Recent Posts

11

Vintage and Rare Washburns / Re: Vintage Washburn Identify Please

« Last post by ship of fools on April 12, 2018, 05:39:58 PM »

Howdy I myself am very unsure that it is a Washburn made guitar that label looks like nothing in any of my catalogues nor does it looks right with what looks like maybe had the whole top by the neck cut out and replaced with some other piece, I have sent a message to the one person who knows a lot more about these older models but I am sure he maybe confused by the label inside and with no center spline I am thinking someone may have made the label and stuck it in to represent Washburn.
Can you tell us what else the label says and those numbers make no sense.Looks as if someone deliberately removed a name on the head of the neck.

12

Vintage and Rare Washburns / Vintage Washburn Identify Please

« Last post by Oldgunhunter on April 12, 2018, 04:17:47 PM »

I have a vintage marked Washburn guitar with a rather different head and neck.  The inlays appear to be of Washburn style but the head is not the cut-out style. 
I've posted these on my server and here are the links to the photos.
If you can help me, thanks in advance. 
The old guitar has been worked over and needs some serious restoration again.
http://www.west-orchards.com/washburn/washburn.jpg
http://www.west-orchards.com/washburn/washburn1.jpg
http://www.west-orchards.com/washburn/washburn2.jpg
http://www.west-orchards.com/washburn/washburn3.jpg

You may need to copy and paste these into your browser.  D.W.

13

Vintage and Rare Washburns / Re: 1880's parlor

« Last post by Mickhere2003 on April 10, 2018, 07:40:41 PM »

Still wondering where I go to post a few pictures of this old Washburn.  Any help appreciated!

14

Guitar Care, Repair, Modification & Lutherie / Re: replacement nut for Bantam 6-string 1984 lead

« Last post by psp742 on April 09, 2018, 04:31:57 PM »

Not sure if your trolling or serious..  there are different series in electric guitar..  CS Chicago Series, Billy T became Maverick series, Bantam headless guitar (which is headless guitar and bass), MG Mercury series, WG, X series.

Bantam series is from bass line up.. which has XB100, XB200, XB400, XB500, XB600, XB105, and others.. 

15

General Discussion on Washburn Electric Guitars / Identify My N4

« Last post by Pizzaboy01 on April 09, 2018, 10:46:24 AM »

Hello everyone.

I got this guitar a while back and can't get the right info on it. Please help me to get some info on it. Thanks.

Pictures: http://s69.photobucket.com/user/Usefulidiot_2006/slideshow/Washburn%20N4%20Stephen%20Davies%2091

1. FloydRose.
2. No serial number on the back of the headstock. Havent looked on the neck pocket yet.
3. Washburn tuners.
4. Amazing guitar. Very light. Have to say for 20 years of playing guitar this is one of the best guitars I had.

16

Announcements & News / Re: Shut It Down

« Last post by Pike on April 09, 2018, 03:01:44 AM »

Still some good stuff here. Hardly worth shutting it down. Everything is cyclical. Let it go where it goes. No harm no foul.

17

General Discussion on Washburn Electric Guitars / Re: the BT/Maverick line

« Last post by Tony Raven on April 08, 2018, 04:03:17 PM »

Wow, how the heck did I overlook this --

THE BODY DESIGN
WAS A VARIANCE ON THE USA-BUILT JENNIFER BATTEN ARTIST MODELS.

Mmmm... nope. 

The JB models were offered 2000-2004.

The Mavericks were around 1995-2002.

18

Announcements & News / Re: Shut It Down

« Last post by Tony Raven on April 08, 2018, 03:55:32 PM »

Actually, I'd forgotten I posted an assessment more than a year ago --

Oxymorons rule, & right up there with "miltary intelligence" is "corporate wisdom." The new owners, rather than capitalizing on the sunk costs of the models they inherited, decided to clean house. Like, they stopped most of the Idols, & came up with "the New Idol" WIN Series which is nothing but a cheap MIC LP clone -- a cost-cutting blunder that's greatly damaged brands like ESP's LTD & PRS's SE series, further diluting value of once-great names. The short-lived "Original Idol" (a.k.a. "Classic Idol") WIDLXWISTD series was a cynical attempt to cash in on the fading Idol cachet without actually committing, using cheaper materials & generic hardware. "Cynical"? Here's an Amazon.com listing:

The Idol has been in the Washburn lineup since the '90s a testiment to its staying power, desirability and status amongst players of all levels. With its bold single cutaway style and dual humbucker layout, the Original Idol provides a stylish alternative to the cookie cutter guitars that litter the musical landscape. When you choose an Original Idol you make a statement that you're not just an ordinary guitar player and you've got something to say.

Another from Sweetwater --

Since the 1990s, Washburn's Idol lineup has been tearing up stages around the world. With the WIDLXSPLTD Original Idol, Washburn gives you a chance to own their first-gen-style solidbody electric guitar in all of its glory. If you're the kind of guitar player who's looking to break the cookie-cutter mold of passe solidbody designs, then it's time to call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer...

Can you imagine Fender deciding to end production of the Strat or Tele or Precision or Jazz? Will Gibson maybe end the LP or SG or 335? Yet time & again some new gaggle of non-guitarists buys the Washburn offices & kills off bankable success in favor of making a quick buck before pawning the brand off on someone else even more clueless.

Look how far traffic has declined on this site in the past five years alone. Seems like half the "members" to sign on since 2011 only hang around long enough to learn they haven't bought some super-valuable axe for $100. Washburn is being forgotten except among the hardcores, & the day when catalogues featured dozens of big-name endorsers seem long past.

Oh, there's an upside: why should I even think about buying a NEW Washburn electric when there's so many great used ones drifting past, their asking price generally depressed by the brand's protracted suicide? The Idol series managed to provide just about anything from a good beginner guitar to some serious limited-run glory, & should have been a long-lived gem for the brand.

In another thread, I added to that --

Not everyone wants to looks like just another speed-metal teenager. 

Instead of one Parallaxe after another, I'd hoped the new owners of Washburn would've gone back & cherrypicked a few models from (say) MG, BT, X, & WI, & gone seeking after endorsements & media exposure -- wow, remember the catalogues from the '90s & all the celebrity endorsers they used to have?? 

IMO, the BT series was poorly marketed, & the X series was dragged down by the glut of X-10. At their peak, the Idols offered a nice range, IMO competing nicely with Epiphone LPs & SGs yet possessing unique touches, & the Tele-style WI-36 was an ingenious twist -- if they'd also done an s-s-s, it could've been an "evergreen" line.

When the spalt-top Idols appeared, I hoped this was a sign they were about to reinvigorate the "original Idol" line, but... alas.

19

Announcements & News / Re: Shut It Down

« Last post by Tony Raven on April 08, 2018, 03:20:47 PM »

I think y'all mean moderator.  But, yah, I know what you mean.

I signed up six years back, & even though the place was a-hopping compared to NOW, even then I could see where it was a ghost of its former self.

Some people date the decline from when Rudy rolled Washburn into USMC (late 2002). I can see the point, & that IS when the excellent Maverick (BT) line was discontinued.

But I place it at the day Rudy sold USMC to JAM, officially August 24, 2009. The effects weren't fully felt until 2010, demonstrated by the cancellation of most guitar lines: Tabu, WV, Dan Donegan, Scott Ian, Nick Catanese, X Series, original Idol (WI), & most acoustics (D-, F-, J-, WB-).

Then in 2012 the Mundelein offices were closed, including the Custom Shop, & customer service went down the sewer. Someone told me there was a skeleton crew that tried to field calls as best they were able, but often knew little about the company or its products, & JAM really didn't give a damn about legacy stuff.

This site qualifies as legacy stuff. Feels as though it's being left to starve until it's empty enough to easily advocate pulling the plug.

I'm combing through & archiving some of the bits I've posted here, parts of which may find their way into Vintage Guitar & the Blue Book & Wikipedia & places like that.

20

Acoustic Guitar Players Post Comments & Questions / Re: Help pricing my WD 750SW

« Last post by Bresser on April 08, 2018, 02:42:17 PM »

Hi Dug!
Thanks for the response. I have looked long and hard to find info on this particular git. The production run was short, and replaced by the very popular WD250SW.  The WD750SW is no longer in production or in any catalog that I can find.  I'm betting if I did find some info on manufacturer pricing it would say something like $1,249 MSRP, then an authorized dealer would probably retail for $700-800.  Purchased mine NOS from a local luthier(non-authorized dealer) for $600. Worth it in my mind as it is a very good guitar.  The craftsmanship and tone are fantastic.  The ovangkol sides and back are absolutely beautiful.  The only reason I'm selling is the volume.  I like to play loud (fire the cannon!).  The response is precise and tone is fantastic but the volume is not what I would call booming.  That and I have 2 other Washies (WD150SW - my all-time favorite; and an Idol-64 electric - one of my fav electrics).  When I go to pick up an acoustic I pick up the WD150 or my Guild DC-5.  The 750 just sits in it's case and that's no place for a good axe to live.  So anyway, I put the WD750 up on Craigslist for $450 and Reverb for $550, seems fair, but no takers yet.  One did sell on Reverb about a year ago for $425 but had no case or electronics. There was one other on Reverb for $700, but I digress.  Bottom-line is that a guitar is worth what someone wants to pay.  Then you either fall in love with it (priceless) or not (worthless?).  If it sells great; if not I may eventually just give it to my son who is currently banging away on a great sounding Cort Earth 200.

Everyone loves pics, but I just can't post them here.  If you want a peak at photos you can hit the Reverb link... https://reverb.com/item/7539370-washburn-wd750sw

Love the Washies, enjoy the forum.
All the best,
Bresser