Has anyone tried the Washburn N61?

[Dave L]

I just came across these... I remember when the N6 came about a while ago, but I never knew there was a cheaper import version as well. Anyhoo, these look like a step up in quality from the N2... has anyone gotten a chance to play one?

http://www.washburn.com/products/electrics/nseries/n61.aspx

[MountainDog]

I have a prototype of the N61, black body with maple board, but it is reliced and has 'distressed' kinda copper color hardware.

I have 2 USA N4's and used to have an N2, and the N61 is waaayyy better than the N2, and feels very much like my N4, as the Stephens cutaway neck on the N61 has the same feel and profile as the ones on my N4.

[Dave L]

Thanks, man! That was kinda what I was thinking... they somehow look more lika a USA than an import, quality-wise, in the pics. And how good the neck feels and plays is basically the most important thing. Is that a Schaller on there, by the way? Sure looks like it.

[MountainDog]

Here's the neck dimensions:
Width at nut: 1.68" (1-11/16")
Width at 3rd fret: 1.795"
Width at 12th fret: 2.070"
Width at 22nd fret: 2.268"
Thickness at 3rd fret: 0.814" (20.6mm)
Thickness at 12th fret: 0.870" (22.1mm)

The trem on mine might be a proto due to the color and distressed look...it doesn't have a name on it, but it looks sturdy and has stayed in tune well.

[Dave L]

Thanks for the specs and the pics, man! I´m jonesing for one of these now, but I´m still not sure if I´ll ever feel at home with the Stephens cutaway... I´m a typical thumb-around guy, and when I go for the top frets I hook it somewhere around the 17th-19th frets... which the Stephens doesn´t allow. I guess I´ll swing by my friend and test his N2 one more time.