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Posted by: Bondy Feb 17 2009, 10:39 PM

Hey Guys some of you may know I sold all my guitars a couple of months ago to fund buying a top notch guitar and bought a cheap Les Paul copy to see me through(which to be fair aint bad apart from the neck being too thick for me), unfortunately I ran into some money difficulty's when my tax bill came through more than i was expecting so it wiped out my funds that i had saved.

So I had to start saving from scratch. I was definitely going to buy a Jackson SL1, But now Washburn have finally made a Lefty vintage N4 which has just come out there both around the same price new, I was just wondering if any of you guys have played these guitars, being a lefty there like rocking horse doo doo there is probably not much chance of trying one before i buy, well maybe the Jackson, the Washburn would probably have to be imported from the US, though i have asked a few suppliers if they can get them here waiting to hear back.

What do you think??

Posted by: Fran Feb 17 2009, 10:51 PM

I've tried neither, but I believe I'd get the Jackson, looks much better! Ok, not a very good reason

Posted by: ZakkWylde Feb 17 2009, 10:57 PM

I've played the Nuno Washburn and I didn't like it - It feels somehow weird, bill lawrence pickup and wood structure..., and as it's specificly built for mr bettencourt, you're buying a signature guitar that was built for someone elses style of playing and not your own!

The Jackson is great for sure, a real pro instrument!

Posted by: Bondy Feb 17 2009, 11:03 PM

QUOTE (ZakkWylde @ Feb 17 2009, 11:57 PM)

Posted by: skennington Feb 17 2009, 11:05 PM

Normally I would be all over the USA made Jackson. Couple of things come to mind when comparing these two though.

First the p/up's: Duncan '59 and a Lawrence L-500 in the Bettencourt model, probably a bit better combination than the Seymour Duncan JB TB4 humbucker (bridge) and Classic Stack humbuckers (middle, neck) in the Jackson.

Advanced tuning system of the N4. Not sure what this will offer...

Swamp Ash body vs Alder with flamed Maple top of the Jackson, vote goes to Jackson here.

True Neck thru design of the Jackson, again vote goes to the Jackson.

Ebony board of the N4, probably will sound a bit darker than the Rosewood of the Jackson (which I would love to hear)

CTS pots and switchcraft switches in the Jackson are quality.

Looks definitely go to the Jackson

I guess personally for me, the Jackson would get the nod. Spending that kind of money I would seriously try and at least get an earful of the N4 before buying. Good luck mate!

Posted by: jer Feb 17 2009, 11:15 PM

I have an SL1.

Nothing I have ever played feels as good to me.

I have not played any Washburns though.

I did used to have a Bill Lawrence XL-500 and L-500 set though. I did NOT like them at all. Very THIN.

Nuno and Dimebag used Bill Lawrence. Both are/were amazing players. But personally I never liked the tone of either. Again, trebly and thin.

That being said, new pickups are an easy fix for either one. So dont go off that unless you dont want to modify the guitar.

Everybody finds a guitar that is just perfect for them. For me its my USA SL1. I just wish my playing did it justice!

Posted by: Bondy Feb 17 2009, 11:19 PM

Thanks for the sound Advice guys, I think you just made my mind up for me.

Posted by: skennington Feb 18 2009, 12:28 AM

QUOTE (Bondy @ Feb 17 2009, 05:19 PM)

Thanks for the sound Advice guys, I think you just made my mind up for me.

Posted by: Emir Hot Feb 18 2009, 03:12 AM

This Jackson looks great. I played this Nuno guitar and didn't like it that much.

Posted by: Trond Vold Feb 18 2009, 03:28 AM

I tried the Nuno model in a store a while ago and i wasnt very impressed. Seems like no one here likes the N4
But when it comes to the Jackson, then i can guarantee you that you will be getting a top notch guitar!

The SL1s are of high quality and very versatile.

Posted by: Ramiro Delforte Feb 18 2009, 04:05 AM

A friend had the N4 a while ago and I think it's a really great guitar and I'd go for it. But if you're looking for a guitar to shred the Jackson would be the one because it's thin neck would please your fingers when you burn out the wood

Posted by: Sircraigery Feb 18 2009, 06:50 AM

I'm not too impressed that Washburn is spelled backwards. LOL (Bondy just can't leave a single photo alone haha jk)


My vote is the JACKSON!

Posted by: sted Feb 18 2009, 10:12 AM

Ive not played that particular jackson but my performer looks very similar layout, its a really nice guitar to play but the fretboards seem quite wide and flat to me, although this may be better for certain styles of playing, i prefer my LP thicker neck.

Posted by: Marcus Siepen Feb 18 2009, 11:15 AM

I have never tried either one of those guitars, but I know the Bill Lawrence pickup, and I never liked it. But well, this is my taste, you might love that pickup... so... I really dislike the idea of buying a guitar that I didn't try before, so in my opinion you should really try to find a place where you can try them. If you can only try the Jackson and you like it, then go for that one, in this case you aresure you buy something that you like.

Posted by: Smells Feb 18 2009, 11:30 AM

you know which one I`d pick

Posted by: kaznie_NL Feb 18 2009, 12:49 PM

I think the jackson has a better looking body, but the washburn has a more nice headstock.

Posted by: Ajmurrell Feb 18 2009, 01:35 PM

There is an instructor here at GMC that uses the N4 a fair amount on his videos, I'll try to find him mate if you want to ask him questions about it!

It is hard when you can't try before you buy, and it sounds like the N4 is very much an aquired taste as a lot of people seem to find it a bad match for them.

The Jackson seems a better shot in the dark, especially as it gets high praise around here

Posted by: Artemus Feb 18 2009, 02:49 PM

um.. the Jackson.

Posted by: David Wallimann Feb 18 2009, 02:50 PM

I don't have much experience with Jacksons, but I have tried the Washburn and like it a lot. :-)

Posted by: mhskeide Feb 18 2009, 04:04 PM

Just to disagree with people here, I must actually say that I like the N4 better visually
Cant say my opinion about the sound since I`ve not heard any of them, but as mentioned: The N4 is built for Nuno`s spesific style and settings. Unless you play much of that style of music, I would have considered buying a signature guitar.

Posted by: SensE Feb 18 2009, 04:21 PM

My opinion is the same as Skennington said. I vote Jackson SL-1

Posted by: ZakkWylde Feb 18 2009, 04:23 PM

Ask our instructor Jerry Arcidiacono, he is a big Extreme fan and plays a N4!