Washburn R320SWR review and demo - Vintage Series all-solid parlour guitar
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- Опубліковано 29 сер 2024
- Seems my love affair with small-bodied guitars is continuing!
Edit 18/10/13, for Christine, below: Here's Kt Tunstall playing essentially the same guitar through a Baggs M1. • KT Tunstall - Invisibl...
Latest flame (hmm, maybe not the best term for a wooden instrument...) is a rather lovely Washburn R320SWRk Vintage Series Parlour Guitar (or Parlor, if you either can't spell, or are American). There I was with an hour to spare, near Denmark Street...
Just like the Guild M120, (and Tanglewood TW133 and Taylor GS Mini, come to that) it may have a small body but it has a big heart. And a completely different character to the rest. Much grittier, dirtier, bluesier. In fact, the gentle picking at the beginning of the the video, over the photo, is not really its forte. It's much happier when it's driven a little harder. At least, to my ears.
It's brand new, but looks and feels 125 years old, being based on a 19th century instrument. It also comes in a really cool coffin-style hard case.
Here's the blurb from Washburn themselves:
The Vintage Series seeks to recreate or resemble some of the great Washburn instruments that were crafted in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Included are parlor sized models as well as a southern jumbo and several mandolins. In order to create the "vibe" of a 100 year old instrument that has been well played but not abused, we have added a vintage finish and distressed hardware. Because these guitars are built using modern techniques and materials, the resulting instruments are more durable and in many cases better sounding than their century old counterparts.
So, there you go.
Enjoy.
This Washburn Parlor in my go to axe, before working with any of my other guitars. Just love it! 😊❤
I love the vintage sound of this guitar. I have this one but I don’t play. It just looks beautiful sitting there. I want to learn because it cuts into my soul. I just can’t explain the sound. I must be an old timer. Actually, I’m 68 and play piano and ukulele. My dream is to play this guitar someday.
Nice picking, Doc! I am glad someone else out there appreciates these little gems! I have owned an old R306, an R320 that I put a pickup in and I got a used R319 that I just play at the office when I'm bored or bothered by the muse. Thanks for posting!!
Don
Thanks for the complete demo. Finally someone strums the guitar 🙏
Great playing and sound.
Any guitar with a wide neck has my attention straight away.I struggle with anything less than 45mm and this is 48mm I believe so it would suit me down to the ground.
Hi there, it's Other Side of the World by KT Tunstall - glad you liked it :)
Glad I found this. Nice playing. Sounds good and I want the wider neck....I have big hands and it's tough scrunching everything up to fit on typical tiny acoustic necks
I saw this guitar hanging at my local music store which is now gone :( It always caught my eye but I could never afford it. That was when I was a freshman in highschool and now as an adult im am on the search for this guitar!! thanks for this demo for providing me more motivation to buy it
Hi Christine, It can't be plugged in as it is - it just needs a pickup or transducer fitting. Check KT Tunstall using the same guitar and one by searching youtube for: "KT Tunstall - Invisible Empire (Live Acoustic)" (Link added to description, above) . Hers is soundhole-mounted LR Baggs M1 I think, but others can be tucked away inside, under the bridge or on the soundboard. Hope this helps!
I managed to snag one thru ebay usa and received it this week and i simply love it.what a nice instrument,Only downside in my oppinion the custom light cauge would have been nicer then just light,they sound much nicer allround that or just medium.will change that but shure enough it,s a keeper for life.
7 years later- do you still have it? And how is it holding up?
@@ellesnyder942 yes,it does. I have it in the case and still love it.
I have been looking for the resonator version of the parlour for years now too.
It's a great guitar.
And the neck (which is more V shaped then D) makes it a pleasure to hold chords.
I can only recommend if you manage to get one.
bought one from sweetwater for $700, I love the guitar I can never put it down even while watching movies
Hi there, I bought it in a proper shop, in Denmark Street in London - and yes, I still like it!
I just got one today. I'm used to playing a very fat C neck and yet the V feels completely natural and comfortable.
Hi there,
The nut width is 48mm, which is wider than my other guitars (which are mostly 46mm). It's also pretty shallow, with just a gentle V, which probably makes it appear even wider.
I love mine. Great sound and great feel. I added an LR Baggs pick up. Super cool.
Hi just seen your post - as a matter of interest which model baggs pickup are you using ?
Many thanks.
Thanks for the review, I'm looking at the 321 or the one with the natural top. Love the tree of life.
Nice guitar playing! Well done.
ive just ordered one from missouri,Shipping to the netherlands is a fortune,I do hope its worth every penny. 8)
I managed to snag one thru ebay usa and received it this week and i simply love it.what a nice instrument,Only downside in my oppinion the custom light cauge would have been nicer then just light,they sound much nicer allround that or just medium.will change that but shure enough it,s a keeper for life.
To be frank, it's not that bassy - the small body diesn't really emphasise the lower frequencies. You could fit heavier strings,or even a bottom-heavy set - but it wouldn't change the body shape to a booming dread' - it is what it is.
Of course, the answer to your question also depends on what your acoustic is right now - as this has more base, for example, than my M120... but I love them both :)
has a funny v shaped neck. I played one in guitar center and sounded boxy. Loved the look of it though.
Okay. Thank you very much! :)
ja man, wonderful playing
You're too kind! :)
Hi, you may have answered this already but I couldn't see. I'm currently looking for a small bodied guitar with a maximum spend of £400. The Washburn R319SWK and the Guild M120 really tickle my fancy a lot. Out of the two which one would you say to go for? What others would you recommend? I'm looking for a meatier sounding parlour- if that's even possible? Haha.
Thanks in advance!
I've also been looking at the Alvarez AP70SB but I've never heard or seen many Alvarez, do you know much about them or recommend them? Apologies for all the question, you just seem to know your stuff! haha
Great sounding guitar!! I was wondering what you were playing at the beginning of the video? It was very beautiful!
Why thanks! It's KT Tunstall's 'Other Side of the World' at the beginning - glad you liked it :)
DrRhythm1967 Thanks so much! You've got a thumbs up from me friend!
DrRhythm1967 Another question- is it your interpretation of the song? Or a different version?Trying to find it to learn and having no luck so far! Thank you!
Hey jw what you were playing at the beginning of the video it sounded beautiful?
I am thinking about buying this guitar and I am a little concerned about the comfort of the V-Neck. What are your thoughts about that on this guitar?
I love Jim Croce. I love the fretboard inlays. I love this guitar. But upwards of $700... Really? I play slide blues and as much as I love this guitar, I'm leaning more towards a bell brass bodied resonator.
This a super guitar and fascinate playing.
fine playing sir 👍
Hi just buying a 2016 model now. Spruce top with Rosewood back and sides (all solid).... how has yours held up? Any advice on strings or if nut/saddle need to be swapped out? Appreciate it!
Hi there, I messed around with Silk & Steel for a while, figuring 'hey - vintagey!' - but they were a little too soft and soft-sounding for my liking. Phosphor-bronze complements the tone well IMO. At the moment I very much like Rotosound Nexus: although coated, they don't sound as bright as Elixirs, but sadly they don't last as long either! I haven't changed either nut or saddle tbh - never felt the need. Anyway, enjoy! :)
Good to know. I think the shop is shipping it with Martin Lights... never have tried Roto ($$). I like Elixir for my Taylor so I think I will probably pick up a pack of what Washburn recommends - D'addario's as well. Thanks for responding and you should maybe post some more videos with some lessons? :D
Just bought one used. I put 12 gauge strings on it. Too heavy maybe ?
I bought a Washburn R305 from the guitar center in Nazareth Pa, near the Martin factory and it is now my honey! I also have a D35 and a 1944 0-18 which is also another honey, great sound! Where do you live? Possible for a face to face? I live about ten miles from the Martin factory in Pa.
Nice jams!
I have a question. In the video (from my POV) the neck looks very wide & thick. Is it actually very wide & thick or was it just the video. Im considering getting this one since the new JM one I actually want is alittle out of my price range. ($15K)
How is the sound after 8 years, seems like a fun guitar🤗
This has a v-shaped neck right? Is it hard to play chords?
Nice looking guitar, which do you prefer between this and the Gild?
Hi? I am a Singaporean.
Can someone tell me what is price in Sing $?
Is guitar available in Singapore? If yes, where can I get it from? Tks
You made the same comment about the R314. Maybe play the guitar before you buy it. Just saying.
This may sound very stupid, but can this guitar be plugged into an amplifier?
youd have to rig it for that ability yourself i believe
Chulada de guitarra!!!❤
Chitarra introvabile!
🤗
hey man. Still got the guitar? do u think will it fit a lr baggs M1? the soundhole is bigger than 3.55?
Hi Allan, I'm sure it would fit an M1 - enjoy!
like very much
Ah, the non-existent spam dude is back. Sorry about that: it's cleaned up now :)
Can't speak to your setup, but it seems to have nothing but treble response.
Got mine for £350 , its amazing
@Michael Kean mint condition second hand , I rarely play it and is in case it's my baby , hasn't been out of tune for months between restring
@Michael Kean got from real time music chesterfield , as second hand
@Michael Kean I have seen them go for £800+ with the flower inlay in the uk
@Michael Kean If you play delta blues or simple jazz it's perfect
Do you know what body size it was based on? 0 or 00?
Did you buy on line or from a shop? do you still like it?
Does the neck have a truss rod?
Yall did "butcher" Blackbird alright..lol. That neck looks xtra xtra wide???
It is seriously wide. Let’s hear your mom-butchered Blackbird 😀
this or the fender sonoran?
+sophia valentina get the washburn! you won't regret a thing!!!
Are they Made in China?
indonesia