JAPANESE MADE WASHBURNS
Washburn guitars started out in the 1800s as an acoustic builder. they were made in the USA and were quality instruments. By the time the 1970s and 80s came Washbrun saw the rest of the guitar world booming with electrics and decided to join the party. Deciding that it would be too costly to start an electric guitar plant, they did what many other companies were doing and jumped a plane to Japan.
Washburn was a bit different in the fact that they didn't only have one company make their electric guitars. It was actually a few different Japanese companies that built for them. Matsumoku, Daion, Chushin and Yamaki to name a few.
Many of the Wing series guitars were made at both the Matsumoku and Daion factories as well as the Yamaki Factory. Some of Washburns most popular series guitars, the Satge series were made at the Matsumoku fatory as well. All the factories that were producing for Washburn a this time were being held to the highest quality standards.
Some of the more common things most all Japanese Washburns shared was 3 piece necks, brass components like bridges and nuts, quality pickups, many produced my Maxxon as well as the higher end models having DiMarzio and excellent quality tuners.
Washburn's Wing series was a beautiful line of doublecut guitars. All the models were named after birds, T Bird, Raven, Hawk and Eagle. They had various features and price points with the Eagle being the top model.
One of Washburns most popular models was the Stage Series A models. This was Washburns take on the popular Explorer shape. The models were the A-5 the entry model with bolt neck and 2 humbuckers, the A-10 which had a bolt as well as set neck and 2 humbuckers, the A-15 with set neck and 3 single coils, and lastly the A-20 which was neck through with full binding, ebony fretboard, premium tuners and 2 Power Sustainer humbuckers. They also had the BBR series which consisted of the A model, a super strat, flying V and tele shape all colored black with red binding. These are some of the most expensive Washburns from this era with the Tele being the rarest of the bunch.
Tour Series was another of Washburns popular series. These were pro level guitars as well and featured models such as the ultra cool and very hard to find HM model and the RR series. The HM was a shape all to itself but resembled an explorer but with points. This model sells for well over 1k today. It came in red, black and white with blood splatter as well as the BBR model. The RR model, which was their answer to the Randy Rhodes V was another beautiful example and came in red with black slanted stripes like a Japanese flag as well as a white model with red stripes. These command high prices in today's market as well.
Also available was the G series. These were superstrats of the highest quality. Most came in rock maple with 3 piece necks, Maxxon Super Distortion pickups or Washburn badged emgs, high quality tuners, wonderbar tremolos or on some rarer models, Kahler tremolos. They made various models from the G-5 up to the G-20. There are a few higher numbered models but they were prototypes and were not massed produced. I own a few of these super rare models including a model made for Bob Kulick, a red G-35K. The K stands for Kahler. Mine is the veteran of many tours and has various nicks and dings but is one of the fastest and well built guitars I own and would put it up against any ESP or other high end guitar.
One of the rarest of all the Washburns is the Ace Frehley signature model. This really is a rare bird. Production numbers are super low and they very rarely come up for sale. I have many Washburns but the Ace is one that has eluded me for many years. They command a high dollar as to be expected. The model had a shape all its own and was seen on the "Into The Night" video. Ace didn't particularly like the guitar but the buyers did as do the collectors. The last one I saw sold for north of $2,000!
Washburn was also know for their bass guitars as well. One of their wildest designs was the Rudy Sarzo stripe series. These were top quality bass guitars. All the best parts with active as well as passive electronics. They came in black and white and red and white. these sell for 1k or so and are worth every penny. Thy are not easy to come by but can be found.
If you ever have a chance to buy any of the Japanese made Washburn electrics made up until 1987 when they left production in Japan, don't hesitate. They are some of the best made guitars you will every play!
Please note, if you have any specific questions on types of wood etc on any of the Washburns or other Japan guitars please feel free to contact me. I will help out if I can. Thanks!
Washburn was a bit different in the fact that they didn't only have one company make their electric guitars. It was actually a few different Japanese companies that built for them. Matsumoku, Daion, Chushin and Yamaki to name a few.
Many of the Wing series guitars were made at both the Matsumoku and Daion factories as well as the Yamaki Factory. Some of Washburns most popular series guitars, the Satge series were made at the Matsumoku fatory as well. All the factories that were producing for Washburn a this time were being held to the highest quality standards.
Some of the more common things most all Japanese Washburns shared was 3 piece necks, brass components like bridges and nuts, quality pickups, many produced my Maxxon as well as the higher end models having DiMarzio and excellent quality tuners.
Washburn's Wing series was a beautiful line of doublecut guitars. All the models were named after birds, T Bird, Raven, Hawk and Eagle. They had various features and price points with the Eagle being the top model.
One of Washburns most popular models was the Stage Series A models. This was Washburns take on the popular Explorer shape. The models were the A-5 the entry model with bolt neck and 2 humbuckers, the A-10 which had a bolt as well as set neck and 2 humbuckers, the A-15 with set neck and 3 single coils, and lastly the A-20 which was neck through with full binding, ebony fretboard, premium tuners and 2 Power Sustainer humbuckers. They also had the BBR series which consisted of the A model, a super strat, flying V and tele shape all colored black with red binding. These are some of the most expensive Washburns from this era with the Tele being the rarest of the bunch.
Tour Series was another of Washburns popular series. These were pro level guitars as well and featured models such as the ultra cool and very hard to find HM model and the RR series. The HM was a shape all to itself but resembled an explorer but with points. This model sells for well over 1k today. It came in red, black and white with blood splatter as well as the BBR model. The RR model, which was their answer to the Randy Rhodes V was another beautiful example and came in red with black slanted stripes like a Japanese flag as well as a white model with red stripes. These command high prices in today's market as well.
Also available was the G series. These were superstrats of the highest quality. Most came in rock maple with 3 piece necks, Maxxon Super Distortion pickups or Washburn badged emgs, high quality tuners, wonderbar tremolos or on some rarer models, Kahler tremolos. They made various models from the G-5 up to the G-20. There are a few higher numbered models but they were prototypes and were not massed produced. I own a few of these super rare models including a model made for Bob Kulick, a red G-35K. The K stands for Kahler. Mine is the veteran of many tours and has various nicks and dings but is one of the fastest and well built guitars I own and would put it up against any ESP or other high end guitar.
One of the rarest of all the Washburns is the Ace Frehley signature model. This really is a rare bird. Production numbers are super low and they very rarely come up for sale. I have many Washburns but the Ace is one that has eluded me for many years. They command a high dollar as to be expected. The model had a shape all its own and was seen on the "Into The Night" video. Ace didn't particularly like the guitar but the buyers did as do the collectors. The last one I saw sold for north of $2,000!
Washburn was also know for their bass guitars as well. One of their wildest designs was the Rudy Sarzo stripe series. These were top quality bass guitars. All the best parts with active as well as passive electronics. They came in black and white and red and white. these sell for 1k or so and are worth every penny. Thy are not easy to come by but can be found.
If you ever have a chance to buy any of the Japanese made Washburn electrics made up until 1987 when they left production in Japan, don't hesitate. They are some of the best made guitars you will every play!
Please note, if you have any specific questions on types of wood etc on any of the Washburns or other Japan guitars please feel free to contact me. I will help out if I can. Thanks!
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