1932 Washburn Tonk 5235

ARCHIVED • SOLD

1932 Washburn Tonk 5235

Serial # 1349. The Tonk Bros. distributed Washburns are - amazingly - still sleepers on the vintage guitar market. Those of us who spend our days surrounded by vintage instruments know all about these fine guitars, but as relatively few of them exist (compared to Martins and Gibsons) they have not garnered their due reputation amongst the general public. Easily comparable to a late 1920's Martin 00-18 or Early 1930's Gibson L-0 or L-1, this Tonk Washburn features a 14-1/4" wide Mahogany body with an X-braced Red Spruce top, scalloped bracing and small maple bridge plate. It is a lightweight and very cleanly built guitar, with a thin finish and classy accents. It is in remarkably fine well-preserved condition, with no cracks or issues other than some minor pickwear below the soundhole. We have replaced the bridge with an exact-footprint replica that is properly slotted for correct intonation, and slightly thinner than the very-tall original to allow for a comfortable action. The original bridge (as pictured) can be re-installed at any point without any evidence of its removal, should you desire. With the combination of its original tall bar frets, easy action (4 to 7 64ths) and wide nut and bridge pin spacing (1-7/8" nut, 2-3/8" bridge pin), this guitar is perfectly suited for a fingerstylist who likes a lot of room to move. The neck profile is pretty beefy, too; so you've got to like a big neck if you're going to take this one home. It's one of the best sounding guitars we've all played in some time, too - it has lots of punchiness and headroom which allows melody lines on the treble strings to shine in the foreground of whatever you're playing, and enough warmth and woodiness to keep you well satiated. 24.75" scale length.
With original soft case, and case candy (as pictured)
SOLD
1932 Washburn Tonk 5235
  • 1932 Washburn Tonk 5235
  • 1932 Washburn Tonk 5235
  • 1932 Washburn Tonk 5235
  • 1932 Washburn Tonk 5235
  • 1932 Washburn Tonk 5235
  • 1932 Washburn Tonk 5235
  • 1932 Washburn Tonk 5235
  • 1932 Washburn Tonk 5235
  • 1932 Washburn Tonk 5235
  • 1932 Washburn Tonk 5235
  • 1932 Washburn Tonk 5235
  • 1932 Washburn Tonk 5235

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