Washburn Oscar Schmidt Serial Numbers

Washburn Guitars is an American manufacturer and importer of. Such as Oscar Schmidt autoharps. Generally identifiable by an 'SI-' serial number prefix.

Hello all.first time posting on this great forum. Read lots of posts today and I'm hoping there is someone out there that can answer a few questions for me about Oscar Schmidt guitars. The beginning.

I bought an Oscar Schmidt model OG3-12, SN: 94110183SW twelve string on Craig's list last night. Now I know that Washburn owns OS but I would like to ask a few questions. When did Washburn purchase OS? What year did Washburn start putting their moniker, 'OscarSchmidt by Washburn' on the guitars?

Here is a photo of the type of the guitars headstock and proof seal: Nowhere on this guitar does it mention Washburn. The original warrantee is in the case and it says nothing about Washburn and it gives a Vernon Hills, IL address for mailing. I was wondering if you can tell if this guitar is a pre-Washburn, American made and the year made based on the S/N? Thanks in advance. I love this forum and intend to make this a regular stop on my surf list. Kind regards, Daniel Sean Reilly Sarasota, FL.

According to some quick and dirty internet research while I'm supposed to be working: Fretted Industries purchased Washburn sometime in the early 70's then picked up OS in 1979 and now both are owned by U.S. Music Corporation. If the serial #'s are going by the Washburn system the the first 2 would be the date (94') but on WB's site archives there are no OG312's listed for 94' in fact no OG312's listed anywhere. There are of course OG312's on the OS site, but no serial# data List price for a 2010 OG312 is $319 that's all I can dig up right now. Why don't you contact OS? From late 1800's to 1939, they went bankrupt, then Harmony Company of Chicago took over the name till 1939.

The Washburn name did not exist between 1939 and 1973 and was revived by the Beckmen Musical instruments Company and then was sold in 1978 to Rudy Schlacher US Music company of Chicago,Ill. Then in mid 1970's the Washburn International Company of Illinios ( Beckmen I think of it might have been Rudy S.) revived the Oscar Schmidt name and started making instrument in Korea in the 70's. As for your guitar well it's no where that old from the serial number 94 and that SW well I have never seen a solid wood before ( I didnt know they ever made a SW till now ) so even I am constantly learning more about them.Ship. First off thanks again for the responses. A buddy of mine in NJ thinks that this is one of the 'earlier' OS guitars made right after the 1979 Washburn acquisition based on the emblem on the head stock and the S/N: 94110183SW. One of his mentors said that OS did not start using the Washburn numbering system to the late 80's, early 90's. He thinks that it is guitar 94, completed November 1st, 19 83 and it is a Solid Wood guitar.

I hope OS writes me back but none the less it is a fine looking guitar with a rich sound that I paid $75 for. (The fellow that owned it bought it 6 years ago in a pawn shop with the bridge popped. He never fixed it and he is moving so he Craig's Listed it and i was the lucky winner.

I have experience repairing bridges so it wasn't much of a task for me to repair.) Frank Lombardi of the Dicky Betts and The Great Southern Band is my neighbor and he played it on Friday and thinks it was a real find. Don't you just love a good guitar and a good mystery?

Daniel Sean Reilly.