Washburn Acoustic Guitar roundup
Washburn Acoustic Guitar: A Complete Buyer's Guide
From the Harvest series to the Woodcraft Custom range — this guide tells you what to look for when buying a Washburn acoustic and where to find the best deals in the UK.
There is something quietly satisfying about the Washburn acoustic guitar range — it sits at the point in the market where the instruments are still genuinely affordable but the quality has moved beyond the toy stage. If you are shopping for a Washburn and wondering which model is right for you, or whether a Washburn is the right choice at all, this guide covers what actually matters when choosing.
The First Question: Solid Top or All-Laminate?
The most significant quality distinction in any washburn acoustic guitar purchase — or any acoustic purchase — is whether the top (the front face of the instrument) is solid wood or laminate. Laminate is pressed layers of wood: consistent, cheaper to produce and more resistant to humidity changes, but it does not resonate as freely as solid wood and its tone does not develop with age. A solid-top guitar vibrates more freely, projects more clearly and improves noticeably over months and years of regular playing. Washburn's Harvest series offers solid spruce tops at prices where most competitors use laminate throughout — this is the key reason the range has the reputation it does.
Which Series to Consider
The Washburn range breaks down into four main tiers worth knowing about:
- Apprentice series — All-laminate construction at starter prices. Playable and well-set-up but without the tonal benefits of a solid top. Suitable if budget is a firm constraint.
- Harvest series — Solid spruce top, laminate mahogany back and sides. The sweet spot for most buyers. Models include the WD7S (dreadnought) and WF5S (folk/orchestra body). These are well-stocked in UK retailers and represent reliable everyday instruments.
- Woodcraft Custom series — All-solid tonewoods. The step up to fully solid construction makes a genuine difference in resonance and dynamic range. For players who want to stay with Washburn long-term, this is the level to aim for.
- Festival series — Electro-acoustic models with built-in pickups. If you plan to perform live, these avoid the cost and hassle of fitting an aftermarket pickup system.
Body Shape
Body shape on a washburn acoustic guitar affects both comfort and tone. Dreadnought bodies are the largest, loudest and most projection-forward — they suit strumming and rhythmic playing. Orchestra Model and Grand Auditorium shapes are smaller, more comfortable to hold for extended playing and better balanced between bass and treble, which suits fingerpicking. If you are unsure, the dreadnought is the standard and is what most teaching resources assume you are playing.
Neck and Playability
Washburn necks have a reputation for accessibility: the nut width on most Harvest series models is around 43mm, which is on the narrower side and suits players with smaller hands or those coming from electric guitar. The neck profile is comfortable without being excessively slim. Factory setup is generally good, though as with any production acoustic, a professional setup from a guitar technician will improve the action and playability further.
What to Avoid
Unboxed second-hand acoustics without prior inspection. Acoustic guitars are more susceptible to humidity damage than electrics, and a crack in the top or a bowed neck can be expensive or impossible to repair satisfactorily. Also be cautious of very cheap starter packs — the bundled accessories are often low quality and the instruments tend to be the least-serviced examples from the production run.
Where to Buy in the UK
Andertons, Thomann and Gear4music carry the Harvest series with good stock levels. Absolute Music in Bournemouth and Guitar Guitar have knowledgeable staff who can help you compare models in person. Buying from a retailer with a return policy that covers acoustic issues — not just manufacturing defects — gives you recourse if the instrument has problems after settling to room temperature and humidity.
Our best Washburn acoustics guide gives specific model recommendations at each price point. For broader context on the brand and its range, the features and types overview is worth reading first.
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