• Excellent instrument for the price

  
  As reviewed by Steve on 12/26/2010

  Recently I decided to try and learn classical guitar, having not really picked up a guitar since high school (where I mostly just did strumming and a little flatpicking) and after having to take a class on guitar to earn my music degree. I did a lot of research, deciding I wanted a solid top, and tried to find instruments locally to play before buying (to no avail, not many classicals for sale in this area). I eventually settled on the Washburn C80S after reading a lot of rave reviews and trying to search out some sound samples. All I can say is WOW! For the price this is an excellent instrument, the finish is immaculate (and, unlike the product description says, is high gloss, not satin). Out of the box I was disappointed with the sound, it was very flat, not a lot of highs, lows or really any resonance. However, once I changed the strings out for a set of Martin high tensions (the only classical strings carried at my local shop) it was like a whole new instrument, with excellent sustain and bright, sparkling, resonant tone. I would strongly advise you to change out the stock strings with whatever you prefer immediately. It is not mentioned in the product description, but the instrument does come equipped with a truss rod, however I have not needed to adjust it. I found the action to be at the perfect height for me, lower than on my dad's old Epiphone (which I had been playing on), and just high enough to avoid fret buzz. The rosette pattern looks a bit different than on the provided picture, with a bit more color to it, and mine did not come with "Washburn" on the headstock, just the plain rosewood overlay.

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