Brand: Washburn
Instrument Categories: SOLD, Ukuleles
Here’s a treat – a Washburn Soprano Ukulele, built by Lyon & Healy during the 1920s in Chicago, Illinois and in very nice condition with the original canvas trap-door case.
Lyon and Healy started building harps in 1864 and in 1883 established Washburn as one of their premiere lines for other instruments. In 1928, the Washburn line was sold to the Tonk Brothers, but it went bankrupt and was purchased by Regal in 1930. However, the name faded until by 1940 it was largely a memory kept alive by legal means. The name was resurrected in the late 1960’s and applied to Japanese-made instruments. Several other ownership changes have taken place and the line is presently owned by JAM Industries.
As to Lyon and Healy, towards the end of the 1970’s, the Steinway company purchased Lyon & Healy, spinning off their other efforts to focus on building quality harps.
This Washburn Soprano ukulele is built with a mixture of Mahogany for the body and bridge, Spanish Cedar for the neck, Rosewood for the fingerboard and small pieces of Ebony for the nut and saddle. The top, back and soundhole are bound with a grained ivoroid celluloid.
There is a small scuffed / dented area on the back, perhaps the back rested on the case buckle at some point. Otherwise it is in very clean condition. Fret wear is negligible.
This Washburn soprano ukulele is in original condition, and includes the original canvas trap-door style case.
- Model: Soprano Ukulele
- Year: 1922 | Approximate year
- Finish Natural
- Class: Vintage
- Serial Number: N/A
- Country of Origin: USA
- Condition: Very Good
- Date Posted: 24/05/2018
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Including original Soft case
- Scale Length: 13.75in 349.25mm
- Nut Width: 1.37in 35mm
