"In its bid to craft perfect shred machines, the US guitar company has kitted its latest series of axes with all the finest components, and made no compromises".
Utilising 130 years of guitar building experience, Washburn have created their most advanced rock and metal guitars yet. The Washburn Parallaxe series of electric guitars include, as standard, the most player-requested features in a guitar, forgoing the need for any after-market modifications. Total Guitar magazine this month take a look at three Washburn Parallaxe models, the PXL10WA, the PXS10EC and the PXM18EB which receives the magazine's 'Best Buy' award.
Washburn PXL10WA - 4/5
"...the ebony fingerboard is a smooth player, and it's just as suited to burly rhythm playing as spindly leads".
"On the pickup front, the Seymour Duncan '59/JB pairing gives you thick, cutting distorted tones to give those solos maximum impact".
"...if melting faces is your modus operandi - you can consider it mission accomplished with this axes's effortless playability".
Washburn PXS10EC - 4/5
"...the upshot of having a Stephen's Extended Cutaway is ludicrously comfortable guitar playing right across the fingerboard, and nothing can match it for upper-fret shredding".
"Elsewhere, Washburn has employed a classic EMG 85/81 humbucker combo,which brings the pain like noting else for heavier guitar styles".
"The guitar's hardware does its best to keep things moving along, too: the Grover locking tuners make switching out those burned-through strings a breeze after a high speed workout, while the tune-o-matic string-through bridge ups the sustain for long, wailing bends".
Washburn PXM18EB - Total Guitar 'Best Buy' Award - 5/5
"One of the typical problems with a 686mm (27-inch) scale eight-string is that tuning and intonation can be a nightmare. But it's here that the Grover locking machineheads and Buzz Feiten Tuning System really shine. The tuning stability is among the best we've found on an eight-string, right down to that low F#, while the Buzz Feiten compensated nut and saddle ensures reliable intonation across the 'board".
"The PXM18EB is also an absolute pleasure to play. Eight-string guitars are never going to be the most accessible of instruments, but the unfinished five-piece reinforced maple and mahogany neck is one of the easiest to get your hands - and head - around".
"Washburn has done the impossible and made the eight-string guitar a tameable proposition. Hell, with a little bit of practice, you can even shred on it!"
The full review can be found in the new issue of Total Guitar magazine (October, Issue 245) on sale now. The Washburn Parallaxe Series will be available in the UK from October 2013.
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