For US instruments, the serial number will start with a letter. That letter indicates the decade. The second character will usually be a number. That number indicates the specific year.

How many years ago were guitars made?

Guitar, plucked stringed musical instrument that probably originated in Spain early in the 16th century, deriving from the guitarra latina, a late-medieval instrument with a waisted body and four strings. The early guitar was narrower and deeper than the modern guitar, with a less pronounced waist.

Who built the first guitar?

Christian Frederick Martin Although steel-stringed acoustic guitars are now used all over the world, the person who is thought to have created the first of these guitars was a German immigrant to the United States named Christian Frederick Martin (1796-1867).

What is the oldest guitar?

Belchior Diaz Vihuela This particular vihuela – the predecessor of modern guitars – created by Belchior Diaz is widely considered the oldest guitar in the world. It dates back to around 1590, has 10 strings, and instead of regular metal frets, its ligatures are tied like those found on a lute.

Do Washburn Guitars exist?

Washburn Guitars is an American manufacturer and importer of guitars, mandolins, and other string instruments. The original company was established in 1883 in Chicago, Illinois. The modern Washburn is a division of US Music Corp., in turn now owned by JAM Industries USA .Washburn Guitars.TypeSubsidiaryWebsitewashburn.com8 more rows

What was the first guitar called?

vihuela A plucked string instrument that was first called a guitar appeared in Spain around the turn of the fifteenth century. The instrument was actually called a vihuela, and consisted of four double-strings (paired courses).