Slightly unusual acquisition

[DavyH]

... and with any luck the image will come up as hoped

[DavyH]

1998 Washburn P4 Deluxe. Custom shop built, apparently, but I haven't been able to pick up a great deal of info on this model. If anyone has any substantive information I'd really appreciate it.

Specs: Les Paul-ish construction, mahogany with flame maple cap and a burst the likes of which I've never seen - blue into natural. Set mahogany neck, 22 frets, angled headstock, Gotoh tuners, Buzz Feiten tuning system, Seymour Duncan 59s (I think), roller bridge, stoptail with fine tuners. Wiring and controls identical to a Les Paul, as is the weight - alledgedly this is weight relieved but you wouldn't notice.

I've been missing a fixed bridge but I really didn't want another LP - just got rid of all my Gibsons. I tried out various ESPs which were fine aside from the standard EMGs, and adding new pups to the cost increased the price way past actual value. Found this in a very dusty corner of the shop and, despite being slightly put off by the shape, absolutely loved the colour and feel. Neck is thinner than a LP and far more recessed (should've taken shots of the back), ergonomically sound for playing sitting, but I wouldn't want spend much time standing with it.

Here's some more:









The light wasn't particularly bright so shots of the body are with/without flash; the colour is somewhere in between.

[Canadian Mark]

That is a cool guitar! I would take that one any day.

Congratulations on the acquisition.

[kotornut]

I remeber those from back in the day!

[Batchimp RG]

I reckon Paul Gilbert would be all over that like a rash! How does it play?

[RolandRockstar]

Is that not a Nuno Bettencourt signature model?

[jim777]

Cool I like that slight blue burst edge

[Canadian Mark]

Originally Posted by jim777

Cool I like that slight blue burst edge

I agree. Subtle, yet different enough.

Is that an ebony board?

[DavyH]

Thanks all.

Any pictures of the Nuno sigs I've seen only have one volume and one tone control. I don't know which came first, but one is definitely a variant of the other. Zim Zum apparently has/had a few of these too.

Fretboard is ebony with abalone raindrop markers.

Playing wise, lovely - a sort of souped-up LP vibe; similar weight, a more even sound distribution top to bottom (the Seymour Duncans aren't as booming on the bass end), neck quite a bit thinner, much like a PRS standard neck. Action medium low, and with the self-lubricated Feiten nut and the roller bridge, really does play like a dream. If only it weren't so heavy....

The front is pretty much unmarked aside from the chip at the top of the headstock and one ding in the front which hasn't damaged the finish. Back is quite heavily weathered and has major buckle rash.

Glad y'all like it - I don't think Washburn has ever had a distributor in South Africa, so I've only very rarely seen them. If this is benchmark, I'm really impressed.

[jallen]

That was a top-of-the line one and the original color was a deeper blueburst. It has faded a bit, and looks great. The P4 DLX wasn't the nuno model- that was a light blue solid finish (with a pickguard). These were actually a little higher end. they were replaced with the P5, which was essentially the same guitar with a different bottom horn (a little more cut away and LP curve to it). I had a P5 and it was great! I worked at Washburn around the time these were made, so if you have any specific questions let me know!

[Dee]

Originally Posted by DavyH

... and with any luck the image will come up as hoped

WICKED guitar. Nice choice.

Nice rug too.

[screamndemon69]

Nice axe. Congrats! I'd have to drop a JB (creme/blk) in the bridge but would keep the '59 in the neck.

Gotta love those fine tuners on a fixed bridge

[screamndemon69]

Originally Posted by DavyH

The light wasn't particularly bright so shots of the body are with/without flash; the colour is somewhere in between.

Kinda wild how different the flame top looks in certain angles

It looks like two diferent guitars.