Washburn WD52SW

[guit30]

Can anyone who has one of these tell me if they are satin finish or gloss finish. The pics look different depending where you look. I can get one at either Music123 or Musician's Friend for 399.99 with hardshell case. I don't get that low of a price for a guitar that lists for 999.99 and 2 monthes ago was selling for $599 at these places. What's up with that.

Ok, I see these are 2 different guitars,

the WD52SW is on sale for 399(with hc case) and the D52SW costs 599(no case)

Also, the WD52SW had a gloss finish plus ebony neck

Jim

[edman316]

Originally posted by guit30 Can anyone who has one of these tell me if they are satin finish or gloss finish. The pics look different depending where you look. I can get one at either Music123 or Musician's Friend for 399.99 with hardshell case. I don't get that low of a price for a guitar that lists for 999.99 and 2 monthes ago was selling for $599 at these places. What's up with that. I am

 

They have a gloss finish (I own the WD56SW). The price is low because the Flint Hills series is last year's model.

 

Washburn replaced the "Flint Hills" edition with the "Timbercraft" edition D52SW (D54SW & D56SW too) this year. The Timbercraft has identical specs with one exception: different abalone inlays.

 

Pick one up - you won't regret it.

[guit30]

Ok, I read an article in Acoustic guitar mag (July issue) about this guitar. All of the writers loved it. I found one in Music123 for 599.40 with no case. Plus it has a Satin finish, rosewood instead of Ebony neck and it does not have the Abalone like the WD52SW.

The Washburn WD52SW on the other hand you can get at either Musician's friend or Music123 with a hardshell case new for 399.99. The Acoustic guitar folk loved the playability of the new guitar, does the Flint Hill have the same neck? Honestly , I have never been a big Washburn fan, but this just looks too good to be true. This is a totally solid wood guitar with gloss finish, grover 18:1 TUNERS, SPRUCE TOP, mahogany sides, compensated bone saddle and bone nut. Buzz Feiten intonation system. And a hardshell case to boot.

People rave about the Chinese Guilds and Blueridges, why is there no buzz about these instruments? Probably made at the same plant. The pic looked a lot nicer than a Blueridge Br-160.

Any thoughts?

Jim

[guit30]

Pic

 

http://www.music123.com/Washburn-WD52SW-i129742.music

[guit30]

pic

 

http://www.music123.com/Washburn-D52SW-i155980.music

[rgordonrn]

I would suggest the wd56sw, also available at music 123 for 399. Same guitar, but with rosewood back and sides, has a deeper, fuller sound. Love mine.

[Guest Anonymous]

Originally posted by edman316 They have a gloss finish (I own the WD56SW). The price is low because the Flint Hills series is last year's model. Washburn replaced the "Flint Hills" edition with the "Timbercraft" edition D52SW (D54SW & D56SW too) this year. The Timbercraft has identical specs with one exception: different abalone inlays. Pick one up - you won't regret it.

 

You better look at the specs again--the D52SW and D56SW come with a bone nut and saddle, whereas the WD52SW and WD56SW do not.

 

In the universe of inexpensive guitars, you get what you pay for. I'll bet the D series has better woods and fretwork than the WD series.

[GN-Nick]

Why no buzz about these?

 

Well Washburn produces some crappy guitars along with some gems. People love to hate them for the crap and the gems get ignored.

 

There are some great Washburns out there that I think match up with the best anybody else is making.

 

There were the Bourgeois models from the 94 timeframe, the older D90SW models and even the Golden Harvest from the early 90's.

 

They are good guitars once you spend a little money on them.

 

What do you think a $400 retail Martin or Taylor would sound like? I don't think they would be near as nice as the guitars you are looking at.

[guit30]

Well, you have a great point, you get what you pay for, 3 monthes ago these WD52SWs were selling for 599 at these same places. I notice tons of B stock, C stock and opened boxes at Music123, which means there were lots of returns.

Now these guitars go as low as 299.

The Taylor 110 is a great guitar that sometimes you can get for less than 500 and made in USA

Jim

[edman316]

Originally posted by GuitslingerTim You better look at the specs again--the D52SW and D56SW come with a bone nut and saddle, whereas the WD52SW and WD56SW do not. In the universe of inexpensive guitars, you get what you pay for. I'll bet the D series has better woods and fretwork than the WD series.

 

 

 

The woods, fret work and neck are identical. You are correct - this year's model has a bone saddle and nut. Is it worth $250.00 + another $90.00 for a hardshell case?

 

The WD56SW has a $900.00 retail price. I own one. Why would I lie about the quality of this guitar?

 

I bought a bone nut from Bob Colossi (www.guitarsaddles.com) for $27.00 with shipping. I can replace the nut too for $20.00.

 

If you are smart you will check them out.

[edman316]

 

Originally posted by GN-Nick Why no buzz about these? Well Washburn produces some crappy guitars along with some gems. People love to hate them for the crap and the gems get ignored. There are some great Washburns out there that I think match up with the best anybody else is making. There were the Bourgeois models from the 94 timeframe, the older D90SW models and even the Golden Harvest from the early 90's. They are good guitars once you spend a little money on them. What do you think a $400 retail Martin or Taylor would sound like? I don't think they would be near as nice as the guitars you are looking at.

 

 

I agree, but keep in mind that the WD56SW has a $899.00 retail price. They are discontinued models.

[Guest Anonymous]

 

Originally posted by edman316 The woods, fret work and neck are identical. You are correct - this year's model has a bone saddle and nut. Is it worth $250.00 + another $90.00 for a hardshell case? The WD56SW has a $900.00 retail price. I own one. Why would I lie about the quality of this guitar?

 

 

I fail to see how you can determine that the woods in two different guitars are identical. Even if the woods look identical, there could be a differences in both the tone and the age of the woods.

 

I'm not calling you a liar--just pointing out that there are differences in the two series. The D56SW lists at over $1300 compared to the $900 price of the WD56SW. The discrepancy in price is an indicator the D56SW model has superior features.

 

I almost bought the WD56SW, but decided otherwise after reading a few reviews and noticing the quantity of seconds available at Music123.

[edman316]

 

Originally posted by GuitslingerTim I fail to see how you can determine that the woods in two different guitars are identical. Even if the woods look identical, there could be a differences in both the tone and the age of the woods. I'm not calling you a liar--just pointing out that there are differences in the two series. The D56SW lists at over $1300 compared to the $900 price of the WD56SW. The discrepancy in price is an indicator the D56SW model has superior features. I almost bought the WD56SW, but decided otherwise after reading a few reviews and noticing the quantity of seconds available at Music123.

 

 

Actually, the D56SW on Music123 retails for $1099.00 - the D52SW retails for $999.00. Not sure where you got $1300.00 from. Those prices could easily reflect the addition of a bone nut and saddle plus inflation on the new models. The WD56SW is not identical to the D56SW - but it's very close.

 

There are only 3 reviews of the WD54SW on Musicianfriend's website for an average of a 7. There are no WD56SW Washburns available there. The WD56SW has 10 ratings with a 4.5 star (out of 5) rating at Music123. Not sure what reviews you looked at.

 

I have yet to run into anyone that regrets buying one. It's your loss my friend. $399.00 is a steal for a guitar of this quality.

[guit30]

I just want to know what the necks are like on the WD series, are they flat or fat? I could risk 399 thru Musician's friend and if I don't like it get my money back, I just wanna know if they are easy to play

JIm

[rgordonrn]

flat or fat? Well the neck is easy to play but I would not consider it to be either.

[guit30]

Is the neck Taylor like?

[edman316]

 

Originally posted by guit30 Is the neck Taylor like?

 

 

They are running out of them. I don't think you can still buy the WD56SW brand new - the ones remaining are all B and C stock at Music123. They still have the 52 and 54 models.

 

Just order one - if you don't like it - ship back: It's that simple. Music123 is a great company to deal with. They have a 45 day return policy. I've used it a few times.

[tamolina]

I think the fact it comes with Buzz Feiten intonation system means it was made in the USA. I don't think the imported Washburns get that treatment. I paid $499 for mine and feel like I stole it from them. Very nice guitar.

[mconry]

The Timbercraft line (D56SW) are not made in USA (they're coming from China) but are QA'd and set-up in IL and do include bone nut and saddle and Buzz Feiten Tuning System.

 

It's true that BFTS is a given on the USA models but it's also included on select other models.

[kwakatak]

Whoa - this is an old thread!

 

Hudman - here's your old monicker in action!