Earthtimes.org has issued the following report via PRNewswire:

Washburn Guitars, a division of US Music Corporation, is celebrating 125 years of stringed instrument innovations. From the 1880's to today, Washburn has been producing stringed instruments for amateur and professional musicians combining design, innovation and technology to deliver quality tools to artists across all genres. Washburn guitars have been played by classic guitar icons including GREG ALLMAN and BOB DYLAN. Today rockers such as Nick Cantanese of BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, Scott Ian of ANTHRAX and Joe Trohman of FALL OUT BOY rely on Washburn to create the signature sounds that drive modern music.

In 1882 George Washburn Lyon established Washburn Guitars in a small Chicago factory near Chicago's famous Maxwell Street. As a first entry point for thousands of African-Americans arriving from the Mississippi Delta, Maxwell Street was a hotbed for Delta Blues -- a style of music that radically shaped the emerging sound of rock and roll.

Washburn's close proximity to Maxwell Street influenced Washburn instrument design to reflect and fuel a musical culture that shaped the roots of rock and roll.

"From the early blues players who shaped rock 'n roll to emerging guitar virtuosos, Washburn stringed instruments have been there to provide the quality and innovation needed for musical creativity," said Rudy Schlacher, CEO of US Music Corp. "We are proud to be a leader in design, innovation and technology for great instruments and are dedicated to providing musicians with the best possible gear, while adhering to the strict quality and attention to detail that our company was built upon."

Washburn's award-winning instruments are endorsed by both professional as well as amateur musicians who rely on the company's dedication to high standards of quality to meet their creative needs. Washburn innovative designs include features such as the Buzz Feiten Tuning System, which allows for a perfectly tuned guitar, and the Stephens Extended Cutaway, a modification of the standard bolt neck construction that allows for easy access to the upper register of the guitar fret board.

"The moment I picked up a Washburn Idol, I knew that this was going to be the guitar for me," said Joe Trohman, lead guitarist for Fall Out Boy. "The neck fits right into my hand and the tone works so well with the music we play. The Idol is a classic, but with killer features and quality that make it unique."

Washburn's Chicago-based U.S. Custom Shop crafts top-quality guitars to exact specification for world famous guitarists, including PAUL STANLEY of KISS, Greb Tribbett of MUDVAYNE, John Donais of SHADOWS FALL and Nuno Bettencourt. Washburn handmade U.S. Custom Shop Guitars are also available through special order to the general public. Free videos of the Washburn U.S. Custom Shop in action are available online at the Washburn website at http://www.washburn.com/.