Washburn Parlors

[Dessery]

Hi all

I’m thinking about replacing my Martin OM 1 GT with something with a chunkier neck. I’m struggling to find much online for under 1k that has wider than a 44.5mm, but the Washburn Parlors do look pretty nice, in particular the R320SW.

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this or any of the other Parlors that they do?

Does anyone have any other recommendations for under £1k? I want it for standard tuning finger style stuff. As much as I love vintage, I’m inclined to go with something modern as I want low action and don’t want to have to worry about having any work done.

Many thanks!

All the best
David

[vent]

The Epiphone Bluesmaster may be worth looking at, long out of production and only 400 made I believe, but come up second hand occasionally. I have a vintage sunburst.

www.epiphonewiki.org/index/Bluesmaster.php

[Andymccann]

Don’t know if PRS have any business making acoustics but the neck looks awesome. Some may need to put a bag over the headstock but I don’t mind it

www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/200507358974025--prs-se-tonare-p20e-parlor-satin-black

[Dessery]

Hi vent

Thanks for that. I was trying to get hold of one of those a few years back but never managed to track one down. I had completely forgotten about it though so may well start searching again. Thanks!!

All the best
David

[Dessery]

Hi annymccann

It looks good on paper, I honestly have no idea on PRS for acoustics though. I would have to try it and see what’s it’s like. I have to admit, I did see it online and just skipped past without looking at the specs because of the brand. Would be interested to try it though then the shops open again.

Many thanks
David

[vent]

Hi Dessery
PM'd you.
Cheers

[bonzo]

Republic parlours turn up one in awhile, oops sorry thinking reso's mostly. Still you might fancy a look, nice guitars for not a lot of money!

Best wishes to you all, John

[Dessery]

Hi Bonzo

I did think about a reso but I prefer lighter strings for finger style and much prefer chunkier strings on my reso’s for the tone otherwise I’d be getting in touch with Michael 😛

All the best
David

[Pickers Ditch]

I have a Sigma 00M-15S which are apparently now out of production.

An excellent wide necked (1.75"), mahogany, slotted headstock 12 fretter which sounds good and plays well.

They do come up 2nd hand at around £250 now and again.

[twang1]

David,
a good small body acoustic with a chunky neck is the Recording King ROS 06. I played a few of them, and they are excellent instruments for their price.
Frank

[lonelyjelly]

Hey man

I had that Washburn guitar but the ‘19’ model which is still all solid but different back and sides. I found it was good for slide but not so good for finger style.
Now I have a Blueridge BR341 and I wholeheartedly recommend them, or the rosewood version BR361. The nut width is 1&7/8” and I honestly don’t think you can buy a better all solid wood small body guitar for under £1000. I absolutely adore mine. It’s very resonant with excellent bass response and excellent tone all the way up the fretboard...and it’s loud! You’re welcome to try mine out. I used to have a Sigma 0015 too and it was a very nice mellow guitar for finger style but not really on the same playing field as the BR341.

For a bit less money the Alvarez Blues’51 is very nice as is the Loar LH-204 Brownstone...both solid top. Oh and the Recording King ROS-16.

Hope that is some way helpful

All the best
Lew

[Dessery]

Hi all

Thanks for the input. There’s a lot of good suggestions here! Strangely a lot of the Parlors seem to of gone out of production.

I’m liking the look of the Blueridge and Epi Bluesmaster.

I’m reluctant to just sell the Martin and buy something blind as I wouldn’t be able to replace it these days so I may wait and try some things after lockdown. Until then I will have to suffer the GAS 😂

Thanks all!!

All the best
David

[Ian McWee]

Hi David,

I had an Epiphone Bluesmaster back in the mid-90's - I moved it on because the neck was actually too wide for me personally to be comfortable....1.3/4" width is my preference, but the Epi did have a sweet tone.

The neck width of the Epi is 1.7/8" so before taking the plunge I'd try it before you buy it 👍

Slide On!

The Flaschenmeister.

[Dessery]

Hi Ian

I hope all is well! I’m lucky to actually have fairly long fingers and really enjoy the feel of a chunky neck so it could actually work well for me.

My biggest concern is actually getting something that sounds as good as the Martin for the money so I definitely think I need to try first.

All the best
David

[5slide]

Hi David,

I had a Washburn r320swrk for a couple of years and really liked it. The neck had a sharp V and I liked the wide nut width. There are a few incarnations if this guitar but mine was the top of the line version made out of all solid woods. It has a sound quite similar to older parlours, even though it is X braced. It definitely did not sound like a Martin. More of a boxy, muted sound with less sparkle and overtones. Nice and woody sounding though.

Here's a video I did of mine to give you an idea of how they sound with a slide. Some reverb was added but not much in the wy of EQ tweaks if I remember right....