jon dann
January 24, 2008

Rating: 9/10

I went into the music shop to buy a 335 copy but ended up walking out with a Washburn J5 because it\'s was such a lovely guitar, though i read that unfortunately they can come shipped in vary states of disrepair. Mine was good, well finished with a great feel. The neck is smooth, with abalone inlays, side dot markers and has good intonation up to and beyond the 12th fret. Bridge pickup performs well and gives tonal variations from thin and light to warm and textured. Neck pickups produces that thick \'Gibsonesque\'sound so popular with jazz players. I find the setting that uses both pickups the most rewarding and with a bit of tone adjustment can play anything from rockabilly/country/jazz and blues. I think a rock guitarist would find there isn\'t enough urgency about the sound. I use it live and for recording and find the Washburn a good, all round performer, that\'s versatile and just so damn pretty. Nuff said!

Ali
December 12, 2006

Rating: 9/10

I recently purchased this guitar and it is the first semi acoustic that i have owned. For the price i would say it was superb, the tone is second to none, having played on a few epiphones and gretchs i think that the rich sound produced by the J5 was beautiful. When you add some overdrive to the sound it can become a real rock n roll sounding instrument. Finish was brilliant and the guitar was set up perfectly.