The Washburn trademark was originated by the Lyon & Healy company of Chicago, Illinois. George Washburn Lyon and Patrick Joseph Healy were chosen by Oliver Ditson, who had formed the Oliver Ditson Company, Inc. in 1835 as a musical publisher. Ditson was a primary force in music merchandising, distribution, and retail sales on the East Coast. In 1864, the Lyon & Healy music store opened for business. The late 1800s found the company ever expanding from retail, to producer, and finally distributor. The Washburn trademark was formally filed for in 1887, and the name applied to quality stringed instruments produced by a manufacturing department of Lyon & Healy.
Lyon & Healy were part of the Chicago musical instrument production conglomerate that produced musical instruments throughout the early and mid-1900s. As in business, if there is demand, a successful business will supply. Due to their early pioneering of mass production, the Washburn facility averaged up to one hundred instruments a day! Lyon & Healy/Washburn were eventually overtaken by the Tonk Bros. company, and the Washburn trademark was eventually discarded.
When the trademark was revived in 1964, the initial production of acoustic guitars came from Japan. Washburn electric guitars were re-introduced to the American market in 1979, and featured U.S. designs on Japanese-built instruments. Production of the entry level models was switched to Korea during the mid- to late 1980s. As the company gained a larger foothold in the guitar market, American production was reintroduced in the late 1980s as well. Grover Jackson (ex-Jackson/Charvel) was instrumental in introducing new designs for Washburn for the Chicago series in 1993.
In 1998, Washburn adopted the Buzz Feiten Tuning System on the American-produced models. The Buzz Feiten Tuning System is a new tempered tuning system that produces a more "in-tune" guitar.
Early company history courtesy of John Teagle in his book Washburn: Over One Hundred Years of Fine Stringed Instruments. The actual history is a lot more involved and convoluted than the above outline suggests, and TeagleĀ“s book does a fine job of unravelling the narrative.
Instruments currently produced in suburban Chicago, IL, China, and Korea. Previously produced in Chicago, IL between the 1880s and the 1940s and Japan between the 1960s and 1990s. Washburn is currently a division of and distributed by U.S. Music Corporation in Buffalo Grove, IL.

WASHBURN Acoustic Guitars Models

WASHBURN AB5 Image

WASHBURN AB5

- single smooth cutaway thin jumbo body, spruce top, mahogany back and sides, round soundhole with single ring rosette, multi-ply body binding, set mahogany neck, 15/22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, mahogany (Natural fini...

WASHBURN PS9 Image

WASHBURN PS9

- dreadnought style, spruce top, select wood body, round soundhole with red ring rosette, red body binding, mahogany neck, 20-fret red bound fingerboard with red dot inlays, white headstock with black star, three-per-side chrome tuners, ros...

WASHBURN R316SKK 125TH ANNIVERSARY Image

WASHBURN R316SKK 125TH ANNIVERSARY

- parlor-style body, solid spruce top, solid Trembesi back and sides, round soundhole with three-ring pearl rosette, ivoroid top and back binding, pearl top border, mahogany neck, 12/18-fret bound ebony fingerboard with 11-13th fret "1...

WASHBURN WG7S HARVEST Image

WASHBURN WG7S HARVEST

- grand auditorium-style body, solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, round soundhole with custom wood inlay rosette, cream body binding, set satin mahogany neck with two-way truss rod, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, n...

WASHBURN B52 SW Image

WASHBURN B52 SW

- travel guitar, solid Sitka spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides, mahogany body binding, round soundhole with abalone rosette, mahogany neck, 14/19-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, three-per-side gold tuners with ebonite butt...

WASHBURN WD7S HARVEST Image

WASHBURN WD7S HARVEST

- dreadnought-style body, solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, round soundhole with custom wood inlay rosette, cream body binding, set satin mahogany neck with two-way truss rod, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, natura...

WASHBURN CB400 (US MFG.) Image

WASHBURN CB400 (US MFG.)

- solid body acoustic single cutaway, solid spruce/maple top, one-piece mahogany back, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard with pearl slash inlays, rosewood bridge, B Band electronics and pickup, three knobs on face of guitar, available in...

WASHBURN RR100 Image

WASHBURN RR100

- single sharp cutaway semi-solid mahogany body, solid spruce top, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with offset inlay, black headstock with three-per-side chrome Grover tuners, rosewood Butterfly bridge, Duncan Designed Hot Rails exposed pickup...

WASHBURN NV100 Image

WASHBURN NV100

- adjustable pitch single cutaway style, solid spruce top, 1-piece mahogany back, mahogany neck, roman style headstock, three-per-side tuners, ebony fingerboard and bridge, bound body, B-Band electronics, available in Natural, Black, or Vin...

WASHBURN EA10 (NEWPORT) Image

WASHBURN EA10 (NEWPORT)

- deep single sharp cutaway deep body, spruce top, oval soundhole, bound body, three-stripe purfling/rosette, mahogany back/sides/neck, 21-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, rosewood bridge with white black dot pins, boun...

WASHBURN WD 9 SW Image

WASHBURN WD 9 SW

- dreadnought style, solid sapele top/back/sides, tortoise pickguard, mahogany neck, 14/20-fret ebony fingerboard with dot inlay, ebony bridge, gold hardware, natural finish, 3/4 size of the WD 18 SW, mfg. 2005-06.

WASHBURN DC60 LEXINGTON Image

WASHBURN DC60 LEXINGTON

- single round cutaway dreadnought style, solid spruce top, oval soundhole, bound body, three-stripe purfling/rosette, ovankol back/sides, mahogany neck, 24-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, rosewood bridge with black do...

WASHBURN R301 Image

WASHBURN R301

- concert style, solid spruce top, round soundhole, bound body, three-stripe purfling/rosette, mahogany back/sides/neck, 12/18-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, rosewood bridge with black white dot pins, rosewood veneered slot...

WASHBURN PR100S Image

WASHBURN PR100S

- 1920s body style, solid cedar top, mahogany back and sides with inlay strip, rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, rosewood "bass balanced" bridge, Roman-style headstock, three-per-side tuners, Buzz Feiten tuning system, availabl...

WASHBURN C5 Image

WASHBURN C5

- classical style, spruce top, mahogany (catapla) back and sides, round soundhole with mosaic rosette, black body binding, mahogany neck, 12/19-fret rosewood fingerboard, slotted headstock, three-per-side open-style chrome tuners, tied rose...

WASHBURN J12 S Image

WASHBURN J12 S

- medium jumbo style, solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides, mahogany neck, 14/21-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl snowflake inlays, rosewood butterfly bridge, chrome hardware, natural finish, mfg. 2001-04.

WASHBURN F1 SK (JOEY) Image

WASHBURN F1 SK (JOEY)

- smaller travel guitar, solid spruce top, round soundhole, ovangkol back/sides, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, rosewood bridge with white bridgepins, three-per-side chrome Grover tuners, available in Natural fini...

WASHBURN D6S Image

WASHBURN D6S

- dreadnought-style body, solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, round soundhole with decorative rosette, black body binding, mahogany neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, natural headstock overlay with logo, three-per...

WASHBURN EA10 (SECOND VERSION) Image

WASHBURN EA10 (SECOND VERSION)

- single cutaway petitie jumbo-style body, basswood top, back, and sides, round soundhole with abalone rosette, multi-ply body binding, set mahogany neck with two-way truss rod, 12/19-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, b...

WASHBURN WD18 SW Image

WASHBURN WD18 SW

- dreadnought style, solid sapele top/back/sides, tortoise pickguard, sapele neck, 14/20-fret ebony fingerboard with dot inlay, ebony bridge, gold hardware, Natural finish, mfg. 2004-07.

WASHBURN R305 S Image

WASHBURN R305 S

- parlor style, solid cedar top, bound rosewood back and sides, 20s style rosette, mahogany neck, bound 12/18-fret rosewood fingerboard with 20s inlay pattern, bound open-style headstock with star and diamond logo and three-per-side chrome...

WASHBURN PR200S Image

WASHBURN PR200S

- 1920s body style, solid cedar top, rosewood back and sides with inlay strip, rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, rosewood "bass balanced" bridge, Roman-style headstock, three-per-side tuners, Buzz Feiten tuning system, availabl...

WASHBURN J20 S Image

WASHBURN J20 S

- jumbo style, solid cedar top, oval soundhole, bound body, five-stripe rosette, walnut back/sides, mahogany neck, 21-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl snowflake inlay at 12th fret, rosewood bridge with pearl dot white pins and bone sadd...

WASHBURN D8 Image

WASHBURN D8

- dreadnought style, spruce top, round soundhole, black pickguard, bound body, three-stripe purfling/rosette, mahogany back/sides/neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, rosewood bridge with black white dot pins, rosewoo...

WASHBURN F8 Image

WASHBURN F8

- folk style, select spruce top, bound mahogany back and sides, bound 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, three-per-side chrome tuners, rosewood bridge, Natural finish, mfg. 2001-02.

WASHBURN RO5 ROVER Image

WASHBURN RO5 ROVER

- travel-sized three-string dulcimer guitar, solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, oval soundhole, five-ply maple/rosewood fingerboard, maple fingerboard with various fret spacings, three-on-one-side tuners, available in Natural finish...

WASHBURN PS11E Image

WASHBURN PS11E

- single sharp cutaway folk style, spruce top, select wood body, round soundhole with red ring rosette, red body binding, mahogany neck, 20-fret red bound fingerboard with red dot inlays, white headstock with black star, three-per-side gold...

WASHBURN SBC20/MIRAGE CLASSIC Image

WASHBURN SBC20/MIRAGE CLASSIC

- single rounded cutaway classic style, spruce top, round soundhole, bound body, wooden inlay rosette, routed out mahogany body, mahogany neck, 14/22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, rosewood bridge, open-style headstock with...

WASHBURN R316SWRK 125TH ANNIVERSARY Image

WASHBURN R316SWRK 125TH ANNIVERSARY

- parlor-style body, solid spruce top, solid rosewood back and sides, round soundhole with three-ring pearl rosette, ivoroid top and back binding, pearl top border, mahogany neck, 12/18-fret bound ebony fingerboard with 11-13th fret "1...

WASHBURN RR150 Image

WASHBURN RR150

- single sharp cutaway semi-hollow alder body, bound quilted maple top, mahogany neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, blackface peghead, rosewood bridge, 3-per-side Grover tuners, two exposed humbucker pickups, acoustic...

WASHBURN NV100C Image

WASHBURN NV100C

- classic single cutaway style, solid spruce top, one-piece mahogany back, mahogany neck, roman style headstock, three-per-side tuners, ebony fingerboard and bridge, bound body, B-Band electronics, available in Natural, Black, or Natural Ma...

WASHBURN AB10 Image

WASHBURN AB10

- single sharp cutaway thin jumbo body, select spruce top, diagonal slotted sound channels (soundhole), bound body, mahogany back/sides, maple neck, 23-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, rosewood bridge with brass insert, two-p...

WASHBURN RO10 ROVER Image

WASHBURN RO10 ROVER

- travel guitar, solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, oval soundhole, mahogany neck, 14/19-fret rosewood fingerboard with offset dot inlay, three-per-side gold tuners with ebonite buttons, rosewood bridge, available in Black, Camo (20...

WASHBURN WSJ125K 125TH ANNIVERSARY Image

WASHBURN WSJ125K 125TH ANNIVERSARY

- Southern Jumbo-style slope-shouldered dreadnought body, spruce top, Trembesi back and sides, round soundhole with three-ring pearl rosette, ivoroid top and back binding, pearl top border, mahogany neck, 14/20-fret bound ebony fingerboard...

WASHBURN WG10S HERITAGE Image

WASHBURN WG10S HERITAGE

- grand auditorium-style body, solid Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides, round soundhole with custom wood inlay rosette, cream multi-ply body binding, set satin mahogany neck with two-way truss rod, 14/20-fret bound rosewood fingerbo...

WASHBURN AB20 Image

WASHBURN AB20

- single sharp cutaway thin jumbo body, mahogany top, diagonal sound channels (soundhole), bound body, mahogany back/sides, maple neck, 23-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, rosewood bridge with brass insert, two-per-side tuner...

WASHBURN NV300 Image

WASHBURN NV300

- similar to the NV100, except has Fishman piezo and electronics, available in Natural, Vintage Sunburst, Black, or Natural Matte finish, mfg. 2002-06.

WASHBURN WD10S HERITAGE Image

WASHBURN WD10S HERITAGE

- dreadnought-style body, solid Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides, round soundhole with custom wood inlay rosette, cream multi-ply body binding, set satin mahogany neck with two-way truss rod, 14/20-fret bound rosewood fingerboard w...

WASHBURN RR180 Image

WASHBURN RR180

- single sharp cutaway solid chambered mahogany body, standard maple top, ivoroid body binding, 22-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with offset inlay, black headstock with three-per-side chrome tuners with pearl buttons, rosewood Butterfly b...

WASHBURN C20 Image

WASHBURN C20

- classic style, spruce top, round soundhole, three-stripe bound body, wooden inlay rosette, mahogany back/sides/neck, 12/19-fret rosewood fingerboard, tied rosewood bridge, three-per-side nylon head chrome tuners, available in Natural fini...

WASHBURN EA12 Image

WASHBURN EA12

- single cutaway mini jumbo-style body, basswood top, back, and sides, round soundhole with abalone rosette, multi-ply body binding, set mahogany neck with two-way truss rod, 14/21-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, boun...

WASHBURN WD20 S Image

WASHBURN WD20 S

- dreadnought style, solid spruce top, round soundhole, black pickguard, bound body, three-stripe rosette, mahogany back/sides/neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, rosewood bridge with black white dot pins, rosewood p...

WASHBURN R306 Image

WASHBURN R306

- auditorium style, solid cedar top, rosewood back/sides, mahogany neck, 12/18-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl multi-symbol inlay, rosewood bridge with carved fans/pearl dot inlay, white abalone dot bridge pins, rosewood veneered slott...

WASHBURN J21 CE Image

WASHBURN J21 CE

- single rounded cutaway jumbo body, spruce top, oval soundhole, bound body, three-stripe purfling, five-stripe rosette, mahogany back/sides/neck, 21-fret bound rosewood fingerboard, pearl diamond inlay at 12th fret, rosewood bridge with wh...