Fender vs Washburn:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Fender had more branded searches than Washburn among mandolin brands in New Zealand. Fender had about 3,140 branded searches, while Washburn had 170. Fender made up 44.3% of all mandolin brand searches we track, and Washburn accounted for 2.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about mandolin brands, Washburn appeared in two of the five answers and Fender in none.
Who do people search for more?
Fender, about 18 searches for every 1 for Washburn
Who does AI mention more?
Washburn, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Fender in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Washburn, the only one of the two named
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Top mandolin brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Washburn was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Fender did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Eastman4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Kentucky4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
The Loar4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Gibson3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Collings3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Ibanez2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Washburn2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Northfield2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Epiphone1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Fender0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about mandolin brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which mandolin brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best mandolin brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best mandolin brand in New Zealand for bluegrass playing?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“mandolin brands”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“bluegrass mandolin brand”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Fender or Washburn more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Fender and Washburn by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten mandolin brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Fender, Washburn. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Fender | Ibanez | Epiphone | Gibson | Washburn | Collings | Eastman | Kentucky | Northfield | The Loar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 41% | 19.5% | 19.7% | 15.5% | 3% | 0.68% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.27% |
| Nov 2025 | 41.3% | 18.2% | 19.6% | 16.2% | 3.1% | 1.1% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0% | 0.28% |
| Dec 2025 | 40.7% | 18.1% | 21.3% | 14% | 3.7% | 1.4% | 0.27% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.27% |
| Jan 2026 | 39.1% | 22.4% | 19.4% | 13.9% | 3.4% | 1.1% | 0.27% | 0.13% | 0.13% | 0.27% |
| Feb 2026 | 38.9% | 17.5% | 21.6% | 16.6% | 3.6% | 1.2% | 0.15% | 0.15% | 0.15% | 0.15% |
| Mar 2026 | 42.4% | 17.8% | 16.7% | 17.8% | 3.4% | 1.1% | 0.27% | 0.13% | 0.13% | 0.27% |
| Apr 2026 | 42.2% | 20.3% | 17.4% | 15.2% | 3.2% | 1.1% | 0.26% | 0.13% | 0.13% | 0.26% |
| May 2026 | 45.9% | 17.1% | 17.2% | 15.2% | 2.8% | 1% | 0.26% | 0.13% | 0.13% | 0.26% |
| Jun 2026 | 43.3% | 18.8% | 18.1% | 15.7% | 2.5% | 0.93% | 0.13% | 0.13% | 0.13% | 0.13% |
| Jul 2026 | 44.3% | 17.7% | 18% | 15.9% | 2.8% | 0.69% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.28% |
| Aug 2026 | 42.2% | 19% | 18% | 16.3% | 3.1% | 0.68% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.27% |
| Sep 2026 | 44.3% | 18.9% | 18.5% | 14.8% | 2.4% | 0.56% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.14% |
How has the Fender and Washburn comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Fender was ahead of Washburn in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Fender’s share of searches among mandolin brands in New Zealand moved from 41% to 44.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 3K to 3.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Washburn’s share of searches among mandolin brands in New Zealand moved from 3% to 2.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 220 to 170.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand mandolin brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Fender gained share of searches among mandolin brands in New Zealand, from 42.2% to 44.3%.
In September 2026, Washburn lost share of searches among mandolin brands in New Zealand, from 3.1% to 2.4%.
How are branded searches counted?
8 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Fender’s and Washburn’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among mandolin brands
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