|
W-WD |
We |
Wh-Wi |
Wm- |
made |
info
updated 11/9/2011 |
|
|
W
 |
|
Unsure as to the origin of
this W branded guitar. Found on ebay - a Les Paul copy
 |
|
W. Paul |
1995 to
present |
W Paul guitars are made by William
Paul Jarowski in the USA.
Dating W Paul guitars
"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 |
Wabash guitars
were distributed
by David Wexlar Company. ? made by Kay. [Source:
Vintage Guitar Price Guide
] Wabash is a street name in Chicago.
Images eBay:
 |
|
Gernot
Wagner |
|
http://www.acousticguitar.com/issues/ag103/feature103.shtml
Image
Danzeff
 |
|
Wal basses

 |
1978-late 2007. Restarted in 2009 |
1976 Wal bass guitars emerged,
when session player John G. Perry asked Ian Waller (“Wal” to his
friends), to build a bass that would combine the best features
of the Fender and Gibson basses of the time.
Wal and his business partner Pete
Stevens (a highly skilled wood-machinist and experienced sound
engineer) began a short run of Custom basses, the “JG” series,
named after the owner of the first of these, John Gustafson, and
its short-scale “JP” sister model based on John G. Perry’s.
Virtually every component of the
instrument, with the exception of the tuners, was designed from
the ground up. The heart of each bass was the revolutionary Wal
pickup, which has remained virtually unchanged ever since and is
still unrivalled in the sheer range of detail and power it
provides.
In 1978 the ‘Electric Wood’ company was formed and began
production of the Wal Pro Bass., the first production line
instrument. With its innovative electronics and fine build
quality, the Pro Bass soon became a market leader and Electric
Wood was thriving.
July 1988 Wal died suddenly of a
heart attack at age 43. Pete decided to continue building, ably
assisted by his dedicated team.
In 1994 Wal 6-string bass
introduced. [Source:
Wal basses]
Dating Wal bass guitars
See the date written on the
masking tape under the control cover.
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 are
at Harmony Central
Images 1979 Wal
eBay:

Wal control plate 1982 Mark 1 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 are
at Harmony Central
http://www.waldenguitars.com/news/index.html |
|
Luca Waldner |
|
Classical
guitar maker Italy |
|
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. |
|
Bo
Walker |
|
Bo Walker is a luthier from North
Texas, USA |
|
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.
Dating John Walker guitars
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 ]
 |
|
Johnny Walker |
1996 to present |
Johnny Walker, luthier,
Bartlesville, Oklahoma USA. Classical and flamenco guitars
Image
Acousticguitar.com
 |
|
Kim Walker |
1994 to present |
Kim Walker
guitars are made in North
Stonington, Connecticut, USA |
|
S Walker Custom
Guitars
 |
2005 to present |
Scott Walker
custom guitars are 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:
 |
|
Walters
GB Walters
 |
|
A Harmony Brand
http://harmony.demont.net/brands.php
 |
|
Angela Waltner |
|
Berlin, Germany |
|
Kim Jong Wan |
|
Kin Jong-Wan luthier, Jeonbuk,
Korea
Image
Guitar Salon Korea
 |
|
Wandre



Wandre BB head

 |
1956 - 1969 |

Wandre Pioli, artist and sculptor from Milan. Brands included
Wandre, Davoli, Framez, Avanti I. Aluminium neck guitars
years before Travis Bean.
1956-1960 built by Pioli.
1960-1963 built by Framez in Milan.
1963-1965 built by Davoli
1966 -1969 built in Paoli's factory.
Wandre guitars were 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
Wandre Rock Oval
http://www.professorposter.com/guitarch.htm
1965 Wandre
Modele Karak
http://www.myrareguitars.com/ewandre.html
Reviews are
at Harmony Central
Images eBay:
Image Wandre Spazial 1960s guitar eBay

Wandre BB 1960s eBay:

 |
|
Ward
Wards |
1929 - 1943 |
Ward / Wards
was a house brand of
Montgomery Ward. The guitars were made by Gretsch, Kay, Gibson and Regal.
[Source: Gruhn's Guide To Vintage Guitars
]
Ward guitar 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 to present |
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 ...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 are
at Harmony Central
 |
|
Warrior
 |
1994 to present |
Warrior acoustics and
electric guitars are built by J.D Lewis, Roseville, Georgia.
The company
Warrior, was started by Bruce Bennett, JD Lewis and
Michael Shawn, who was later replaced by William Fix as 1/3rd of
the partnership. Will was Bruce's Bro-in-law at that time.
The earliest
designs for the Warriors were by Bruce Bennett, and were
originally drawn while he was working for Tobias Basses, about 8
months before Warrior came into existence. Bruce was the
head Luthier for Warrior from 1994-1998. [Source: Bruce Bennett,
Gearpage]
Dating
Warrior Guitars
http://www.ducksdeluxe.com/warrior.html
Warrior brochure page
Reviews are
at Harmony Central
Image eBay:
 |
|
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 ]
Dating
Warwick guitars
http://www.ducksdeluxe.com/warwick.html
Warwick Rockbass Specs
2008
contact details at:
http://www.warwickbass.com/about.html
see Warwick in Amps also
|
|
J Warwick |
|
|
|
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 catalogs
and pricelists
(Japanese)
http://www.matsumoku.org/models/washburn/catalogs/wb_catalogs.html
2007
Washburn pricelist
2009 Washburn
Catalog
2009 Washburn Pricelist
Reviews
Reviews are
at Harmony Central
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-? |
Washington guitars were a brand manufactured by JW Jenkins &
Sons of Kansas City, Missouri. Guitars and mandolins.
[Source:
Mugwumps]
Images ebay:

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 are
at Harmony Central
 |
|
J Watson &
Co
 |
|
This J.Watson & Co 12-String
Acoustic guitar was made in Japan by the Suzuki company.
Being sold in Australia on eBay
 |
|
James R Watts |
1994 to present |
James R Watts
guitars are from New Mexico, USA |
|
Wayne


 |
1940s-1970s? |
Wayne guitars - Made for an Australian company
Wayne Music Co of Melbourne. Made in Japan and Korea. [Source:
Grouse
Guitars]
http://mwynwood.com/blog/?p=265
http://www.guitarseminars.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/014906.html
Reviews are
at Harmony Central
Images
including Smoky Dawson model courtesy of
Vintage
Cowboy Guitars:
 |
|
Wayne Guitars
 |
1998 to present |

Made in USA
Wayne guitars are solidbody guitars built by father and son
Wayne and Michael Charvel in Paradise, California, USA.
Also found acoustic examples at ebay.
http://www.guitars101.com/forums/f68/wayne-charvels-history-36981.html
Reviews are
at Harmony Central
see Charvel
 |
|
Wayne Pro 2 |
|
Based on a question about Wayne
Pro Guitars at
Vintaxe I had previously incorrectly linked the Wayne
Pro 2 image to Wayne Guitars (Charvel) above. I am
grateful to an update as follows:
"You have a picture listed under
Wayne Guitars of a Wayne Pro 2. This guitar is in no way
associated with the Charvels. I have contacted them and they
confirm this. I just thought you would want to know so as to not
confuse anyone...[Source: Ian Laliberte, email 3/6/2010]
One was sold online in Brisbane,
Australia in 2010 for only $200 so this suggests not a high
quality instrument.
 |
|
WaZoo Custom |
|
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 are
at Harmony Central |
|
WD Music Products
 |
current at 2010 |
 |
|
WDK Guitars |
|
WDK guitars by William Kritzberg |
|
W-WD |
We |
Wh-Wi |
Wm- |
W continued |