Cheap & cheerful (5): Washburn WIN14

 

You are looking for an affordable singlecut guitar with above average tones but something definitely affordable, Washburn's WMI14 should be on your checklist. When I played it yesterday, the thinner-than-Les Paul body gave it a different voicing plus the fact that it's a basswood unit, the guitar was definitely something not of the Les Paul type when it comes to tones. The maple neck was of a wider profile, again moving away from the LP expectations. If you solo in the neck, the in-house neck pickup has lots of definition for your widdling pleasure.

N7

Here's another addition to Nuno's Washburn models; the N7. A new model with an additional string. No Bill Lawrence pickups this time, but a pair of Duncans:

• Neck: '59
• Bridge: Distortion

Stu's Hammer

Stu Hamm is no longer with Fender, allegedly, the company decided to discontinue his Urge bass, regardless if he's one of the most formidable bass player to tread the ground- it's about the business, yes? So Stu moved on with Washburn which was a natural thing to do since he has a signature acoustic bass with them; it's called The Hammer. The pickup lineup is something close to Billy Sheehan's Yamaha, there's a humbucker unit closer to the neck to really give some beef to slaps. What you don't see is a third pickup embedded in the bridge, a piezo unit to add versatility. Congrats Mr. Hamm on your new signature.

Washburn: WM24

I was at Davis yesterday & managed to give the WM24 guitar a quick test. This is one heck of a simple player; it sounds above-average with lots of drive/distortion but with any other instruments in this price bracket, the clean responses could have been better. If you are looking for a first electric or something simple with lots of good tones & playaility, the WM24 should be on your shopping list.

Wasburn WM24 (List: $580)
Davis Guitar