The Washburn C64SCE-A is an acoustic-electric guitar model from Washburn Guitars, a division of U.S. Music Corporation. Founded in 1883 in Chicago, Washburn has a long history of building quality stringed instruments.

The C64SCE-A is a cutaway acoustic-electric guitar, designed for performing musicians who need the volume and tone of an acoustic guitar amplified. With its solid cedar top and mahogany back and sides, the C64SCE-A produces a bright, resonant acoustic tone. The cutaway body style provides easy access to the higher frets, making this a versatile guitar suitable for lead playing.

Equipped with a built-in preamp and pickup system, the C64SCE-A can be plugged into an amplifier or PA system, giving players stage-ready acoustic tone whether they're playing live or recording in the studio. Its acoustic-electric design makes it a flexible choice for guitarists who need an acoustic tone in louder performance settings.

Body Style and Construction

The Washburn C64SCE-A features a grand auditorium body shape with a cutaway, providing good balance and comfort for playing. Measuring 20.2" wide, 4.9" deep, 16.4" long across the lower bout, and 21.1" long on the upper bout, it's a medium-to-large sized acoustic-electric that will appeal to fingerstyle players.

The back and sides are made of mahogany, which produces a balanced tone with good low-end response. The durable mahogany laminate construction makes this an affordable option while still providing quality sound. The solid spruce top contributes brightness and articulation.

Overall the guitar is well-constructed using quality laminate woods. The body binding and rosette add an elegant decorative touch. The satin finish makes for a smooth feel and lets the woods vibrate freely. The build quality makes this a reliable choice for an acoustic-electric in this price range.

In addition to the Washburn model, another quality acoustic-electric guitar to consider is the Ibanez GRG7221WH. This guitar features a grand concert body made of mahogany back and sides with a solid spruce top, producing balanced warm tones. The slim neck profile provides comfort and playability. The Fishman Sonicore pickup and Ibanez AEQ-SP2 preamp deliver natural acoustic tones when plugged in. With a stylish white finish, the Ibanez GRG7221WH is an excellent option for guitarists looking for an affordable acoustic-electric with great sound.

When shopping for an acoustic-electric guitar, it's important to consider the body style and construction materials to find the right tone and playability for your needs. Models like the Washburn C64SCE-A and Ibanez GRG7221WH offer quality craftsmanship and electronics in lower price ranges. Testing different body shapes and wood combinations is recommended to discover your preferred acoustic-electric for practicing, recording, and live performances.

Neck

The Washburn C64SCE-A features a maple neck with a slim taper C profile that provides smooth playability. The neck has a 25.6” scale length and a nut width of 1 3/4”, which many players find comfortable for chording and solos.

The neck is crafted from maple which gives it a nice bright tone. The C profile shape helps balance the feel between chunky riffs and speedy solos. It's a popular middle ground profile that most players find versatile. Overall, the neck promotes fluid playability across the fretboard. The smooth satin finish allows your hand to glide easily during faster passages. The slim profile and tapered shoulders offer a nice playing feel that works well for various genres and techniques.

Most players find the neck provides a great combination of comfort, speed, and access that suits both rhythm and lead playing. The maple neck construction and C profile make this a pleasurable guitar to practice and perform with for extended periods.

The neck is designed for versatility across many musical styles. It offers a profile suited for chords, single note runs, and fast soloing. The smooth finish enhances playability further. Overall, it's a comfortable and playable neck that most guitarists enjoy. It works well for rock, blues, country, jazz, and other genres.

Some comparable options like the Ibanez AW5412CE also offer maple necks with comfortable C profiles. This promotes similar fluid playability and bright, balanced tone. While the Ibanez has its own unique specs and features, it shares some design philosophies with the Washburn when it comes to the neck construction and profile.

The neck is designed for long practicing and performing sessions. The profile shape avoids hand fatigue while still offering versatility. Paired with the smooth satin back, it enhances playability across different techniques. Overall, the neck is crafted to keep you comfortable and playing your best during extended playing time.

Hardware

The C64SCE-A features quality hardware that enhances its tone and playability. The guitar has enclosed die-cast tuning machines which hold tune well and allow for smooth tuning adjustments. The nut and saddle are made from synthetic bone which gives good sustain and resonance without sacrificing the warm tone of real bone.

The bridge is a synthetic bone compensated saddle that provides accurate intonation across the fretboard. This results in chords that ring true up and down the neck. The saddle compensation along with the sealed tuning machines make staying in tune effortless during long practice or gigging sessions.

Overall the hardware on the C64SCE-A is thoughtfully designed to maximize the guitar's acoustic potential while also giving it stage-worthy electric tones and reliability. The tuning machines, nut, saddle, and bridge work together to make this an easy to play guitar with great sustain and true tone.

Electronics

The Washburn C64SCE-A acoustic-electric guitar features quality electronics that provide great amplified tone. It comes equipped with a Fishman Presys preamp system with a built-in tuner and headphone output.

The guitar utilizes Fishman Sonicore pickup technology, which uses an under-saddle piezo pickup. This allows the guitar to accurately capture the true acoustic tone and dynamics of the instrument. The pickup blends well with the guitar's natural resonance for a balanced amplified tone.

There are volume and tone controls mounted just inside the soundhole for easy access while playing. The volume knob controls the output level, while the tone knob allows shaping the EQ. There is also a Phase switch which can help reduce feedback at high volumes.

The Presys preamp powers the pickup and provides a very clean amplification. It runs on an easy-to-change 9V battery. The preamp also has a built-in tuner, which is easily accessible by pulling up on the tone knob. This is a handy feature for quick tuning on the go.

Overall, the C64SCE-A's electronics package allows this acoustic-electric to deliver excellent amplified tone comparable to more expensive instruments. The Fishman pickup and preamp system is reliable and studio-quality.

Sound Quality

The Washburn C64SCE acoustic-electric guitar produces a balanced acoustic tone with good projection thanks to its dreadnought body shape. The guitar's solid spruce top allows the instrument to 'breath' and resonate freely, enhancing its acoustic volume and resonance.

When plugged in, the guitar's preamp and built-in EQ provide amplification while maintaining the instrument's natural acoustic sound. There are bass, mid, and treble controls which allow shaping the EQ curve to suit different styles and settings. The 2-band EQ isn't overbearing, keeping the amplified tone balanced.

The guitar has a Fishman Sonicore pickup system which accurately captures the guitar's acoustic character. The pickup blended with the preamp produces amplified tones comparable to the unplugged sound. Overall the C64SCE offers excellent acoustic tone and balanced electric tones thanks to its quality construction and electronics.

Playability

The Washburn C64SCE-A acoustic-electric guitar has excellent playability right out of the box. The action is set up nicely from the factory, providing a good balance of comfortable string height without buzzing while still allowing room for vibrato and bends.

The string tension feels balanced across all six strings, so no one string feels looser or tighter than the others. This helps contribute to the smooth, even response when strumming or fingerpicking. The lighter gauge strings that come installed allow for easier bending without compromising tone.

The fretwork on the C64SCE-A is clean and consistent up and down the neck. The frets are nicely finished with no sharp edges to irritate your hands during long practice sessions. String bending and vibrato feel very natural thanks to the smooth fret ends. Overall the playability makes this a very enjoyable guitar to play for extended periods.

Pros

The Washburn C64SCE A-series acoustic-electric guitar has several excellent features that make it a great value for the price.

• Quality materials and construction: The guitar features a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a mahogany neck. These tonewoods produce a balanced, warm sound with good projection. The build quality is very solid for the price range.

• Great playability: The guitar has a comfortable C-shaped mahogany neck that is easy to play. The shorter 24.75" scale length reduces string tension, making it very playable. It also has a smooth satin finish on the neck for fast playing.

• Impressive electronics: The guitar comes equipped with a Fishman Presys preamp system with an onboard tuner. The Presys electronics reproduce the guitar's acoustic tone very accurately when plugged in. The tuner makes it easy to keep the guitar in tune.

Cons

• The saddle and nut are made of plastic rather than bone or other higher quality materials, which can negatively impact tuning stability and tone.

• The tuners feel a bit flimsy and there are some reports of them slipping out of tune more frequently than higher end tuners. Upgrading to locking tuners could help improve tuning stability.

• While the electronics allow you to plug in, the onboard preamp and pickup system is pretty basic. The unplugged acoustic tone is better than the amplified electric tone. The lack of a built-in tuner is also a downside.

Summary

The Washburn C64SCE-A is an excellent choice for beginner to intermediate level acoustic-electric guitar players looking for quality sound and construction without breaking the bank.

Some of the major pros of this guitar are its solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, which provide full, balanced tone and good projection. The 2-way preamp system with built-in tuner also makes it easy to plug in and amplify your sound at gigs or practices.

In terms of cons, the hardware and electronics are fairly basic, so more advanced players may want to upgrade down the line. The wider neck width may also be uncomfortable for players with smaller hands.

Overall, the Washburn C64SCE-A punches above its weight class when it comes to value. Beginners will appreciate the quality materials and construction, while intermediates can take advantage of the plugged-in potential. As an entry-level acoustic-electric, it's an excellent choice for players who want good sound without a premium price tag.