NGD - Washburn X-30

[bigoldron]

Well, I sold the Peavey I had gotten off Ebay for what I had in it. I've been watching Washburn X-30's and X-50's for a while with a bad case of GAS going on. I had bid on an X-30 a week or so ago and missed it by a little. I saw this one come up for bid the same day. I put a bid in and really didn't expect to get it, but I won the auction at IMO a steal of a price.

It came in today and first impressions are definitely good. It plays good and I believe that I will like the Buzz Feiten tuning. The Washburn Headhunter pickups seem to have a pretty good sound. The fact that they're coil split is an added bonus. There are some nicks and scratches on it. It's not "pristine" but it's not bad.

I think I'm going to keep this one for a while! I like the styling and the overall playability. A sweet axe! I'll post some pics later.

 

[Tig]

Cool new guitar for ya, Ronnie!
Be sure to take pictures of the new family member when it arrives.

 

[bigoldron]

Cool new guitar for ya, Ronnie!
Be sure to take pictures of the new family member when it arrives.

It's here now, Tig. Just haven't had a chance to take any pics. The kids have company tonight, so it probably won't be tonight. I'll get some uploaded soon though.

 

[Eric]

Very nice. Any quick info you'd care to share on these guits?

 

[bigoldron]

Eric, I've been a Washburn fan for a while. There are several of us here on the Fret that were originally on the old Washburn forum, but came over here when smart aleck kids and trolls started flooding it.

The X-30 is a string-through design, similar to the Ibanez SZ. The X-50 is a nicer version of the same thing with SD pickups. The X-30 has Washburn Headhunter pickups, which are pretty good. i haven't had a chance to really work them out to see what all sounds I can get out of them, but they seem to have some grit to them.

The body style is similar to a Strat, but with dual humbuckers, a tone and volume pot, and a 3-way switch. The tone pot is also a push-pull for splitting the humbuckers.

They have the Buzz Feiten tuning system which, if I understand it correctly, compensates for tuning "discrepancies" as you go up the neck. It has Grover tuners also.

Washburn still has the X-50 in its lineup, but has dropped the X-30, which is a shame as this seems to be a really good guitar for the money. I'll post more as I get to know it better.

Here are a couple of stock photos, not my actual guitar:

 

[mrmudcat]

Did ya mention color??

 

[bigoldron]

Did ya mention color??

It's black like the stock picture I posted.

 

[Robert]

Congratulations! New gear is always fun!

 

[Katastrophe]

Congrats, Ron! I've always liked the look of the X series guitars. It's a shame noone around here sells them.

 

[bigoldron]

OK, guys. Finally got a few picks of the X-30. You may or may not be able to tell from the pics that the finish has a lot of surface scratches with some belt rash on the back, so apparently this axe has been played a lot. But, other than finish issues, she seems to be in pretty good shape. There does seem to be a slight gap/separation on a couple of the frets from the fretboard. I don't think whoever had this guitar took very good care of it. Still, I'm enjoying getting to know her.

Anyway, here are pics:

 

[kidsmoke]

There are several of us here on the Fret that were originally on the old Washburn forum, but came over here when smart aleck kids and trolls started flooding it.

Count me among them. Nice axe Ron. I've often looked at those as well. Love the String Through and the the maple neck. I've been half heartedly watching for one for those reasons...prolly a X50 though as they get a bit flashier and I dig the SD's.

I'll be watching for updates.

 

[bigoldron]

Count me among them. Nice axe Ron. I've often looked at those as well. Love the String Through and the the maple neck. I've been half heartedly watching for one for those reasons...prolly a X50 though as they get a bit flashier and I dig the SD's.

I'll be watching for updates.

Thanks Tio. She is a pretty decent guitar, especially for the price. So far, I've been impressed with the Headhunter pickups. Last night I tweaked the neck a little as it had a little fretting/buzzing going on past the 13th fret or so. Got her fairly quiet, but may still do a little more tweaking to get the sound just right. I like for a guitar to have a good acoustic sound and she is getting there!

I agree with you though. The X50's look really good. Basically, they're the same with flashier finishes and the SD pickups. Good luck with your search.