ARCHIVED • SOLD
1936 Washburn 5257 1/2 Solo Deluxe
But what we really want to tell you all about is how this one sounds because, more than anything, this guitar is about tone. And shockingly so. It’s a phenomenally good sounding guitar, and completely unlike anything else we’ve ever played. Try to imagine mating a 1930 OM-28 with a 1941 J-35 and it actually working. Deep bass with lots of thump and shudder, effortlessly loose mid-range with amazing volume and touch-sensitivity, and trebles that are both full and defined, dark and rich, and completely worn-in. Beautiful fundamental presence without being too clean, yet overtones and smoky character that add their color without obscuring what’s going on in the center of it all. Sustain is lovely, and the guitar has a somewhat lazy reply to a player’s attack that makes you slow down and listen. It’s sonic heaven.
The guitar has had its neck reset in its recent past. It has some minor side damage that was repaired and touched up, there are cracks along the fingerboard extension that are heavily cleated and the top’s center seam has been reglued. The top braces have been scalloped, which has a lot to do with the shockingly good sound of the guitar. Original finish throughout, with areas of very professionally blended-in overspray. No funny business to be seen under black light.
Original tuners and nut, original large frets have been dressed, original bridge pins and replacement bone saddle. The saddle slot appears to have been re-cut as well. Currently set up with EJ-16s and an action of 5-6 64ths. The guitar plays cleanly and surprisingly easily given its extra-long scale length.
With modern HSC
