Author Topic: Who loves the Idol? (Read 69953 times)

CivoLee · « **Reply #30 on:** December 03, 2009, 01:51:49 PM »

I registered for this forum just so I could respond to this topic.

I wholeheartedly agree with shaulin that a design needs to remain unchanged for a long time in order to become truly timeless. One of the things that frustrates me about how Washburn handles the Idol is they keep changing things from year to year. The wide-bodied Idol with the medium-thickness 22-fret neck and 3x3 headstock is perfection IMHO, but I miss the distressed natural finish with copper hardware WI64, the Damen Idol, and the half-block and delta inlays. The Idol might be a singlecut, but it's not a Les Paul. It's not supposed to be a Les Paul. If Washburn want to have a Les Paul-type guitar in the lineup, then they should come up with a new design, but keep the Idol as its own thing, just like Schecter did with the Tempest and Solo 6. Frankly, if it weren't for Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton, I don't think the Les Paul would be seen as such a big deal, some sort of standard to live up to.

And I've seen pictures of what the Idol might look like if it were longer/narrower, and it's pretty UGLY.

alpheus94 · « **Reply #31 on:** December 03, 2009, 08:17:33 PM »

DO NOT CHANGE THE IDOL SHAPE!!!!!!!!! The only reason I own 2 washburns is I LIKE the current Idol shape. If I wanted a more les paul shape than what the idol already is i would buy and epiphone. Or a schecter I wouldn't buy a new shape, just buy up the old on ebay.

alpheus94 · « **Reply #32 on:** December 03, 2009, 08:23:22 PM »

quote:
Originally posted by WB-Nick

Thanks for the input guys. The problem is that the Idol doesn't appeal to most people. There are some, like yourselves, that love it, but most people will buy an LP shaped guitar over the Idol. This is what the new owner is looking at. Yes, he wants to change the design and sell more guitars.

What makes him think changing the design will result in more sales? I don't think the design is the problem.

Tio Kimo · « **Reply #33 on:** December 03, 2009, 11:28:20 PM »

if the consensus is that there is market demand, (let's assume for discussion that's the case. Hard to believe, but, ok...)Why not simply ADD an LP clone to the line, and leave the Idol available as is, with well appointed quality imports and a couple high end USA's? It's truly unique in the single cut market, and get raves from people who play them.

Seems to me an original shape that can cross genre's is a pretty rare bird....and you have one in the Idol.

No one else has there name on a guitar like this.

Every guitar manufacturer out there has there name on an LP clone. Join 'em if you must, but don't let this go.

CivoLee · « **Reply #34 on:** December 04, 2009, 12:52:27 AM »

This is a Mosrite Bluesbender, which may have indirectly influenced the Idol design. It has a slightly longer and narrower shape than the Idol, so if Washburn are planning something like this (although this is closer to a Telecaster than a Les Paul), then maybe it could work.

But this...no. The aesthetic balance of the shape is lost, plus for the great upper fret access the Idol is known for to be maintained, it would require a neck joint with less structural integrity.

BlueBuddha · « **Reply #35 on:** December 04, 2009, 03:21:15 AM »

I still really want the Idol with the floyd rose and the pointy headstock, but in a natural finish and with an ebony board.

its so much cooler than the Les Paul Axcess which is its nearest rival

What do you want to do tomorrow?

alpheus94 · « **Reply #36 on:** December 04, 2009, 08:24:51 PM »

I thought the preacher was supposed to be the more Les Paul type single cut in the washburn line. Not many people buying the preacher eh'

shaulin · « **Reply #37 on:** December 05, 2009, 01:02:50 AM »

Like most here mentioned, Washburn doesn't do any real marketing for their guitars.
redesigning the Idol into a clone would lower the brand's image and take it back
10 years.
Washburn is on the right track, but doesn't have any marketing to pull the brand up.

and from a personal point of view, as if the second hand market for Washburn guitar
isn't bad enough, I have a feeling that having the custom shop making replicas
would devalue the guitars even further.

____________________________
'04 Washburn X50 w/ Bareknuckle Mule & Black Dog
'04 Washburn WI64D w/ Bareknuckle Warpigs
'06 Washburn PI80 w/ Bareknuckle Warpig & Mississippi Queen P(ig)90
'07 Washburn N4
'06 Washburn X33
'98 Gibson Les Paul Studio
'08 Washburn WM526
'09 Washburn WI568

cedwards · « **Reply #38 on:** December 05, 2009, 09:41:14 AM »

quote:
Originally posted by Tio Kimo

Seems to me an original shape that can cross genre's is a pretty rare bird....and you have one in the Idol.

No one else has there name on a guitar like this.

Every guitar manufacturer out there has there name on an LP clone. Join 'em if you must, but don't let this go.

So I'm looking at my Idol hanging on the wall last night thinking to myself, Why on Earth would anybody want to change that beautiful guitar? Then I look at Kimo's and think, I salivate every time he posts a photo of that thing. WHY ON EARTH would anybody want to change that guitar?

The Idol's perfectly capable of selling itself. You just need to get it into people's hands.

Seize the Fish
*****
Washburn WG2S
Washburn D10SCE
Washburn WI45
Ibanez V300MH
Lyon L115
'70s Univox LP Copy

Tio Kimo · « **Reply #39 on:** December 05, 2009, 10:19:39 AM »

quote:
Originally posted by cedwards

The Idol's perfectly capable of selling itself. You just need to get it into people's hands.

exactly!

(and thanks for the compliment, I'll tell her you said so)

BlueBuddha · « **Reply #40 on:** December 05, 2009, 12:33:14 PM »

quote:
Originally posted by alpheus94

I thought the preacher was supposed to be the more Les Paul type single cut in the washburn line. Not many people buying the preacher eh'

The Preacher is a lovely guitar, i'm just put off by the Paul Stanley bloke!

What do you want to do tomorrow?

Tio Kimo · « **Reply #41 on:** December 05, 2009, 12:38:38 PM »

quote:
Originally posted by BlueBuddha
The Preacher is a lovely guitar, i'm just put off by the Paul Stanley bloke!

Agreed on both points

CivoLee · « **Reply #42 on:** December 05, 2009, 02:44:35 PM »

Another thing I forgot to point out in my above post is that a longer body style wouldn't balance as well as a thin body. I seem to recall the Idol did have a slightly longer/narrower body style originally, and balance was an issue frequently brought up in Harmony Central reviews.

alpheus94 · « **Reply #43 on:** December 05, 2009, 05:54:18 PM »

I kinda like the preacher shape but not being a KISS or paul fan, It's hard for me to get into an artists guitar if i'm not that into the name on the headstock. It's too closely associated with him for me to like. Nothing against Paul, I'm just not a fan. Kiss fans probably eat it up though.

If I had one people would be Oh, so you like Kiss? nope I don't.

shaulin · « **Reply #44 on:** December 06, 2009, 12:43:53 AM »

Hey, I'm no Nuno fan, and I know none of Les Paul's music, but still...

____________________________
'04 Washburn X50 w/ Bareknuckle Mule & Black Dog
'04 Washburn WI64D w/ Bareknuckle Warpigs
'06 Washburn PI80 w/ Bareknuckle Warpig & Mississippi Queen P(ig)90
'07 Washburn N4
'06 Washburn X33
'98 Gibson Les Paul Studio
'08 Washburn WM526
'09 Washburn WI568