Product: Washburn CTST
Price Paid: US $450
Submitted
06/24/2004
at
11:38am
by
CT4 for life
Features
:
10
1997 USA Custom Shop - spoke with customer service and they say it is VERY rare. It was made EXACTLY as a CT5, chambered sound, 2 sets of VOL/TONE knobs, deluxe hardware. 22 Jumbo frets - carved top with a super Cherry Sunburst finish. Originally - two humbuckers '59 in the neck and a Custom Custom in the bridge - NOW Zakk Wylde EMG active set - an 81 and an 85 (WHAT A DIFFERENCE!). Off Les Paul style with Shaller locking tuners, roller bridge and fine-tune tail-piece (can you say QUALITY)! The neck is the best part - Ebony fretboard with wicked tear drop inlays and very thin. I ditched two Les Pauls after getting this - it's THAT great!
Sound
:
10
The sound as originally purchased was great - now it is beyond great with the addition of the Zakk Wylde EMG set. I now own three Washburn USA Customs - a WM200, a P4DLX (all original) and this baby a CTST. I liked the original sound - that's why I have my other all original P4DLX. However - the Zakk Wylde EMGs make this thing sing!
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
I can't say how it was set-up from the factory - as I FOUND this in a Music-Go-Round shop. It was a NOS that had been sitting there for a while and they had it tagged at $1,600. VERY poor set-up - messed up string gauges, etc. I bought it OTD for $450, reto-fitted the Buzz Feiten system and dropped in the Zakk Wylde EMGs. Now it is a beast to be reckoned with. Action - almost at zero, fit and finish is perfect. I have it reintonated to Buzz Feiten standards and it rocks!
Reliability/Durability
:
10
These guitars are THE best value you can buy - I have had numurous Les Pauls - NOTHING compared to this guitar. I sold all of my Les Pauls and bought Washburn Custom Shops (yes they are that good!). Everything is TOP notch - true professional. All Schaller top grade hardware, roller bridge, fine-tune tail-piece and locking tuners. What more could I want. It is a ROCK - super solid and very dependable. Sat in a shop since 1997 - no marks - nuff said!
Customer Support
:
6
Washburn was very helpful in tracking down the info on this model. They were very suprised to hear that one was "FOUND" in NOS shape. I was told that the CTST line was VERY rare and only a few were made before they switched to calling them the top of the line CT5 series. I know they could be sending me a marketing line - but why would they after all these years. They are no longer made - although the CS rep stated that they may bring the line back in a signature line by the Stained guitarist or others who have been playing old CT5 guitars and swear by them.
Overall Rating
:
10
Been playing for 20+ years - I LOVE the CT4 and CT5 series as well as the P4 and P4DLX series. They are the BEST guitars - bar none. My ONLY regret is that I have not been able to find these in any other color than Cherry Burst (but then it was forgotten since 1997 so I guess from what Washburn states that was their most popular color burst for the selling time). Lost or stolen - NO WAY - no how. I LOVE the necks on these, the hardware and the TONE! My favorite feature is the TONE - and with the Zakk Wylde EMGs (look out!).
