Washburn R-310 Victorian – Natural Antique Matte

I AM IN LOVE!

One of my prize possessions an old parlor which an old gentleman dropped off and GAVE to me as it was in disrepair.  The date of the newspaper which formed part of its "cushioning" within its coffin like hardcase was 1897!!

This Washburn faithfully recreates the styling of this very same guitar and whilst the guitar I had was not a Washburn, Washburn WOULD have been producing guitars at this time and I have no doubt this instrument was stylised in a similar way, following the trend of the day.

I cannot tell you just how wonderful this instrument is to pick up and play.   It brings an immediate smile to your face for reasons I will try and explain.

The short scale neck feels so diminutive - As well as short, its slim with a vintage V style neck.   It is SO easy to hold and play - makes some of those big stretchy chords feel like childs play.

The tone from this guitar is so authentically old school blues - It is gorgeous!

I know I am laying it on thick but I just love it when a guitar is released that you immediately feel is different from the crowd.  

If you are looking for the the ultimate lounging instrument to keep next to your sofa - one which will look equally good hanging on the wall as it will enjoy ringing out some fingerstyle blues - this is the one - you will love it.

OK .... so thats what I think of it - Now the official line from Washburn! 

The Washburn R-310 Victorian captures the spirit and charm of Washburn’s earliest parlor guitars — instruments that have become incredibly rare and collectible today. With more than 140 years of heritage behind it, this model celebrates that golden era while offering the reliability and playability expected by the modern guitarist.

This is a true player’s vintage reimagining — light, intimate, and wonderfully responsive. The compact parlor body produces that unmistakable focused tone with a sweet, rich midrange and plenty of character — perfect for fingerstyle, light strumming, or simply enjoying the guitar’s natural voice in a quiet room.

Washburn has given the R-310 Victorian all the right touches: a bone nut and saddle for maximum tonal transfer, an ebony bridge and fingerboard for clarity and feel, and custom Victorian-style inlays inspired by their most collectible early models.

Finished in Natural Antique Matte, it looks and feels like a lovingly preserved heirloom — not just another “retro” copy. This is the kind of guitar that invites you to sit down, slow down, and rediscover what an acoustic guitar is really about.

Specifications

Body & Construction

• Top: Spruce (laminate)

• Back & Sides: Trembesi (Monkey Pod laminate)

• Body Shape: Parlor

• Style: 6-String Acoustic

• Finish: Natural Antique Matte

• Strings: D’Addario EXP-16

• Included: Gig Bag

Neck & Fingerboard

• Neck Wood: Nato

• Fingerboard: Ebony

• Scale Length: 24.75"

• Nut Width: 43mm

• Nut: Bone

• Frets: 18

• Inlays: Custom Victorian

Hardware

• Bridge: Ebony with Bone Saddle

• Tuners: MH-65 Antique Brown