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The Washburn Parallaxe
Logo of The Washburn brand-a guitar company in the USA. -Image courtesy of Wikimedia and is public domain.
Washburn is an American manufacturer of string instruments established in 1883 in Chicago, Illinois.
Along with repairing and manufacturing instruments for other retailers and distributors under various house brands, the Company created a line of fretted instruments under the “George Washburn” name, making …
- Guitars, Mandolins
- Banjos and Ukuleles.
By 1898 Washburn Guitars had a line of 28 models, and the Company continued to change designs to accommodate their growing demands along with the need to outsource the construction of some models; and by 1892, the Company dominated the domestic string instrument marketplace.
Washburn And The First Dreadnought Guitar
Washburn’s Lakeside Jumbo Acoustic Guitar may be considered by many to be the first dreadnought-sized guitar released in 1912.
Dreadnoughts were a name given to prominent larger body guitars in the early 1900s, a metaphor for the extra size and named after a British Battleship, the HMS Dreadnought from WW1.
Competition & Decline
By the 1920s, the guitar portion of the business was sold to Tonk Brothers. In 1928, Tonk Brothers purchased a massive factory with Jr Stewart Company only to go bankrupt in 1930 with the assets acquired by the Regal Musical Instrument Company only to reopen the Washburn factory and see it decline to nothing in 1940.
Resurrecting The Washburn Brand
Tom Beckman and his wife started a wholesale music business in Los Angeles named Beckmen Musical Instruments in 1972, and it was here that the Washburn brand was resurrected, only to change hands again in 1977 with Fretted Industries Inc, who acquired the Company and returned manufacturing back to Chicago.
In 1987, Fretted Industries Inc changed the company name to Washburn International, opening manufacturing in 1991 for instruments that were…
- Higher-end
- Had Shorter runs &
- Creating One-offs as well as prototyping
This placed the Washburn brand among the top 3 Guitar manufacturers worldwide, behind Fender and Gibson.
First Electric Guitars By Washburn
From 1978-1984, Washburn had their first electric guitars called the Wing Series Models featuring innovative…
- Push-pull split humbuckers
- Brass hardware &
- Neck-Through construction
As of 2017, production primarily shifted from Korea to factories in Indonesia and China.
Innovations
Washburn is no stranger to innovation, and going into the 20th century, the Guitar Company continues to lead with instruments, amplifiers, accessories and several licensed guitar construction features like the…
- Buzz Feiten Tuning System or BFTS &
- The Stephens Extended Cutaway or SEC design
The Buzz Feiten Tuning System
It is a tuning system first used by Washburn in 1995 and became a standard on US Made Guitars, Basses and Imports.
The BFTS is a corrected tuning process using a compensated nut and saddle to minimize intonation problems created by western tuning.
The Stephen’s Extended Cutaway
Developed by Luthier Stephen Davies in collaboration with Nuno Bettencourt, the SEC is an enhanced Bolt-On Neck Joint and cutaway with a “Heel-Less Design,” allowing for easier unobstructed hand access to higher regions of the neck.
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The Washburn N4 Vintage with the SEC design – Image has been released into the public domain and is courtesy of Wikimedia & Author ZeGlobox.
What Is A Bolt-On-Neck Construction
Bolt-On is identified by turning your instrument over and seeing a metal plate at the junction between the guitar body and neck. You generally have 4 screws to indicate where the two are bolted together.
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A Squier by Fender 50’s Telecaster w/Maple neck Butterscotch Blonde Finish and Bolt-On Neck- Image courtesy of Amazon
Pros & Cons Of A Bolt-On Neck Construction
Pros
- More common, cost-effective and accessible for the manufacturing and repair process
- Easy to replace or customize with different fretboards on your guitar
Cons
- It offers less sustain or resonance between the neck and the body
- Because of the heel that is created, reaching higher frets can sometimes be more challenging to execute
- Not the best looking
With the SEC design, the cons are minimized due to the removal of the “Heel ” but still keeping the benefits of a Bolt-On Neck.
The Guitar
This Washburn Parallaxe PXL single cutaway, 6 string in White Gloss, is loaded with unique features, Carved Top, Buzz Feiten Tuning System, USA EMG Pickups, Full Contact Bridge, Custom Cut Back w/Set Neck Construction for total access and increased tone and sustain.
(Read on)
The Washburn (PXL20EWH-D) 6 String Solid-Body Electric Guitar in Gloss White is loaded with features- Image courtesy of Amazon
The Parallaxe can meet the demands of most rock shredders, ensuring performance, playability, and comfort, bringing you to a new level of playing.
Tech Specs
Body
- Body Wood Material – Mahogany
- Body Style– Single Cut Solid Body
- Type- Electric Guitars
- Hand Orientation – Right
- Weight –5.04 kg
- Model Number –PXL20EWH-D-U
- Country of Origin- Indonesia but Imported from the US
- Neck Wood – Mahogany
- Fretboard Wood –Ebony
- Neck Profile -“C” shape
- Neck Construction- Set Neck w/Stephens Extended Cutaway-inspired design
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Image of the (PXL20EWH-D) with set neck construction w /Stephens Extended Cutaway inspired design for high neck access without adjusting the hand position-Image courtesy of Amazon.
- Fretboard Inlays– Split Pearl Blocks
- 22 Jumbo Frets
- 24.75″ Scale
- Nut Material– Graphite
- Nut Width – 43mm
- Tuners –Black Locking Grover Exclusive 18:1
- Buzz Feiten Tuning System
The Washburn Solid-Body Parallaxe (PXL20EWH-D) w/Block Inlays-Grover Exclusive 18:1 Tuners-& BFTS-Image courtesy of Amazon
What Is A Set Neck or Set In Neck Construction
The Set In Neck is where the guitar neck is glued into place onto the body of the guitar. This method has been around for many years, for it is the standard practice for attaching necks onto acoustic guitars.
Is A Set Neck Better Than A Bolt -On One?
Pros
- Set Neck guitars give your more sustain and resonance.
- No heels, like with a bolt-on, provide a cleaner look.
- Along with effortless playability in the higher regions of the fretboard without having to adjust your hand position.
Cons
- Because of the construction design and material, the glue waiting time is greater than the bolt-on process affecting production and costs.
- Also, it is not easily replaced if you experience neck issues that would need to be left to experience Luthiers.
While each neck construction design has pros and cons, to say whether one is better than the other must be up to the player.
Power Station Electronics & Hardware
Powerful Active EMG 81/85 Humbucking Pickups In A H/H Configuration
Active pickups have a higher output than passive pickups because they rely on a power source like a 9V battery; with this combination of EMG pickups, you are sure to get a full-power thick-heavy tone with a lot of variation.
- The EMG81 Pickup on the Bridge: does its best work on high volume with overdrive, giving a sharp attack and incredible sustain, great for soloing.
- The EMG85 Pickup on the Neck: provides a warmer and more natural tone, giving you a beefier low and fatter top end.
- And when you back off the volume, the EMGs clean up surprisingly well.
The (PXL20EWH-D) w/EMG 85/81 Pickups in a H/H Configuration -Image courtesy of Amazon
- Controls- 2 Volume / 1 Tone
- Pickup Selector- 3-way toggle
- Black Hardware
- Bridge– Tune-O-Matic w/Sustain plate
How Do You Know If Pickups Are Active Or Passive?
The easiest way to tell is to check to see if there is a battery compartment.
Active pickups use 9V batteries, so if the guitar comes with a compartment, it is active.
Should You Get Active Pickups?
Pros
- Active Pickups Give your more power in your sound and a more consistent tone than a passive pickup.
Cons
- You cannot get sound with active pickups if the battery is out or spent, so staying on top of your battery’s life is needed.
To get your EMG 81 Active Guitar Humbucker Bridge/Neck Pickup, Black – Tap on the Image above.
To get your EMG 85 Active Guitar Humbucker Bridge/Neck Pickup, Black – Tap on the Image above.
The Washburn Parallaxe PXL 20 On Video
Final Thoughts
Like any brand, Washburn offers a mix of higher and lower-quality guitars.
But even the lower-end instruments have good quality parts, making them better than most other instruments in their category.
I own and play a stripped-down version of this instrument, the PXL10EC Parallaxe Singlecut Carbon Black, it has the same power base w/Active EMG pickups and the same body, neck and fretboard, so I know how this guitar feels and plays.
I have had some intonation issues and volume and tone knobs that needed fixing, but the PXL10EC does not have the BFTS.
My other comment is that this Made-in-Indonesia instrument is a bit pricey. It usually goes for $849.00-$1515.90 USD or more.
To Get Your Washburn 6 String Parallaxe (PXL20EWH-D) Solid-Body Electric Guitar, Gloss White Tap Image.
Should You Get This For Your Collection?
I was a straight-off fan, with the lightweight, jumbo frets, tone and playability.
They say that when it comes to pickups, they find you, and this is true in my case; this guitar sold me on EMG Active pickups, and I have been a fan ever since.
With my music and recording, this guitar has exceeded expectations, for it is versatile enough to do more than just one genre but still fills a room when you need the power.
So YES, add one of these to your collection, but look around to see about getting the best price.
Did You Like This Article?
Check out my review of the Paul Stanley Washburn Signature Guitar
Also…
I would like to hear your comments in the section below, and if you would like me to review a favourite guitar, give me a request.
As always, stay the course and keep playing.
Image of guitar front and back courtesy of Amazon
Photo in CTA courtesy of Amazon
Washburn 6 String Solid-Body Electric Guitar, (PXL20EWH-D) In Gloss White
$2301.44
Pros
- Split Pearl Blocks Inlays
- Active EMG 81/85 Pickups
- Tune-O-Matic Bridge
- Set-In Neck Construction
- Buzz Feiten Tuning System
Cons
- Pricey
Starting A Journey At 7 Years Of Age, The Love For The Guitar Only Became Stronger Going Into My Teens. This Leading To An Exciting Time Of Teaching, Performing, And Recording. Join Me Now As We Can Bring The Love Of This Instrument To Other Musicians Globally.
It was really interesting to read the history of Washburn and all the ups and downs. Can’t believe that its been going since 1883. It can’t be easy to make it as a huge company in such a specialized field.
The Washburn Parallaxe sounds great and even looks the part and I see that many professional artists love the Washburn brand. As a beginner though I would go for more affordable options.
Hello, Michel, and thank you for your visit and for leaving your feedback on the post.
I am glad you found value in this. Yes, there are more affordable instruments, but like anything else, as your skills grow, so will your interest in your guitars.
You will start to like specific options and get more personal about your guitar’s features; this is entirely normal. One of my first instruments was the Washburn parallax but not this model. Still to this day, I love this guitar; it truly fills a room, but the intonation is tricky to get right.
Thank you again, and do not hesitate to read some of the other posts.