The latest issue of Guitarist magazine includes the UK's first review of one of the new USA custom shop Washburn Idols, the WI580.

Courtesy of a revamped Custom shop facility in Chicago, 2009 marks the first time that these remarkable instruments have hit UK shores. The WI580 features a TonePros tune-o-matic style bridge and stud tailpiece with high-geared (18:1) Grover Tuners and USA Seymour Duncan pickups. The Buzz Feiten Tuning system is standard on all USA Washburn Guitars.

"This guitar is perfectly intonated in every playing position, and sounds particularly sweet acoustically...The fretting is beautifully finished too; jumbo frets have been expertly levelled and polished contributing to a super-slick action. The neck, a happy medium between PRS's wide-thin and Gibson's slimmer '60s profile, is more than comfortable".

"...the WI580's bridge humbucker offers a glassy and present top-end with a healthy dose of vocal chime reminiscent of  Gibson's famous double cuts...(it) opens up in considerably in higher-gain settings and chords are transparent and vocal, while there's no mushing out at the top-end".

"Conversely, neck and mixed positions offer a fruitier gain tone, more-in-line with what one might expect from a PAF-type humbucker and taking you into singing Gary Moore blues-rock and seventies metal tones".

"The build quality is unquestionable, and the WI580 delivered clear and precise rock tones at every stage of the sound test. If you're after a classy 'boutique' single-cut and haven't got your blinkers set on a Les Paul, here's one to try'.

To read the full review, pick up the March 2009 Issue (Issue 313) of Guitarist Magazine. The Washburn WI580 is available now at £1,999 RRP.