Washburn to release new J600 jazz box
(ShackMan | Posted 2011-02-08)
It's not exactly a secret that Washburn makes some pretty amazing high-grade jazz guitars, although it might not be as well-known as the company would like. Washburn often gets grouped in with budget guitars made by Jay Turser (an affiliate of Washburn), Johnson, and Squire, but there's an upper line that should not be overlooked by guitarists, especially jazz guitarists, and the J600 has just become part of it.
It's fully hollow for a full and resonant sound and plenty of sustain, and the archtop stresses the wood, giving the guitar a little extra bite. You'd do well do give it a try on a blues or rock gig as well as taking it out in the jazz field.
The spruce top warms up the mids, and the flame maple back and sides support the tone with a nice treble edge. That's all complimented by a rosewood fingerboard set onto a maple neck, and an ebony tailpiece, pickguard and bridge offset by gold hardware including Grover tuners.
Just one pikcup right next to the neck makes it smooth and clean for jazz. The tone circuit is made up of volume and tone. Washburn really went for the vintage worn vibe on this, with the beautiful woodgrain in the spruce top showing through, the vintage-style logo on the headstock, and a no-frills simple design. It's a good-looking guitar, if nothing else.
The Washburn J600 comes with a hardshell case and retails for $1,247.90. In-store availability is scheduled for sometime in the middle of this year. To keep up on its release date, check back here or go to Washburn's website.
James Rushin is a bassist, keyboardist, writer, and composer living and working in the Greater Pittsburgh area. He has performed with Selmer artist Tim Price, Curtis Johnson, guitarists Ken Karsh and Joe Negri. His compositions have been featured at West Virginia University and Valley Forge Christian College. He will be spending the Fall and Winter months working on playwright Frank Gagliano's Voodoo Trilogy and Bodoni County Songbook.
Got questions? Comments? James can be reached as ShackMan in the Music Gear Review forums, or you may e-mail him at James.Rushin@MusicGearReview.com.
