LAST ONE! ALL SOLID WOOD Washburn WD115SWCE Acoustic Electric Guitar with Fishman 501T Blender Preamp $395 shipped

Quote from CptObvious : I think most mass-produced guitars are pretty consistent these days. Ever since Taylor started using CNC machines to cut most of their guitar components, other manufacturers followed, especially in Asia. That being said, there are still variances if a guitar is not properly set up, but many guitars benefit from being set up to individual preferences.

Just to add to the counter argument, it not only depends on the craftmanship of the guitar, but also the material. There is no consistency in wood and one piece used to make one guitar can sound different than another, even if they are from the same tree. Sure it could sound similar, but it can also sound different. It all depends, and I guess you can never truly know.

Ive bought guitars there and never had a problem. They seem pretty cool. Their return policy says no restocking fee if you return it within 17 days (7 days to try it and call for a return number) and 10 days to send it back. Seems like a week should be plenty of time to decide if you like it or not.

I work for wms. A point of clarification. This is the last "All Solid Wood" Acoustic steel string. There are a few classical models left that will go on sale that are all solid but no more steel string unless something comes our way unexpectedly.

Quote from jstruble : ... unless something comes our way unexpectedly.

Given the kinds of deals your company has been offering lately, the unexpected has almost become expected.

Quote from jstruble : I work for wms. . .

Do you happen to know whether Washburn uses poly or nitrocellulose finishes on their all-solid acoustics?

Quote from GrandPaPa : Do you happen to know whether Washburn uses poly or nitrocellulose finishes on their all-solid acoustics?

They are all Poly Finish. Nitrocellulose is only used in a handful of places now. There is a huge EPA fine that has to be paid for each drum of nitrocellulose, or at least there was last I heard. When I was at the Gibson Acoustic factory they were telling us about it. It was like 10 grand per barrel and a barrel didn't do as many guitars as you would think. Thats the main reason you dont see that used any more with few exceptions on really high end stuff. nitrocellulose ages better, but also tends to crack or check more, but then again is easier to repair. Poly has gotten a lot better over the years. Nitro is still the preferred high end method that costs a fortune. You are seeing a lot of people go to the alcohol based rubbed finish which is probably the least amount of rigidity added to the top to allow it to both age and resonate. For washburn those are the WG0 or WD0... the "0" is for open grain. You are seeing that or something similar on taylors. i hope that helps

I've bought 3 guitars for WMS and had no problem with them. I had an issue ordering one a year or so ago and the guy went out of his way to pull one off the floor of their retail location to get me the deal I signed up for. YMMV but I've had good experiences.

Quote from jstruble : They are all Poly Finish. Nitrocellulose is only used in a handful of places now. There is a huge EPA fine that has to be paid for each drum of nitrocellulose, or at least there was last I heard. When I was at the Gibson Acoustic factory they were telling us about it. It was like 10 grand per barrel and a barrel didn't do as many guitars as you would think. Thats the main reason you dont see that used any more with few exceptions on really high end stuff. nitrocellulose ages better, but also tends to crack or check more, but then again is easier to repair. Poly has gotten a lot better over the years. Nitro is still the preferred high end method that costs a fortune. You are seeing a lot of people go to the alcohol based rubbed finish which is probably the least amount of rigidity added to the top to allow it to both age and resonate. For washburn those are the WG0 or WD0... the "0" is for open grain. You are seeing that or something similar on taylors. i hope that helps

If the guitars are made overseas, why would there be an EPA fine?

Quote from The_Linux_Crew : If the guitars are made overseas, why would there be an EPA fine?

Good point. But it still is a much more expensive process. It has to be sprayed and dry multiple times and buffed. Takes way more time and drives cost up. For USA factories it drives it up even more. In theory china can make what would be a $3000 USA guitar for 1/2 the cost or less. My opinion is that no matter how good they are, people don't buy $1000+ guitars made in china like ghey do lower pri e points. Once the price gets so high you have a different customer. Thats where Taylor Martin Gibson Takamine etc come into play. Just my opinion.

Quote from jstruble : Good point. But it still is a much more expensive process. It has to be sprayed and dry multiple times and buffed. Takes way more time and drives cost up. For USA factories it drives it up even more. In theory china can make what would be a $3000 USA guitar for 1/2 the cost or less. My opinion is that no matter how good they are, people don't buy $1000+ guitars made in china like ghey do lower pri e points. Once the price gets so high you have a different customer. Thats where Taylor Martin Gibson Takamine etc come into play. Just my opinion.

That's too bad too, because China has some very skilled luthiers who can make outstanding guitars. Unfortunately, MADE IN CHINA usually means lower quality mass produced instruments, but that is not always the case.