Washburn Rover?

Subject: Washburn Rover?
From: Mudlark
Date: 02 May 03 - 08:42 PM

I've been looking for a smaller size cheap guitar to take with me to conv. hospitals,and other places where superior sound not necessary. Now that summer is approaching I fear taking my Martin, and having to leave it in the car while running other errands, when temps rise above 100. Haven't been able to find a 3/4 guitar in the price range I'm looking at (under $200...I know, but that's all I can afford), tried out the Martin Backpacker but didn't like sound or feel. My semi-local music store says the Washburn Rover is well balanced and has great intonation...they're all out of them but will order me one to try if I wish. Has anybody else tried these...I think the price is around $150.

Subject: RE: Washburn Rover?
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 May 03 - 02:32 PM

I don't remember the model but last year in Oregon I bought a Washburn to leave there for when I'm visiting there. It has a nice sound, good action and was inexpensive. I bought it at a used instrument shop. If I remember correctly, I paid about $175 for it, with a cheap case.

I don't want to take my good guitar on the plane so the next time I go to Oregon, I won't have to make the choice between a kid's yard sale guitar and an old beater someone acquired "somewhere", so I'm happy.

In Juneau, where I live, a friend has a Washburn that has a good sound and that she likes a lot.

Subject: RE: Washburn Rover?
From: Mudlark
Date: 03 May 03 - 04:54 PM

Thanks for the input, Ebbie...I'm probably a little overprotective of my Martin, but I had to put all my worldly possessions into hock to get it...can only do that once, unless unknown rich relative dies and leaves me a bundle.

Subject: RE: Washburn Rover?
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 03 May 03 - 05:11 PM

Godin (aka La-Si-Do) make a small body Art&Luthrie with real big sound with solid cedar top and dirt cheap.
             Sandy

Subject: RE: Washburn Rover?
From: GUEST,FORTUNATO, forgot to log in...
Date: 04 May 03 - 11:02 AM

I know it's a bit more, but for $225 or so you can get a Taylor Big Baby and they are really quite nice, with the taylor neck and a surprisingly full sound. If you can test drive one of those where you are it would do to compare that to your other choices.

I don't know Washburns at all, but Taylor, as Kendall will attest, is dependable over the long term.

cheers, chance

Subject: RE: Washburn Rover?
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 May 03 - 04:02 PM

I agree with Fortunato. Last year I had hurt my shoulder and couldn't raise my arm enough to play guitar. A friend brought me a Martin Backpacker to try- that was fairly awful; I decided the main value of a Backpacker is that it lets you practice your fingering. Then another friend brought me a Taylor Big Baby- that's one I would buy if I weren't so happy with my Martin. Nice, grownup sound.

Subject: RE: Washburn Rover?
From: Allan Dennehy
Date: 04 May 03 - 05:28 PM

Mudlark, are you talking plugged or unplugged?

Subject: RE: Washburn Rover?
From: Mudlark
Date: 05 May 03 - 04:00 PM

Thanks for all tips so far...will certainly try out a BB Taylor when I can find one. Going tomorrow to look at...I think he said it was a "Cort"...never heard of this brand but he says they make the cheap Martins (??). Am also hoping to find an instrument with a thin (as in radius) neck...width doesn't seem to be as much of a problem for my stove up left hand and depth, and my Martin parlor guitar, while fairly small, has a pretty chunky neck.

Allen...unplugged...I've never played an amplified instrument in my life, and have only sung and played into a mike a few times. A lot of the songs I do are old Border Ballads, Olde Childe, etc.