Post by Tony Ravenscroft on Aug 29, 2018 13:43:47 GMT -6
The Blue Book listing:
bluebookofguitarvalues.com/#/SearchCategory/ElectricGuitar/1601/WASHBURN_ELECTRIC_X_SERIES
I'm still working on my list of the X models. Naturally (being Washburn), nothing is simple. Not as much of a mess as the contemporaneous WI Idols, but nowhere near so straightforward as the (somewhat messed-up) Maverick family.
Essentially,the X Series was Washburn's attempt to cover all the tiers of the Superstrat market, everything from good basic beginner axes to pro-level set-neck shredders, including some specials made in their suburban Chicago shop.
Let's start it off with a few oddities.
Foremost would be the X-3, actually a group of models for which I can find reference only in Australia. If you were to believe the numbering system, it'd be reasonable to expect that this would be a short-scale version (like the X-5) and/or an "entry"model (like the X-10), but I get the impression they were fullscale. Here's two retailers:
The latter showed a version with no fretboard inlays.
There were also variants. Per my notes:
(Don't be too sticker-shocked: not only AUD, but MSRP, so an X-10 is tagged $349.
Devilishly difficult to find even THAT info -- any photos or hands-on reports would be appreciated!
________________
There's also the X-2, but that one I know nothing about past an old advert blurb.
The marketplace is still GLUTTED with X-10, priced anywhere $50-$200 (
). Many of the sellers persist in calling it a "Pro" model because that's what is stamped on the neckplate; roughly half call it an "X Series" model and have no first clue what model it actualy is.
I own one, and while it's not terrible -- actually, though not so good as a BT-2, it's still a superior beginner guitar -- there's nothing to recommend it, particularly when you see all the $150 Mercury (MG) and $100 BT-2 out there.
And with such a wild range of pricing, higher-end X models show some confusion as well:I have seen a $130 X-40 and TWO X-30s, $150 each -- one demure in Walnut, the other quite striking in gloss white with covered gold-plate pickups and white rings; a 2004, so no X inlay.
bluebookofguitarvalues.com/#/SearchCategory/ElectricGuitar/1601/WASHBURN_ELECTRIC_X_SERIES
Late 2016, I made my first sighting of an X-29 -- h-h ("Select / Designed by EMG", closed covers), black carvetop w/creme binding (unbound neck), black headplate, maple boltneck, rosewood fbd, 24 frets, offset dots, through-body, TOM, Grovers, black hardware, 3-way blade, 2 knurled knobs (V/T), MIC.
It looks like a more "shred" X-30, plus that bound top. It's got a heel plate rather than the 30's ferrules. The 29 looks to be the highest-numbered X with offset dots -- everything above has either the fret-12 "X" or nothing at all.
A very pretty beast, & a worthy sibling of the X-33 if not X-40.
The X-200 really needs its own post, as there's multiple variants. If it follows Washburn's quirky model-numbering system, I suspect it's mostly an upgrade X-20... but then again it was created in order to represent the X Series in what looks like a one-off project: One source said the 200's were sold Europe-only (but a few are reviewed on Russian sites) & another that there were six series represented (but I've only confirmed mention of the X & the Idol).
Here's a couple of swipes to whet the palate.
Then, there's the X-300.
Finally (for now), I find mention of at least a dozen X-50 variants, mostly top wood, & see that there's some confusion between the X-40 & X-40PRO, but I'll get to it eventually.
bluebookofguitarvalues.com/#/SearchCategory/ElectricGuitar/1601/WASHBURN_ELECTRIC_X_SERIES
I'm still working on my list of the X models. Naturally (being Washburn), nothing is simple. Not as much of a mess as the contemporaneous WI Idols, but nowhere near so straightforward as the (somewhat messed-up) Maverick family.
Essentially,the X Series was Washburn's attempt to cover all the tiers of the Superstrat market, everything from good basic beginner axes to pro-level set-neck shredders, including some specials made in their suburban Chicago shop.
Let's start it off with a few oddities.
Foremost would be the X-3, actually a group of models for which I can find reference only in Australia. If you were to believe the numbering system, it'd be reasonable to expect that this would be a short-scale version (like the X-5) and/or an "entry"model (like the X-10), but I get the impression they were fullscale. Here's two retailers:
Washburn X3PRO Electric Guitar Solid Archtop Maple body, bolt-on Maple neck, Rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, Tune-o-Matic bridge, string-thru body construction, 2 x Washburn HH pickups, 1 vol & 1 tone controls, 5 way toggle switch, diecast tuners. Includes paded gigbag.
WASHBURN X3 PRO BK Electric Guitar Maple Archtop Mahogany Body Bolt On Maple Neck Rosewood Fingerboard Tune-o-Matic Bridge String Thru Body Dual Washburn Humbucking Pickups Padded Gigbag Black Finish
The latter showed a version with no fretboard inlays.
There were also variants. Per my notes:
- X-3PRO -- Solid arch Top Maple Body, rosewood fingerboard (BLK, WS) $599
- X-300PROBSK -- Satin Top Mahogany Body, crossbones inlay, EMG HZ (Black Satin) $729
- X-3QPRO -- Quilt Top, Mahogany Body, rosewood fingerboard (BC, QA) $729
- X-3QFRPROBCH -- Quilt Top, Mahogany Body, Floyd Rose Locking Trem (Black Cherry) $829
(Don't be too sticker-shocked: not only AUD, but MSRP, so an X-10 is tagged $349.
Devilishly difficult to find even THAT info -- any photos or hands-on reports would be appreciated!
________________
There's also the X-2, but that one I know nothing about past an old advert blurb.
The marketplace is still GLUTTED with X-10, priced anywhere $50-$200 (
). Many of the sellers persist in calling it a "Pro" model because that's what is stamped on the neckplate; roughly half call it an "X Series" model and have no first clue what model it actualy is. I own one, and while it's not terrible -- actually, though not so good as a BT-2, it's still a superior beginner guitar -- there's nothing to recommend it, particularly when you see all the $150 Mercury (MG) and $100 BT-2 out there.
And with such a wild range of pricing, higher-end X models show some confusion as well:I have seen a $130 X-40 and TWO X-30s, $150 each -- one demure in Walnut, the other quite striking in gloss white with covered gold-plate pickups and white rings; a 2004, so no X inlay.
bluebookofguitarvalues.com/#/SearchCategory/ElectricGuitar/1601/WASHBURN_ELECTRIC_X_SERIES
Late 2016, I made my first sighting of an X-29 -- h-h ("Select / Designed by EMG", closed covers), black carvetop w/creme binding (unbound neck), black headplate, maple boltneck, rosewood fbd, 24 frets, offset dots, through-body, TOM, Grovers, black hardware, 3-way blade, 2 knurled knobs (V/T), MIC.
It looks like a more "shred" X-30, plus that bound top. It's got a heel plate rather than the 30's ferrules. The 29 looks to be the highest-numbered X with offset dots -- everything above has either the fret-12 "X" or nothing at all.
A very pretty beast, & a worthy sibling of the X-33 if not X-40.
The X-200 really needs its own post, as there's multiple variants. If it follows Washburn's quirky model-numbering system, I suspect it's mostly an upgrade X-20... but then again it was created in order to represent the X Series in what looks like a one-off project:
The Washburn 200 PRO Series was designed around the single premise to create a truly professional series of guitars offering the best value for money in today's electric guitar market.
Here's a couple of swipes to whet the palate.
Then, there's the X-300.
Finally (for now), I find mention of at least a dozen X-50 variants, mostly top wood, & see that there's some confusion between the X-40 & X-40PRO, but I'll get to it eventually.
