The History of Washburn Guitars

Dimebag with Washburn Signature Guitar

With roots going back to the last year of the Civil War, Washburn began as a partnership between George Washburn Lyon and Patrick Healy. Formed in Chicago, Illinois, the company has been building stringed instruments since 1883. An American institution, Washburn has built guitars, mandolins, banjos, ukuleles, and more throughout the years. Many of the biggest names in folk, rock, and blues have played Washburn and some of the most significant trendsetting music has been played on a Washburn. From early blues, to the inspiration behind the MTV Unplugged revival, to the modern day, Washburn has been a choice amongst the songsmiths of the day. Signature artists such as Paul Stanley (Kiss), Warren Haynes (Gov’t Mule, Allman Brothers), Dimebag Darrell (Pantera), Jennifer Batten Michael Jackson’s Band), Christian Metalhead Michael Sweet (Stryper) and Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme) have greatly contributed to Washburn’s reputation as a manufacturer of affordable, high quality guitars. We are sure you can find a musical partner in a Washburn, be it the historically significant Lakeside and DeLuxe, the quintessential acoustic-electric Festival, the luthier inspired Comfort, or our extensive variety of Americana models

From the first Washburn electric built in 1976, everyone from beginners taking their first step into the bright stage lights to seasoned professionals commanding the attention of thousands of screaming fans have found a home at Washburn. From rock, metal, country, bluegrass and jazz, there is a Washburn electric guitar that will fit you and your style perfectly and grow with you as you develop your style and technique.

A legacy of famous and talented artists who have helped shape the soundscape of today’s modern music, from Nancy Wilson and Howard Leese with Heart, to the rise of hard rock’s and metal’s glory years with Rudy Sarzo and Nuno Bettencourt- who is celebrating 25 years with the company as a signature artist; through the grunge years where icons like Dimebag Darrel kept guitar solos alive until passing the torch to Ola Englund and Marzi Montazeri. The list goes on and is growing everyday. Whether you strive to join that list, or are happy to push your “likes” on YouTube, or just want to have some fun with family and friends in the basement or backyard- we have the perfect fit for you no matter your taste or skill level.

About Your Washburn Guitar

If you own a Washburn guitar, current or discontinued*, and are looking for information on it, you can simply check here for all of the specs and key information. The page currently has listings going back to 1990, while the 1980’s are currently being archived.

This archive is very simple to use. If you look at the serial number on your guitar, in the sound hole of the acoustic or on the back of the headstock on electrics, you will see that in most cases, the first two numbers of the serial number are the year of manufacture. For example, if your guitar’s serial number is 94000000, your guitar was made in 1994. You can look up the 1994 page, and locate your model number. All of the specs and information such as materials used, list price, scale length, nut width and finish are included.

Archive pages are presented in Adobe Acrobat format. If you don’t have the Acrobat Reader program on your computer, go to the Adobe Website now and get it. It’s free!

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