you everything you need to know.

    Or, you could post a photo along with the model and serial number from the label, and someone here can probably come pretty close to telling you the year.
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    PickTown, Ohio Roger Mace's Avatar
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    Default Re: How and where to find the age of my instrument.

    Is there such a history book or efforts focused on other American bowlback maker accomplishments, like Vega?

  4. #4

    Default Re: How and where to find the age of my instrument.

    It Says A-5326 that's all i know about it forreal. And that my grandfather bought it in chicago, illinois a long time a go more than 80 years ago probably.






  5. #5
    PickTown, Ohio Roger Mace's Avatar
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    Default Re: How and where to find the age of my instrument.

    Mine is number A-15570 and I was told it was probably made in the 'teens. Looks nearly identical except for the position markers on the fretboard - mine are circle dots more like those on most guitars.

  6. #6

    Default Re: How and where to find the age of my instrument.

    So is it worth anything? Should I keep it?

  7. #7

    Default Re: How and where to find the age of my instrument.

    It's was Granddads --that is a good reason to keep it---I guess it depends on what you think "much" is. It looks in pretty good shape but the short answer is "No, not much" Maybe $200 and if it is really clean and perfect it still wouldn't likely bring $500. American made bowlback mandolins are just not in demand.

  8. #8
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: How and where to find the age of my instrument.

    The label puts it in the 1906-1915 time period. The number puts it sometime after 1907 and before 1910. This appears to be a mix between a Style 140 and a Style 150 (from the pictures in Hubert Pleijsier's book). Those model numbers were used years before yours were made. The fretboard inlay, headstock inlay and binding are similar to those models. Lyon and Healy, the company that built your Washburn was located in Chicago.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
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  9. #9

    Default Re: How and where to find the age of my instrument.

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    Lyon and Healy, the company that built your Washburn was located in Chicago.
    I'm pretty sure that it was Washburn that made Lyon and Healy instruments. Washburn moved to Mundelein, IL, and in 2002 changed its name to U.S. Music Corporation (http://news.harmony-central.com/Prod...ic-Change.html).
    The factory is less than a mile from where I sit. :-)
    Steve
    Steve

  10. #10
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: How and where to find the age of my instrument.

    You've got it backwards. Lyon and Healy was the manufacturer. Washburn was one of their brand names. The Washburn name that is being used now is in no way related to the company that originally used the brand name. The Wikipedia page for Washburn guitars is about as wrong as any Wikipedia page could be. Better you should look at the Lyon & Healy Wikipedia page. It's slanted to sell the harps that the company that bears the L&H name builds now but at least it's more historically correct. George W. Lyon and Patrick J. Healy started Lyon and Healy. The W after George Lyon's first name stands for Washburn, his middle name. Wahburn's were the flagship line of Lyon and Healy built instruments. The company that currently builds (actually imports) Washburn guitars wasn't even a twinkle in someone's eye when the last real Washburn's were built. For more information get a copy of Hubert Pleijsier's book Washburn Prewar Instrument Styles. You can also take a look at this thread. You'll have to get a page or so into it. Cafe member Keef is the author of the book referenced above.

    If you go to the Encyclopedia of American Instrument Makers on www.mugwumps.com and look up the brandname Washburn you'll see three different listings. Note the dates:

    Washburn - J.R. Stewart brandname 1928-1930
    Washburn - Lyon & Healy trademark 1883-1928
    Washburn - Tonk Bros. brandname from 1930

    As Lyon & Healy's business model changed they sold off the brandnames off. The folks currently using the name can say they are the same company, they just aren't.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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  12. #11

    Default Re: How and where to find the age of my instrument.

    Update on "Washburn International/US Music" in Mundelein, IL. The factory closed up several years ago; not sure if it moved, but since it isn't really Washburn or L&H, it's not important.
    After sitting in disrepair for years, with increasing numbers of broken windows and other vandalism, the building was demolished. It is now a huge hole in the ground being developed into a flood remediation reservoir. "Sic transit gloria mundi" ;-)
    Steve

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