Washburn HB-35
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thunderlung
New member
Re: Washburn HB-35
Everyone seems to love them, especially for the price(HB-35). The new ones have Buzz Feiten so I would try for a used one of those.
Everyone seems to love them, especially for the price(HB-35). The new ones have Buzz Feiten so I would try for a used one of those.
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Washburn HB-35
Really nice guitars....especially for the money. I think the only weak link is the pickups and pots....but I even change the pickups on all guitars, so I don't even think about it.
For me, there's only 2 choices for inexpensive 335 type guitars. Epi Sheraton II, and Washburn HB-35. The only reason I haven't picked one up is because I'm holding out for the right Gibson ES-335 or 137 Custom.
Really nice guitars....especially for the money. I think the only weak link is the pickups and pots....but I even change the pickups on all guitars, so I don't even think about it.
For me, there's only 2 choices for inexpensive 335 type guitars. Epi Sheraton II, and Washburn HB-35. The only reason I haven't picked one up is because I'm holding out for the right Gibson ES-335 or 137 Custom.
J Moose
New member
Re: Washburn HB-35
Interesting question...
I bought an ESP X-tone PC2 on a whim...thinking it'd fill the gap of a 335 semi-hollow vibe in my collection.
It's kinda there, but not really. While it's a really responsive instrument & sounds good, plays GREAT...it's closer to a Les Paul then a 335. It's really like a cross between a LP & 335 but is closer to the Paul side of the tracks, responds more like a solidbody then a semi-hollow, even down to pick attack & the general acoustic vibe & resonance of the body.
So...a few weeks ago I ended up buying a "new" floor-model HB-35, got a KIL-LER deal on it (busted toggle switch among other dings) that sounds & plays great and IS more of a 335. The pickups kinda suck though...none of the "air" and openness of the wood is coming through. They're really dirty & kinda muffled. Good for rock stylee stuff but I'm not after that...
Anyway...both are killer guitars. Can't go wrong with either one, really depends on what 'yer after.
But!
(...shameless plug alert...)
I'm moving from NJ to IL in a few weeks and need to unload the PC-2...black with the gold hardware. Replaced all the electronics with new CTS post, orange drop caps etc...I'll cut a smokin' deal on this one...I've already got a few Pauls, an '86 Custom Shop Melody Maker...PRS...don't really need it around and I hate to see perfectly good guitars NOT get played.
moose@mooseaudio.net
Peace,
edit! - FWIW I prefer the neck on the PC-2 a little. They're pretty similar in terms of overall shape & width but the PC-2 is just a hair thicker overall. I dig huge baseball bat necks, PRS wide/fat feels good...'50s Pauls...etc. so take that for whatever...
Interesting question...
I bought an ESP X-tone PC2 on a whim...thinking it'd fill the gap of a 335 semi-hollow vibe in my collection.
It's kinda there, but not really. While it's a really responsive instrument & sounds good, plays GREAT...it's closer to a Les Paul then a 335. It's really like a cross between a LP & 335 but is closer to the Paul side of the tracks, responds more like a solidbody then a semi-hollow, even down to pick attack & the general acoustic vibe & resonance of the body.
So...a few weeks ago I ended up buying a "new" floor-model HB-35, got a KIL-LER deal on it (busted toggle switch among other dings) that sounds & plays great and IS more of a 335. The pickups kinda suck though...none of the "air" and openness of the wood is coming through. They're really dirty & kinda muffled. Good for rock stylee stuff but I'm not after that...
Anyway...both are killer guitars. Can't go wrong with either one, really depends on what 'yer after.
But!
(...shameless plug alert...)
I'm moving from NJ to IL in a few weeks and need to unload the PC-2...black with the gold hardware. Replaced all the electronics with new CTS post, orange drop caps etc...I'll cut a smokin' deal on this one...I've already got a few Pauls, an '86 Custom Shop Melody Maker...PRS...don't really need it around and I hate to see perfectly good guitars NOT get played.
moose@mooseaudio.net
Peace,
edit! - FWIW I prefer the neck on the PC-2 a little. They're pretty similar in terms of overall shape & width but the PC-2 is just a hair thicker overall. I dig huge baseball bat necks, PRS wide/fat feels good...'50s Pauls...etc. so take that for whatever...
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brisk
NeverLostologist
Re: Washburn HB-35
Yes I have one and love it. I had Phat cats but last week I dropped set of Pearly Gates because I was bored.
Yes I have one and love it. I had Phat cats but last week I dropped set of Pearly Gates because I was bored.
SOLO GUITAR STEWIE
New member
Re: Washburn HB-35
the washburn is a great guitar, feels great and plays great almost got one in 2000 but like always didnt have the $$$ to drop and it was gone the next week (another one of those guitars you kick yourself for not buying)
chris
the washburn is a great guitar, feels great and plays great almost got one in 2000 but like always didnt have the $$$ to drop and it was gone the next week (another one of those guitars you kick yourself for not buying)
chris
WeatherReport
New member
Re: Washburn HB-35
Take a look at the yamaha SA2200. Its not much more than the HB-35
Take a look at the yamaha SA2200. Its not much more than the HB-35
Chris of Arabia
Desert RATT
Re: Washburn HB-35
Good call, now there's a guitar that has everything you want of a 335-alike and more.
Apart from being about 3 times the price (in the UK at any rate)
>;o))
Good call, now there's a guitar that has everything you want of a 335-alike and more.
Apart from being about 3 times the price (in the UK at any rate)
>;o))
Last edited:
WeatherReport
New member
Re: Washburn HB-35
Yep, I have one just like it. It is a little pricier than the Washburn but when an instrument speaks to you its a small price to pay
Good call, now there's a guitar that has everything you want of a 335-alike and more.
Apart from being about 3 times the price (in the UK at any rate)
>;o))
Yep, I have one just like it. It is a little pricier than the Washburn but when an instrument speaks to you its a small price to pay
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Washburn HB-35
Yeah, I forgot about the Yamahas. They've always made quality guitars. I've also tried the Ibanez semi hollows, but I never tried one that had any real tone.
Yeah, I forgot about the Yamahas. They've always made quality guitars. I've also tried the Ibanez semi hollows, but I never tried one that had any real tone.
Re: Washburn HB-35
I have changed the electronics on a few semi hollows.(about 6 times now)
It is a pain working through the "f" holes and there are several are past threads that discuss how to do it.
Some folks tie string to the shaft of the pots & switch and then pull them out through the "f" hole. Some use surgical tubing pushed over the pot shaft and switch. Lately, I have just been threading fine guage single conductor wire (holds it's shape) through the hole for the pots and switch when I'm done and guiding it through "f" hole, attach the pot/switch, and then pull it back through. The wire can be recessed in the slot on the shaft with a twist at the base of the shaft.
To do the jack, I soldered a 1/4 inch plug (cut off at the base of the plug so that the plug will fit through the hole that the jack goes into) to a piece of wire (solid 14 guage..about 18 inches long). This works great. This "tool" is also good to have around if the jack comes loose and is floating around inside the guitar.
Using small diameter pots is much easier, but I like CTS pots for their quality and I've never seen them in a small diameter format.
You have to watch that you cover your guitar well around the "f" holes so that you don't scratch the finish or drop hot solder on it....can happen very easily.
Also, I'd use fairly long leads between all of the parts (switch, jack, and all 4 pots). It makes putting them in / taking them out much easier.
The pickup part of the change is usually straight forward.
Hope this helps.
I'm drooling over that pic of the Yamaha SA2200 !!
I played one in a music store, but it stayed there as the price was $1150.00 Canadian.
Good luck on getting a semi hollow, I'll bet that you'll never regret it.
Dave
I have changed the electronics on a few semi hollows.(about 6 times now)
It is a pain working through the "f" holes and there are several are past threads that discuss how to do it.
Some folks tie string to the shaft of the pots & switch and then pull them out through the "f" hole. Some use surgical tubing pushed over the pot shaft and switch. Lately, I have just been threading fine guage single conductor wire (holds it's shape) through the hole for the pots and switch when I'm done and guiding it through "f" hole, attach the pot/switch, and then pull it back through. The wire can be recessed in the slot on the shaft with a twist at the base of the shaft.
To do the jack, I soldered a 1/4 inch plug (cut off at the base of the plug so that the plug will fit through the hole that the jack goes into) to a piece of wire (solid 14 guage..about 18 inches long). This works great. This "tool" is also good to have around if the jack comes loose and is floating around inside the guitar.
Using small diameter pots is much easier, but I like CTS pots for their quality and I've never seen them in a small diameter format.
You have to watch that you cover your guitar well around the "f" holes so that you don't scratch the finish or drop hot solder on it....can happen very easily.
Also, I'd use fairly long leads between all of the parts (switch, jack, and all 4 pots). It makes putting them in / taking them out much easier.
The pickup part of the change is usually straight forward.
Hope this helps.
I'm drooling over that pic of the Yamaha SA2200 !!
I played one in a music store, but it stayed there as the price was $1150.00 Canadian.
Good luck on getting a semi hollow, I'll bet that you'll never regret it.
Dave
JOLLY
Super Simonologist
Chris of Arabia
Desert RATT
Re: Washburn HB-35
Why thank you Sir. Kind of a shame that it lives in the UK where I'm not most of the time. 18 months owenership and probably played for around 10 hours in total - sounds a complete waste when I put it like that...
>;o))
Why thank you Sir. Kind of a shame that it lives in the UK where I'm not most of the time. 18 months owenership and probably played for around 10 hours in total - sounds a complete waste when I put it like that...
>;o))
Chris of Arabia
Desert RATT
Re: Washburn HB-35
That's looking very well for its 26 years - respect for taking good care of it...
>;o))
That's looking very well for its 26 years - respect for taking good care of it...
>;o))
