Unfortunately, our records are not complete enough to provide precise dating information for many Fender acoustic guitars from the early 1960s through the 1970s and 1980s. Although the tables below are as accurate as possible, serial numbers of these acoustic guitars have never been archived and are of no assistance when attempting to date. Sep 15, 2017 Gibson guitars are all marked with a year dating method that varies but that can be determined quite easily. Guitars made after 1977 use the current YDDDYRRR method, with YY being the year, DDD the day of the year made and RRR the plant designation number. A serial number that starts with 82766 would have been made on October 3, 1986. For example, if the first five digits of your eight-digit serial number are 01545, then you know that the guitar was made on the 154th day of the year in 2005. The sixth number in the modern sequence will tell you the batch, and the last three indicate the rolling production number.
The paper label in your Washburn was used from 1906/7 - 1915. The serial number A3991 would date your guitar to 1907. It's hard to quit make out but it appears to be a style 115 (see bottom of the paper label). The bridges would typically be Ebony and normally have flattened pyramid wings, this one looks more like one you would see on a Regal made guitar. They also owned Regal Instrument Co. and there was a lot of parts swapping done at that time.
Here is a picture I had handy in my computer from a vintage instrument exhibit we hosted in 07 of my Style 115 Washburn. It has the Ebony, flattened pyramid bridge I mentioned.
This instrument would have been built for gut strings originally. It will be ladder braced and have a bridge plate that is in all likely hood be made from Spruce. The straight across, non-compensated saddle will not play in tune with steel or silk and steel strings. I use Nylgut 'Alabastro' strings on mine and they sound and play great, Elderly Instruments has them. Any plastic strings for classical guitar would work though.
The Pleijsier Hubert book is a must have if your into old Washburns. There is some great information in there and many images from old catalogs that include guitars, mandolins and banjos.
There is a catalog page in the book with this instrument. The guitar images you posted are of a top of the line model, a style 299, which is a concert size instrument. Sister top of the line instruments would have been the 199, standard size and the 399, which is their grand concert size. The 299 sold new for $135, a lot of money back then. The 399 sold for $10 more and the 199, $10 less. Nioh cheat engine table.
The guitar is easy to date from the burned in stamp next to the Washburn belt logo. If it was all there it would read, style 1896. They only used the stamp in 1896, changed to style 1897 the following year and used that up until 1905. The serial number 81,243, by itself, can only date the instrument between 1889 and 1897 but the style 1896 stamp nails the date.
The new model stamp began around 1886 and was used up until 1905. The round White label was used from 1896 - 1905 and the belt logo was used from 1883/4 until 1922.
Where Are Washburn Guitars Made
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Washburn Guitars History
Can't help you with value but would recommend getting an appraisal from George Gruhn. There can't be many of these top end models out there and this example appears to be in very fine condition. I suspect an appraisal would make a little zinging sound like you hear on Antiques Road show when they give a good number.