My new guitar

[RW James]

Nothing special really - but my first hollowbody 335 model. It's a Washburn OE30
Here are some pics

Here are the Grover 18:1 tuners
Two things I find interesting about this plate... the strap post is part of the neck bolt system - and it says "Crafted in China" (not made in China) I thought that was funny
What do you guys think of these amber knobs on a blue guitar? I don't think I like them. I'm thinking of eithr going cream to match the binding or just black. What do you think?
I was a little concerned about the appearance of the rosewood here - but probably nothing a little Guitar Honey won't take care of.

If I do put cream knobs on it, I should probably also change the pickguard, the pickup rings, and the switch tip. Probably easier to just go with black. Or should I get radical and go with chrome knobs?

Also, should I stick with bell knobs or go with speed knobs?

[JeffB]

They are ALL special! New gear RAWKS!

I'd go with some double cream pickups or a double cream and a zebra..that will help blend the color of the tophats better into the guitar and contrast with the pickup rings.

That or go black speeds with creme pickup rings and keep double black pups.

That is typical of the rosewood on Korean and Chinese imports. Not even sure the stuff is rosewood to be honest. But yes a good oil does wonders.

[RW James]

Quick review...

The strings are Vinci - never heard of them - and they aren't that great. But I will play them for a while just to get used to the guitar.

There is a slight fret buzz in the low E string - not really bad - easy enough to fix, but I want to wait until I restring.

The pickups are Washburn 400 series. I played them a bit last night through my Orange practice amp and I was very pleased with the sound.

The construction and finish looks really nice. I was a little concerned about the grain just above the pickups (see pictures). It looked like it was dusty, blemished, or stained... but I now realize that it is just the wood. I wasn't sure I liked it, but son thought it looked good - and I agree it makes it look a little unique. It ay even look good on stage - that is as seen from a distance. A tighter grain would be harder to see on stage.

Though I like the strap post on the back, I just realized that this may alter some of plans for strap locks - I don't want to scratch the finish.

All in all, I think this a great bargain for $150.

[RW James]

Another question:

A friend here at work has a Cherry Epihone Dot and the first thing he did was remove the pickguard.

What do you guys think? Pickguard or no pickguard?

[Robbiedbee]

Another question:

A friend here at work has a Cherry Epihone Dot and the first thing he did was remove the pickguard.

What do you guys think? Pickguard or no pickguard?

Never saw that. I'd say on!

[D-EJ915]

That thing looks pretty sweet, the grain is really interesting and the color is awesome too.

[Robbiedbee]

I'd say that was really nice. I have soft spot for blue guitars. They have a kind of elegence. I think nickel covered pups would look alright in that axe.

Congrats!

[eresseraca]

Sweet guitar!

Pickguard on and nickel covered pups for me

[JacksonMIA]

Wow! That guitar looks beautiful, Rick! Thanks for the GAS...LOL.

[Gamera]

Yowza! Blue guitars rock. And for the record, blue and orange (amps) are complimentary colors. Play loud!

[fingerace]

nickel Pickup covers! and cream knobs!

have fun with it.... btw i think that's a good nut...

[Pecan]

Leave the knobs, add pickupc covers and leave the pickgaurd. Very nice guitar.

[RW James]

Found a case today - and got new knobs. I went with what they had in the store - black bell knobs. Looks good.

Thanks everyone, for all your input,
Rick

[openj]

my pops has one of these guitars... IMO it plays great and the price is hard to beat for it... my birthday was a couple weeks ago and im just waiting for him to come up and visit... he's supposed to bring me my OE30 for my present i wanted the tobacco burst.. all i need now is some nickle seth's and to take the pickguard off ... now i have something to ask for at christmas

BTW: great looking guitar

[Christobevii3]

I'd keep the pickguard on. I had a tortoise one on my epiphone sheraton and just got a black one like yours

[Lagotto]

You should go with black Gibson speedknobs. And if you like the pickups that are already on it, you should put some Gibson chrome covers on them. It'll make your guitar look more classy & exspensive. Plus, Gibson makes the best knobs and chrome covers.

[PUCKBOY99]

No pickguard.......nickel Seths