Washburn DFBACEB Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Washburn Forest Series DFBACEB dreadnought acoustic-electric guitar is part of Washburn's Forest line, a series of affordable guitar models aimed at beginner and intermediate players. This particular model features a solid top spruce construction paired with mahogany back and sides, giving it a classic dreadnought tone at an entry-level price point.

With its cutaway design and onboard electronics, the DFBACEB is primed for amplified performances while still retaining the rich acoustic resonance that makes dreadnoughts beloved by flatpickers and strummers alike. Between its build quality, electronics and comfortable playability, the Washburn DFBACEB presents an excellent value for those looking for their first acoustic-electric or a dependable stage and studio workhorse.

Body & Neck

The Washburn Dreadnought Forest Series DFBACEB acoustic-electric guitar features a solid Sitka spruce top paired with mahogany back and sides. This tonewood combination produces a beautifully balanced and articulate tone, with the brightness of the spruce nicely complemented by the warmth of the mahogany.

The mahogany neck sports a comfortable medium profile that makes playing for extended periods pleasant. It has a sleek satin finish for a smooth feel and fast playability. The rosewood fingerboard further enhances the warm tones from the mahogany body. With its tight grain, rosewood also offers a very durable surface for the 20 medium frets.

Overall, the combination of solid spruce top and mahogany back/sides provides excellent resonance and sustain. The mahogany neck has a profile and finish optimized for speed and comfort. This results in an acoustic-electric guitar that is highly responsive and a joy to play.

Another excellent acoustic-electric guitar option to consider is the Takamine GN20CE-NS NEX. This guitar features a solid cedar top with mahogany back and sides, resulting in a warm, balanced tone. The slim mahogany neck has a comfortable profile that makes it easy to play for long periods. It has a cutaway body style that allows access to higher frets, expanding the guitar's range. Takamine's CT4B II preamp provides great amplification and lets you shape your tone with built-in EQ. The GN20CE-NS NEX is an affordable, great-sounding acoustic-electric that's perfect for gigs and practice sessions alike.

With its solid wood construction, the GN20CE-NS NEX delivers excellent resonance and projection. The cedar top produces sweet, detailed highs balanced by the mahogany body's warm low end. The slim neck profile is designed for versatility across different playing styles. And the onboard CT4B II preamp gives you quality amplification with tone shaping control. Overall, the Takamine GN20CE-NS NEX is an excellent choice for an affordable acoustic-electric guitar that sounds great both plugged in and unplugged.

When comparing the Washburn Dreadnought Forest Series DFBACEB and Takamine GN20CE-NS NEX acoustic-electric guitars, they have some notable differences. The Washburn has a Sitka spruce top while the Takamine has cedar, so the Washburn may have slightly more prominent highs. The Washburn also has an all-mahogany body while the Takamine pairs mahogany back/sides with that cedar top. And the Washburn has a medium profile neck compared to the Takamine's slim profile. Both are quality acoustic-electrics made with solid woods. The Washburn may appeal more to those wanting a balanced tone with crisp highs. The Takamine offers an affordable option with a comfortable neck and quality electronics.

Electronics

The Washburn DFBACEB acoustic-electric guitar is equipped with a Fishman Presys preamp and pickup system. This is a high-quality preamp and pickup combo that delivers excellent amplified tone and versatility.

The Presys preamp features volume, bass, mid, and treble controls, allowing you to shape your amplified tone to suit your needs. There is also a built-in tuner and phase switch to help combat feedback at higher volumes.

The pickup itself is a piezo transducer placed under the bridge. This allows it to accurately capture the guitar's natural acoustic tone and dynamics. Fishman is known for their excellent pickup design, and this Presys system produces rich, detailed sound when plugged in.

Overall, the electronics package on the DFBACEB is geared towards live performance and amplifying your acoustic tone in both small and large venues. It's a flexible system that provides quality amplified sound while retaining the guitar's inherent acoustic qualities.

When choosing an acoustic-electric guitar, the preamp and pickup system is an important factor to consider. You want something that will accurately convey your natural acoustic tone when plugged in, while also giving you enough tone shaping controls to dial in your ideal amplified sound. Brands like Fishman are known for their quality acoustic amplification systems.

Another excellent acoustic-electric option to consider is the Fender 970110206. This guitar features a Fishman Sonitone pickup and preamp system, which is a step above the Presys. The Sonitone has more advanced voicing and EQ options to really fine tune your amplified tone.

Specifically, the Sonitone preamp has volume, bass, mid, and treble controls with notch filtering. This allows you to target specific frequencies when shaping your tone. There is also a built-in tuner and phase switch on the Sonitone. The pickup captures your acoustic tone accurately and the preamp provides studio-quality acoustic amplification.

Between its solid spruce top and quality electronics, the Fender 970110206 projects beautifully when plugged in. It maintains richness, resonance, and articulation. Fender has crafted an excellent amplified acoustic guitar with the 970110206. The Fishman Sonitone system outperforms many acoustic preamp and pickup combinations.

In summary, when choosing an acoustic-electric guitar, pay close attention to the preamp and pickup. Brands like Fishman are leading the way in acoustic amplification and offer versatile tone shaping. The Washburn DFBACEB and Fender 970110206 are both great options with quality electronics that will handle any amplified acoustic performance situation.

Playability

The Washburn DFBACEB acoustic-electric guitar features a comfortable neck and low string action that makes it very playable right out of the box. The neck has a smooth satin finish which allows for fast, fluid movements up and down the fretboard. The nut width is 1 11/16 inches, which is a comfortable width for most hands to chord and fret notes cleanly.

The action on this guitar is set nice and low from the factory, making it easy to press the strings down without excessive finger pressure. This allows you to play for longer periods without fatigue setting in. The low action also gives the guitar a very playable, slinky feel. However, the action is not so low that you get any fret buzz or choking out notes. There is a nice happy medium here between playability and tone.

Overall, the combination of the smooth satin neck, nut width, and low but buzz-free factory setup makes this an acoustic-electric that feels great to play right away without any adjustments needed. Both beginners and experienced players will find the playability very comfortable.

Sound

The Washburn Forest DFBACEB acoustic-electric guitar produces a well-balanced tone across frequencies. The solid spruce top contributes to strong, crisp highs and ringing overtones in the treble range. Mahogany back and sides provide a warm, full midrange as well as a solid low end. There's enough bass from the mahogany to prevent the tone from sounding thin or tinny on the low notes. The guitar projects clearly and has good sustain. It's equally suited to playing chords and single-note melodies across the fretboard. The balanced EQ allows for versatility in genres from fingerstyle to country to rock. Both your lead lines and rhythm parts will come through with clarity. Whether unplugged or using the pickup system, this Washburn offers a versatile tonal palette for acoustic playing.

Pros

The Washburn DFBACEB acoustic-electric guitar has many positive attributes that make it a great choice for players looking for a quality instrument at an affordable price point.

• The solid spruce top provides excellent resonance and allows the guitar to "open up" over time as it ages. Solid wood tops are usually found on more expensive models.

• The mahogany back and sides offer a balanced tone with good mid-range punch and warm low-end. Mahogany is a classic tonewood pairing with spruce.

• The 25.5" scale mahogany neck has a smooth satin finish that allows for fast, comfortable playing up and down the fretboard. The neck joins the body at the 14th fret for excellent upper fret access.

• The rosewood fingerboard and bridge provide crisp note articulation and enhanced treble response. Rosewood is known for its bright, projecting tone.

• The Fishman electronics include a built-in tuner and produce quality plugged-in tones comparable to more expensive guitar preamp systems. The under-saddle pickup accurately captures the guitar's natural acoustic sound.

• High-quality hardware includes sealed die-cast tuning machines that help the DFBACEB stay in tune well. The nut and saddle are expertly cut from bone.

• Overall excellent fit and finish for the price point. Attention to construction and materials make this an exceptional value acoustic-electric guitar.

Cons

The Washburn Dreadnought Forest Series Acoustic-Electric Guitar does have some drawbacks to consider.

One potential downside is the weight. This guitar tips the scales at over 9 lbs, making it heavier than a typical acoustic guitar. The solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides give the instrument a very full and resonant sound, but add some extra heft in the process. For players used to a lightweight acoustic, this additional weight could cause fatigue during long practice or gigging sessions. The guitar's larger dreadnought body style also contributes to its overall mass.

While the solid woods and construction are partly responsible for the great tone of this guitar, players who prioritize a lightweight instrument for portability may want to look at some thinner, laminate-topped options. The added pounds could be a necessary compromise in order to get the lush, projecting acoustic voice this guitar provides. Just be aware that your shoulder might feel it during extended playing periods.

Alternatives

The Washburn Forest Series Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar is a quality, mid-priced instrument that competes well with models from other major brands like Martin, Taylor, and Gibson. Here's a brief comparison to some comparable models:

• Martin D-10E Road Series Dreadnought: The Martin D-10E is another popular mid-priced dreadnought acoustic-electric. It has a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides. The Martin has a slightly warmer, bassier tone. The Washburn may have a bit more articulation and "zing" in the higher registers. The Martin electronics are good quality but the Washburn may have a slight edge. The Washburn has more decorative appointments if that matters.

• Taylor 114e: The Taylor 114e is equivalent to the Washburn in terms of its solid spruce and laminate mahogany construction. Tonally they are quite close - bright and balanced. The Taylor has their proprietary pickup system which sounds very natural. The Washburn may be a better value at this lower price point.

• Gibson Hummingbird Studio: The iconic Gibson Hummingbird Studio has a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides. It's a very warm, bassy sounding guitar. The electronics are high quality. It's more expensive than the Washburn. The Washburn has a more modern feel and brighter tone.

The Washburn Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric competes very well with models from the major brands. It provides great bang for the buck if you want a quality acoustic-electric with nice looks and electronics.

Conclusion

The Washburn Dreadnought acoustic-electric guitar offers great value for those looking for a premium sound without breaking the bank. With its solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, it produces full, balanced acoustic tone that projects well unplugged. The 2-way preamp provides flexibility for amplifying the guitar in larger venues or recording situations.

While it may not have the name recognition of Taylor or Martin, Washburn has been crafting quality instruments for over 130 years. The overall high build quality, resonant woods, and Fishman electronics make this an intermediate-level guitar punching above its price point. Players who want an affordable but great sounding acoustic-electric for gigs or the studio should give the Washburn DFBACEB serious consideration. It provides fantastic bang for your buck if you're willing to go with a less mainstream brand. This impressive dreadnought captures the rich, dynamic sound that makes acoustic guitars so expressive and enjoyable to play.

Summary

The Washburn Forest String Acoustic-Electric Guitar is an excellent choice for players looking for a quality acoustic-electric guitar at an affordable price point.

Some key pros of this guitar are its solid wood top construction that produces warm, balanced tones; the easy-to-play neck and comfortable body size; and the built-in Fishman preamp and pickup system that provides quality plugged-in sound. The guitar looks great as well with its elegant appointments.

In terms of downsides, the guitar may not have the same level of projection and dynamic range as more expensive models. The pickup and preamp are decent quality, but don't offer advanced features. And the factory strings and setup may require some tweaking by a professional guitar tech.

Overall though, for its reasonable price tag, the Washburn DFBACEB delivers where it counts - with resonant sound, easy playability, and stage-ready electronics. It's an ideal first acoustic-electric for beginner and intermediate players, and makes for a solid extra guitar for more advanced guitarists. This Washburn model is recommended for anyone seeking an affordable, playable, and good-sounding electro-acoustic guitar.