Washburn N4 ESA Nuno Bettencourt user reviews ( 9/10) - 6 user reviews

• 12/06/08

  Audiofanzine FR's review

  Characteristics

  (Originally written by Endrix/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
  
  I bought this guitar in a store because the shop assistant convinced me to buy it. I had already heard positive comments about it. I'm a Bettencourt fan and I already had a Padouk.

  Utilization

  The very pleasant neck with perfect fretting is the guitar's main asset. It's perfect for modern techniques (tapping).
  
  
  
  Access to the upper frets is just fantastic. The guitar is perfectly ergonomic, it's a super Stratocaster.
  
  
  
  The neck pickup sounds very interesting for clean sounds and you can almost get jazzy sounds, but that's not the main purpose of this guitar though.
  
  
  
  The middle position is also ok but you'll get the best sound with the powerful bridge pickup alone.
  
  
  
  Its only weakness is the lack of versatility. Either you want to play heavy metal or you'll have to buy a second guitar for other music styles.

  Sounds

  This guitar is perfect for heavy metal and allows you to play some other things like Hendrix licks (don't forget that Bettencourt is a Hendrix fan... the inverted head is actually a homage to Jimi Hendrix).
  
  
  
  I play it with an all-tube Marshall JCM and a Soldano and it works fine.
  
  
  
  Every sound of this guitar is useful.

  Overall Opinion

  I've been using it for one year.
  
  
  
  I like most of all its playability.
  
  
  
  I also own other guitars: ESP, Ibanez, Fender, Gibson.
  
  
  
  I find the value for money is average.
  
  
  
  Based on my experience, I wouldn't buy this guitar again (my Padouk is much better) although it does have undeniable qualities.
  
  
  
  It's not a bad guitar but its value for money isn't fair.
  
  
  
  I think Washburn (and maybe Bettencourt?) makes a lot of money with this guitar.
  Did you find this review helpful?yesno

• 12/27/09

  undbitter's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  U.S. Manufacturing
  
  Floyd rose type bridge
  
  Licensed in principle schaller
  
  flat handle, ebony fingerboard
  
  22 frets
  
  two double pickups, Seymour Duncan I 59, a Bill Lawrence
  
  No tone control
  
  A three-position selector

  Utilization

  Handle very nice
  
  The ergonomics are excellent
  
  Access to acute interesting on the high strings
  
  This gives a good sound, Hard Rock type, less versatile than the model vintage or relic in Alder, but it's still nice and it complements the arsenal

  Sounds

  Fits at the Hard Rock
  
  Ash provides more than slamming the alder and of course the paddouk
  
  It's the sound of the N4, we can not really compare with known standards
  
  I played with different amplifiers, suitable with my Engl
  
  
  
  It is a very typical metal guitar, so do not ask him what she will never given.

  Overall Opinion

  I've had several years
  
  I have many other models (fortunately, because only with this guitar, it would be a fair bit)
  
  I would do to the choice of music style (metal), but I could point me to a more versatile model.
  
  I like the profile of the handle is the handle may be the most effective I've ever had and yet I have guitars!
  
  
  
  The value for money is very difficult to judge. I felt bad about another opinion by comparing a price paid in stores in France and a price paid in a shop like Funky Munky Music come direct from the USA.
  
  
  
  Are the models "Funky" models are at Washburn, is the question that may arise?
  
  
  
  I think it's simply the best modern electric guitar in recent years, the best design was achieved by the manufacturer what Washburn.
  
  
  
  When one has tasted the handle, it feels really difficult to spend on something else,
  
  
  
  I would always necessarily N4 to play!
  Did you find this review helpful?yesno
• 09/30/09

  dtdfedoras's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  About this guitar, it is clear that we must understand why it achte! It does clearly Designed to hard rock and rhythm and frenzied solos. We see immediately the diffrence in the game with a guitar luthier and guitar virtuoso double hyper guitar. This guitar has no frills, 2 doubles non splitables, no Tone (for what it is?) No coating of oil is crude and we immediately understand the philosophy of this guitar and the designer .. however I put 8 because I think the 59 is not adapted seymour this guitar as opposed to Bill Lawrence and the splits could make it a more versatile chiouia
  
  
  
  put day = 20 September 2009: I have since added a push pull to change the pickups in single and it is true that makes it a much more versatile, I have replaced the bill lawrence against one because I play sh4 some of mtal scne ... (unfortunately)

  Utilization

  The handle is a hyper prcis vritable Boulevard, in my life ever seen a guitar as easy to shred and technical game
  
  ( http://www.fetes-et-ceremonies.com/djdimitri.htm )
  
  
  
  is lgre it dchire treble and hiss of a harmonic ease dconcertante

  Sounds

  Totally typical hard rock, and other mtal, I use a vox 120 VTH

  Overall Opinion

  Designed for guitar shredders and technicians and VERY in love with the big sound! dchire and it attacks but which way! guitar without a half measure one likes or dtest philosophy for my part I am quite often sollicit to buy me but it is a non ngatif and DEFINITIONS
  Did you find this review helpful?yesno
• 03/13/08

  Primero's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  This is a guitar manufactured by the United States Custom Shop (!!??), I'm not the specs that are rpter dj also states, has not chang .
  
  But simply put, is a guitar to the point, in other words, it's simple but effective, especially the neck which is "standard", a handle highway no limit!

  Utilization

  The handle is a button with Russianness bne that provides a real plus, Access in acute is perfect, so easy by dcoupe SPECIFICATIONS Washburn. The ergonomics are good. It is lgre, its shape is that of a Stratocaster and more lengthened, and its reverse is a head nod to Hendrix Bettencourt, that is, a right-handed allows to have the look of Hendrix (need a good laugh a little)! For my part, I find this ugly head plutt but this is not the most important, I pass on.
  
  Jou have a Music Man EVH (much better than the N4), suddenly, I find the N4 trs long, cumbersome, it can be a deformation as the "Van Halen-" is compact.
  
  Viewpoint sound, this guitar is "rock and roll", no acrimony in this term, I mean it's made to fit in, it is not for the small sound recess c ' is the position pickup that I use a max.
  
  The clean sounds, it's not the case, said that according to the amplification, you can get clean sounds INTERESTED. We all know that there is no guitar that matters, but the amp (both important in my opinion).

  Sounds

  It rpond a style of music to be prcis, let the things in the beginning, this guitar is the "signature" of Bettencourt. You have to stay in these styles, if not beware dceptions. It is not just a good guitar playing, but what it does, it does rev well. It is effective for mtal, but it can address hendrixiens sounds I like, in a intermdiaire, plugs into a Fender Twin Reverb, well, not bad at all. The Neck pickup is in my opinion, no exploitable.

  Overall Opinion

  I use it for a long time, and I apprci since I bought my "korina" with but .....
  
  I t trs is critical and I respect the quality of this guitar. I was with my dboires of MODEL, who can rsoudre, but it is annoying considering the price. An Ibanez 700 euros gives better value for money and ultimately, with a good Ibanez RG or LTD, may do so as well and cheaply.
  
  
  
  I would say to conclude that a guitar can be an excellent depending on the finish that we have had, I may be wrong "tombquot, but I think the price quality ratio is not really height, at least for mine. while I remain of the same criticism, since I jou a number of other guitars, and I find that the trs sincrement Washburn is the same distance e by the competition. I do not want to overstate either, but the "floyd" original is of poor quality I had to change it. It's the same shame, because I think the concept of the guitar is good, and it brings SPECIFICATIONS that are not found elsewhere.
  
  
  
  Against this as I like this guitar is Access in acute, especially with the handle down to bne is really nice. This is not sarcasm on my part to insist on the quality of the handle, including any guitarist knows that basic, a guitar is primarily a set, you have to play right?, And this view N4 is the height of what is the best.
  
  
  
  This guitar can properly suit a fan of "Bettencourt" and styles of music it can address. But I think it must be just looking at certain aspects and to consider accepting a violin passage to alleviate some default for something usable. The fact remains that much if I MODR my criticism to be more than crdible, dception my rest, I found the price of this guitar indcent related to the quality and "simplicitquot; of this instrument.
  
  
  
  I choose one example among many others, try an ESP Horizon FRII she ngoc nine around 1600 euros, less expensive, and it's a completely different instrument .. ESP delivers a trs instrument class, and perfectly finished with a formidable efficiency.
  
  
  
  Still, the concept of N4 is allchant, this guitar offers solutions and effective singulires no other offers (if not, I do not see why I bought this instrument), that Washburn is shake to deliver the finishing and everything would be in the best of worlds, because despite my dception gard had avatars that I knew about my MODELS, it is reconnatre that this guitar is the instrument of a Matre, in this case Nuno Bettencourt. It's a shame because I intrsquement happy in the class of pure blood CATEGORY style "Van Halen" Music Man or Premire Peavey "Wolfgang" is whether the N4 has potential.
  Did you find this review helpful?yesno
• 03/12/08

  Anonymous 's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  For those who want information prcises, it would be useful to look at the site builder plutt here, there are other opinions on this guitar are extremely sharp and complete.
  
  But I might add, as the owner of it and here for résumé without being prcis trs =)
  
  This is a guitar manufacturer in the United States = ESA Ebony Ash Swamp
  
  Pickup: Seymour Duncan 59 and Bill Lawrence
  
  By Schaller Floyd Washburn
  
  This is a guitar lgre, enjoyable, the grip is IMMEDIATE.
  
  I love the head backwards, gives him a look gnial.
  
  In dpart I bought a N2, and as a fan of really trs Nuno Bettencourt and especially because in dpart I did not have enough money, I ended up giving me this wonder.
  
  I put 8 because I think be very objective, they could change the same when Bill Lawrence and put a push-pull ...

  Utilization

  The handle is trs enjoyable, it is good for those with small hands.
  
  Access in acute is just great, the concept is innovative, even if the same Has Designed 20 years ago, even if it remains part.
  
  Ergonomics is plutt classical form stratode, but hey I think she looks great.
  
  It is versatile trs once the push / pull from the install ... you can find the sounds of nunos and have more full of different sounds by playing with the volume knob.

  Sounds

  I play a Peavy Classic 30: its light, it can make a killing when changing the pickups in singles.
  
  Mostly I use my little Vox DA5, the fun I can find a bunch of crunches gniaux sounds and even have a good saturation ... history play a few pieces of extreme.
  
  I hang more with the bill & becky (L500), I do not really regret the changes with the original microphone. Harmonics out themselves, what is stunning is that all shades transcribed without the altrer.
  
  Fidler is the guitar to play the guitar and it does not make gifts.

  Overall Opinion

  I use it for almost a year.
  
  The particular feature I like most (finally): the handle, the dcoupe and Access in acute.
  
  I tried a lot of MODELS with finishes and woods gives it differents.Celui pops and sounds brilliant.
  
  MODEL is what I wanted, I had a N2, it silent but the great N4 is over.
  
  Qualitprix report is correct, it is a fairly CHRE guitar, but it's a good MODEL signature custom shop quality with a book in a flight case of COMPTITE.
  
  I do it again this choice without hsiter.
  Did you find this review helpful?yesno
• 02/24/08

  francoisqueinnec2's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  - In which country was it made? (United States, Japan, Mexico, France ...)
  
  Manufactured in the United States
  
  
  
  - How many frets, what kind of micro as well as their configuration?
  
  22 frets, 2 humbuckers Seymour Duncan '59 in neck, Bill Lawrence L500-L in the United States Chevallet.
  
  
  
  - What type of bridge (Floyd, Wilkinson ...)?
  
  Washburn (made my Schaller) & Pink Floyd on my original Relic
  
  
  
  - What are the settings (volume, tone, micro switch ...)?
  
  1 volume knob and a 3 position ..
  
  
  
  - What type of race?
  
  ... guitar ;-)

  Utilization

  - The handle is it fun? Access to acute (recent freight) is it easy?
  
  
  
  The handle is just great ... Access to acute is simply exceptional thanks to Stephen's Extended Cutaway ... I find it even (oddly) better than most sleeves drivers I could find.
  
  The frets are high (good for legato, tapping, etc.) without generating slides in the ...
  
  
  
  - Ergonomics is it good (in terms of shape, weight ...)?
  
  Yes .. Apart from my old original Padouk (who weighs his weight), they are light and well balanced. No worries with respect to the form
  
  
  
  - Gets it easy to sound good? ...
  
  
  
  So yes and no (see below)

  Sounds

  - They are suitable to your style of music?
  
  - What kind of sound you get and with what settings ("crystalline", "bold ",....)?
  
  - What are the sounds you prefer, you hate?
  
  
  
  Yes and no ...
  
  The N4 is supplied without a split and a micro acute for the least controversial.
  
  
  
  This microphone can appeal to the metallic side incisive, but is really limited to this genre.
  
  I personally opted for a home-XL L500 Bill Lawrence himself (Will Stitch) which is much more versatile.
  
  
  
  I also installed a split pickups to extend the range of sounds, and a treble bleed that better suits my game to the volume knob.
  
  
  
  Once this small operation (very simple) done you end up with an absolutely phenomenal guitar and very versatile ...
  
  
  
  The SD59 is split into a pure wonder for clean sounds and bluesy ..
  
  As for the intermediate position .. it takes accents stratoidiens the most beautiful effect.
  
  
  
  To this point, I put 10/10, taking into account the small changes I do ... Without these changes, I would 8 / 10 in 'metal / hard rock'
  
  So I put an average 9 / 10

  Overall Opinion

  I use it for over 2 years .. I now have several, and by far the best guitar I've experienced in 19 years of practice!
  
  
  
  If it is perfect for me, do not forget some details a little BORE:
  
  
  
  - The United States Bill Lawrence Original ...
  
  - No split ... So indispensable once you have tasted
  
  - A disastrous factory setting (strings of 3 mm round ... etc.) requiring a re-adjustable, which is not very serious for a high-end scratch.
  
  - The Washburn vibrato which is still worse than the original Floyd, even if it is still good agreement.
  
  
  
  Now it can seem like a lot of 'details', and it is reasonable to ask whether it's worth it to buy a guitar of this price if it is to have to change it around to sound .. . Well for me, yes .. because once all this is, it is fantastic sounds better than any other!
  Did you find this review helpful?yesno

• Page: 1