WASHBURN Early Bowl-Back Models
- deep bowl-back instruments, various configurations and features, mfg. early 1890s-early 1920s.
- Home
- chevron_right Manufacturers
- chevron_right WASHBURN
Washburn mandolins were introduced circa 1892, which was when mandolins became very popular. The first models were the bowl-back instruments with deep bowls. Washburn offered many different grades of their mandolins ranging from basic to highly inlaid ornate models. Circa 1915, Washburn introduced the flat-back mandolin that was similar to Gibson's design. In 1917, the name Lyon & Healy was applied to Washburn mandolins, but by the early 1920s, Washburn was put on the mandolin again (along with a variety of other labels). Washburn also produced mandolas, mandocellos, contra basses, a guitar mandolin (Mandolinetto), and a 12-string mandolin. Mandolin production continued through the 1930s and was discontinued around the same time the entire Washburn line disbanded.
In the 1970s, mandolins were first revived by Beckman Musical Instruments with the WM40 and WM70. In 1978, an entirely new line was introduced that included endorser Jethro Burns. These new mandolins were styled after the Gibson A-style and F-style (however a few reissues of older Washburns exist). Jethro Burns died in 1989, and the signature was taken off of his models, however they were produced well into the 1990s. Washburn mandolins are currently produced. For a full history on Washburn refer to the Blue Book of Acoustic Guitars. Information courtesy John Teagle, Washburn: Over One Hundred Years of Fine Stringed Instruments and Hubert Plijsier: Washburn - Prewar Instrument Styles.
In the 1970s, mandolins were first revived by Beckman Musical Instruments with the WM40 and WM70. In 1978, an entirely new line was introduced that included endorser Jethro Burns. These new mandolins were styled after the Gibson A-style and F-style (however a few reissues of older Washburns exist). Jethro Burns died in 1989, and the signature was taken off of his models, however they were produced well into the 1990s. Washburn mandolins are currently produced. For a full history on Washburn refer to the Blue Book of Acoustic Guitars. Information courtesy John Teagle, Washburn: Over One Hundred Years of Fine Stringed Instruments and Hubert Plijsier: Washburn - Prewar Instrument Styles.
Mandolins previously produced in Chicago, IL from c. 1892-WWII. Mandolins currently produced since the 1970s in China, Japan, and Korea. Distributed by U.S. Music Corp in Buffalo Grove, IL.
WASHBURN Mandolins Models
WASHBURN M1 S
- A-style body design, solid spruce top, bound maple back and sides, two f-holes, bound 20-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, standard headstock with four-per-side chrome tuners, chrome engraved tailpiece, adjustable rosewood bridge,...
WASHBURN Style A/Deluxe 5283
- pear shaped body with one point on each side assymetrical of each other, spruce top, Brazilian rosewood back and sides, scroll-style headstock, mfg. early 1920s-mid-1940s.
WASHBURN M1 S DL Deluxe
- similar to the M1 S, except has a carved top, an oval soundhole, Florentine (F-style) headstock with flowerpot inlay, and gold hardware, available in Black, Trans. Blue, or Trans. Red finish, mfg. 2004-present.
WASHBURN Style B
- pear shaped body with one point on each side assymetrical of each other, spruce top, Brazilian rosewood back and sides, scroll-style headstock, mfg. mid-1920s.
WASHBURN M2
- A-style body design, laminated spruce top, snakehead neck, mfg. 1978-early 1980s.
WASHBURN Style C/Aristocrat 5282
- pear shaped body, spruce top, curly maple back and sides, standard-style headstock, mfg. early 1920s-mid-1930s.
WASHBURN M2 S
- similar to the M2, except has a solid spruce top, mfg. mid-1980s.
WASHBURN Style D
- pear shaped body with one point on each side assymetrical of each other, spruce top, maple back and sides, mfg. early 1920s.
WASHBURN M2 SW
- A-style body design, carved solid spruce top, solid maple or flame maple back and sides, two bound f-holes, 20-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl cloud inlays, standard headstock with four-per-side gold tuners with pearl buttons, rosewo...
WASHBURN M3 S
- A-style body design, carved solid spruce top, solid maple back and sides, oval soundhole, 20-fret extended rosewood fingerboard with brass target inlays, standard headstock with flowerpot inlay and four-per-side gold tuners with pearl but...
WASHBURN Style E/Inspiration 5280
- pear shaped body, spruce top, mahogany back and sides, ebony fingerboard, standard-style headstock, mfg. early 1920s-mid-1940s.
WASHBURN Style F
- pear shaped body with one point on each side assymetrical of each other, spruce top, mahogany back and sides, mfg. early 1920s.
WASHBURN M3 S DL Deluxe
- similar to the M3 S, except has a bound headstock and abalone trim rosette, available in Sunburst finish, mfg. early 1980s.
WASHBURN Style G/Classic 5281
- pear shaped body, spruce top, figured maple back and sides, ebony fingerboard, standard-style headstock, mfg. early 1920s-mid-1940s.
WASHBURN M3 SW
- F-style body design, carved solid spruce top, bound book matched solid maple back and sides, two f-holes, bound 20-fret extended rosewood fingerboard with pearl inlays, F-style headstock with flower inlay and four-per-side gold tuners wit...
WASHBURN M3 SWE Electric
- similar to the M3 SW, except has a pickup and electronics, available in Trans. Wine Red finish, mfg. 2001-present.
WASHBURN M4 S(W) Standard
- F-style body design, hand-built, carved solid spruce top, bound book matched maple back and sides, two f-holes, bound 20-fret extended rosewood fingerboard with pearl inlays, F-style headstock with flower inlay and four-per-side gold tune...
WASHBURN M5 S(W) Deluxe
- F-style body design, hand-built, carved solid spruce top, bound book matched fiddle back maple back and sides, two f-holes, Canadian rock maple neck, bound 20-fret extended rosewood fingerboard with pearl snowflake and other inlays, F-sty...
WASHBURN M6 S
- F-style body design, hand-built, carved solid spruce top, bound book matched fiddle back maple back and sides, rope purfling around top, two f-holes, Canadian rock maple neck, bound 20-fret extended rosewood fingerboard with pearl snowfla...
WASHBURN M6 SW "Jethro Burns"
- reissue of the M6 S, F-style body design, carved spruce top, rope pattern purfling around top, bound curly maple back and sides, 20-fret extended fingerboard with snowflake and other inlays, bound headstock with wood overlay, flower inlay...
WASHBURN M7 SW Country Mandolin
- reissue of the Washburn B-style mandolin, pear shape body with one point on each side assymetrical to each other, hand carved solid spruce top, black body binding, oval soundhole, hand carved curly maple back and sides, 20-fret extended e...
WASHBURN M106SW
- pear-shaped A-style mandolin, carved solid spruce top, carved solid mahogany back and sides, two f-holes, maple neck, 20-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, black headstock overlay with Washburn logo, four-per-side open-geared a...
WASHBURN M108SW
- single cutaway two-point F-style mandolin, carved solid spruce top, carved solid mahogany back and sides, two f-holes, maple neck, 24-fret extended bound ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, scroll-style headstock with black overlay a...
WASHBURN M116SW 125th Anniversary
- pear-shaped A-style mandolin, carved solid spruce top, bookmatched solid flamed maple back and sides, two f-holes, white body binding with rope pattern top inlay, maple neck, 20-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, bound...
WASHBURN M118SW 125th Anniversary
- single cutaway two-point F-style mandolin, carved solid spruce top, bookmatched solid flamed maple back and sides, two f-holes, white body binding with rope pattern top inlay, maple neck, 24-fret extended bound rosewood fingerboard with p...
WASHBURN M120 "Richie Owens"
- two-point F-style body design, carved solid spruce top, rope pattern purfling around top, bound solid flame maple back and sides, two f-holes, flamed maple neck, bound 24-fret extended fingerboard with dot inlays, bound snake-style headst...