Review of the Washburn HB32 Semi-Acoustic Electric Guitar

27 May 2010

Features of the Washburn HB32 Semi-Acoustic

Tuners - As with all the hardware on this guitar, the Grover tuners are finished in aged bronze. The high-gearing and the large kidney knobs deliver a speedy and accurate tuning experience.

Headstock - The flared and gabled headstock is finished in the same chocolate-brown stain as the neck and body. The washburn logo and "W" emblem are stamped on in black paint. The black trussrod cover bears the model number HB-32DM (this differs from the photograph which shows the cover to be plain brown).

Nut - The black plastic nut abuts the end of the fretboard and is accurately cut.

Neck - The HB32 is obviously heavily influenced by the Gibson ES-335 and the fixed mahogany neck on the Washburn has the same parallel profile with a hint of chunkiness. The finish on this guitar is halfway between satin and matte and provides a silky feel under the fretting hand.

Fretboard - The dark rosewood fretboard has a close and even grain. The fret-markers are traditional dots inlaid in pearloid which are mirrored small white dots down the player's side of the board's black binding.

Frets - The 22 medium-fat frets have a rounded profile.

Action - The action was a tad high from the box but is easily adjustable at the bridge.

Body - This is a semi-acoustic body with a solid central block and hollow wings. The double cutaway, fat-bottomed style is very similar to the Gibson 335, as is the slight arching of the top and back which lends a feminine grace to the instrument. The top, back and sides are mahogany and the grain shows through the rich brown stain finish. There are two traditional f-shaped soundholes, the edges of which are painted black to match the black binding on the top and the back.

Bridge - This is a Tune-o-matic bridge finished in aged bronze. Each string has its own saddle which is fully adjustable for intonation (string length). Action (string height) is adjusted by two screws, one at each end that raise or lower the whole bridge. Behind the bridge is a matching aged bronze stopbar through which the strings are threaded and retained.

Pickups - The HB32 is loaded with two open-coil black stock pickups which sit in black plastic surrounds.

Controls - Each pickup has its own volume and tone control, all topped with aged bronze knurled knobs. There's a three-way pickup selector that sits up on the upper horn (this differs from the photograph which shows it situated in front of the controls on the lower body).

Strap-buttons - Two medium-sized strap buttons are affixed, one on the base of the body, one on the back at the heel.

Output Jack - The output is on the base of the body inset without a mounting plate (this differs from the photograph which shows it inset on the front of the body behind the controls).

Finish - On the model I checked out there was a very slight uneveness in the staining where the cutaway meets the heel. I think minor imperfections in stained finishes are to be expected and excused.

Sound of the Washburn HB32 Semi-Acoustic

The stock pickups have a medium output and were right at home powering a medium overdrive setting, the bridge pickup delivering airy classic rock and the neck pickup shovelling grit into its bluesy warmth. The mahogany construction darkened and deepened the bass tones while the semi-acoustic construction retains some "space" in the instrument's voice. Run into a clean channel and that basic tone pallette can take you into the realms of pop, indie or even country.

Overall Impressions of the Washburn HB32 Semi-Acoustic

I really like the ES335 style of semi and the unusual finish of the HB32 adds a twist to the mix - the Wild West cowboy vibe would really suit a guitarist in a country or rockabilly band. The non-lacquered finish means the guitar will age well, picking up the bumps and knocks and acquiring a patina that will make it your one-of-kind. This is a lot of guitar for the price.

Reviewed by The Man in the Jar