LYON HEALY GUITAR PARLOR SERIAL NUMBERS
LYON HEALY GUITAR PARLOR SERIAL NUMBER

As depicted in an 1898-99 Lyon & Healy catalog, this вЂќLakesideвЂќ model guitar, item number 49-3/4, has and oak back and sides, 16th century finish, hand polished, cherry finish neck, top and back inlay with white celluloid and colored wood edge, colored wood inlay around sound hole, ebony fingerboard with pearl position dots, and a metal tailpiece. The company also made musical instruments but is best known as a manufacturer of harps.

Lyon & Healy quickly expanded as a retail distributor for musical instruments. The company was founded in 1864 by George Washburn Lyon and Patrick Joseph Healy as a music publications shop for the Boston company of Oliver Ditson. Lyon & Healy Corporation - Great Instruments since 1864 History On October 14, 1864, the partners of Lyon & Healy opened their doors in a little retail shop with a stock of music at the corner of Washington and Clark Streets in Chicago as an outlet for Oliver Ditson publications. However, the guitar plays well.This guitar was made by Lyon & Healy of Chicago, Illinois around 1897-1925. In the past, it appears to have been strung with heavier strings and consequently there is dip in the top around the sound hole and a tilt to the bridge. The guitar is strung with nylon/classical low tension strings (the guitar was designed for gut) with the action set at about 8/64'. There are several short cracks in the sides that have been repaired. There are several repaired top cracks, all cleated. Overall, the guitar has an attractive appearance. The bridge pins, end pin and tuners appear original. The fingerboard is Brazilian, bound in white celluloid and sports three engraved position markers. The neck is cedar and shaped into a soft 'V'. The back is inlaid with a colorful strip. The sound hole is inlaid with herringbone and colored rings. The top and back are bound in white celluloid and dark/light wood. The back and sides are choice, straight-grained Brazilian rosewood.

The neck measures 1 13/16' at the nut, and string spacing 2 3/16' across at the saddle. The tone, though rich and mellow, possesses much volume and is quite powerful enough for all home purposes' Today, one would accurately call it a 'parlor guitar'. It is the popular style is a great favorite as a lady's instrument. This guitar is somewhat larger than the usual Ladies' size, but of beautiful proportions and a very elegant model. The numeral 1 in the style number represents the size, standard size.

LYON HEALY GUITAR PARLOR SERIAL NUMBER

The serial number places the guitar at around 1897. Both the style number and serial number are stamped on the headstock. The Washburn line presented a dizzying array of models this example is a Style 123. The quality of workmanship and materials appears second to none. Regardless of how many were made annually, a quick look at one of their instruments shows a well made guitar, on par with a Martin.

LYON HEALY GUITAR PARLOR SERIAL NUMBERS

The claim was 100,000 instruments made annually! Pleijsier, in his book on Washburn prewar instruments, states that a close examination of the serial numbers of the era could support the makers claim! In fact, the company claimed to be the largest manufacturer and importer of musical instruments in the world. Washburn guitars, manufactured by Lyon & Healy in Chicago, were marketed aggressively in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.