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Can anyone here recommend any resources or reading materials for accurately determining the age and approximate value of older, pre war Washburn acoustic guitars? The guitar in question, in this case, is a parlor sized Washburn model A 5991. The serial number, stamped on the neck block, is 3991.
A woman brought this guitar to me to be fixed up, and she wanted me to find out as much about it as I could. It's been in her family for years, and, from the looks of it, in a fairly hot and dry attic for most of that time. From what I read in the blue book, Washburn used this particular 4 digit serial number format from the early 30's and mid 40's, but they didn't offer any particular information on specific models from that time period. Hopefully, some of you guys are familiar with these guitars. Will post pics if you'd like to see them. I apologize for any typos or weird phrasing; I'm typing this on my phone.
Washburn Prewar Instrument Styles by Pleijsier Hubert is a good source book for Washburn guitar information. Post a picture of the paper label, any stamp marks burned onto the back center strip and of the bridge.
Paul, thanks for the suggestion. I'll see if I can find a copy of that book.
Kerry, thanks for the warm welcome! Here are a few photos of the label, bridge, and the guitar itself. The bridge was pulling up, and as you can see, someone tried to remedy the problem with a few bolts.
So far, I've removed the bridge and splinted those three cracks in the top (they were massive, and I couldn't get them to close up). This guitar could really use a neck set as well, but the owner isn't willing to put that kind of money into the guitar at this time, although I'm fairly confident that she'll be back for the neck set after she's had a chance to play it with the high action.
Attachments:., 915 KB., 825 KB., 1.1 MB. Reply by on May 23, 2013 at 4:01am. The paper label in your Washburn was used from 1906/7 - 1915. The serial number A3991 would date your guitar to 1907. It's hard to quit make out but it appears to be a style 115 (see bottom of the paper label). The bridges would typically be Ebony and normally have flattened pyramid wings, this one looks more like one you would see on a Regal made guitar.
They also owned Regal Instrument Co. And there was a lot of parts swapping done at that time.
Here is a picture I had handy in my computer from a vintage instrument exhibit we hosted in 07 of my Style 115 Washburn. It has the Ebony, flattened pyramid bridge I mentioned. This instrument would have been built for gut strings originally.
It will be ladder braced and have a bridge plate that is in all likely hood be made from Spruce. The straight across, non-compensated saddle will not play in tune with steel or silk and steel strings. I use Nylgut 'Alabastro' strings on mine and they sound and play great, Elderly Instruments has them. Any plastic strings for classical guitar would work though. Reply by on May 24, 2013 at 11:07am. I've got to get my hands on a copy of that Washburn book. I really don't know much about vintage Washburn guitars.
I had a beautiful one come in the shop this week and I'm hoping someone (Paul Breen) can help me put a date on it, and maybe a rough value. I've never seen a Washburn decorated so elaborately. I can't make out the Style number.
The serial number is 81243. It appears to be all original except for one repair on the soundboard seem, done fairly well. Unfortunately I didn't take a picture of the whole body, for some reason, sorry. Reply by on October 25, 2016 at 2:51pm.
I actually have a Force30 - believe this are all MIJ strat copies. Think the Force31 has double humbuckers (i.e. HH config) the Force30 is an SSS with coil tap.
Almost positive that these were made in 1984 and had a pretty short production run. I found someone at Elderly Instruments in Lansing MI (if you have never been and love guitars - you have to pilgrimage someday) who said that these were not very expensive (relatively) at the time but that they are pretty rare - which may mean something. My Force30 is metallic purple. I've restored the original 'tweed' case and had the neck re-adjusted.
Unfortunately it has a nice chip in the paint on the heel - which there is no way I'm going to try and match but otherwise it's a great guitar. Get some pretty good tone out of it and it does have a phase switch (in addtional to the coil tap) so it's prett versatile. I've tried contacting Washburn through thier website but no response for that or other Washburn's that I have.:(.