Washburn Model 330 1905-1917 / Grand Concert Size / Breathtaking! / July Special!!!

Step back in time, folks, to the First Golden Age of American Guitar Building!  Here is a Washburn Model 330, made by Lyon & Healy in Chicago, somewhere between 1905 and 1917. This was what Washburn considered a “Grand Concert” sized guitar, the equivalent of a modern “0” size.  It is in Excellent Condition, has had a full neck reset, and plays with a straight neck (it has a Truss Rod) and a fast action.  It has a big, well balanced voice and is one of those guitars that you just don’t want to put down.

Washburn guitars of this, Pre-War era, were among the finest guitars made at that time, the equivalent of Gibsons and Martins of the period.  The materials used were first rate, in this case an Adirondack Spruce top, Brazilian Rosewood Back and Sides, and an ebony fretboard and bridge.  They also tended to be rather ornate instruments, and this one is no exception, with beautiful mother-of-pearl fretboard inlays, a bound neck, and elaborate wooden purflings. It is a stunner and has clearly been well maintained for somewhere close to one hundred and twenty years.  You aren’t going to see many like it.

Over the years, Washburn used a number of different methods of designating models. In the very early 1900s, the system was to use a number that indicated the size of the guitar and the price at which it would be sold.  This is a model 330; the first 3 indicates a Grand Concert body style, and the second 30 refers to a $30.00 price point in 1905.  Corrected for inflation, $30 in 1905 is about $1100, today.  This was an expensive guitar.

Coming into the shop, it was in remarkably good condition, but did have a higher than desirable action.  There were some very minor damages, including a crack in the far treble end of the bridge (which was also lifting). A couple of the bridge pins were missing and one of the tuning machine gears was cracked, which made it impossible to completely tune the guitar (the machine had a compression style fitting and it just could not be tightened).  We repaired and glued down the bridge, sourced a new set of Slotted Ivoroid bridge pins, removed and reset the neck, correcting the angle for a fast playing action, leveled and crowned the frets, replaced the tuners with a set of Reliced Golden Age Nickel Bell End tuners, and set her up with a fresh set of D’Addario Silk and Steel Strings.  In removing the neck, we also found that the guitar has a non-adjustable truss rod. Our guess is that it is non-original. In any case, it gives the neck the support it needs to handle the steel strings.

Here are the important Specs:

Top: Adirondack Spruce

Back and Sides: Brazilian Rosewood

Neck: Mahogany

Fretboard and Bridge: Ebony

Nut and Saddle: Bone

Lower Bout: 13 3/4”

Upper Bout: 9 7/8”

Body Depth: 4 1/4”

Body Length: 19”

Total Length: 38 1/4”

Nut Width: 1 13/16”

String Spacing at Bridge: 2 3/8”

Scale: 25”

Action at 12th fret: 5/64” both sides

If you’ve scrolled through the photos and checked out the video demo, I don’t have to tell you; this is one gorgeous guitar, just shy of museum quality.  It is surprisingly loud, but also beautifully balanced, tonally.  It will be an outstanding recording guitar and the centerpiece of a fine collection of instruments.

Be sure to check out the photos carefully and zoom in on the details. We’ve tried to capture this beauty from all angles.

The guitar will ship in a nearly new, SKB padded gig bag.

This Washburn 330 is sold AS IS and is not returnable unless it arrives in a condition other than as described or photographed, here.

Serial Number: 276172

Price: $3800.00 plus $145 shipping (Lower 48 USA, only)