Author Topic: Washburn N4 Thread* is this guitar curable?? (Read 19164 times)

cnotold · « **on:** October 17, 2006, 03:25:09 AM »

I always wanted 1991 washburn n4 and i found one on ebay! however it look as if it has some issues... ie cracks on the neck and neck joint.. is this curable or is it not worth it? any idea?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=005&item=150045464365&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3APIC&rd=1 :P

mecca777 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 17, 2006, 04:05:55 AM »

It looks from the picture as if the crack goes right across one of the screws in the extended cutaway, but there are still four intact screws holding the neck which is the same as most bolt-on guitars, so I can't see any reason why it would have an impact on the stability of the neck joint. Having said that, I wouldn't buy a guitar with a neck joint crack unless I'd inspected it personally to see how it was repaired and heard what effect (if any) it had on the guitar's tone. It's also a potential weak spot while the guitar is being shipped.

My ultimate tuppence-worth: I wouldn't go for it myself, but if the price stays low enough it doesn't look like it's beyond repair for a competent tech.

Antag · « **Reply #2 on:** October 17, 2006, 12:36:06 PM »

I agree with mecca, but if you can snap it up for the current bid (or something close to it) then IMO it's worth the risk. In fact, if you get it for anything less than $700 then even with $200 shipping + import duty & VAT you still pay less than £600. That's peanuts for a quality guitar.

& yes, I reckon a good repairman could fix that crack if it came adrift...

edit to fix my dodgy arithmatic :)

gingataff · « **Reply #3 on:** October 17, 2006, 01:52:00 PM »

On a slightly different note, did they really make those with Kahler bridges or did someone 'upgrade'?? I'm sure Nuno never used one, he's an OFR man, even the scahller unit they use on most models now isn't what he uses (though it's still a very good bridge).

cnotold · « **Reply #4 on:** October 17, 2006, 02:33:33 PM »

hey, erm.... this is the lil' secret that i didn't wanna share but!! since it looks as if i am the only nuno fanatic here, i might reveal =)

gingataff - washburn n4 made in the year 1990(pre-production)-1991 is the real deal. It was made and set-up by stephen... someone :P who originally built nuno's axe. Difference is that they are hand made original, and washburn had not much to do with it production since it was built in stephen's own workshop. all the parts and woods were carefully selected unlike recent ones built by washburn. there are only less than 200 exsist made by him, hence it certainly has sentimental value to me. as you have noticed, they have used kahler bridge, the shape of electric routing is different, etc etc one more secret?? only few 1991 model has a single cutaway body which apparently is 'the' nuno guitar. they are valued around $2500-$3000...

Antag, mecca777 thanks for your tip! i am still having a doubt about getting it but if it stays under $700 i might take a risk..

cnotold · « **Reply #5 on:** October 17, 2006, 02:39:57 PM »

oh!! one more!!

1991 N4 - Kahler Bridge
duncan 59
Bill Lawrence L500L (Bill&Becky)
Double Cutaway Body

1991-present - Shaller Bridge
Duncan 59
Bill Lawrence L500L ('Fake' Bill Lawrence)
Double Cutaway Body

Original NUNO SPEC - Original Floyd Rose
Gibson PAF
Bill Lawrence L500 (Unsure which :roll: )
Single Cutaway Body

headtheball · « **Reply #6 on:** October 17, 2006, 05:19:16 PM »

I think that any tech worth a damn should be able to square that one for you, If indeed it needs any squaring.

Looks like a brilliant deal to me. I might, just might be able to get a kahler trem armas well, if needs be....

Philly Q · « **Reply #7 on:** October 17, 2006, 09:09:54 PM »

I reckon it's fixable, and as Mecca777 says the other 4 screws look intact. If anything it's a design flaw - there's really not enough wood at that part of the neck and the screw's made it split along the grain.

I remember them having those Kahler Steeler trems too, and the locking nut with a built-in string retainer. Kahler stuff was always really well made.

Oh, and I think the luthier/designer was Stephen Davies.

cnotold · « **Reply #8 on:** October 17, 2006, 11:09:10 PM »

Quote from: Philly Q

Oh, and I think the luthier/designer was Stephen Davies.

thats it! thanks =)

fps_dean · « **Reply #9 on:** October 18, 2006, 05:04:06 AM »

It should be noted that many guitars get cracks in the neck or by the neck and are still playable for many more years... but some aren't as soon as they get a crack too. It's a gambale. You have to decide is it worth it.

gingataff · « **Reply #10 on:** October 18, 2006, 03:09:30 PM »

^
No, it's a Bettencourt.

cnotold · « **Reply #11 on:** October 18, 2006, 04:00:00 PM »

$660 now!! hmmmm... i think i will let go on this one...

Hopefully Original N4 will show up sometime soon though.. with the wood grain like this! :twisted:

ZeGlobox · « **Reply #12 on:** February 17, 2007, 08:27:25 AM »

Quote from: cnotold

$660 now!! hmmmm... i think i will let go on this one...

Hopefully Original N4 will show up sometime soon though.. with the wood grain like this! :twisted:

you mean that one ?

that's my baby :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

Philly Q · « **Reply #13 on:** February 17, 2007, 10:06:59 AM »

Quote from: ZeGlobox

you mean that one ?

that's my baby :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

That's the actual guitar from the first picture, isn't it? :) I see you've added an Original Floyd Rose.

So was it yours on 09.07.2004, or have you bought it since?

ZeGlobox · « **Reply #14 on:** February 17, 2007, 04:22:46 PM »

Quote from: Philly Q

Quote from: ZeGlobox
you mean that one ?

that's my baby :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

That's the actual guitar from the first picture, isn't it? :) I see you've added an Original Floyd Rose.

So was it yours on 09.07.2004, or have you bought it since?

Yep that's the same one..
I bought it a few monthes ago (last owner was foolish enough to sell it !! ;-) )
The previous owner did replace the khaler with an original floyd rose, and I replaced the bridge pickup ( BL-USA L500-L) by a real L500-XL just like Nuno used on Pornograffitti :twisted:. I also added (like on all my other N4s) a coil split on a push-pull and a treble bleed.
This guitar is absolutely awesome !