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 Teagle´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 Maya DD61 Image

WASHBURN Maya DD61

- similar to the Maya DD60 (Second Version), except has a Washburn licensed 600S Floyd Rose tremolo, available in Silver Flame finish, mfg. 2007 only.

WASHBURN WV40VASI "MURDER WEAPON" Image

WASHBURN WV40VASI "MURDER WEAPON"

- offset Flying V-style solid mahogany body, set mahogany neck, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with no inlays, reverse hockey stick-style headstock with matching finish and Washburn logo, six-on-the-other-side Grover Exclusive tuners, license...

WASHBURN HB35 (S) Image

WASHBURN HB35 (S)

- symmetrical double cutaway semihollow ES-335-style body, arched flamed sycamore top, back, and sides (early models) or maple top, back, and sides (1997-present), two bound f-holes, multi-ply body binding, set maple neck, 20-fret bound ros...

WASHBURN HM20 V Image

WASHBURN HM20 V

- single cutaway with extended treble horn and lower bass bout (slight resemblence to the Gibson Explorer) bound body, bolt-on maple neck, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with shark fin inlay, matching hockey stick-style headstock with six-on-...

WASHBURN FORCE 6 (G-6) Image

WASHBURN FORCE 6 (G-6)

- similar to the Force 2 (G-2), except has two Power Sustain humbucker pickups, and a five-way switch, available in BBR finish (Black with black hardware and red binding/accents), mfg. 1984-85.

WASHBURN B15 (ABT SERIES) Image

WASHBURN B15 (ABT SERIES)

- offset double cutaway body, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, black pointy headstock with four-on-one-side tuners, standard bridge, one J-style and one P-style EMG select pickups, active electronics, four kn...

WASHBURN WM24VF Image

WASHBURN WM24VF

- similar to the WM24V, except has a flame maple top, available in Blackburst or Redburst finish, mfg. 2009-2010.

WASHBURN RX80 Image

WASHBURN RX80

- offset double cutaway carved mahogany body, rosewood top, set mahogany neck, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, beveled headstock with black overlay, six-on-one-side tuners, tune-o-matic bridge, stop tailpiece, two Duncan USM A...

WASHBURN XMDLX2FR Image

WASHBURN XMDLX2FR

- similar to the XMDLX2F, except has a double locking Floyd Rose tremolo bridge, available in Flame Black Burst finish, mfg. 2011-present.

WASHBURN XS8 Image

WASHBURN XS8

- similar to XS4, except has two hum-cancelling single coil Special Status pickups, four knobs, active 2-band EQ fader control, and black hardware, available in Charcoal Rain, Black, or White finish, mfg. 1990-91.

WASHBURN XB100Q Image

WASHBURN XB100Q

- similar to the XB100, except has a quilted maple top, available in Tobacco Sunburst finish, mfg. 1999-2004.

WASHBURN T25 Image

WASHBURN T25

- similar to the T24, except in five-string configuration and 3/2-per-side tuners, available in Natural Matte finish, mfg. 2002-present.

WASHBURN MB8 Image

WASHBURN MB8

- offset double cutaway alder body, flame maple top, bolt-on maple neck, 24-fret maple or rosewood fingerboard with offset dot inlay, four-on-one-side tuners, fixed bridge, two humbucker active Status pickups, four knobs, active electronics...

WASHBURN RB4000 Image

WASHBURN RB4000

- offset double cutaway ash body, maple NTB, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with offset dot inlay, two-per-side tuners, STB, two humbucker pickups, four knobs, active electronics, available in Natural Satin finish, mfg. 1999-2000.

WASHBURN WV540VASI "MURDER WEAPON" (USA MFG.) Image

WASHBURN WV540VASI "MURDER WEAPON" (USA MFG.)

- offset Flying V-style solid mahogany body, set mahogany neck, 24-fret carbon glass epoxy composite fingerboard with no inlays, reverse hockey stick-style headstock with matching finish and Washburn logo, six-on-the-other-side Sperzel tune...

WASHBURN HB36 Image

WASHBURN HB36

- symmetrical double cutaway semi-hollow ES-335-style body, arched spruce top, flame maple back and sides, two bound f-holes, five-ply body binding, set maple neck, 20-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl block inlays, bound headstock...

WASHBURN RR2 V Image

WASHBURN RR2 V

- Flying V body with treble bout short than the bass (similar to Jackson wedge-shaped models), bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, black hockey stick-style headstock with six-on-one-side tuners, Wonderbar tremol...

WASHBURN G1 Image

WASHBURN G1

- offset double cutaway mahogany body, bolt-on Canadian rock maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, pointy headstock with six-on-one-side tuners, Fine Tune Washburn tremolo with locking nut, single high-output humbucker p...

WASHBURN B20 (STAGE SERIES) Image

WASHBURN B20 (STAGE SERIES)

- Firebird-style cutaway bound ash body, flame maple top, three-piece rock maple and rosewood neck-thru body, 22-fret ebony fingerboard with dot or target brass inlay, matching hockey stick-style headstock with four-on-one-side tuners, Wash...

WASHBURN WM526 (USA MFG.) Image

WASHBURN WM526 (USA MFG.)

- offset double cutaway Strat-style solid mahogany body, carved mahogany top, set mahogany neck, 24-fret carbon glass epoxy composite fingerboard with no inlays, reverse hockey stick-style matching finish headstock with Washburn logo, six-o...

WASHBURN XMPRO2 Image

WASHBURN XMPRO2

- offset double cutaway carved mahogany body, set mahogany neck, 24-fret ebony fingerboard with offset dot inlays, beveled headstock with black overlay, six-on-one-side tuners, tune-o-matic bridge, STB, two exposed Duncan USM humbucker pick...

WASHBURN CTS STUDIO Image

WASHBURN CTS STUDIO

- similar to CT3 (CTS Plus/P3), except has less features, available in Butterscotch Matte, Natural Matte, or Red Matte (1999 only) finish, mfg. 1999-2002.

WASHBURN J9 WASHINGTON Image

WASHBURN J9 WASHINGTON

- single rounded cutaway hollowbody, arched maple top, bound body two f-holes, maple back/sides, maple neck, 20-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with split rectangle abalone inlay, adjustable tune-o-matic bridge/metal ´W´ trapeze tailpiece,...

WASHBURN DIME 332  Image

WASHBURN DIME 332

- Flying V with forward treble horn alder body, mahogany neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, tune-o-matic bridge/stop tailpiece, V-shaped peghead, 3-per-side Grover tuners, chrome hardware, two Washburn humbucker pickup...

WASHBURN PTK (U.S. MFG.) Image

WASHBURN PTK (U.S. MFG.)

- similar to Model PT3 except has korina body, ebony set neck, ebony fingerboard, EMG and Duncan pickups, Buzz Feiten Tuning System, available in Korina Gloss finish, mfg. 2000-02.

WASHBURN WI45 Image

WASHBURN WI45

- single cutaway Idol-style mahogany body, multi-ply body binding, set mahogany neck, 22-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with MOP wing inlays, multi-ply bound heastock with black overlay, Washburn logo, and pearl inlay, three-per-side Grove...

WASHBURN KC70 Image

WASHBURN KC70

- offset double cutaway alder body with deep scalloped cutaways, arched top and back, angled heel design, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, six-on-one-side tuners, Floyd Rose 600S tremolo with locking nu...

WASHBURN BT5 Image

WASHBURN BT5

- slightly offset double cutaway hardwood body, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, black headstock with three-per-side Grover tuners, tune-o-matic bridge, stop tailpiece, two exposed Washburn Eliminator humbuck...

WASHBURN MG43 Image

WASHBURN MG43

- similar to MG40, except has a maple fingerboard with offset black dot inlay and 3 exposed single coil pickups, available in Black or Metallic Red finish, mfg. 1992-93.

WASHBURN PS1800 Image

WASHBURN PS1800

- single reverse cutaway with an extreme extended treble horn (slight resemblance to an Explorer) mahogany body, set mahogany neck, 22-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with split MOP/abalone pearl inlays, black headstock overlay with vertica...

WASHBURN A20/30 ARTIST (U.S. MFG.) Image

WASHBURN A20/30 ARTIST (U.S. MFG.)

- Firebird-style cutaway bound one-piece mahogany body, highly figured maple top, set bound mahogany neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, matching hockey-stick style headstock with six-on-one-side Grover tuners, Schaller Floyd...

WASHBURN SB80 Image

WASHBURN SB80

- double cutaway mahogany body, arched bound flame maple top, mahogany neck, 22-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl wings inlay, tune-o-matic bridge/stop tailpiece, three-per-side tuners, raised white pickguard, two humbucker Washbur...

WASHBURN X22 Image

WASHBURN X22

- offset double cutaway Strat-style solid maple body, bolt-on maple neck, rosewood fingerboard with offset dot inlay, six-on-one-side tuners, hard tail bridge, WB630 pickups in HSS configuration, two knobs, three-way switch, chrome hardware...

WASHBURN E100 (U.S. MFG.) Image

WASHBURN E100 (U.S. MFG.)

- offset double cutaway bound sapele body, carved top, set sapele neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with solar inlays, black headstock with three-per-side Grover tuners, tune-o-matic bridge, stop tailpiece, two exposed Duncan humbucker pic...

WASHBURN DIME 333 Image

WASHBURN DIME 333

- similar to the DIME332, except has a flame maple top and Floyd Rose locking tremolo bridge, available in BlackJack, DimeSlime Green, and DimeBolt (graphic) finish, mfg. 1995-2003.

WASHBURN RS980 Image

WASHBURN RS980

- offset double cutaway solid body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard with sharkfin position markers, jumbo frets, reverse headstock, locking nut, Floyd Rose bridge, 2 humbucker pickups and 1 single coil pickup, black hardware, 1 volume/1 to...

WASHBURN BT6 Image

WASHBURN BT6

- slightly offset double cutaway mahogany body, maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with offset pearl dot inlay, three-per-side Grover tuners, Floyd Rose licensed tremolo, two exposed humbucker and one single coil pickups (HSH), two kn...

WASHBURN MG44 Image

WASHBURN MG44

- similar to MG40, except has a maple fingerboard with offset black dot inlay, and two exposed humbucker and one single coil pickups (HSH), available in Black, Black Cherry Metallic, Metallic Red, or Midnight Blue Metallic finish, mfg. 1992...

WASHBURN SB100 (U.S. MFG.) Image

WASHBURN SB100 (U.S. MFG.)

- symmetrical double cutaway Honduras mahogany body, bound bookmatched quilted or flamed maple top, three-piece Honduras mahogany neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with custom pearl wing inlay, three-per-side vintage Keystone tuners, tune-...

WASHBURN XB105 Image

WASHBURN XB105

- similar to the XB100, except in five-string configuration, 3/2-per-side tuners, available in Black, Metallic Bronze (2001-02), Metallic Cherry (2001-02), or Tobacco Sunburst finish, mfg. 2000-02.

WASHBURN DB2000 (U.S. MFG.) Image

WASHBURN DB2000 (U.S. MFG.)

- Flying V with forward treble horn swamp ash body (like Dime 3), bolt-on maple neck, 24-fret ebony fingerboard, V-shaped headstock with two-per-side tuners, two EMG J-style pickups, three numbered knobs, active electronics, jack on face of...