#16
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I have some experience with these guitars, but sadly not with the item you have in hand. The bottom line is that Ward's sourced guitars from a wide range of makers, and offered instruments in a wide range of spec extending from toy clunkers to very playable pieces. Unfortunately, even within a particular model, the quality can range ridiculously. I have a "Carson Robison" made by Gibson for Ward's, and it's ladder-braced. This particular model, like almost everything Ward's sold, ranges from junk to wonderful. I never in a million years would have sought one out, but encountered a guy who was selling his collection, and when I picked it up to try it I almost wet my pants it was so wonderfully sounding and physically just excellent to play. I never expected that! Mine is beat to hell because, obviously, it was played every day of its 80 years of life! On the other hand, you can find examples of the same model that are virtual junk. Yours is definitely worth giving a really good assessment, and some research, before you decide how to proceed. Some people get those things rebraced if the original bracing is poor; the old finish can be revived without a refin if you want. Pictures can't really help much. Good luck! A good old top that has been aged for two lifetimes can sometimes sound, today, with a tonal beauty not present when it was built!
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#17
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Thing is, if you know what your are looking at you can walk away with one heck of a bargain on a great guitar. A few years ago I scored a guitar for $50 which everybody ignored thinking it was a Harmony-made "Granada". As soon as I saw the instrument, I knew it was an Oscar Schmidt "Westbrook" Stella. It was a left over instrument acquired when Harmony bought the Schmidt company and then re-badged and sold.
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"You start off playing guitars to get girls & end up talking with middle-aged men about your fingernails" - Ed Gerhard |
#18
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I believe the brand name is " Thorn Ward " i have a simalar one to yours- my body is bigger and mines also Brazilian rosewood -thats what I got from a knowledgable guitar collector - My research tells me it probably came from The George Washburn and sons company -
By the way Brazilian rosewood is extremely prevalant for that era - and is not rare -yours seems to be in very good condition !
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#19
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A very cool looking guitar and a very cool story to go with it. Nice....
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Emerald X20 Emerald X20-12 Martin D18 Martin 000-15sm |
#20
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It's a Lyon and Healy product, could be anywhere from the 1890s to 1920s. It's a good quality line--considered to be a step above their Washburn line.
Ah. Found one: https://antebelluminstruments.blogsp...servatory.html
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"Still a man hears what he wants to hear, and disregards the rest." --Paul Simon |
#21
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Nice family find........that one is definitely a keeper!
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David K. Taylor 424ce SL Emerald X20 purple weave Emerald X20 gold weave Taylor NS34ce Taylor T5X Composite Acoustic OX Raw (Peavey) Rainsong OM Breedlove Pro C25/CRH Prestige Eclipse Spruce/Mahogany Voyage Air VAOM-1C (2) Baden D style Mahogany Journey Instruments Spruce/Mahogany Journey Instruments OF660 Recording King ROA-9 Bakersfield Limited Mogabi 200 |
#22
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It looks like Howard fully nailed the ID. Being a guitar that is nearly (or perhaps fully) a century old, with significant family history, and BRW -- this is something special. Definitely take it to a pro and find someone that can competently handle vintage instruments, even if you have to ship it away. Antebellum Instruments seems like a logical choice, but I am sure there are other shops too.
Then you have some choices to make, based on their evaluation. Just make it playable and fix any major structural issues, or restore it fully including refinish or finish touch-up? Hint: If they need to replace the tuning machines, be sure to keep the originals too. |
#23
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Thank you all so much! There is a wealth of information in this thread. Thanks especially to Mr. Klepper for the link.
I live in western Kentucky, about 2 hours from Louisville and 2 hours from Nashville. Does anybody have any suggestions as to who I should take it to, or a ballpark of how much I should expect to spend? |
#24
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TW |
#25
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Chris Stern Guitars by: Bown Wingert Kinscherff Sobell Circa Olson Ryan Fay Kopp McNally Santa Cruz McAlister Beneteau Fairbanks Franklin Collings Tippin Martin Lowden Northworthy Pre-War GC Taylor Fender Höfner 44 in total (no wife) Around 30 other instruments Anyone know a good psychiatrist? www.chrisstern.com |
#26
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I'll make it $16...but you've gotta pay shipping...
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#27
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Aw Man! ... Don't make me go to the ATM.
Last edited by Tico; 07-02-2017 at 02:53 AM. |
#28
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What a great story and gorgeous little guitar! That's one to cherish... love that BRW.
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#29
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Definitely a beauty
Make sure you thank your Uncle
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Got time to breathe , got time for music - Briscoe Darling |
#30
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Lyon & Healy is always a safe bet when talking about mail order catalog guitars as at the time they were the biggest player in Chicago. They turned out not only Washburns but just after the turn of the century Regals. Oscar Schmidt (out of New Jersey) did not supply mail order houses while Harmony was at the time owned by competitor Sears. That would pretty much leave Stromberg/Kay Kraft which did supply Wards.
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"You start off playing guitars to get girls & end up talking with middle-aged men about your fingernails" - Ed Gerhard Last edited by zombywoof; 07-02-2017 at 10:36 AM. |
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montgomery ward, old guitar, parlor |
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