NGD! A Very Rare 80s Washburn

[Bangdapoontwang]

Every now and then I get lucky and come across a Diamond in the rough. This rare beauty popped up for sale locally and I jumped on it. 80s Washburn SD100. AKA “Sundance” only a handful known to exist, they are shrouded in mystery as to where, and who made them. Story has it that they were made in Japan as a prototype, producing a few in different colors until Ovation threatened to sue. I don’t know if that is true but these are very well made instruments. Made at a time when Washburn was experimenting with sound hole designs. A very ornate model. It sounds surprisingly good unplugged and also fantastic plugged in. It came with the original hard case…

 

[brookdalebill]

Cool!

 

[RodeoTex]

Way cool. I'd never heard of them

 

[jtees4]

Very cool! I've never seen that one, and I've seen many many guitars over the years (hell I played a Guitorgan once in the 70's). At first glance I thought it was going to turn out to be an Ovation. It's a beautiful guitar. I always liked the rarely seen Washburn Eagles and Falcons, though I couldn't lift one up in my old age anymore.

 

[Bangdapoontwang]

I knew it was something special when I saw the for sale ad. I made pretty good time on the drive to go pick it up. Even with the strings that looked like they had been on the guitar for many years when I plucked a harmonic the tone jumped out at me and I couldn’t pay the guy fast enough.

 

[drmordo]

That is surprisingly cool! Congrats!

 

[trandy9850]

I can see why Ovation threatened to sue them….the epaulets are basically the same as the Ovation Adamas model.

 

[Lacking Talent]

Would that volutes were a more frequently found feature on tilt-back headstocks!

 

[Bangdapoontwang]

Yes, the Martin style volute is very interesting. This guitar raises a lot of questions.

 

[Freeman Keller]

I agree that the Martin "dart" volute is interesting and very nicely done on the laminated neck. The Martin volute does have an interesting history, but now is mostly for looks.

It is an interesting guitar and bit of history. Was all the detailed engraving done by hand? this must predate cnc

 

[Jakedog]

I’m in love.