luvmyshiner
Well-known member
Wacky, I don't think anyone's intending to attack you personally, but unfortunately they're right. In the past certain dealers, most blatantly P-Hill, were passing off b-stock as a-stock. We're just suggesting that when you get the guitar, you check it over very closely.
First look on the back of the headstock and the back of the neck for a "B" or a star stamped into the wood. Additionally, if there are any stickers, you might want to peel them back to make sure they're not covering the stamp (that trick's been played too). If you find either of those things, it's b-stock.
Second check the guitar structurally. Shake it gently to see if anything rattles. Actually put your hand in the sound hole and check for loose braces. Sight down the neck to make sure its not bent or twisted, and check for excessive bowing. Check both the nut and saddle as well as the bridge to make sure everything looks proper (the saddle's not bending forward, the bridge isn't pulling up, etc.).
Third check the frets to see if they're even (lay a straightedge or a ruler across the board and make sure you don't have any frets that are high or low). The fret board will probably have a little bow in it, and that's ok. It just indicates it might need a truss rod adjustment. But if the ruler is rocking back or forth, or one fret is lower than its neighbors, you've got a problem. Also move the ruler across the width of the frets to make sure they're even. Then look the fretboard over for any nicks, dings, dents or chips.
Finally check the finish closely to make sure there aren't drips, sags or dings. It's not unusual to find a finish flaw or two on a Washburn, but if its something too noticeable it might be a problem.
If you do find any problems, immediately contact Washburn and P-Hill. Hope this helps, and hopefully Dreadman will be along to add his input.
First look on the back of the headstock and the back of the neck for a "B" or a star stamped into the wood. Additionally, if there are any stickers, you might want to peel them back to make sure they're not covering the stamp (that trick's been played too). If you find either of those things, it's b-stock.
Second check the guitar structurally. Shake it gently to see if anything rattles. Actually put your hand in the sound hole and check for loose braces. Sight down the neck to make sure its not bent or twisted, and check for excessive bowing. Check both the nut and saddle as well as the bridge to make sure everything looks proper (the saddle's not bending forward, the bridge isn't pulling up, etc.).
Third check the frets to see if they're even (lay a straightedge or a ruler across the board and make sure you don't have any frets that are high or low). The fret board will probably have a little bow in it, and that's ok. It just indicates it might need a truss rod adjustment. But if the ruler is rocking back or forth, or one fret is lower than its neighbors, you've got a problem. Also move the ruler across the width of the frets to make sure they're even. Then look the fretboard over for any nicks, dings, dents or chips.
Finally check the finish closely to make sure there aren't drips, sags or dings. It's not unusual to find a finish flaw or two on a Washburn, but if its something too noticeable it might be a problem.
If you do find any problems, immediately contact Washburn and P-Hill. Hope this helps, and hopefully Dreadman will be along to add his input.
