Washburn Style 5238 Deluxe Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar, c. 1930, made in Chicago, natural lacquer with stenciling finish, rosewood back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original brown soft shell case.
The Washburn Deluxe was the finest standard guitar Washburn offered in the late 1920's. While the elaborate and more abstractly-shaped Bell guitar sold at a higher price, the Deluxe was the height of Washburns accomplishment in conventional 6-string design. This X-braced, rosewood body Grand Concert Guitar is built with the finest materials and is an extemely fine instrument, selling originally for $140.00. The gold-plated Waverly tuners have engraved plates and real pearl buttons. The top is decorated with gold leaf stencil and the fingerboard has delicate pearl snowflake inlay. This guitar is a beautiful example of a particularly rare and lovely pre-war flat top.
Overall length is 39 in. (99.1 cm.), 14 1/8 in. (35.9 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 7/8 in. (48 mm.). A superb playing example; all original except museum-quality reproduction bridge with a slight saddle compensation. Some general light playing wear; two fairly deep case-lid dings in the top and some pickwear in the usual places. The back finish is marked from long contact with some plastic or vinyl, and there is some clouding to the finish there as well. Structurally this guitar is exceptionally fine, and the sound is excellent as well. Includes the original Geib & Schaffer chipboard case in unusually fine condition. Excellent Condition.
