Jonathan Karow, the owner of Rock Bottom Music on Broad Street, plays one of the Washburn "Augusta" model guitars. He ordered a few of the acoustic guitars after he found the model is named after Augusta National Golf Club.
Michael Holahan/Staff Augusta Chronicle

  Augusta's musical notoriety is now more than just being home to James Brown.
  Washburn Guitar company has named one of its models the "Augusta," after Augusta National Golf Club.
"It's a renowned place," said Kevin Lello, a Washburn spokesman. "We just wanted a name that kind of has that perception of being higher end."
When contacted, Augusta National had no comment on the guitar.
The dreadnought acoustic guitar is one of the Mundelein, Ill.-based company's higher-end models, with gold hardware, ebony tuners and a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $999.90.
"It's a wonderful guitar," said Jonathan Karow, the owner of Rock Bottom Music on Broad Street.
Mr. Karow said he saw the guitar in Washburn's catalog, which describes the guitar as being manufactured in the "Spirit of the South," and was intrigued by its name.
"I figured they weren't talking about Augusta, Maine," he said.
Mr. Karow inquired about the name and a Washburn representative told him, "We probably have a golfer in the house."
Mr. Karow ordered two, even though the model is significantly more expensive than most of the guitars he normally carries.
The acoustic guitar comes in three styles, and each has the name Augusta emblazoned across the neck.
The Augusta guitars are getting some buzz - customers assume he had the guitars custom made.
"It's nice they didn't put the Augusta name on a cheapie guitar," Mr. Karow said.

The Washburn "Augusta" acoustic guitar, one of the company's higher-end models, comes in three styles and two popular finishes.
Photo: Michael Holahan/Staff










The Augusta, GA Rock Bottom Music Center has a Washburn Augusta Guitar on display which is autographed by The James Brown band (from Augusta, GA) over the years!