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W-WD |
We | Wh-Wi |
Wm- |
made |
info
updated 11/9/2011 |
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White Guitars |
current |
Classical and acoustic guitars
made by Woodley White, Portland, Oregon, USA
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Portland Classic
Guitar:
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Andrew White
Guitars
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2001 to present |
"I
started to build guitars in 2001.
Each of my guitars has a label on the inside that has a date on
it. This label can normally be viewed through the sound hole.
The label has the model of the guitar, C, E, or F, and has a
number next to the letter.
The number is not particular to the model. It represents the
number of guitars I had built in total at the time of finishing
that guitar. In other words, At this point, I have build 103
guitars. The last guitar that I built has a label that says
C103. The next guitar that I build
will say F104. The labels are also signed by me at the bottom of
the label." [Source: Andrew White, email 30/3/2008]
Reviews are
at Harmony Central |
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J White |
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J White Guitar Workshops,
Acoustic, electric guitars and mandolins. Hampshire, England |
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David Whiteman
Guitars
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Images courtesy of
Guitar Salon International:
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Wienbrock
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Wienbrock amps
made in West Yorkshire USA |
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Wild
Stringed Instruments |
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Guitar and bass. |
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Wildflower
Custom Instruments |
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see Leo Posch
(under P) |
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Wildwood
Instruments |
1999 to present |
Wildwood
Instruments began making full size acoustic guitars in 1999. The
dates of manufacture were included in the serial numbers. In
2004 Travel guitars, mandolins, fiddles and dulcimers began to
be produced. The early ones were not clearly labeled with dates
or serial numbers. In 2005 each label included a serial number
and the year in which it was built. If the label is missing from
an instrument it is also signed and dated on the underside of
the soundboard. You will need a mirror and torch to find the
inscription. There is no logo on my headstocks, however,
the Wildwood range is so unique there should be no mistaking it
for another brand. [Source: Nick Carpenter, Wildwood email
13/8/2008 ]
Nick Carpenter
established Wildwood Instruments in 1999 in Perth, Western
Australia. He relocated to Melbourne in 2007 and celebrated the
opening of his first shop 18 April 2008. Brunswick,
Victoria, Australia |
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Rene Wilhelmy |
1978 to
present |
Montreal, Canada
Image
Salon de guitare
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Wilkanowski
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1930s-1940s |
W Wilkanowski violin maker and a
few dozen guitars.
[Source:
Wikipedia]
http://www.musurgia.com/products.asp?ProductID=1825&CartID=8024359232005
http://www.ibkco.com/wilkanowskiguitar.html
(images)
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Wilkat guitars
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2001 to present |
Wilkat, handmade guitars and
basses.
Wilkat guitar
story
"I
hand make all my instruments here in my home in Montreal,
Canada. Each instrument gets a serial number which is usually
located on the back of the the
wood control covers on a label of authenticity. These normally
include the date of manufacture, as well as the initials of the
customer, or the initials of the model if it was done for more
than one person. This is rare though since most of what I build
is "one of a kind", and thus truly a personal custom
instrument--unless it gets sold!
An example of these labels is in
the attached photo--but I don't do them all exactly the same,
and sometimes I will add a serial number elsewhere in the body
(and I have used, and will do so only by request, a hidden
identification device called a Snagg Microchip, that can be
registered on line, and can be detected by a special scanner, in
the event it is ever lost or stolen. (The registration can be
updated if or when the instrument is sold to another owner, and
is maintained by the manufacturer of this Microchip). The
running number located after the initials is the production
number, (but again, they rarely go past one, since most are
truly one of a kind), followed by the date of manufacture. I
also randomly change my signature on these to prevent forgeries,
or misuse of my signature, and it's not the one I sign legal
documents with (to protect me further--particularly important as
"identity theft" attempts have been made on me, but I remain
vigilant against such things).
I make electric guitars and basses
both with or without headstocks, but I
have been taking a sabbatical lately...Even
when building regularly, I have kept production low (about 6
instruments per year, up to a maximum of 12), to ensure the high
quality and integrity of my work.
I set up shop in 2001 and have
done a variety of instruments, however more custom basses than
guitars, since bass players tend to be more open to new things
(I refuse to do copies of Stratocasters, Les Pauls, and the
like, although I have done designs that are inspired by a few
better known models, but never copies per se).
Instruments with headstocks (see
attached photo example) will normally bear my Logo of Wilkat
Guitars, as well as the model name, and customer's name for
signature models. I do not produce any of my own hardware or
pickups, etc., but use well respected brand name products from
the marketplace. Graphite composite necks when used, are also
purchased from outside sources. " [Source
and Wilkat headstock and control plate label:
Bill Wilkat, email
7/8/2008 ]
Reviews are
at Harmony Central |
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Wilkins |
1984 to present |
Pat Wilkins, Van
Nuys, California, USA.
[Source:
Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide ] |
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Jim Williams |
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Jim Williams,
Guitarcraft, Victoria, Australia
Images eBay:
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Laurie Williams
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1983 to
present |
Laurie Williams
guitars are made in Mangonui,
Taipa, New
Zealand |
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Rob Williams |
1984- |
Handmade guitars,
UK |
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Roger A Williams |
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Staffordshire,
England
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Willis Guitars |
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East Sussex,
UK |
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Wilson
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1960s |
Built by
Egmond, Holland.
Another Wilson
guitar was Made in Finland per
Guitarsite
Wilson guitars in mid 1970s Bell Musical Instruments Catalog, UK
Reviews are
at Harmony Central
see
Watkins, WEM above
Image
Egmond Guitars: |
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Wilson |
1968-1970s |
Wilson brand: Most of these were
made in Japan, by Hiroshi Yairi under the supervision of his
father Sadao Yairi. All are marked with "clase" instead of model
numbers (in lower right corner of label). All Wilson models
should be 800's, I've seen 851 to 857. The label will also note
the year as AD., say Handmade, and give a "No.____" and printed
with H. Yairi Luthier, usually accompanied by his signature,
sometimes Hiroshi Yairi, sometimes just H. Yairi. Most will also
have a supervisor stamp "made under the supervision of SADA
Yairi".
The earliest example I've seen is
1968, which was very different than his later models. More of a
Japanese flair to it. The variety of inlays, binding's and
tonewood used within the same "clase" number makes it difficult
to tell which is which, without actually seeing the model. Early
models are not made quite as well as the later ones, and not ALL
Wilson models are made by either Yairi! If it doesn't have a
Yairi name on the label or stamped on a brace, it was made by
some other luthier in Japan. Many of the old Japanese guitars
(regardless of brand of export) were made by more than one
luthier or factory. Same holds true for Alvarez (not Alvarez
Yairi) models. [Source:
YL, email 9/9/2009
Also a Wilson and Son model.
Image eBay:
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Wilson
and Sons |
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Inside label on this guitar:
Wilson and Sons,
City of Industry, Calif
MODEL JT-1 SERIAL H1015 MADE IN
JAPAN 1967.
Image eBay:
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Wilson
Brothers Guitars |
2004 to present |
Founded by Ventures guitarist Don
Wilson.
VCM & VSP models made in Japan
VM electrics made in Korea
VM acoustics made in China
[Source:
Vintage Guitar Price Guide] |
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Kurt Wilson
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current |
Kurt Wilson makes guitars in
Chicago, USA
Images ebay:
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Lindsay
Wilson Guitars |
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see L for Lindsay |
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Windsor
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1890s-1914 |
Montgomery Ward brand made by Lyon & Healy,
[Source:
Vintage Guitar Price Guide]
Harmony
http://harmony.demont.net/brands.php
Images eBay:
Plate is from banjo.
 
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Windsor |
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English banjo manufacturer
http://www.zither-banjo.org/pages/windsornew.htm
http://www.whitetreeaz.com/vintage/brit4.htm |
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Windy Hill
Guitars |
1992 to present |
Fairfax Station, Virginia, USA |
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Wingert Guitars |
1996 to present |
Kathy Wingert,
flat top
guitars made in Rancho Palos Verdes,
California, USA |
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Wings |
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Handcrafted,
acoustic and electric guitars. Made in North America
[Source:
Guitarsite ] |
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Winston
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1963-1967 |
Winston brand Japanese
guitars imported by Buegeleisen and Jacobson. Some made by
Guyatone.
[Source:
Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide]
Winston
catalogs (paid)
http://www.vintaxe.com/catalogs_japanese_winston.htm
Reviews are
at Harmony Central
Image Craglist:
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Wire Instruments
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current at Oct 2009 |
Wire Instruments electric guitars
are designed and crafted in North America by Pacific NW luthier
E.G. Bailey
http://www.guitarsmatrix.com/profiles/wireinstruments.html
Images courtesy E Bailey.
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Scott Wise |
1978 to present |
Scott Wise
guitars are made in Margaret River,
Western Australia |
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Stephen Wise |
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Austin, Texas,
USA |
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Wishbass |
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http://www.answers.com/topic/wishbass?cat=entertainment
Wishbass forum
thread
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=269067 |
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Wishnevskyi |
2001- |
Wishnevsky instruments are
built in North Carolina.
Made since " Oct 2001 in Winston
Salem NC in my expanded garage.
Dating Wishnevsky instruments
There is a serial number starting
at 0001. 1252 was the last one yesterday" [Source: Steve
Wishnevsky, email 15/11/2010]
Smashbooks
Autobiography
see Wishbass |
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Gerard
Wissman |
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Profile of luthier Gerard Wissman
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Tim Withers |
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Portsmouth, Wisconsin, USA
Reviews are
at Harmony Central |
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Witowski |
1981 to present |
Custom guitars and pick ups. |
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Wittman-Spins |
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http://www.ducksdeluxe.com/wittspin.html |
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Wizard
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by Harmony |
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