Washburn HB15

The Washburn HB-15 is an inexpensive version of the classic hollow-body archtop jazz guitar. While Washburn claims a MSRP of over $500, street price new for an HB-15 with case is around $350, with used models as low as $200.

Manufactured in Indonesia, the HB-15 features a laminated mahogany top, back and sides with multi-layer body (WBWBW) binding and single-layer (W) bound F-holes. This body is mated to a set mahogany neck with a rosewood fingerboard and 20 medium-jumbo frets. Strings run from a trapeze tailpiece across a compensated adjustable bridge through a plastic nut to Grover sealed chrome tuners.

Standard electronics could not be simpler: a single floating mini humbucker with a single volume and single tone control mounted on the pickguard.

The fit and finish of the HB-15 are superior quality and rival instruments costing many times as much. The only noticeable problem with the test instrument involves the F-hole binding: it runs just a little sloppy (showing variations in thickness and application) around the tight curves. Otherwise, if you cover the "Washburn" logo on the headstock, this could easily pass as a Loar, Gibson or Eastman instrument.

UTILIZATION

But the two aspects that matter most are playability and sound. In the former case, the HB-15 shines. The neck is comfortable, and the action is excellent.

SOUNDS

As far as sound quality, well, adequate is about the best characterization I can come up with. Acoustically, the HB-15 is actualy quite pleasant, and can contribute admirably to an acoustic ensemble. Unfortunately, the same thing cannot be said about the HB-15 plugged in. If you use a lot of effects, the thin quality of the floating humbucker's output probably won't matter that much: it produces a signal pretty much like any other pickup that can be processed to your heart's delight, even to the point of making it actually sound acceptable.

If, on the other hand, you were hoping for that warm, tone-rich jazz sound straight out of the guitar into your JC-120 or Deluxe Reverb, you will be disappointed. This is the one area where the HB-15 falls down on the job. The addition of a signal "enlivener" such as a Fulltone Fat Boost or Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive definitely bring this instrument to life.

OVERALL OPINION

But if you don't mind having to play through some kind of preamp to fatten up the sound, youll be hard-pressed to find a better value in an inexpensive jazz box than the Washburn HB-15.

Made in Indonesia, 20 frets but 15 Verily accessible, floating bridge wood painted black, 1 vol 1 tone BUTTONS pretty but slippery and moderately wide sleeve end, there is room to make compliqus.Par against Accors it is not in any accajou! Mine has ns1070600005 table and bottom against plated white wood but very joli.Les inscription on his head painted white (no shell for that price). The mechanical Grover are very prcises. The neck is stiff, the same guitar maintenance agreement by drilling on the handle. It's solid!

USE

The handle is very pleasant, the finger on a note not GNE the rope cot .The agreements and arpge its own without difficulties .L'accs to treble correct until the 15th frettes.Aller to dela is useless on this guitar because there enormment has something to between the first and 12emme fret. As in classical guitar, HB 15 does not cheat. It sounds like it is travail.La form all weight is perfect, it is comfortable .The mine sounds better and better over time as the strings oxides. In addition it does not dsacorde (hardly), I shall without plug, I play in a staircase that resonates well, and I take my foot for a good two hours.

SONORITS

This guitar sounds, Jazz, Gypsy Jazz (without plug), but also classical, Picking, Bluegrass, Blues (slightly resonator unpluging) .Ella has a warm sound and very sensual, and deep bass on .Branch marshall vs 80 s, I put the acute to zero and the low and medium to 5 has the will, but it is clear there is more heat from wood .And then no heavy metal distortion is .Branch not his thing on a series Charlie Dadi is the standard free .Basse that soulve belly, hot medium and treble critalins .I played without reverb so it sounds good.

NOTICE GLOBAL

I have for some months, this guitar has become a friend, I always manage to join her. Its peculiarity is to be engaging, parcqu'elle is as simple as a classical guitar, we take it, we play on, there is nothing rgler not even the mechanics. I try other other jazz guitar with two microphones and more Paisses boxes, but they did not sound so no plug, the sound was acute and cras.Je think of dcoupe microphones in the soundboard and the pan shot dtruisent their accoustique.Le its price quality ratio suits me 320 euros + a bag very nice it is correct. But I regret that it is not in accajou as everyone says, it's mine against white wood plated and accajou is red, there is the deception, but it sounds so although custody. And I advise humble Jazzeman playing with their heart.

ay is! The first pass Nol is a step ahead and offered me this great guitar factory in Indonsie.
It is a fresh view, as I have the instrument for several days and I could not test group.
It is half a box without central beam trs inspires Gibson ES125.
20 frets (14 boxes from the box), and body table mahogany, rosewood fingerboard, 1 mini humbucker neck ct command with a volume and Tone knob floating bridge rosewood adjustable in height.
The pots are on the body and not on the pickguard as it does in the picture.
Good, I find more Aesthetics and certainly more convenient.
On the other hand, the belt attachment sleeve t ct dplace Sides of the heel, unlike the photo, which I parat wiser.
It should also prciser that this guitar is really more beautiful "for real" on this picture that does him no honor. Ralite in the tobacco sunburst is really beautiful and bright. The finishes are trs good for a guitar of this price.
It comes in a gigbag well made that should the property being protected bte transport.

UTILIZATION

This guitar is classified as "jazz". This is my Premire exprience of this type of guitar.
For my part, I classify a new CATEGORY: guitars "roots" (as the "roots" is the mode).
On the one hand because it is heavily inspired from the ES125 (I do not know if we can call it a copy, I never had the opportunity to play on an ES125), and other from the sound that comes out of the beast is really typical "vintage".
Branch in my old Princeton 64, we find the first sound of BB King! It's fat and warm. A real rgal. Submitted trs are the serious, which does not prevent the Aiges to be heard. One module easily with knob of Tone which is quite effective (for the same volume) to give the sound you want. Those who swear by the lens of the tele and strato may not love.
With a little tad of overdrive (just) it's even better! This guitar apprcie that he "comes in", with good attacks mdiator can be, the original strings are hard (11/52?). Beware, there is no central beam, the feedback so quickly but by me like Grable.
The handle is pais (the opposite of Taylor), take the whole hand, and Access in Aiges del difficult the 12th box.
I think it's rducteur limiting this guitar to jazz. It will rev much to blues, to rock a little dirty, and all the music "roots" (reggae, country, rockabilly). The game picking tufted low as it will rev well. That's balance.

SOUNDS

Ah, well shit! I rpondu these questions above

OVERALL OPINION

I love that scratching! Sr Although there is the novelty that excites me that I may be a little bit, I must return confirm (or disprove) the notice in a while.
For résumé, this guitar is beautiful, well finished trs (better than my ES335 reissue) and rev sounds good. I do not know how to ring a little ES125, but I know how it can rate! Then for 319 euros, the Washburn me parat be a steal for those looking for vintage or its roots (as a call you want) on the cheap without sacrificing quality.

Asian manufacturing guitar I suppose.
Floating bridge.
The handle is wide enough. But very pleasant. Consisting of 19 freight.
Mini humbrucker floating in the neck position.
One volume, one tone.

Tobaco sunburst; Hollowbody drilled holes.

Bof finishes on some details (glue drips, touch damaged) but overall very good for the price. The guitar is beautiful and generally looks solid.

UTILIZATION

The handle is nice, though a little wide. But hey that's great for its use.
Guitar balanced, lightweight and comfortable to play in general.
Difficult access to acute after the 14th fret because this is not the model cutway. It therefore has the same problem as the classics.

The sound is just naturally good. It is even unpluged very pleasant (though rather small).


SOUNDS

The sound is perfect for blues / garage as I do. Influences Jack Kay White with his 50's. I put three pellets to try an old kay guitar or modern in style for not too much before falling on the holy grail!
I play a Fender frontman (budget requires) and I'm not unhappy with the sound, even if it's not what I want in the end. Say it will be fine weather.

OVERALL OPINION

Really good guitar for the price. The only one I could find that was inspired by old kay 50's by adding to the strength. It is really its strong point for me.
Report qulité / discount and therefore I think the same choice again easily because it is THE guitar to play the blues without taking the head with its financial value and its upkeep.
After all this is what the bleusmen years. A guitar, a bottleneck and hop. No need to have the last Godin to 1000 €.