Re: Information on quality of the ARBOR f style Mandolin requeste
A bit of Googling on the "Arbor" brand label revealed (unsubstantiated, so don't take it as gospel) information that "Arbor guitars were founded in 1984 in Osaka, Japan by an ex-Ibanez president and an ex-Yamaha manager. A factory was purchased in Hamamatsu, Japan where guitars were produced from 1984-1986. They were forced to sell the company in the 3rd year of production due to lawsuits that were immediately filed by both Fender and Gibson, jointly. Production was moved to Korea by the new owners," that the "Arbor" label was subsequently acquired by MusiCorp, and that "MusiCorp had a contract with Fred Gretsch and company to manufacture and distribute Gretsch Guitars. MusiCorp had one of the major Korean companies (Samick or Cort) manufacture the guitar for them. In 2003, Fender purchased the Gretsch brand name and the right to manufacture and distribute Gretsch guitars and drums. Fender, however, did not purchase any of the Gretsch guitar stock. MusiCorp was under contract with the Korean Manufacturer to produce a year’s worth of guitars...MusiCsorp simply had their brand name Arbor affixed to the guitars that were intended to be sold a Gretsches. So, while the guitar says Arbor, it is indeed the same as the Korean made Gretsch guitars that were produced, just without the name and the High Dollar price tag."
Leaving aside the info about the Gretsch contract, this suggests that the mandolin, if pre-1986, may be Japanese-made; if after that date, made in Korea. And, based on this 2014 thread about an Arbor guitar, some Arbor instruments have been labeled "Arbor by Washburn," which may just mean that Washburn acquired a stash of Korean-made Arbor instruments, put a "by Washburn" tag on them, and sold them. As Mike E points out above, whatever the US Music Corp., current owners of the "Washburn" label, may write about the "storied history" of US-made Washburn instruments, they're nothing but an importer of a variety of Asian-made instruments, from whatever factory they contract with, labeled "Washburn."
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
Bookmarks