Washburn Acoustic Guitar roundup
The Best Washburn Acoustic Guitars for the Money
Washburn's acoustic range is well-supplied at every price point. These are the models that genuinely earn their price tag — and the one that consistently comes out on top.
Washburn sits in a useful part of the acoustic market — solid construction at prices that do not require a significant financial commitment. The models worth recommending are those where the specification and build quality genuinely justify the price tag, rather than entry-level instruments that happen to carry the same brand name. These are the Washburn acoustic guitar models that represent the best value at their respective prices.
Best Entry Level: Washburn WD7S Dreadnought (around £180–£220)
The WD7S is the most widely recommended entry point in the Washburn range. It combines a solid Sitka spruce top with laminate mahogany back and sides, a rosewood fingerboard and a 43mm nut width that suits most hand sizes. The tone is warm and balanced for a guitar at this price — the solid spruce top makes a noticeable difference in resonance and sustain compared to fully laminate alternatives. Setup from the factory is reliable. This is the instrument most commonly cited when players ask for a Washburn beginner recommendation that is genuinely worth playing.
Best for Fingerpickers: Washburn WF5S Folk Body (around £200–£240)
The WF5S uses the same tonewoods as the WD7S — solid spruce top, laminate mahogany back and sides — but in a smaller folk or orchestra body shape. The reduced body size makes it more comfortable for sitting players and brings the treble strings more forward in the mix, which suits fingerpicking styles and intricate accompaniment. It also makes a useful choice for players with a shorter reach or smaller frame. The projected volume is slightly less than the dreadnought, but the tone is cleaner and more articulate.
Best Mid-Range: Washburn WD45S (around £350–£400)
The WD45S represents the upper tier of the Harvest series with an upgraded finish and appointments compared to the WD7S. The tonal character is broadly similar — solid spruce top, mahogany body — but the improved fretwork, bone nut and saddle, and more refined hardware contribute to better sustain and a more consistent playing feel. This is the instrument for a player who knows they will use the guitar seriously and wants to invest in something that will hold up to regular playing over the long term without requiring an immediate upgrade.
Best All-Solid: Washburn Woodcraft Custom WCD25S (around £450–£550)
Moving to a Washburn acoustic guitar from the Woodcraft Custom series means all-solid construction — solid spruce top with solid mahogany back and sides. The improvement in resonance and dynamic range over the laminate-back Harvest models is genuinely noticeable in a direct comparison. The WCD25S has a full-bodied, warm sound that opens up further with regular playing. This is the right choice for a player who is committed to the acoustic guitar long-term and wants an instrument with room to grow. The build quality is a meaningful step up from the Harvest line in fit and finish.
Best for Live Performance: Washburn Festival EA20 (around £300–£350)
The Festival series adds a built-in pickup system to an acoustic body roughly equivalent to the WD7S in specifications. The EA20 is the most widely available model in the UK, with a solid spruce top and a reliable onboard preamp and EQ system. The amplified tone is decent — the pickup system adds a small amount of compression that flattens the acoustic character slightly, which is normal for acoustic-electric instruments at this price. For regular live performers who do not want to deal with aftermarket pickup installation, this is a practical and reasonably priced solution.
Final Thoughts
The WD7S remains the single most recommended Washburn acoustic guitar for most buyers — the solid top at the price point is genuinely unusual. The Woodcraft Custom series is the right step for committed players who want all-solid construction and a more refined playing experience. For full guidance on what to look for, see our complete buyer's guide, and our features overview explains the details behind each specification in plain language.
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