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.
Electric Instruments currently produced in suburban Chicago, IL, China, and Korea. Previously produced in Japan between the late 1970s and 1990s. Acoustic instruments previously produced in Chicago, IL between the 1880s and the 1940s. Washburn is currently a division of and distributed by U.S. Music Corporation in Buffalo Grove, IL.

WASHBURN Electric Guitars Models

WASHBURN RS10 Image

WASHBURN RS10

- offset double cutaway PRS-style mahogany body with an arched flame maple top, mahogany neck, 24-fret Carbonite fingerboard with dot inlays, black pointy headstock with six-on-one-side tuners, Floyd Rose 600T licensed tremolo with locking...

WASHBURN G5 Image

WASHBURN G5

- offset double cutaway mahogany body, bolt-on Canadian rock maple neck, 22-fret Carbonite fingerboard with sharkfin inlays, pointy headstock with six-on-one-side tuners, Floyd Rose 600T licensed tremolo with locking nut, one Washburn Elimi...

WASHBURN B40 EQ (FORCE SERIES) Image

WASHBURN B40 EQ (FORCE SERIES)

- offset double cutaway P-style body, figured top, three-piece rock maple and rosewood neck-thru body, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, four-on-one-side tuners, Washburn Sure Track bridge with STB, one J-Style and one P-style pi...

WASHBURN WV548 (USA MFG.) Image

WASHBURN WV548 (USA MFG.)

- offset Flying V-style solid mahogany body with beveled edges and a shortened treble wing, set mahogany neck, 24-fret carbon glass epoxy composite fingerboard with no inlays, reverse hockey stick-style black finish headstock with Washburn...

WASHBURN J10 ORLEANS (SECOND VERSION) Image

WASHBURN J10 ORLEANS (SECOND VERSION)

- single smooth cutaway hollow body, arched solid spruce top, bound body, two bound f-holes, flame sycamore back and sides, multi layer maple neck, 20-fret bound ebony fingerboard with abalone fleur de lis inlays, bound peghead with abalone...

WASHBURN DIME V Image

WASHBURN DIME V

- Flying V style body, set neck, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot and 12th fret skull inlays, 2 High-output humbucker pickups, STB, 3 knobs, 3-way switch, available in Jungle Camo or Black gloss finish, mfg. 2004 only.

WASHBURN WG580 Image

WASHBURN WG580

- offset double cutaway solid body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard with dot position markers, jumbo frets, 2 humbucking pickups and 1 single coil pickup, slotted switch, 1 volume/1 tone, 6-on-a-side tuners, black hardware, available in Bl...

WASHBURN BT10 Image

WASHBURN BT10

- slightly offset double cutaway mahogany body, bound flamed sycamore top, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, three-per-side Grover tuners, Washburn 600S Floyd Rose licensed tremolo, two exposed humbucker...

WASHBURN MG72 Image

WASHBURN MG72

- similar to MG70, except has two exposed humbucker pickups, available in Trans. Purple or Vintage Sunburst finish, mfg. 1993 only.

WASHBURN N6 (U.S. MFG.) Image

WASHBURN N6 (U.S. MFG.)

- double offset cutaway solid alder body with Stephen's cutaway, bird's-eye maple neck, 22-fret birdseye maple fingerboard with dot inlay, reverse six-on-one-side tuners, Floyd Rose tremolo, anaodized aluminum pickguard, two single coil and...

WASHBURN PS2000 Milennium Image

WASHBURN PS2000 Milennium

- similar to Model PS2000 except has a recreation of Paul's guitar used onstage, the top is encrusted with Czech and Austrian crystal rhinestones , comes with a certificate of authenticity, a velvet-lined case, as well as other accessories,...

WASHBURN J14 REGAL (US MFG.) Image

WASHBURN J14 REGAL (US MFG.)

- single rounded cutaway with "Xtra-cut" hollow body, arched maple top, bound body, bound two f-holes, maple back and sides, maple neck, 20-fret bound ebony fingerboard with split rectangle abalone inlay, bound blackface peghead w...

WASHBURN Dime V Pro Image

WASHBURN Dime V Pro

- similar to the Dime V, except has a mahogany body with maple top, V-shaped inlays, stop-tail bridge, and a Seymour Duncan '59 reissue and Dimebucker pickups, available in Carmelburst or Flame graphics, mfg. 2004 only.

WASHBURN WG587 Image

WASHBURN WG587

- similar to the WG580, except in seven-string configuration and six/one-per-side tuners, available in Metallic Red or Metallic Gray finish, mfg. 2000-02.

WASHBURN BT20 Image

WASHBURN BT20

- slightly offset double cutaway mahogany body, figured maple top, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with offset pearl dot inlay, three-per-side Grover tuners, Schaller Floyd Rose licensed tremolo, two exposed Duncan humbucke...

WASHBURN MG74 Image

WASHBURN MG74

- similar to MG70, except has a maple fingerboard with offset black dot inlay and two exposded humbucker and one single coil pickups, available in Trans. Purple or Vintage Sunburst finish, mfg. 1992-93.

WASHBURN N7EP (U.S. MFG.) Image

WASHBURN N7EP (U.S. MFG.)

- seven-string configuration, offset double cutaway padauk body, bolt-on Stephen's Extended Cutaway maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, reverse headstock, seven-on-the-other-side tuners, double locking Floyd Rose licen...

WASHBURN PS2000 Rose Image

WASHBURN PS2000 Rose

- similar to Model PS2000 except has a recreation of PaulĀ“s Rose tattoo on the top just above the tailpiece, each guitar is hand signed by Paul on the back along with its series number, comes with certificate of authenticity and a deluxe lu...

WASHBURN X40 (PRO) Image

WASHBURN X40 (PRO)

- offset double cutaway Strat-style solid maple body, rosewood fingerboard with dot, 11-13 fret X inlay, six-on-one-side tuners, HSH pickups, Floyd Rose tremolo, two knobs, five-way switch, black hardware, Buzz Feiten Tuning System, availab...

WASHBURN WP50 Image

WASHBURN WP50

- Les Paul Standard copy, single cutaway style, carved bound flame maple top, mahogany body/neck, raised white pickguard, 22-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl trapezoid inlay, three-per-side pearl button tuners, tune-o-matic bridge...

WASHBURN G5 V Image

WASHBURN G5 V

- offset double cutaway Strat-style body, bolt-on maple neck, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard, black hocky stick-style headstock with six-on-one-side tuners, Wonderbar tremolo bridge with locking nut, single humbucker and two single coil picku...

WASHBURN B42 Image

WASHBURN B42

- offset double cutaway body (similar to an English Status model), headless configuration, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, two EMG-style pickups, three knobs, three-way switch, black hardware, available in Black or Red finish,...

WASHBURN X50 Image

WASHBURN X50

- offset double cutaway Strat-style solid mahogany body, bolt-on mahogany neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with no inlays, Strat-style headstock with black overlay, six-on-one-side tuners, tune-o-matic bridge, STB, two exposed Randall hum...

WASHBURN XB200 Image

WASHBURN XB200

- offset double cutaway asymmetrical hardwood body, bolt-on maple neck, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with offset pearl dot inlay, two-per-side tuners, fixed bridge, one P-style and one J-style Washburn WB500 pickups, four knobs, chrome hard...

WASHBURN WB66 IDOL BASS Image

WASHBURN WB66 IDOL BASS

- single cutaway Idol-style mahogany body, carved top, multi-ply body binding, mahogany neck, 24-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl notched trapezoid inlays, bound headstock with floral inlays, two-per-side tuners, tune-o-matic brid...

WASHBURN WP80 Image

WASHBURN WP80

- Les Paul Custom copy, single cutaway style, carved bound maple top, mahogany body/neck, raised white pickguard, 22-fret bound ebonized fingerboard with pearl trapezoid inlay, three-per-side pearl button tuners, tune-o-matic bridge/stop ta...

WASHBURN G8 Image

WASHBURN G8

- offset double cutaway mahogany body, bolt-on Canadian rock maple neck, 22-fret Carbonite fingerboard with V inlays, pointy headstock with six-on-one-side tuners, Floyd Rose 600T licensed tremolo with locking nut, one Washburn Eliminator h...

WASHBURN B50 Image

WASHBURN B50

- four point-style body that looks like a cross between an Explorer and the Axe-style Ace Frehley model, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, matching hockey stick-style headstock, single EMG-style pickup, two knobs, chrome hardware...

WASHBURN J15 PARAMOUNT (US MFG.) Image

WASHBURN J15 PARAMOUNT (US MFG.)

- 17 in. single smooth cutaway hollow body, arched spruce top, flame sycamore back and sides, maple neck, 22-fret ebony fingerboard with diagonal split pearl block inlays, bound headstock with pearl inlay and three-per-side gold tuners, adj...

WASHBURN WR150 Image

WASHBURN WR150

- offset double cutaway solid body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard with offset dot position markers, jumbo frets, 6-on-a-side tuners, 2 single coil pickups and 1 humbucking pickup, 1 volume/1 tone, slotted switch, Fulcrum bridge, vibrato...

WASHBURN WI65 Image

WASHBURN WI65

- mahogany body, one-piece mahogany set-neck, rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, two Seymour Duncan humbucker pickups, chrome hardware, stop tail bridge, Buzz Feiten Tuning System, available in Coal (Matte Black) finish, mfg. 2002-03.

WASHBURN BTM MINI Image

WASHBURN BTM MINI

- similar to BT2, except features smaller "mini" body, available in Metallic Dark Blue or Metallic Red (2000 only) finish, mfg. 1998-2002.

WASHBURN MG90 (U.S. MFG.) Image

WASHBURN MG90 (U.S. MFG.)

- offset double cutaway Honduras mahogany body, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with offset pearl dot inlay, six-on-one-side locking Gotoh tuners, Wilkinson VS100 tremolo, one exposed humbucker and two exposed single coil p...

WASHBURN PS2000 10TH ANNIVERSARY (U.S. MFG.) Image

WASHBURN PS2000 10TH ANNIVERSARY (U.S. MFG.)

- single reverse cutaway with an extreme extended treble horn (slight resemblance to an Explorer) mahogany body, maple top, eight-ply body binding, set mahogany neck, 22-fret bound ebony fingerboard with Paul Stanley split MOP/abalone pearl...

WASHBURN J600 Image

WASHBURN J600

- single smooth cutaway Super 400 style body, spruce top, flame maple back and sides, two bound f-holes, six-ply body binding, set hard maple neck, 14/20-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with MOP block inlays, bound headstock with old style...

WASHBURN WI66V Image

WASHBURN WI66V

- mahogany body with quilted arched maple top, one-piece mahogany set-neck, rosewood fingerboard with block inlays, two WB630 high output humbucking pickups, chrome hardware, flush tremolo, Buzz Feiten Tuning System, available in Carmel Bur...

WASHBURN WM100/WM STANDARD/WM4 (U.S. MFG.) Image

WASHBURN WM100/WM STANDARD/WM4 (U.S. MFG.)

- slightly offset double cutaway mahogany body, quilted maple top with wood binding, mahogany neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, three-per-side Grover tuners, tune-o-matic bridge, Schaller stop tailpiece, 2 Seymour Dun...

WASHBURN MG94 (U.S. MFG.) Image

WASHBURN MG94 (U.S. MFG.)

- offset double cutaway alder body, bolt-on maple neck, 24-fret maple or rosewood fingerboard with offset dot inlay, six-on-a-side Schaller tuners, Schaller Floyd Rose licensed tremolo with locking nut, two exposed humbucker and one single...

WASHBURN N8 Image

WASHBURN N8

- double neck configuration, swamp ash body, two bolt-on maple necks (12-string top, six-string bottom), 22-fret ebony fingerboards, reverse headstocks with six-per-side tuners (12-string has the octave-tuners underneath the bridge), Schall...

WASHBURN PS2012 (U.S. MFG.) Image

WASHBURN PS2012 (U.S. MFG.)

- offset hourglass Firebird-style mahogany body with a raised center, set mahogany neck, 22-fret bound ebony fingerboard with pearl/abalone split block inlays, reverse Firebird-style headstock with black overlay, six-on-the-other-side tuner...

WASHBURN X50 (PRO) Image

WASHBURN X50 (PRO)

- offset double cutaway Strat-style solid mahogany body with arched quilted maple top, rosewood fingerboard with 11-13 fret X inlay, six-on-one-side tuners, STB, two WB630 or Seymour Duncan humbucker pickups, two knobs, three-way switch, Bu...

WASHBURN WT4 Image

WASHBURN WT4

- single cutaway Telecaster style maple body, bolt-on rock maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, black headstock, Floyd Rose licensed 600T tremolo with locking nut, one Washburn Eliminator humbucker and two single coil pi...

WASHBURN G10 V Image

WASHBURN G10 V

- offset double cutaway Strat-style body, bolt-on maple neck, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard, black hocky stick-style headstock with six-on-one-side tuners, Wonderbar tremolo bridge with locking nut, high output single humbucker and two singl...