Raven

The Washburn Raven was the entry model of the Wing-series, made in the period 1978-1981. The early Ravens ('78-'79) have a serial nr (5 digits + E) printed on a sticker on the back of the headstock. Somewhere in '79 there was a switch to a different system of serials (2 letters + 6 digits), engraved in the neck-plate. The first letter is either a C or G (production plant code?), the second letter is probably a production month indication. The change in the serial system might indicate a switch from one manufacturer to another, but there's not enough evidence to confirm that yet.

Manufacturer: unknown
Years Offered: 1978 - 1981
Body:  arched top, double cutaway, smooth body edges
Body Wood(s): mahogany or ply
Neck Wood: mahogany, 1 piece, bolt-on (6 screws.. 4 the usual way, 2 reinforcement screws inside out underneath the neck pickup)
Fingerboard: rosewood, dot inlays
Frets: 22
Scale: 630 mm
Tuners: Washburn die-cast, sealed, 3xR, 3xL
Pickups: '78-'79: 2x humbucker, no markings on bottom of the pickups. '79-'81: 2x humbucker marked "Goto" (and not Gotoh)
Electronics:  2xV, 2xT, 3-way pickup selector
Bridge-Tailpiece: Washburn die-cast, string through body
Trem: not available
Hardware: chrome, brass saddles, plastic nut
Finish: see through tobacco sunburst, see through cherry  sunburst, see through wine red, see through tobacco brown, black, ivory white, yellow, candy apple red, blue.
Comment: pickups + rings are coloured  cream or black, depending on body colour. The Raven was also available in a left-handed version.

First version: blank neck plate, serial on sticker, oval shaped electronics cover, no markings on pickups.
Second version: Washburn logo on neck-plate, serial on sticker, oval shaped electronics cover, no markings on pickups.
Third version (most common): Washburn logo and serial engraved on neck-plate, "Goto"-marked pickups, oval shaped electronics cover, mahogany used as body material.
Fourth version: Washburn logo and serial engraved on neck plate, "Goto"-marked pickups, hex-like shaped electronics cover, mahogany used as body material.
Fifth version: Washburn logo and serial engraved on neck-plate, "Goto"-marked pickups, hex-like shaped electronics cover, plywood used as body material.

The 4th and 5th version were produced simultaniously, according to serial number information.