However, there is no direct connection between the original Washburn brand and the modern Washburn International. … 130 years of history is at the root of our strong foundation building high quality instruments. Washburn has been building stringed instruments since 1883. Though the Washburn brand was preserved, it never regained its preeminence, and by the early 1940s had declined to nothing.Īn unbroken lineage is often alluded to by Washburn International, in press releases and advertising materials, and on the company website: Regal was chosen to reopen the Washburn factory (producing Regal instruments as well). Some of the Stewart assets were acquired by the Regal Musical Instrument Company, which had purchased the "Regal" brand name in 1908 from Lyon & Healy (who acquired it in 1905). Stewart Company to purchase and operate the massive factory, but this transition proved problematic and Stewart went bankrupt in 1930. Tonk Brothers turned to manufacturer J.R. “Washburn guitars, zithers & mandolins manufactured by Lyon & Healy, Chicago Best in the World” ad It bridged the gap between smaller-bodied "parlor" guitars of the late 19th and early 20th century and modern-day dreadnought and jumbo acoustic guitars. In 1912, Washburn introduced the Lakeside Jumbo guitar, which some consider the first dreadnought-sized guitar. As well, they built instruments for other retailers and distributors under various house brands, and outsourced construction of some models. Not only did the Lyon & Healy company often change designs to follow the rapidly evolving consumer demand, but the company also repaired instruments, and offered engraving services, including decorating instruments that it retailed but did not actually manufacture. Tracing the history of any particular instrument of this period presents many obstacles. Lyon & Healy 1898 catalog listed 28 different styles of "Washburn" guitars, ranging from $15 to $145. Under the George Washburn brand, which was Lyon's first and middle name.
The company achieved independence by 1880, and around 1888 the company launched fully into fretted and plucked instruments ( guitars, mandolins, banjos, ukuleles and zithers)
By 1865, Lyon & Healy had expanded into reed organs and some small instruments. Healy, acting as the Chicago outlet for Boston sheet music publisher Oliver Ditson and Company. Lyon & Healy began in 1864 as a partnership of businessmen George W. Right: archtop guitar model 5250 (1928), Museum of Making Music.