Ibanez BT4

A lefty guitar, but I imagine there would be no differences between it and a right handed model. Made in 1997, possibly in Korea (not sure though). 22 frets. Mahogany body with a nicley figured flamed/quilted maple top. One piece maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard. The neck is small, quick, and "natural" - it fits well in your hand. A much easier neck to play than many other guitars I've used. Volume and tone knobs, and 5-way pickup switch. Humbucker bridge p/u and two single coil p/u's - "WB 200 series" pickups. Very nice grover tuners. fulcrum style trem bridge. very nice cherry red sunburst finish. Can't really give it more than a 7 though, it is a simple guitar.

Excellent sound for the price. I have a wide variety of musical taste, and this guitar does well across most of my range. I am playing it through an old ~50 watt multivox tube amp and a newer brand "x" 25 watt solid state practice amp. It does well through both, with a distinct sound that is hard to discribe - crisp and mellow through the singles, and harsher through the humbucker. Everything from blues to rock to ska can flow out of this guitar. My one complaint - sometimes there is a lack of bottom end - not quite full enough for some styles. Overall a great sound though.

No finish flaws, good hardware, everything was put together correctly. Very nicely set up from the factory, good, playable easy action (not so low that it buzzes but low enough to be very easy to play) but I did my own setup right when I got it - even though I am a lefty and this is a lefty guitar, I string my instruments right handed (ou guessed it, I learned on a hand-me-down right handed guitar) So I replaced the nut and started from ground zero on the setup. Turned out very nicely, very little buzz if any but low enough action that it is incredibly easy and fast to play - very similar to the factory job.

Seems very durable, haven't played it live (I'm a bassist on stage, this guitar hasn't seen a gig yet) But I would not hesitate to gig with it. I wouldn't gig without a backup with any instrument. Strap buttons are solid, I have yet to drop it due to strap button failure. I would call this a very dependable guitar though - it has stood up to a year in a busy, messy, hectic dorm room with no case (I was too poor when I bought it) and it still looks like new - the finish is quite durable.

I have yet to have a major problem so I have had no contact with Washburn's customer support. There was a warranty, but I have probably voided it by stringing it right handed. I would do just about any repiar or other work myself on this guitar anyways.

I have been playing for several years, and this was the first electric that I owned. Out of all the other electrics I've played (owned by friends and family) in this price range (squires etc) I would rate this guitar as a cut above the rest. In fact, after playing a friend's 70's strat for quite some time I preferred this guitar. It sounds great, looks great, and plays really well. I have few complaints, and I would definitely buy it again if it was lost/stolen. I'd maybe change the pickups to give a fuller bottom end, but what can you expect for under $200? All in all it is a great guitar for the price, it would be a great guitar for twice the price. highly recommended.