Washburn Festival EACT42S - Natural Reviews

I had purchased this classical in June of 2021. I cannot get over the build and tone this guitar has especially plugged in. The application, I use it primarily at praise and worship. Also in personal recording. The equalizer is so diverse, it could have a punch to a mellow tone. I've been so impressed right out of the box. As for the strings, I'm just now planning on changing them Overall, this was a great addition to my collection. Thank you Sweetwater (Ron). The case you recommended fits it perfectly.

I received my guitar about an hour & a half ago, and have barely put it down since. Sounds & feels wonderful unplugged, and the electronics are excellent: no harsh frequency emphasis whatsoever. I have played guitar for almost 59 years, and am loving this sweet lil' EACT42S to the max! Much love & many props to Tyler Moore & the rest of the Sweetwater Crew, this def ain't the first time they've had my back. Also to Washburn, this isn't the first major crush I've gotten from them, and I'm sure it won't be the last. I had a great day today!!!

I have many high-end Classical guitars from Ramirez 1a, Chet CES to Robert Ruck. I am not mentioning this to brag, just to let you know I'm not a novice in this field. We were at Sweetwater Corporate offices, what a place, to pick up my friend's drum kit purchase. As we were going to lunch, I spied this guitar in the Gear Exchange store and played it. I had always heard Washburn has a good product, now I know. While this isn't a Ruck, it surely is worth the price tag! It has a tuner and a nice internal pickup with EQ. I bought it and have played it extensively since getting it home. This is the PERFECT guitar for many players interested in a nylon stringed guitar! It has had the 55 point setup, it plays well, sounds warm and the intonation is very good. If you are thinking about one, you've found it!
On a side note, the personal attention we received was wonderful. Cliff, our sales engineer, couldn't have been nicer! In addition to the drum kit we came to get and my Washburn, we also walked out with a Takamine Glenn Fry for my friend.
Sweetwater doesn't just talk about Customer Service, they DELIVER!!!!

GREAT LOOKING GUITAR GREAT SOUND.

In looking for a nylon string guitar in this price mark, I skipped by this model for several months. I'm very glad I bought it and I'm looking forward to growing into it. I really like that it's a gloss finish throughout. I'm getting a bit tired of the 'satin' thing especially on the back of the neck. The edges are rounded. Neck plays well and great acoustic qualities and tone. Nice guitar to just sit on the couch and play. Plugging it in was almost a shock. The volume is hot so a little goes a long way. I really liked being able to cut the treble completely and it has a warm, natural sound to it. Playing slightly with the EQ adds some great tone to it as well. I bought it for the solo melody type of stuff because I more or less suck at finger-style. I have a small Fishman amp - bought here as well - set more or less flat. btw - a nice little touch - first, it comes with a battery, and also a spare. As well as a cable and truss rod. Throw in a couple of tootsie rolls and we're all just livin' the dream. And that's what keeps me coming back. It's a great buying experience for me here.

The Low "E" didn"t sound as loud in Comparison to others string.
I removed the saddle and noticed a piece of a cable tie under the piezo.
I trimmed the saddle and cut off out a piece of plaster credit card the length and width of the saddle hole.
I drilled a small hole at the top of the bridge.
I placed the plastic cut out piece Inside the saddle.
I pulled the piezo tube a bit and installed the tip of it into the hole.
Installed it and Low "E " sound better but not loud enough.
So, I order a stick on three piezo transducer and installed them under the bridge top, middle and bottom.
Wow now it sounds amazing.

Thank you Sweetwater"s and Austin

Cheers

The Low "E" didn"t sound as loud in Comparison to others string.
I removed the saddle and noticed a piece of a cable tie under the piezo.
I trimmed the saddle and cut off out a piece of plaster credit card the length and width of the saddle hole.
I drilled a small hole at the top of the bridge.
I placed the plastic cut out piece Inside the saddle.
I pulled the piezo tube a bit and installed the tip of it into the hole.
Installed it and Low "E " sound better but not loud enough.
So, I order a stick on three piezo transducer and installed them under the bridge top, middle and bottom

This guitar plays so nice, sound like a very expensive hi quality guitar at a unbelievable price. The only thing I don't is that it doesn't have a strap peg at the neck as most acoustic guitar. That the only complaint I have... Lol
Great guitar

This guitar plays so nice, sound like a very expensive hi quality guitar at a unbelievable price. The only thing I don't is that it doesn't have a strap peg at the neck as most acoustic guitar. That the only complaint I have... Lol
Great guitar

Purchased this guitar because of the small neck. I am only a beginner to the guitar and not wanting to invest alot of money at this stage, this guitar is amazing. I have small hands and for a classical guitar my fingers fit around it comfortably.
Great sound and build quality. I am very pleased with this instrument and the service of Sweetwater.

for nylon string guitars i started off with la patri (which is a brand out of canada) which was just alright; then a sunburst version of this washburn (which is no longer available) which i enjoyed more than la patri; the next nylon was a more traditional, but cheap, yamaha classical. was ok and i kind of liked the wider neck but the tone was bland; so back to washburn festival (natural this time) i enjoyed that one for a year. better tone than both yamaha and la patri; neck was comfortable; up near the nut it's thin more like an electric or acoustic than a classical; action could have been better but not bad; there was fret buzz on the low E i had to rig; comfortable small body size. like a les paul electric (i think it fits the same case, don't quote me on that); good volume acoustically despite being a thinline. the price has gone up considerably over the years and i wouldn't pay what they're going for now, but overall i did like the guitar and it was a nice 2nd. i'm now on a taylor academy nylon string (read my review there) i'm happiest with that one. hope this helps. thanks!

I'm happier with this than I expected. I think anyone who hasn't tried nylon strung guitars because of neck width might like it, too.
With a body depth of only 2-1/2" you really can't expect much depth of bass when you're not plugged in. BUT, when you do plug in, the EQ affords a very solid sound, in my opinion. I use it with a Fender Acoustic 100 amp.
My criticisms are: The saddle could be better sanded. It's a little rough. The EQ/tuner/gain control is kinda weird on the lower bout placement.
But, the joinery is solid, it's very light in terms of weight.
It's the first one I grab when I just want to sit and pick.

I really enjoy playing my Washburn Florentine Classical. It has great action and sounds great with the right amp. I've been playing for fifty years and with a rock and classical background I would gladly promote this guitar for a lot of different styles of music. It's a really good guitar with a great price.

Don't let the 3.5 rating fool you. I am a rank Rookie when it comes to Nylon String Guitars. I'll probably do a follow up if I grow into this thing. Bought new on line, for one reason,,, none out here in Buffalo NY area to try first, Two things I do not like,,,,#1 Constant re-tuning, and over all nylon string sound, and #2 High Classical Guitar action. The day after I got this guitar it was in Buffalo Music City for a set-up. Vince, Store Owner, said Bridge was real Bone and smelled as such when filing it down a little. Which brings up overall Build Quality and materials. All solid tone woods, and real bone in the bridge for $300 bucks, what a deal. Plugged in, which is really the only way to go with it, pre-amp and equalization controls worked well. Internal Tuner? Kind of a joke,,,,It doesn't bother with E B G D A E, it just says 1-6 Flat, Sharp and OK, Will I ever use this thing at a gig or even open mic? I plead the fifth,,,remember I LOVE my taylor dn3, 214 delux, and especially my Epiphone Masterbilt, and playing the nylon strings and then steel, strings, makes me sweat. No this is going to be a long drawn out relationship.. Hope to fall in love soon. Mail Order Bride.

Purchased the guitar with few expectations. Turned out to be a very nice guitar after some setup work. Changed the strings immediately, lowered the action at the saddle. Plays nicely. Sounds good using internal pickup.

This guitar is very small I'm not sure what the scale is but it is not mentioned in the stats. I think anyone considering this guitar to go play one first or you will regret it. The body looks nice in photos but in reality it reminds me of those first act children's guitars. I've noticed people refer to the neck as "fast" code word for TINY! As a classical/nylon guitar it's impossible to play as a nylon stringed acoustic it's difficult
People say it's a "performance guitar" really ? Maybe for Tiny Tim. I just can't imagine why anyone would like a 6 string ukelele vs a real guitar