1928 Washburn 5238 Natural, Excellent, Hard

SALE PENDING: SN: 1809. Washburn 5238 from the late 1920’s made in the Lyon & Healy factory in very nice condition. Many of the impressive instruments from lesser known brands of the 20’s and 30’s compete very favorably with Martin and Gibson in workmanship and tone. This 14" 00-sized competitor to the 00-28 is no exception. The very lightly braced top combine with the rosewood back and sides to provide rich overtones, surprising volume, and long decay. The design and workmanship is impressive. The top appears to be white spruce (according to the 1928 catalog) but with the tight grain normally associated with Adirondack and very little cross grain. Ivoroid binding top and back and around the sound hole. The flower and vine appliqué that is everyone’s favorite. The bridge looks original with the original inlays pearloid. The back and sides appear to be solid rosewood, not the heavier three-ply veneer of the later Regal-made models, and has a decorative center strip. The guitar is light as a feather. The neck is fulsome with a 1 7/8” nut, 2 5/16” string spacing at the bridge, and 24 7/8” scale length. It’s decorated with delicate inlays of snowflakes, diamonds, flowers, and dots. The slotted headstock features a lovely logo inlay and rather plainish (compared with the rest of the guitar) tuners that appear to be the only ones the guitar has ever worn. They work well. The back of the headstock shows the Lyon & Healy brass plate and serial number. The frets are smallish but functional and reasonably level. It plays well with medium action and no buzzing. IMHO, the best tone is achieved with the fingers and the neck and string spacing makes it a delight. The condition is vintage excellent with a few scratches and dings, a hairline between the bridge pins that is repaired, and a check in the rosewood near the center strip and behind the backing on the inside. It is paired with a nice 70’s hardshell case with a plush burgundy interior. A beautiful additional to anyone’s vintage playing collection.