Washburn Style 1218 Parlor (ca.1915)

A very interesting Washburn instrument - labeled as a 1218 - but much more.

The standard model "1218", like others from their product line - is a coded number for the details of the product: "1" the style, "2" the size, and "18" as the price. These instruments are well regarded, even for being an "entry" level model for the brand - featuring a nice solid spruce top with ladder bracing, and very fine solid Brazilian rosewood back & sides. This particular example has been very well cared for, and nicely upgraded, having likely been custom ordered to feature its ebony fingerboard with a striking vine inlay. This vine inlay concept was used on a small variety of higher grade instruments, hand done, with mother of pearl flowering and a copper vine stalk.

These parlor guitars are very comfortable to play and yield a nice sound - here set up with nylon strings that play very well (although some say they fair well with light steel string setups). It is constructed with a. 13" lower bout (9 3/8" upper), with a depth measuring 3 7/8" at the bottom, and 3 1/8" at the shoulder. Solid wide kerfing, again ladder braced. It has a standard 24.75" scale length, with a Mahogany neck with the standard (but slightly more comfortable than usual) V profile with a very nice volute. The ebony bridge features 3 MOP inlay dots covering screws where the bridge is bolted into place (with the square nut on its interior). Original tuners function as they should.

This guitar has a very nice sound, with easy playability thanks to a lot of care from its previous owners. Currently setup with black nylon strings, it has a very round tone with a soft definition, but surprising volume for an instrument this small. A nice balance, it functions exceptionally for finger style and even classical. This is a true parlor guitar, as it would function great as an easy to play couch instrument that is quite the good looking piece to hang on the wall (if you can keep your hands off it). The neck is nice and straight with easy playability, the action measuring a comfortable 8/64" in height at the twelfth fret.
While it is not completely known when this work was achieved - the level of detail involved would imply it being a special order - again with the vine inlay, fully bound fingerboard & headstock. Previous repairs include sealed and cleated top cracks, the bridge having been reglued (likely moved at some point) and a nice bone nut (replacing a standard ebony). Guitar repairman, David Oaks, had expertly refinished this model, giving it the nice deep French polish that it currently has.

Includes an era correct coffin case (possibly original) - hand painted (see photos).