W-We Wh-

made

info    updated 23/1/2010

W. Paul

1995 to present

"I started W. Paul guitars in 1995. 2. Its hard to tell the date of manufacturing by the serial number but inside the electronic cavity I would have signed and dated". [Source Bill Jarowski, W Paul email, 25/3/2008]

Wabash

1950s

Distributed by David Wexlar Company. ? made by Kay. [Source: Vintage Guitar Price Guide ]

Gernot Wagner

http://www.acousticguitar.com/issues/ag103/feature103.shtml

Image Danzeff

Wal basses

1978-late 2007

Wal dating http://www4.informatik.uni-erlangen.de/~koesters/Privat/Wal/

Wikipedia Wal Basses

http://walbassist.blogspot.com/

http://www.trevorandthea.eclipse.co.uk/wal_history.htm

1994 Wal brochure http://www.subidiom.com/wal/

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Electric+Bass/brand/Wal

Images 1979 Wal eBay:

Walden

1996 to present

"Walden guitars are made in a town called Lilan since 1996. Lilan is a small town located about a 2 hour drive south of Beijing, China. All Walden guitar
models are built there beginning with milling and seasoning through final setup and inspection.

Principal designer and Fretted Instrument Division Manager, Jonathan Lee, lives in Portland, Oregon, USA. Jonathan learned the craft of guitar building during the '90s as a partner at the handmade guitar shop CFox Guitars, located in Healdsburg, CA.

Walden's parent company is KHS Musical Instruments who has been building instruments for 75+ years and is located in Taiwan. KHS is primarily known for the drum brand MAPEX, wind instrument brand JUPITER, and stand brand HERCULES.
Dating Walden guitars

The first 2 digits of the SN written on our label connote the year of manufacture. The rest of the serial number is sequential beginning that year." [Source: Jonathan Lee, Walden Guitars, email 22/9/2008]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walden_guitars

Image courtesy of Walden guitars:

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Acoustic+Guitar/brand/Walden+Guitars

http://www.waldenguitars.com/news/index.html

Walker (Kramer)

1981

In 1980-1981, Kramer had come up with an idea to introduce a wood necked guitar, but didn't want to take away from their existing market share of Aluminum necks, or didn't want to de-brand themselves from that image. LaPlaca and Berardi came up with the idea to start "Walker" guitars, which in essence was their first stab into the wood neck market. About 6 different prototype models were produced, and a catalog was designed to go with the new line. LaPlaca stated in a June 2003 interview that they hired a guy to manage the program, referred to them by Dimarzio. LaPlaca also stated that the whole Walker line only lasted 6-8 months, and it is not known whether or not any production models were ever produced. Later on, according to an ex-Kramer employee, the line was dropped because Kramer had a hard time mastering the wood neck creation process, and later went with outside vendors to produce wood necks for those models. [Source: Cifra Club]

There is discussion of Walker Pacers on the www.

John Walker

2004 to present

I started building guitars under the name "John Walker Guitars" in 2004. I have been building guitars for over 20 years.   John Walker Guitars are built in Montana USA.

John Walker Guitars have a label in the sound hole, which states the serial number, date, and model name.  In addition, I date and sign the inside of the top which can be read using a mirror. The serial number is simply the number of instruments built and is usually stamped on the headblock." [Source: John Walker, email 6/8/2008 ]

Kim Walker

1994  to present

North Stonington, Connecticut, USA

S Walker Custom Guitars

2005 to present

Made since "2005 in Santa Cruz, California.

Dating Scott Walker Custom Guitars

The first two digits divided by 3 is the year made, the last two digits divided by 3 is the number of guitar made that year." [Source and image: Scott Walker, email 26/12/2008]

Wallace

David Wallace, Smokey Mountains, USA. Custom flat tops, arch tops, electric and bass guitars.  Feature 5 piece necks. At a 2000 version of this site suggested 3 decades - therefore assume since around 1970.  Web site was still available in 2006 - but cannot access modern pages on wayback machine.

Michael Walsh

Michael Walsh, Munich

Image 1914 Sebastian Nunez:

A Harmony Brand

http://harmony.demont.net/brands.php

Angela Waltner

Berlin, Germany

Wandre

1956 - 1969

Wandre Pioli, artist and sculptor from Milan. Brands included Wandre, Davoli, Framez, Avanti I.

1956-1960 built by Pioli.

1960-1963 built by Framez in Milan.

1963-1965 built by Davoli

1966 -1969 built in Paoli's factory.

Distributed in UK by Jennings Muical Instruments, USA by Don Noble and Company. [Source: Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide ]

http://www.geocities.com/stompbox2001/wandre.htm

http://www.fetishguitars.com/index/wandre.html

Search at 1 http://www.vintageguitar.com

Wandre Rock Oval http://www.professorposter.com/guitarch.htm

1965 Wandre Modele Karak http://www.myrareguitars.com/ewandre.html

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Wandre

Images eBay:

Ward

Wards

1929 - 1943

House Brand of Montgomery Ward. Made by Gretsch, Kay, Gibson and Regal. [Source: Gruhn's Guide To Vintage Guitars ]

Ward catalogs

http://www.wishbookweb.com/

Ward

2007 to present

Handmade guitars by Mike Ward, Lewisville, Texas. USA.

"I started making guitars around the end of 2007.  With the intent of just making them for my children.  After building a few guitars I received quite a bit of interest.  I build them now in my garage with plans to rent a shop and start full time production later this year as sales support.

Dating Mike Ward guitars

I put a label under the pickups and a serial # listing the type, model, year then number. Eg. OL,44,09,00267." [Source: Mike Ward, email 29/3/2009]

Warr Guitars

1991

Mark Warr, touch style guitars and basses.

Warr Guitar Brochures and Price Lists

2003 Warr Guitar Brochure

2002 Warr Guitar price list

2005 Warr Guitar price list

2007 Warr Guitar price list

Warren

1998 to present

"I have been making guitars for about 10 years as custom orders for one person at a time and to this point, I recall most of my customers in that I personally interact with them throughout the process.

Until a few years ago, I had not numbered them but now I do with the year and order number on the backplate.

I make the guitars in upstate New York.

Besides a link to www.warrenguitars.com I can also give you a link to my new site that is all about  my doing setups on guitars that I would love your feedback on. This has never been offerred anywhere from what I am told, especially at this price. Check out my site about doing setups on guitars www.theulitmatesetup.com

I also make the Arlen Roth signature model: www.arlenroth.com

[Source: Don Warren, email 6/8/2008 ]

The ultimate set up

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Warren

Warrior

1995 to presentt

Acoustics and electrics buily by J.D Lewis, Roseville, Georgia

Dating Warrior Guitars

http://www.ducksdeluxe.com/warrior.html

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Warrior

Warwick

1982 to present

Warwick was founded in 1982 in Erlangen, in the German state of Bavaria, by Hans Peter Wilfer (son of Alfred Andreas Wilfer founder of  Framus) ..

In 1995 Warwick moved to Markneukirchen in the Saxon Vogtland to capitalize on the centuries-old tradition of instrument building in the region. In 1996 the company opened an office in Shanghai.   [Source: Warwick ]

http://www.ducksdeluxe.com/warwick.html

Warwick Rockbass Specs 2008

contact details at: http://www.warwickbass.com/about.html

see Warwick in Amps also

Washburn

1864 -  present

Washburn first starting making guitars in 1883 in Chicago Illinois.  Washburn's electric guitar history began in 1978. [ Source: Adirondack Guitar ] 

http://www.washburn.com/about/faq/index.aspx#1

http://www.washburn.com/about/faq/archive.aspx

Washburn guitar dating and serial numbers

http://www.ducksdeluxe.com/washburn.html

http://www.washburn.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6344

https://store.bluebookinc.com/Info/PDF/EGuitar/ElectricSerialization.pdf

http://www.matsumoku.org/models/washburn/washburn.html

Washburn reference books

Washburn Prewar Instrument Styles

Washburn: Over 100 Years of Fine Stringed Instruments

Catalogue of the Washburn Guitars, Mandolins, Zithers

History of Washburn Guitar

Washburn catalog

(Japanese) http://www.matsumoku.org/models/washburn/catalogs/wb_catalogs.html

Reviews

http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Washburn

http://www.adirondackguitar.com/reviews/washburn.htm

Washburn forum http://www.washburn.com/forum/default.asp

Washburn Japan Forum http://www.matsumoku.org/ggboard/index.php

Image of Washburn headstock, mid 90s courtesy of Chris Rice, Rice Custom Guitars

Image of centre strip logo - 1980s eBay:

Washington

1895-?

Brand manufactured by JW Jenkins & Sons of Kansas City, Missouri. Guitars and mandolins.  [Source: Mugwumps]

see Clifford, Harwood

Waterstone

2003 to present

Korean made instruments imported by Waterstone Musical Instruments of Nashville, Tennessee.

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Waterstone

Watkins / WEM / Wilson

1961-1982

http://www.watkinsguitars.co.uk/renovation.htm

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/charlottecooper/guitarsite/docs/Rapier.html

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Watkins

1940s-1970s?

Made for an Australian company Wayne Music Co of Melbourne. Made in Japan and Korea.

http://www.grouseguitars.com.au/sold/wayne.htm

http://mwynwood.com/blog/?p=265

http://www.guitarseminars.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/014906.html

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Wayne+Australia

Images including Smoky Dawson model courtesy of Vintage Cowboy Guitars:

Solidbody guitars built by father and son Wayne and Michael Charvel in Paradise, California, USA.

http://www.guitars101.com/forums/f68/wayne-charvels-history-36981.html

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Wayne+Guitars

WaZoo Custom Guitars by Dan Wagner. Following text is the introduction at the WaZoo site on the internet archive:

"Here at WaZoo Custom Guitars, there are no automated processes.  No CNC machines whir in the back, and no state of the art computer spits out the curves, and lines of your custom guitar. Everything we do here is done by hand. Each contour on a WaZoo Custom Guitar is lovingly carved out from exotic hardwoods by hand, one at a time. Each nuance of the artwork instrument is fleshed out by the hands of a master craftsman, who has spent years in the art of working wood into music. The pride and care put into making these uniqe masterpieces is not possible at the end of an assembly line. The joy of owning a WaZoo Custom Guitar is in knowing that this instrument was made for you, and there is no other "one like that" Here there are no templates, no standard models, and no rigid designs, "Here at WaZoo Custom Guitars, we never cut corners... We carve them by hand".

WaZoo 2005 pricelist

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/WaZoo+Custom

Webber Guitars

1998 to present

Image courtesy of mmmaak Acoustic Guitar Forum:

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Webber

Kim Webber Guitars

Weber

1997 to present

Hand crafted in Logan, Montana, USA

http://www.mandozine.com/resources/CGOW/weber.php

Webster

1940s.

Archtops and acoustics ? built by Kay. [Source: Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide ]

Robert Webster

current

Handcrafted Concert, Classical Guitars,
Gig Harbor, Washington

Wechter

1984 to present

Abe Wechter, Paw Paw, Michigan.

http://www.wechterguitars.com/abe_column/na-01.htm

http://www.audiogrid.com/guitar/index.html

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Wechter

http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Acoustic+Guitar/brand/Wechter

Herb Wecker

Image Arch Top Jazz Guitar / Made in the USA in 1980 by Herb Wecker eBay:

Bruce Wei

current

Bruce Wei, South Vietnam. For sale on eBay...

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Bruce+Wei

Weissenborn

1920s - 1930s

Hermann C. Weissenborn a German piano and violinmaker immigrated to New York around 1902. In 1910 he moved to Los Angeles where he mainly did repair work on instruments until the end of the decade. With the Hawaiian music boom of the early 20's, Weissenborn started making ukeleles, flattops and eventually his captivating Hawaiian steel guitars.

With their raised string action, frets flush with the fingerboard, square hollow necks and featherweight koa wood construction the Weissenborns offered both greater volume and sustain than conventional Spanish neck guitars for Hawaiian lap steel playing. Due to their sweet timbre, expressive tone and eye-catching design these guitars were an instant hit and stayed in demand until the advent of the Nationals and Dobros. Hermann Weissenborn died in 1937 amidst debts and declining business for his shop. [Source: http://www.christiaanoyens.com.br/weissenborneng.htm ]

Dating Weissenborns

http://www.vintagemandolin.com/weissenborn_article.html

Other Weissenborn resources:

http://www.weissenborn.es/g_history.html

http://vintageguitarpro.com/weiss.shtml

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weissenborn

http://www.vintagemandolin.com/weissenborn_article.html

Build your own
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Five-Secrets-of-Building-a-Weissenborn-Guitar&id=592940

Image courtesy of Lowell Levinger , Players Vintage Instruments:

John Weissenrieder

2002 to present

"I began building in 1998 as a pupil of Andrea Tacchi.  I have had my own workshop since 2002, in Florence Italy.

The year in which the instrument was constructed is written on the label.  

The top is also signed and dated (on the inside) on the bass side of the lower bout; I sign my name, write the month and year, a reference number and the place where the work was done.  (i.e. Florence).

I have 2 different labels, both designed, engraved and printed by the same artist, Susanna Manghetti of Volterra, Italy. (acquaforte printing technique).  They're similar, and I use one or the other without any particular discretion."  
[Source: John Weissenrieder, email 27/7/2008 ]

Welker Custom

Handcrafted in Nashville Tennessee, by luthier Fred Welker

Wells Guitars

1977 to present

"I started making guitars in 1977. They were  made in Daytona Beach, Florida until 2003 when my family moved to  Luray Virginia. They were made in Luray from 2003-2007 when we moved  to Halifax, Massachusetts where they are made today. Most instruments  are signed and dated on the underside of the top of the instrument. It  can only be seen with a mirror." [Source:  Sylvan Wells, 24/7/2008]

Welson

1960s

Welson were based in Castelfidardo in Italy ,making accordions and acoustics since the 20s and crazy electrics from the early 60s alongside Eko, ,Crucianelli, Bartolini and Galanti.  Around 1967 Welson released a range of violin shaped guitars and basses using a new mini Humbucker.  The same range was marketed in the US under the Orpheum brand. [Source: eBay description ]

http://www.fetishguitars.com/index/welson.html

http://www.combo-organ.com/Welson/welson.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welson

Welson catalogs

http://www.fetishguitars.com/html/welson/cat/index.html

http://vintage.catalogs.free.fr/Index.htm

http://www.vintaxe.com/catalogs_european_welson_1969.htm

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Welson

see Orpheum

Image eBay:

Wendler

2000 to present

Electro acoustics, Kansas, USA

"The guitars are serialized on the back of the peghead....

I'm up to about #180 right now, although there are a few more "prototypes" out in the world, which AREN'T numbered.

I finished my first run of five instruments in March of 2000.

The instruments are built at my house, where I have three areas set up for business...woodworking shop; paint area/set up room, and studio/office.

I started building my own necks at about #45....the commercial necks can be identified by "six on a side" and the standard flat Fender peghead geometry all with maple necks/rosewood boards.  All three on a side for the guitars, and 2X2 basses I made the necks. I've made the necks on all of the mandolins.

Any one can write to me about the instruments and I can get a lot closer on dating them. But, about 20-25 instruments a year production totals." [Source: Dave Wendler, email 6/8/2008 ]

Mark Wescott

1980 to present

Mark Wescott Guitars are made in New Jersey, USA

Wesley

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Wesley

Brian West

West

1985 to present

"I started making guitars labelled "WEST" around 1985 and used that until 2006 since then they've been "BRIANWEST"
All guitars are built at my repair shop "FRETCO GUITAR REPAIRS",  Adelaide - South Australia
Serial numbers are usually on the back of the headstock & stamped inside the control cavity.
 from 1985 - 1995  YY00## eg. 910006  (#6 1991)
From 1996 to present MMYY00  eg. 110801 (#1, November 2008)." [Source: Brian West, email 8/8/2008 ]

Bruce West

current

Bruce West Instruments is a one-man studio that specializes in handcrafted violins, violas, 'cellos, bows and classical guitars. Ontario, Canada.

Danny West Custom Guitars

current

Danny West is based in San Franciso, California, USA

Westbury

http://www.therathole.org/guitar/here/my_guitars.html

http://www.bettydylan.com/westburys/westburys.html (Image source)

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Westbury

Westfield

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Westfield

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/westfield/

Westminster guitars were distributed by Kanda Shokai. [Source: Trade Me Japan]

Westminster catalog 1976

http://lily-garden.sakura.ne.jp/sblo_files/shonan-chigasaki/image/WESTMINSTER76.pdf

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Westminster

see Greco

Images Yahoo Japan

Westone

late 1970s to early 1990s

Contrary to what you may read on some sites Westone did not start with Matsumoku, rather production commenced in late 1970s ? in Europe and available only in Europe and Australia. Japanese manufacture by Matsumoku commenced in 1981 as the brand entered America. The rights to Westone were sold to St Louis Music (SLM) in 1984. SLM co-branded their existing Electra line as Electra-Westone but the Electra brand did not last.

In 1987, Matsumoko dropped guitar manufacturing and SLM was forced to move Westone production to Korea.

Westone only survived a few more years, with SLM ceasing production sometime in early 1991.

Sometime in the early 1990s, Westone reappeared in England with a new model line and direction. Musik-Meyer of Germany had bought the rights to the Westone name and tried to revive the line with FCN Music in the early 1990s but it did not last long. [Source: http://www.geocities.com/rhynster/ ]

Other great Westone resources can be found at:
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Lights/6961/westone/

http://www.westone.info/index.html

There is a small amount of Westone info here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westone_%28guitars%29

Dating Westone guitars
http://www.westone.info/faq.html

http://vintageguitarpro.com/serialtoc.shtml

Westone guitar catalogs
http://www.westone.info/catalogues.html

http://www.vintaxe.com/catalogs_japanese_westone.htm

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Westone
Weston Forum http://forum.westoneguitars.net/index.htm

see Matsumoku, Electra

Images eBay

Image Westone The Rail made by Matsumoku around 1985 - ebay

Westwood

1962-1965

http://www.meatexz.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=867

Weymann

1864-1940s

H.A. Weymann & Sons, distributor in Philadelphia.  Made by themselves, Regal, Vega. [Source: 2010 Official Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide ]

H.A. Weymann & Son, Incorporated was established in 1864 in Philadelphia. Later, it incorporated as the Weymann Company in 1904, and distributed numerous guitar models that ranged from entry level student up to fine quality. Other trademarks may include Weymann, Keystone State, W & S, and Varsity. [Source: eBay]

Weymann and Son Guitar Catalog Scan

Harmony http://harmony.demont.net/brands.php

http://www.banjoukes.com/Manufacturers/Weymann/Weymann.html

Image Gruhn: