Economic times may be extremely tough, but that doesn’t mean you have to put off the purchase of a fine acoustic guitar until the next decade (or lifetime). Today’s guitar companies are producing a variety of instruments that provide cash-strapped players with incredible value. The Washburn WD 20SCE acoustic-electric model is a perfect example, providing a variety of upscale features, like a solid spruce top and a Fishman preamp/pickup system, at a low street price that even the most down-and-out guitarist can afford.

FEATURES

Though it lists at around $500, the WD 20SCE looks much more expensive, thanks to its attractive solid spruce top, satin-finished mahogany neck, rosewood back and sides, distinctive rosette pattern, and bound body, neck and headstock. These are further embellished through the inclusion of a bone nut and compensated saddle, die-cast chrome tuners, and a stylish rosewood headstock overlay adorned with tasteful inlays. These features alone make the WD 20SCE worth every penny of its price, but to top it off Washburn has equipped the guitar with a Fishman Isys+ preamp/pickup system, which features a chromatic tuner, a phase switch, and volume, bass and treble controls.

Construction is excellent, and the traditional dreadnought body shape features a tasteful cutaway that provides easy access to the upper frets without detracting from the guitar’s full, deep sound.

Delivering classic dreadnought tone with rich bass, warm mids and sparkling treble, the WD 20SCE sounds as good as it looks. The Fishman Isys+ system preserves the guitar’s warm and natural tone, and the EQ controls let you dial back the bass and boost the treble for razor-sharp rock rhythms that cut through a dense electric mix.

My test guitar had a near-perfect setup right out of the box. Electric rockers will appreciate the extremely comfortable flat neck profile, wide nut, moderately low action and medium-profile frets that make the guitar play almost as fast as a solidbody shred machine. With the exception of a few minor cosmetic imperfections in the spruce top and internal wiring that flaps around inside the body when the guitar is moved aggressively, the WD 20SCE compares quite favorably with other acoustic-electrics costing three to four times as much.