1910s Washburn Style 217 Parlor Guitar



A customer sent this Washburn in a long time ago. In the meantime, he'd sent more instruments in that went on consignment and this poor guy hung-out at the back of the pack. I finally got it ready for him and it's going home very soon. It didn't even need that much!

Usually I suggest nylon or gut strings for old Washburns, but depending on the era, they can be pretty overbuilt. This one's stiff enough in the top and neck to wear 46w-10 extra lights, so that's what it's got on it at the moment and it sounds really nice -- especially for fingerpicking. Sometimes these old Washburns can be a bit too boxy or "flat-sounding" with steel but this one sounds warm and full for its size.

Repairs included: a fret level/dress, recut of the saddle slot to a compensated angle, new bone saddle, and setup.

Setup notes: it has a straight neck and plays on-the-dot quick with 3/32" EA and 1/16" DGBE action at the 12th fret.

Scale length: 24 3/4"

Nut width: 1 3/4"

String spacing at nut: 1 9/16"

String spacing at bridge: 2 3/16"

Body length: 18 1/2"

Lower bout width: 12 7/8"

Side depth at endpin: 3 3/4"

Top wood: solid spruce

Back & sides wood: solid Brazilian rosewood

Bracing type: ladder

Fretboard: ebony

Bridge: ladder

Neck feel: big V-shape, ~12" board radius

Neck wood: mahogany

Weight: 3 lb 0 oz


Condition notes: while the bridge, saddle, and pins are unoriginal, the rest of the guitar is original. There are a few repaired cracks and general usewear throughout but it's otherwise in good order.

















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