Washburn Mandolin - from 1980s?

[douglas]

Hi there,

Just wondering if anyone can give me any information on a Washburn 2-point A-style mandolin which I picked up recently? I know there has been a previous thread on older Washburns, but I would love to find out more about this particular instrument. The model number is M-7SSB, and the serial number is 3738. Sunburst finish, nice purfling, quite heavy. Some Washburns were made in the eighties and I would like to know if it dates from that period. Any info welcome - thanks!

[Ray(T)]

A picture (or three) paints a thousand words and will illicit far more informative replies - welcome to the forum from a sassenach!

[douglas]

Thanks, Ray, working on it!
Hope this is a help...

[Jeff Hildreth]

I owned the identical instrument.
Mine was custom made in the late 70s early 80s for Jethro Burns. Not just a Jethro Burns model as was my same vintage F style top of the line at that time, also made in Japan. I bought it from Chet Atkin's collection (Jethro's brother in law) .

It was made in Japan and of the highest quality. I (sadly) sold it and a few other mandolins and guitars when I pushed my right hand into a wood working machine back around 1992. Could not play for 2 years.

Regret that sale.

[douglas]

I'm grateful to you for this info, Jeff. I paid £150 for mine, so I think I probably got a bargain.
So sorry to hear about your misfortune. I trust that you have fully recovered and are
still pickin'!

[NickR]

I wonder if the instrument mentioned made for Jethro Burns was an M-7S. Here is a thread on that model with a photo further down:

https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...-Washburn-M-7S

[douglas]

Many thanks, Nick, I hadn't seen this really interesting thread. This narrows it down - it looks as if mine was built in the late 70s - I think they must have used a different system of serial numbering then, as my serial number begins "37...". The cover on my Jethro Burns Complete Mandolin Book shows a two-point with f-holes, a tortoiseshell pickguard and what seems to be part of a motif on the peghead, so not the same as mine.
I'd like to know how much my two-point is worth - not that I have any intention of getting rid of it!

[MikeEdgerton]

Sometimes going to the manufacturer's (importers) website can be very helpful.

Instruments with serial numbers that have 4 characters are from the 1970’s and early 1980’s.

There is no serial number information or tracking capability for pre-1978 models.

It's after 78, into the early 80's.

https://www.washburn.com/faq/

As much as the current Washburn company touts it's history there is no connection to the earlier instruments built by Lyon and Healy and Tonk Brothers other than the name.

[douglas]

Thanks, Mike, I think that's as close as I'm likely to get. I did write to Washburn, but got no reply. They probably thought I should have checked their site. Yes, I knew that they'd "borrowed" the name.

Anyway, that clears it up now!

[MikeEdgerton]

It even got me curious. I bought a Washburn parlor guitar in 1993 from a local store. It's in the 93 catalog on the site but not the 93 spec/price sheet. This seems like more of an afterthought. You might get lucky and find a catalog page from the time period but they certainly don't have it.

[douglas]

Thanks, Mike. I'm very happy with all the information I've had from everyone. I won't be selling it any time soon! I'll keep looking out for an old catalogue...

[Jeff Hildreth]

"I wonder if the instrument mentioned made for Jethro Burns was an M-7S. Here is a thread on that model with a photo further down"

You are correct .. it was a 7S-BR and of the best quality top and backs and sides. Outstanding instrument with very low action without buzz.

I sold it to Norman Levine (who supplied me with my 2 custom ordered 2 Seifferts which I also had to sell at the same time)

[fatt-dad]

does it have the country of manufacture? My first thought, if made in Japan, was a sister to all the others? I've had a few of those - both 12 fret and 15 fret models. Yours is asymmetric; however, and unique to those I've seen from Asia.

Otherwise, I know nothing, but it's cool and I'd like to know where it was made.

Cheers!

f-d

[douglas]

Unfortunately there's no indication of country of origin. The label simply says "Hand crafted in the Washburn tradition of Chicago".
There's a stencilled number on the side: "08 1054 1057", but I don't know what that represents. Jeff (see above) seems pretty sure
it was made in Japan.