New acquisition: Washburn A20-V BBR

I'm not the first in our forum to get one of these... Mat-made, black with neony-red (almost construction-zone orange) binding.  Haven't finishing cleaning it up - in fact, have only played for a few minutes.  But I've been in touch w seller for a year and finally could buy it. No case (bummer!) but original wang-bar. Apparently there are several variations on this model...  Youtube clip by "Random Johnson" shows his with coil-taps on all four knobs, but he also had it modded (mine only does the front two). Anyway, pix to follow. Insight on these welcomed, if you have one. This one has the original wonderbar trem and original black-metal/logo humbuckers. (I wish I still have the red A15)

Happy NGD

Looking forward to seeing the beast!

Powerful decent pickups in those.

Very pronounced V on the neck. Hence A20 V.

Nice...

Still no photos (long shifts at work / city traffic). Will clean it up this weekend and post.  To my point regarding variations on this model, this instrument does not have the model name on the truss rod cover, and any serial number has been worn-off over time (altho I do not know how, considering they were in two locations on headstocks or on the metal plate on the back - which this guitar does not have).  Additionally, I may be remiss in calling it a 'V'... it is definitely the A20 wonderbar version - but the neck is not the V that I had with the A15... definitely a comfortable typical Les Paul C shape. Very odd... I was concerned I was going to hate the V again (it really bothered me on the A15).

This serial number was very hard to see on this A15V but was there at the right angle and light.

drsyn67 wrote:Still no photos (long shifts at work / city traffic). Will clean it up this weekend and post.  To my point regarding variations on this model, this instrument does not have the model name on the truss rod cover, and any serial number has been worn-off over time (altho I do not know how, considering they were in two locations on headstocks or on the metal plate on the back - which this guitar does not have).  Additionally, I may be remiss in calling it a 'V'... it is definitely the A20 wonderbar version - but the neck is not the V that I had with the A15... definitely a comfortable typical Les Paul C shape. Very odd... I was concerned I was going to hate the V again (it really bothered me on the A15).

Assuming the V is then relating to the vibrato/trem.

Have you played hockey with it yet?!  

Cool guitars!

We should get together and have a pickup game!

Sorry for the late reply.  Was busy finding it a friend (received it today). The FV-30 (w OHSC) has the same nice, C-shaped neck (I think that's what it is called). It was the highest priced Washburn electric in the four-page 1984 price list ($899 plus another $100 for case). I think I read the V was for the upgrade of the Wonderbar Vibrator - otherwise they came with a Kahler. It does have an '84 serial#, but the namesake for this post's serial number isn't visible (under white light, blue light, any light). So far they make me feel like I'm driving Adam West's car, but I'm not sure how MUCH I like them... but I like'em for sure.

Hmmm.... I think I like them.... no, scratch that.... I like them!!

They are cool, mate; great finds!

Morning update (Greetings from Florida):  Got the A20 on the track and test-drove it for an hour (cars/guitars - so similar).  It is a beast that sounds great jazzy, bluesy and most definitely like the rocker instrument it is known for. I don't know when I will be reaching for anything else first. My next buy was going to be the long-awaited Pantera (even tho I have a GenII... so similar). I think it will be a while.

Mate... they LOOK similar, but they ain't actually similar..... the Gen II sounds quite different to the X300, so I'd i agine it would sound VERY different to an X350/X390, eh!

You know you want one...

.... am I helping? :-)

Here's a few shots of the pickups in those Washburns.

Massive magnet !

Know it's not a R+B colour but found these photos of a reissue A20 from the late 90's.

A great playing guitar well built with Dimarzio Evolution at the neck and a Tonezone in the bridge. Coil taps on both tones.

John - you're not helping  
Damian - are those the pickups from the reissue?  I haven't dug into the BBR yet. New strings on both, so it might be a while.

drsyn67 wrote:
Damian - are those the pickups from the reissue?  I haven't dug into the BBR yet. New strings on both, so it might be a while.

Yep the reissue's  came equipped with those Dimarzio pickups as standard.

The photo of the guts are original pickups from the 80's.