Washburn R314K 125th Anniversary Parlor Acoustic Guitar (With Case)
The Washburn R314K offers great acoustic tone. With aged looks, the Washburn R314K resembles a real antique parlor guitar.
Overall User Ratings (based on 23 ratings)
Submitted December 21, 2009 by a customer from yahoo.com
"Believe it.Vintage sound Vintage look that want break your pocket book!!!!!!!!!!"
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When i first saw the guitar on the z zounds web page I loved the way it looked and I liked the reviews of it.I read only 250 were made.IM guessing that over a year went buy and the guitar was still on my mind however i figured no way is there any left that i could buy one.I was overwhelmed when i pulled up the z zounds web page and i believe there were 3 left.I called and ordered one.I was thrilled when i opened the box.It looked better in real than it looks in the pictues.I was amazed by the quality of the work in the guitar ,the way it looked ,the way it played and the way it sounds.It is also nice to have # 15 of 250.I will keep this one always and would not sell it today even if i was offered 2000 for it.I guess i finally found the guitar i have been looking for.
Sound
The Washburn parlor guitar is a small guitar however it is full of tone.I have played many guitars that cost 3 or 4 times more and some dont have the tone or sound of this guitar.
Features
My wasburn palor acouistic cmae witha case which is perfect for the guitar.
Ease of Use
The first thing that came to my mind when i played this guitar was how easy it is on the fingers.I have played many guitars over the 30 years i have been playing and very few chord as easy as this guitar.With that said I have to wonder how many people would not have given up because of hurting fingers if they would have had this guitar.Not only does it have great tone it is so easy to play .I own 5 other guitars after buying this one it is the one I reach for.
Quality
I am a history buff so i love old things.The guitar is a replica of a vintage parlor guitar.It is very well made and I love the aged spruce top.It looks as if it was made a 100 years ago and was put up in a case waiting to be rediscovered and played.It has vintage written all over it from the tuners to the inlays on the neck.It i easy to cary,comes with a beautiful case and is a very unique guitar.What can i say.I love it.
Value
I thing this guitar has a sound like no other.I guess that is a personal thing for each musician.This one has the tone and sound I have been searching for for years and it is amazing that it was only 400 dollars and a little change.
Manufacturer Support
I have one other Wasburn Guitar which i have owned for 4 years and have had no problems with it and no need to contact the company.I think they make a great guitar with quility materials and you get a big bang for your buck.If i were to contact the company i could only say keep up the good work.I would like to know who came up with the idea to recreate this parlor guitar.
The Wow Factor
I love the vintage look.It would look at home sitting in the parlor of an old plantaton home of the 1800s.
Musical Background:
hobby
Musical Style:
country and old time gospel
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Submitted March 1, 2012 by rod k in williamsburg, NM
"washburn R314K"
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The first one I received was slightly damaged by I'll call it fraying of the veneer on the bottom near the strap peg. I called the folks at ZZOUNDS and talked to a man who understood what I was talking about, and right away he got me set up for the return. I just got my replacement guitar today, man what a sweet sounding instrument. I played some slack key on it . I'm impressed, the action out of the box is low and fast, the sound is really incredible. It's more lively than my martin OM1-GT. thanks folks for being good folks what a treat to be treated with respect . The only down side was a back order for 2weeks, but worth the wait!
Musical Background:
12yrs. a Martin OM1E & OM1-GT Washburn R314K
Musical Style:
Gospel, blues, country, early rock
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Submitted October 6, 2009 by a customer from yahoo.com
"Very Hip 1883 Reproduction of a true Parlor Guitar"
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This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
This guitar will be an heirloom for me .I won't ever be in the market for another Parlor axe .It really was better than I had expected .The true vintage look and specs make the R314K a keeper .If this guitar was stolen ,I would definitely buy another one.There is really nothing I don't like about it .
Sound
First of all it is very important to know what you are buying .This is a PARLOR guitar made to specs of 1883 .It is a light small bodied guitar not a dreadnaught or a jumbo .
That being said I characterize the sound as very focused ,quite loud when strummed aggressively ,and has a very balanced tone .In the right hands ,this little lady can go from a bluesy Robert Johnson sound to a warm Eric Clapton tone (as in "Wonderful Tonight").It is very versitle I think ,and shines when miked and recorded in the studio .I use a .73mm pick for flatpicking ,which can achieve a percussive tone .The only thing I did not like on this axe was the strings ,but since I am an Artist Endorser for the brand I play I won't name them.
Features
The addition of a truss rod was a departure from the original but really a necessary feature to have now days .I strongly emphasize that if you are not experienced in tech work that you DON'T try to adjust the truss yourself .Having a competent tech do it will save you money and headaches in the future.Although my axe is serial number 17 of 250 made ,it has the R314KK designation on the label .I don't think that there are any real differences between my baby and the later numbers in the batch .The case for this axe is maybe the nicest I have ever seen in my 50+ years of playing .Period correct and very high quality .
Ease of Use
This guitar has a very very pronounced "V" shape ,not a soft "V" ,but a real "V" as it was in 1883.I have no problem with the neck at all ,but it may not appeal to other players .The neck was nice and straight ,medium action (suitable for chording as well as gentle slide work ).I think the action is a good compromise for playing some blues ,as well as other styles .The neck joins the body at the 12th fret ,and is a bit wide ,which is good for single note runs .
Quality
I think the fit and finish is really well done ,and captures the spirit of the axe .I have seen neater glue jobs ,but the workmanship on this guitar is certainly passable .It has a very slightly reliced look ,which is appealing .The tuners hold tune well also .Intonation was spot on .I do not think it would appropriate for heavy road use ,but it is more of a studio guitar .It should be treated like a lady ,and I feel you will have this axe for a long time .
Value
Well since this a specialized niche ,the only axe that is close to this Washburn is the Gibson Robert Johnson which sells for $2200 street price .Just do the math ,this a good value for this axe.Again remember that this is not an "all purpose "guitar ,and is rather specialized .I carry 46 guitars ,so I can afford myself the luxury of a guitar which is tailored for certain applications .
Manufacturer Support
Although I have had no experience with any problems with this guitar ,I am not a big Washburn fan .I think you will have a safety net as the guitar comes with a limited lifetime warranty .My experience with Washburn comes from the fact I was Endorser years ago ,and didn't get along well with the company president at the time ;however ,I am sure that they do back up their axes .
The Wow Factor
It is totally a cool instrument !Could I live without it ? Yes,but I feel I have outlined the pros and cons of the R314K pretty clearly .I have indeed lusted for this axe since it first came out , but other gear had to come first .
Musical Background:
Bandleader and pro musician
Musical Style:
Originals ,classic rock ,and Blues
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Submitted September 5, 2012 by Carson H
"Washburn R314K 125th anniversary parlor guitar"
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This is an amazing guitar. First of all I received the guitar from zZounds in 2days. Washburns are a great guitar. They make a great acoustic also. This guitars stays in tune even with frequent playing. It's sounds so beautiful too. Thus guitar goes for $720, but you get it through zZounds for $399.00!!!!Plus its a collectible. No buzzing on the frets, etc...This is well worth the money, & God forbid anything should ever happen to this gem of a guitar, I would rush out to buy another one from zZounds! This is my go to guitar. All my other guitars sit & collect dust now, Ive been playing for years & I grow more fond of this Wasburn with every strum.
Musical Background:
25 + yrs
Musical Style:
Rock, folk, blues
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Submitted March 4, 2017 by Mark B in Alpharetta , GA
"One of my favorite guitars I own."
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I own many guitars, Accoustic and electric. This is one of my favorites as I think it is beautiful, with lots of attention to detail. It looks rich, it looks like a vintage treasure. The finish is awesome. The sound is pleasing. The guitar, for me anyway, is a bit of a challenge to play as the neck is wide and has a V shape which I am not used to. However, I don't let that stop me from picking it up and playing on a regular basis. My opinion, but I think it is such a beautiful guitar with it's inlays, style and finish. Wonderful little Parlor guitar.
Musical Background:
Guitar, drums, bass.
Musical Style:
Rock, Blues, Country
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Submitted August 16, 2015 by Allen Randolph in Oceanside , CA
"Very cool guitar"
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When I ordered this guitar, I was looking for a mid priced parlor guitar that was fun to play and sounded good with a good studio mic on it, and also looked old school. I found all those things with this parlor. I had to have my guitar tech friend adjust the truss rod, but then it was really nice. Definitely worth the money. Even comes wi a really cool case!
Musical Background:
Been playing for 50 years
Musical Style:
Blues, alt folk, alt country
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Submitted January 13, 2013 by Randall Duffer in Dallas, TX
"Washburn R314K 125th Anniversary Parlor"
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I love this guitar ever since I purchased it last spring - I love the antique look and the way it sounds. I have seen reviews about its not sounding out enough for some folks, but remember people it is a "parlor" guitar and is built accordingly. If you want a bolder sound then move up to a folk, dreadnaut, or even a jumbo size. My only complaint with mine is that it had a poor and rough fret job on it that should be an embarrassment to Washburn on a company as old and proud of their heritage. Let me claify that the frets were perfectly level - just rough edges down both sides of the neck that smoothed out myself- please check your quality control.
Musical Background:
I have been playing 50 years - my Son and I own over 50 guitars, amps, drums, piano, etc.
Musical Style:
Mostly classic rock-n-roll, straight & heavy rock, country, pop, and even some metal. But we both appreciate about any style fro
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Submitted September 15, 2014 by Andre D in Phila, PA
"Mr Goodpen"
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My Washburn R314k is a well made instrument. It came already set, low action, perfectly tuned, great projecting for a travel guitar. I love it.
Musical Background:
Writer, producer
Musical Style:
Soft rock, pop rock.
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Submitted September 8, 2013 by Jake Lee in Dallas, TX
"A great little parlor guitar!"
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I have had it for a few months and find that it is great!
Musical Background:
I am a long time Delta Blues slide player,in the Blues Hall of Fame.
Musical Style:
blues
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Submitted January 13, 2014 by Allie Harding in Mechanicsville, VA
"Wish it had a solid spruce top"
I always wanted a parlor guitar so I thought that I would give this one a try. I bought this from zZounds back in 2008 thinking that it had a solid top but found out later that it is all laminated front, sides and back. A solid top would have made this guitar sound much better and I can't beleive that Washburn would let something like this pass. Especially at the price they want for it. This took away a lot of my respect for Washburn as a guitar maker and I haven't bought any of their products since. I have two of their Timbercraft guitars that I I purchased in 2007 that are excellent quality all solid construction that sound wonderful. But this parlor guitar is lacking. If I had it to do all over again I would have waited and gotten the solid wood version that Washburn came out with or the Larrivee parlor guitar.
Musical Background:
I've been playing music most of my life being raised in a music oriented family.
Musical Style:
Folk, blues, traditional jazz and rock.
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Submitted December 1, 2011 by a customer from yahoo.com
"pretty sweet sounding little guitar, with a great old-timr parlor look and feel"
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this one is a keeper
Sound
nice sound when played finger-style...but even though it's a small sound box, it is capable of really chiming out if it's picked
Features
even though this model is made with musical grade plywood, don't let that scare you, it still has real nice tone, with pretty increible sustain
Ease of Use
a very playable instrument
Quality
looks like a pretty well-made instrument
Value
I got a steal on this one...it was a highly reduced "scratch & dent" but I couldn't find the flaw
Manufacturer Support
highly recommend zzounds...very helpful, friendly folks to deal with
The Wow Factor
the vintage style and inlay on this give it a very cool vibe
Musical Background:
have been playing percussion, fiddle, banjo, uke and guitar informally, with an occasional professional gig, for twelve years
Musical Style:
Old-Time
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Submitted April 7, 2015 by Stephen Rodriguez in port lavaca, TX
"Get a little Martin"
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Its a beautiful guitar, but as far as sound quality its a little lacking. It sounds tinny.
Musical Background:
Playing guitar for 39 yrs.
Musical Style:
Country
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Submitted March 8, 2016 by Carl McNeece in Havana, FL
"Great guitar!"
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I didn't expect to get such a great guitar for the price. Fit and finish are perfect. It sounds excellent. It has a much greater bass response than you would expect from a parlor guitar. The "V" neck is just a bit wider than the standard guitar neck, but it only took a couple of days to get used to it. Note: I gave manufacturer support a 3,but I have never had any experience with it. Could not submit this review without checking one of those boxes.
Musical Background:
I have been playing guitar for about 30 years, mandolin for about 20, and banjo for 65 years. Used to play banjo professionally.
Musical Style:
Folk, bluegrass, blues, Irish, ragtime.
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Submitted February 21, 2016 by Carl McNeece in Havana, FL
"Sweet Guitar!"
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The guitar arrived quickly. There were no apparent flaws. Looks great. Plays beautifully. It has more resonance, especially on the base notes, than my Martin or Gibson. The neck is slightly wider than a standard guitar neck, and it too a few sessions to get used to it. Altogether, I am very pleased. It was a great value for the money.
Musical Background:
Played banjo about 65 years, dobro and guitar about 40 years, mandolin and fiddle about 30 years.
Musical Style:
Folk, Irish, Bluegrass, Blues
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Submitted December 12, 2010 by a customer from ptd.net
"Unfortunately not what I had hoped for."
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Returned item.
Sound
I had never herd of a Parlor Guitar before. It was not as I had expected. The sound was very tin-ny. The guitar I played had something wrong with the 5th string...buzzed and could not make the buzzing stop.
Features
No accessories except for the hard case, which was very nice.
Ease of Use
Due to the defect (buzzing) (in manufacturing of guitar?) I could not play this guitar.
Quality
Buzzing 5th string made it unplayable.
Didn't really like the finish.
Value
I have played better sounding guitars for much less cost.
Manufacturer Support
Dealer was easy to work with. Accepted the guitar returned with full refund.
The Wow Factor
The decoration (abalone) was very nice, but I didn't like the finish/unfinished/distressed look.
Musical Background:
hobbyist
Musical Style:
folk
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