James Ashborn Guitars
James Ashborn, according to researcher David Gansz, may have been employed by John Firth and William Hall in New York City before relocating to Connecticut to start his factory producing guitars for "Firth and Hall". When the partnership disbanded in 1947, he produced guitars for both "William Hall and Son" and "Firth, Hall and Pond".
His guitars were never labeled with the name of Ashborn, but always the name of the dealer.
James Ashborn No. 6 for William Hall & Sons
The Ashborn factory, located in Wolcottville (Torrington) from the 1840's to the 1860's, Connecticut, was one of the first mechanized factories in America. The location on the river allowed it to use a water wheel to power table saws and other machines.
Ashborn produced his own unique brass tuners.
Ashborn necks are beautifully sheathed in rosewood.
The backs are solid rosewood, while the sides are laminated.
Ashborn also created bridges with a distinctive design.
Here you can also see another unique end design.
...and another.
While each Model 6 is unique in design, if you look carefully you will note that the designs were ingeniously created by using pieces of wood of the exact same size, shape, and positions, but dyed in different colors.
The Ashborn is made with beautifully shaped kerfing.
The guitars were constructed in the Spanish style, with fan bracing.
John Ashborn No. 2 for William Hall & Sons
As was true of Martin, all Ashborns, from the Model 1 to the Model 6, were constructed with the same methods and quality.
The case were also made in-house by Ashborn, and many are lined with "ikat" fabrics of beautiful design.
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