Washburn D-25S/TS

Gloss "tobacco sunburst" finish. "Southern Jumbo" body style that is basically a slope-shouldered dreadnought. Grover sealed tuners. 3-piece neck, 2 11/16 nut, rosewood fingerboard with fake pearl dots. Solid cedar top, laminated mahogany back and sides. New in 1996, made in Korea.

I play mostly bluegrass and this is not a bluegrass guitar -- no testosterone. Not much bass, and not very loud. But it has a sweet tone, and I keep it out and play it quietly after the kids have gone to bed. I have recorded it in a studio and it really sounded pretty good all miced up in isolation.

Probably the reason I play it so much is the easy low action. There was a shim under the saddle which I removed. Other than that it has been great. I should say that my first one was returned because the bridge lifted up after just a month or so. This one I've had over 12 years. The finish is a little thick, especially around the neck joints. There are visible glue blobs and rough edges inside. Not a guitar to show off to your friends, but I do still enjoy playing it.

I believe its a solid piece. The back and sides are laminated and thus impervious to temperature changes and less likely to crack. Its a great camp guitar.

Never dealt with Washburn.

This was my first guitar, and a gift from my wife so it has loads of sentimental value. I have (or had) a Martin, an Epiphone Masterbilt, and a Blueridge. But the Washburn stays out on the stand and gets lots of action still. Its no banjo-killer, but it sounds sweet and plays easy. If I knew then what I know now, I'd have started with the Masterbilt and bypassed all that other stuff, but then I wouldn't have this good old friend.