Customer Reviews

Washburn Steel String Travel Acoustic Guitar (Natural)

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(29)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I normally play an Ovation acoustic and was accustomed to that projected sound afforded by the rounded back. As you can Imagine I was somewhat skeptical when I looked at the ROVER. This guitar has EXCELLENT sound that I absolutely did not expect. I compared this guitar to the martin backpacker(btw, I love Martin Guitars) and not only is the sound better but the action is unbelievable. All for under $200.00. This is a great buy especially at this price. I can't put this guitar down!

I've played Washburn's since I started and currently own 4 of them so was pretty comfortable ordering this without playing it first. It's a very playable guitar that took virtually no set up (minor truss rod adjustment) with nice action. The tone gets a little getting used to - a bit like a ukelele from the player position but when someone across from me was playing it I was surprised over the projection and better than anticipated richness (given it's size). Better than the Martin backpacker in that it's a more conventional shape and easier to play - and, I think, sounds fuller. Great travel case - it would take a lot to do some damage - and nice accessory package. Came very close to giving it 5 stars - particularly for the price. Don't think you could do better.

I have to believe that this guitar is a loss leader for Washburn. The fit and finish are excellent but most importantly the neck setup is the best I have ever seen on a new guitar out-of-the-box at any price. After playing it for one day I had no choice but to take my Martin in for a neck setup to match it, or at least come close -- cost me $600. A travel guitar needs to have an excellent case and this one does. It's made to fit in the overhead but I would have no qualms about shipping this in the belly of the beast. The neck and head stock get very good support in this case. Within hours of receiving this guitar I installed a strap button on the heel, this is essential for holding the guitar and Washburn would do well to make this a standard feature.

Come on now.. really. What more could you want for a guitar like this? If you are looking at this, you know what a guitar this size sounds like already; and you want it to take on a plane, take camping, or (like me) use it as a "car guitar". It's NOT for gigging or playing to entertain, it's for personal practice. There is nothing else out there for this price that compares; either in quality, workmanship, or detail. The Martin Backpacker is a great guitar, but the shape makes it impossible to play enjoyably. The only other guitar in this niche that compares is the Baby Taylor, and it's twice the price without being twice the guitar. My only complaint is one that is common to small guitars, the tuners combined with the lack of mass in the body make the headstock heavier, and you have to use your fret hand to support that end more than you do on a full-sized guitar. That is something you will have to live with if you want a compact guitar no matter who makes it, the Taylor is the same way. Buy the Washburn, you won't regret it.

The neck on this guitar is extremely playable. I love its feel and good action more than my Guild or Martin dreadnaught-sized acoustic guitars.

The sound is tinny and small, but that is to be expected from anything with such a tiny body. It fits the bill for something totally portable.

As other reviewers have said, it doesn't sit on your leg easily. That's because the neck is heavier than the body - not because it is a heavy neck (it isn't) but because the body is so light and has a smooth, almost tear-drop shape. But you just put the strap (included) on it and it stays up just fine.

One reviewer on another site (zzsounds) said it smelled like "an acre of used cat litter in a chemical dump." I would not describe the smell that way, but it is clearly a disgreeable odor. Luckily, it is not a very strong odor. You have to be playing the guitar to smell it. It won't fill the room with the awful odor. After 5 days it has dissipated a little bit (or maybe I'm getting used to it) - maybe it's down 30% lower than when it arrived. Still objectionable, it is probably the smell of the lacquer they used. Not a sweet 'solvent' laquer smell - it's more of a roachy and burnt or rotting carcas-like smell. I hope it dissipates more over the next month - I'd hate to have to return this beauty. Hey Washburn - is there any other lacquer you can use? Will this nasty smell dissipate eventually? Is there anything I can do to accelerate the dissipation or outgassing and get this guitar to smell less?

If you don't care about smells like this, and you want a travel guitar, this is the way to go. If you are sensitive to odors, you'd better try it out first to see if the odor is acceptable to you or not.

Of course it does not sound like a regular acoustic guitar, but it is a very nice travel guitar. The case is tough and very convenient for traveling by air.

I've played an Ovation for years and love it. Due to personal circumstances it became difficult to continue to play my deep bowl. Over the years I looked at a number of travel and smaller guitars and was disappointed. The Rover is no such disappointment. I absolutely love it! Sure it's no bass boomer, but it certainly has quality and good sound that projects surprisingly well. Once again I am playing and highly recommend this guitar to anyone. Perfect for traveling, an inexpensive beginners guitar and certainly a very enjoyable instrument even to the accomplished player. Don't underestimate the Rover! For the scoffers who say this is no real instrument, go listen to Jake Shimabukuro and hear the reality, "knows no bounds".

I got this fantastic little guitar for christmas this past year and have been happily playing it since. The sound is really amazing for such a small guitar. As an out-of-state college student, this guitar is perfect for when I want to have a guitar both at home and at school. It's perfect for airports and overhead storage.
The only downside to the guitar is the (here's the kicker) small size. It sounds just like a full sized guitar, but actually playing it can be awkward, but totally doable.

Overall, I love this guitar! It holds its tune, sounds amazing (better than some full sized guitars) and is a great buy! Just be prepared for the comments when you bust it out!

I'd recommend this guitar for anyone on the go! Enjoy and happy playing!

Before I purchased this little gem I read tons of internet reviews - some good, some bad. But, I figured that Washburn wouldn't make a bad guitar. I was right! I've had quite a few guitars in the last 20 years and never bought one that I hadn't tried out first. The Rover far out played my expectations. This is the best buy on the internet. Great sound, shape, case, and instructional DVD.

This guitar has a nice sound for such a compact package and the full size neck is great. However, due to the small body, the neck weighs much more than the body and requires the player to hold the neck up with the fretting arm while playing. Attaching a strap helps but does not eliminate the issue. For a camping / beach guitar, I say go for it. If you're looking for something to take on a plane and play for yourself in a hotel room or to play while riding in the car I would suggest something from the Traveler brand line of guitars, namely the Traveler Escape or Traveler Pro Series.