| Washburn Guitars don't quite have the same name | | | | musician.In 1999, Washburn decided it wanted to make |
| and reputation as giants like Gibson and Fender, but | | | | a guitar for the 21st century. That's when they came |
| this little company has been around for quite some | | | | up with the Idol series. These guitars cover a wide |
| time and manufacturers a quality product. We're going | | | | spectrum of looks and sounds and include the Aaron |
| to take a look at the Washburn company, a little | | | | Fink, Sonny Mayo, Joe Don Rooney and many |
| history and some of the guitars that is makes.What | | | | others.Other electric guitars in their line include the |
| most people don't realize is that Washburn itself has | | | | Maya series, featuring the Maya Pro, the N series, all |
| been around since 1883. While it didn't make electric | | | | numbered from N1 to N6, the X series, which includes |
| guitars back then, it did manufacture other fine | | | | the really cool looking flame maple Face Eraser and |
| instruments. By the 1920s, Washburn had become a | | | | the Anarchy Graphic series which includes the classic |
| music center by itself. It was considered to be the first | | | | V style WV 16, the X 16 and the WI 16. These are |
| place where African-Americans would go to back | | | | some of the most graphically stunning guitars made.But |
| then. This was in the Mississippi Delta which is where | | | | we've only scratched the surface here. Aside from |
| the Delta Blues originated. When the guitar industry | | | | the large line of electric guitars, Washburn makes an |
| started to blossom, Washburn became the main | | | | equally long line of acoustic guitars. These include the |
| manufacturer of guitars for musicians who were | | | | USA Acoustics, which run as high as $2400; the |
| heavily into the blues. This seemed like a perfectly | | | | Jumbo Acoustics, which feature a big low end and a |
| natural progression considering Washburn's | | | | lot of extra volume; the Dreadnought series, which are |
| roots.Washburn makes a complete line of electric and | | | | all handcrafted from premium woods and materials; |
| acoustic guitars and basses. They also manufacture | | | | the Folk style guitars, which are excellent for recording |
| banjos, mandolins and amplifiers.As for electric guitars, | | | | and feature solid spruce tops; their traditional classical |
| Washburn offers a wide variety of these. There are | | | | acoustics, which are one of the oldest guitars that they |
| the famous Washburn Hollow Body guitars which | | | | make; the NV guitars, which are for pure professionals |
| include the HB35, the HB30, the HB32 DM, the J5, the | | | | and come with price tags as much as $1000 plus and |
| J4, the J3 and the HB15. Then there is the Scott Ian | | | | some fine travel guitars ranging in price from about |
| signature series electric guitars which include the SI 75 | | | | $100 to $500.Washburn offers a guitar for just about |
| and SI 70. The features of these guitars alone are too | | | | every type of musician. They may not have the same |
| numerous to even list. And the price tags that go along | | | | name as Gibson or Fender, but they make one heck |
| with them (over $2500) are not for the average | | | | of a fine guitar. |