Older washburns?

[Dave Greenspoon]

Folks-

I'm succumbing to a moderate bout of MAS, with a side infection of scrolliosis, and am trying out a used Washburn 3MSW. I decided I want a beater to take to the next festival; my heart went in my throat when my best friend's 4 year old stood on my case last summer at Grey Fox, with my beloved Rigel inside. #

For $300 and a case+strings, I'm not going to find a better deal, presuming the mandolin plays as well as it looks. #I'd love some history about Washburn: #when did they start getting gobbled up? #How can I date a low 3 Millions serial number? #And finally, what decent but inexpensive after-market cases do you recommend?

Thanks in advance!

Dave Greenspoon

[Dave Greenspoon]

Ooops on the S/N. I missed a digit. :-)

It's 93100027 on the M3SW Ts

[Martin Jonas]

The Washburn name has been sold several times since the days when it was Lyon & Healy's premium brand. #All Washburn mandolins since the 1970s have been made in Asia, initially in Japan, then in Korea. #For the 8-digit serial numbers, the first two digits give the year, i.e. yours was made in 1993, a few years after production shifted to Korea.

I have a 1989 M3SW (either Japan or Korea -- it's on the boundary of their switchover), which is a lovely instrument, great tone, great playability, great looks. #Maybe a little bit quiet and slightly weaker bass than a luthier-made one, but certainly more than a beater. #I have replaced the stock rosewood bridge with an ebony one, and that has a major contribution to the tone it has now.

Yours may differ from mine, especially if they weren't made in the same factory, but for $300 it's a great deal.

I have the original rectangular case, which is a nice but very heavy vintage-style case, but for everyday use I have a Travelite case, which is very cheap and fits the M3SW like a glove. Costs around $50.

Martin

[Dave Greenspoon]

Thanks for the info. O'm closing out the thread here, having decided to not keep the Washburn. The mando sounded great but could stand a fret job. I'd rather spend my money differently. It was almost the right mando...