Washburn
Washburn dates to 1883 in Chicago, which makes it one of the oldest surviving American guitar brands, though the modern company covers a broader range than its heritage suggests — the Parallaxe metal instruments sit alongside acoustics and the N-series associated with Nuno Bettencourt. It appears in our archive on new model launches and in features on brands with longer histories than their current catalogues imply.
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- Electric guitars
- Acoustic guitars
- Bass guitars
- Banjos
- Mandolins
- N4 Nuno signature
- Parallaxe
- Comfort series
- Idol
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Washburn FAQ4 questions
How old is Washburn?
The name goes back to 1883, when it was established in Chicago, Illinois. Washburn is now an American brand and importer of guitars, mandolins and other stringed instruments rather than a continuously operating factory, and it retains the Chicago association in its branding.
Who owns Washburn?
The Washburn name is controlled by U.S. Music Corp., itself a subsidiary of the Canadian corporate group Exertis | JAM. That group holds several other instrument brands, which is why Washburn shares distribution channels with names it has no historical connection to.
What is the Washburn N4?
The Nuno Bettencourt signature model, and the guitar most associated with the modern brand. It is a stripped-back solid-body with a distinctive body shape and pickup layout, and it has stayed in the line in various forms for decades — unusually long for a signature instrument.
Where are Washburn guitars made?
Overseas for the bulk of the range, with higher-end and custom models built in the USA at various points in the brand's history. Washburn's catalogue spans a very wide price range, so the series tells you the origin far more reliably than the headstock does.