Washburn. The Best Quality for Lowest $.

[Gearjoneser]

Today, I spent the first half of my day browsing through all the music stores
on Sunset Blvd, Hollywood - known as "guitar row." This includes the giant
Guitar Center, the new Manny's Music, Mesa Boogie Store, Carvin, Voltage,
and Freedom Guitar. I really loved the new Manny's/Sam Ash store!

Anyway, after playing all the new Fenders, G&L's, & Martins, I started checking out the Korean made guitars, mostly to see how high the quality
actually is, these days. I was really impressed with the price/performance
of the Ibanez semi hollows, but was utterly "blown away" by the new
Washburn guitars! I played all the Idol models and all the semi hollow and
jazz guitars. All I can say is, they are the best guitars I've ever picked up
for the pennies they charge for them. The average price is $650 for the
upper end Korean guitars. Every one of them felt like $1400 worth of guitar!
Most even featured the Buzz Feiten tuning system, which is a way of fretting a guitar so it's 100% intonated. I played some of the Idols and 335 copies
and almost walked out with one. I was killing time while my girlfriend was
doing some work in Hollywood, so I wasn't going to justify a purchase,
but MAN, Washburns are great guitars. For that money, I'd place them higher
than Schecter, Yamaha, and Ibanez. Flame maple, too, not photoflame.
I don't know how they do it...well, actually I do....they pay people next to
nothing in Korea, so it kinda makes sense, but the quality is tenfold better than it was just a few years ago. Lookin for a new guitar?...Check out Washburns.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Washburn. The Best Quality for Lowest $.

Thanks GJ. I haven't played a Washburn in years. I'll have to check them out the next time I'm in a music store.

 

[Biu]

Re: Washburn. The Best Quality for Lowest $.

Did you check out any of their new Floyd equipped guitars? Those look pretty cool.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Washburn. The Best Quality for Lowest $.

I think I saw one, but didn't play it. I was literally picking them up, one after the next, finding the gems. I also really liked the new Fender Aerodyne Strat and Tele. They're basically a Fender with a convex top. (contoured)? I can't imagine what I'd be like if I were rich. I'd never stop buying guitars!

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Washburn. The Best Quality for Lowest $.

I've been reading up on the HB35 model (es-335 clone). I'm really digging it and I've been wanting a 335 for years.:33: I gotta go play one of those.... and fast!!

 

[Duncan]

Re: Washburn. The Best Quality for Lowest $.

Not semi-acoustic, but I must be honest, I found the same thing when I was checking out their acoustic range. Really good quality of tone and playability. Can;t remember the model number, but it was around $900AUS. Outdid a fair number of 'name' acoustics that were closer to $2000.

Worth checking out, I agree...


...still not a Taylor though... Got my heart set on a 614 I played, but I can't justify $5000AUS!!!

 

[Davey]

Re: Washburn. The Best Quality for Lowest $.

last time i went out like that i played the cort M series.. and the M600 is just WOW .. the pickups are the best stock pups i have ever heard .. they made a damn ****ty amp to sound good.. and the M600 is a beauty.. double cutaway flame maple top.. a thing of beauty for just $500

i like washburns, but it's damn hard to get them over here

 

[Mr Wolf]

Re: Washburn. The Best Quality for Lowest $.

Im considering a Schecter in a few months. Im going to have to re-look at washburns. Pity those 2 brands are hardest to come across in my area :banghead: Need to try both

 

[Lu_B]

Re: Washburn. The Best Quality for Lowest $.

I have a Washbury J-6 Wes Montgomery in a really pretty blonde maple that was made in Korea. For value for money it was a steal - £525 and the build quality is excellent, nobody who sees it can beleive how inexpensive it was. Compared it to an Epi Joe Pass which was a couple of hundred more expensive and it much better.

All it needed was a set of duncans 59's!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Washburn. The Best Quality for Lowest $.

I don't know how they do it...well, actually I do....they pay people next to nothing in Korea, so it kinda makes sense, but the quality is tenfold better than it was just a few years ago. Lookin for a new guitar?...Check out Washburns.

Boy...that's reason enough for me to AVOID checking out Washburns...

"This is like this...because that is like that"...

Lew

 

[Norman_T]

Re: Washburn. The Best Quality for Lowest $.

I have anough trouble thinking about trying to get a George Benson model into the house and now you start on Washburns!! I have already blamed Jeff_H for one guitar that is arriving :yell: :smack:

Whatever the rights and wrongs, the guitars that are being produced are very good and if it is bringing it at a price that people can afford then I think that is a good thing. A couple of years ago I was asked why there seemed to be a sudden interest in guitars and playing them and I said at the time, there were 2 main reasons.

1. The internet had allowed people from all over the world to share, swap and find out about various instruments.
2. The quality and construction of guitars have improved as well as the cheapess compared to many years ago. (I am talking about the lower end of the market).

 

[kill your scene]

Re: Washburn. The Best Quality for Lowest $.

Interesting comments made.

For the record, if you're looking for "bang for buck" you have to check out MIJ Jacksons and most Yamahas. Highly underrated and amazing guitars.

 

[wasteofo2]

Re: Washburn. The Best Quality for Lowest $.

Just FYI, Korean Washburns are made by a company called Samick. Samick has their own line of guitars, which they recently completely redid and now completely rock. Since Samick doesn't have to go through a middle man, they can charge much less for a guitar of equal quality to a guitar put out by Washburn. I own a Samick SG and it really plays better than alot of Gibsons I've played. The electronics were kinda crappy, but the wood, construction and the hardware are very solid.

 

[sweet_lou]

Re: Washburn. The Best Quality for Lowest $.

Here is my washburn HB30 That I just had the Seths put in. I bought it new added the used Seths and some 10s
It has a set neck and Grovers Guitar parts and labor about 550.00 The Seths made it sound amazing

 

[Norman_T]

Re: Washburn. The Best Quality for Lowest $.

Here is my washburn HB30 That I just had the Seths put in. I bought it new added the used Seths and some 10s
It has a set neck and Grovers Guitar parts and labor about 550.00 The Seths made it sound amazing

Lou,

That is a sweet looker and with the Seths in must sound lovely. Almost as good as my '68 ES335.

 

[sweet_lou]

Re: Washburn. The Best Quality for Lowest $.

Thanks and it does sound sweet and only 550.00
That's a sweet looking 335

 

[Norman_T]

Re: Washburn. The Best Quality for Lowest $.

Thanks and it does sound sweet and only 550.00
That's a sweet looking 335

Thanks and it cost more than $550!! (in fact new frets, nut and sorting out the wiring and pots came to $280 alone!!) and yes it does sound very sweet

 

[BluesJunkie]

Re: Washburn. The Best Quality for Lowest $.

What are the necks like on the Washburn hollow bodies? Wide or thin at the nut? Are they thick baseball bats, thin shredders, or somewhere in the middle?

 

[sweet_lou]

Re: Washburn. The Best Quality for Lowest $.

What are the necks like on the Washburn hollow bodies? Wide or thin at the nut? Are they thick baseball bats, thin shredders, or somewhere in the middle?

Here are the specks. As far as the neck it it very similar to my Hamer monaco maybe just a touch wider at the nut, but not thicker

http://www.washburn.com/electrics/hollow_bodies/hb30.htm

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Washburn. The Best Quality for Lowest $.

I remember trying out a Washburn jumbo acoustic electric and it was horrible. Looked, played and sounded like a $50 starter guitar with a $500 pricetag. Ok, so looks wise it wasn't bad at all, but the crappy build quality did show.