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Electric Guitars

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Instruments previously manufactured in Boston, MA from 1865 to circa early 1900s.

The Oliver Ditson Company, Inc. was formed in 1835 by music publisher Oliver Ditson (1811-1888). Ditson was a primary force in music merchandising, distribution, and retail sales on the East Coast. He also helped establish two musical instrument manufacturers: The John Church Company of Cincinnati, Oh, and Lyon & Healy (Washburn) in Chicago, IL.
In 1865 Ditson established a manufacturing branch of his company under the supervision of John Haynes, called the John C. Haynes Company. This branch built guitars for a number of trademarks, such as Bay State, Tilton, and Haynes Excelsior. Source: Tom Wheeler, American Guitars.