late 1920’s vintage Tonk Bros. Sterling parlor guitar – made by Lyon & Healy
The Tonk Brothers were not a manufacturer of guitars, but a Chicago based music house and distributor of a variety of musical instruments. They ordered guitars from companies like Lyon and Healy, J.R. Stewart and Regal, and sold them in their store and through catalogs. In the 1920’s, typically a Tonk Bros. Sterling guitar was made by Lyon & Healy in its huge Chicago factory. In 1928, Tonk Bros. actually bought the L&H guitar business (distribution only, guitars were thereafter made by Regal).

This particular guitar seems to be identical to the L&H Washburn Style G (introduced in 1923). The Hubert Pleijsier Washburn book quotes an advertisement as stating. “Dull oil finish, selected mahogany back and sides …” and a “mahogany finish” neck

While plain-looking, the sound is quite fine. Even and ringing, great for flatpicking or fingerpicking. In very good condition, too: straight neck, crack repaired excellently well, nice non-original period tuners.

750 avg