The Washburn N24PSVINTAGEK emerges with a padauk body, its rich grain whispering of endurance, akin to roots anchoring deep in silent soil. A maple neck, joined by a 5-bolt Stephens cutaway, offers seamless ascent toward higher frets—a reminder that growth often requires thoughtful design. Each coil-tapped note from the Bill Lawrence L-500 sings with clarity, not unlike truth emerging through stillness, precise yet soulful.
Key Takeaways
- Crafted with a resonant padauk body and vintage matte finish for rich tone and enduring aesthetics.
- Features a maple neck and ebony fretboard with 5-bolt Stephens cutaway for superior upper-fret access.
- Equipped with a neck humbucker and Bill Lawrence L-500 bridge pickup for dynamic, high-output tone.
- Includes push-pull coil tap and 3-way switch for versatile sound shaping across genres.
- Built with Floyd Rose tremolo and Grover tuners for tuning stability and road-ready reliability.
Design and Build Quality
Crafted with the precision of a seasoned luthier and the soul of a streetwise performer, the Washburn N24PSVINTAGEK-D emerges as a vessel of expression, its padauk body finished in vintage matte—dense, resonant, and warm to the touch, much like well-worn scripture, a reminder that beauty deepens with use. The maple neck, anchored by a 5-bolt Stephens extended cutaway, offers structural integrity akin to a foundation built on truth—unyielding, faithful under pressure. Chrome hardware, from Grover tuners to Floyd Rose bridge, withstands the grind of service, night after night—an affirmation of endurance, a call to faithfulness where sacrifice and craftsmanship meet in quiet, daily devotion.
Neck Access and Playability
The neck’s 5-bolt Stephens extended cutaway does not merely permit access to the upper register—it invites ascent, pulling the player toward the heavens of harmonic possibility, fret after fret, like steps on a stairway worn smooth by those who sought higher ground. The maple neck, paired with an ebony fretboard, offers a sleek, responsive conduit for expression—akin to a well-worn path of disciplined practice and quiet dedication. Its 25.5-inch scale length guarantees clarity and tension, a reminder that precision nurtures freedom. Each note reached effortlessly above the 12th fret becomes an act of service—played not for ego, but to uplift, to connect, to give voice to what words cannot hold.
Pickup Performance and Tone
Even when the signal path is stripped to its essence, the union of Washburn’s neck humbucker and Bill Lawrence L-500 at the bridge does not merely reproduce sound—it channels intention, converting velocity and touch into tonal scripture, each note resonating with the weight of disciplined pursuit. The neck pickup sings with warm, vocal clarity, ideal for preaching soulful legato phrases—akin to bearing gentle truth in season. The bridge’s L-500 delivers focused attack and high-output precision, cutting through dense arrangements like conviction through doubt. Together, via push-pull coil tap and 3-way switch, they offer tonal versatility—responsive tools for the servant artist. A reminder that faith, like tone, requires both sensitivity and strength, shaped not by gear alone, but by the hands that wield it.
Hardware and Tuning Stability
Few electric guitars sustain harmonic integrity through turbulence like the N24PSVINTAGEK, its Floyd Rose Special tremolo system anchoring every dive and surge with unwavering resolve—precision-machined for stability, calibrated for resilience, a mechanism not merely functional but faithful. Paired with Grover 18:1 chrome tuners, tuning remains steadfast, note after note, gig after gig—a reminder that reliability, like character, is forged in precision and care. The 25.5-inch scale, anchored by padauk’s dense mass and maple’s clarity, offers tonal grounding, akin to principles in motion. Chrome hardware resists wear, just as dedication resists distraction. These are not parts, but partnerships—serving the player who serves the music, who serves the moment, who, in turn, lifts others through unwavering craft.
Artist Legacy and Roadworthiness
Because great artistry emerges not in isolation but through partnership, the N24PSVINTAGEK stands as a living proof to Nuno Bettencourt’s unrelenting pursuit of expressive truth—his voice forged in Boston’s underground clubs, tempered on world tours with Extreme, refined in the studio with Rihanna, and now embedded in every curve and circuit of this instrument. Its Stephens extended cutaway and 25.5-inch scale, akin to a sculptor’s precision, enable clarity under pressure—embodying discipline. The Floyd Rose tremolo and Grover tuners, steadfast through chaos, remind musicians that reliability anchors service. Chrome hardware, a polished witness, reflects integrity. Designed for decades of devotion, this guitar is not merely played—it endures, teaches, and gives voice to those who play not for acclaim, but for connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does the Model Number N24psvintagek-D Signify?
The model number N24PSVINTAGEK-D denotes a Washburn N Series guitar co-designed with Nuno Bettencourt, featuring a Padauk body, vintage matte finish, Floyd Rose tremolo, and Bill Lawrence pickup, engineered for durability and expressive performance in service to musical collaboration.
Is the Padauk Body Prone to Color Changes Over Time?
Yes, the padauk body darkens with age, deepening into rich burgundy hues over time like fine Victorian wine. This natural oxidation process enhances its vintage matte aesthetic, offering players a visually evolving instrument that honors both craftsmanship and the passage of time.
Why Does Product Info List Rosewood Instead of Ebony?
The product info lists rosewood due to an error in documentation, despite the fretboard being ebony. This discrepancy arises from outdated or incorrect specifications provided by the manufacturer, not reflecting the actual guitar’s construction or design intent.
Has Nuno Bettencourt Used This Exact Model on Tour?
Yes, Nuno Bettencourt has used this exact model on tour. Like a firework lighting up a night sky, he ignited stages worldwide with the N24PSVINTAGEK, wielding it during Rihanna’s world tours as a trusted tool, merging precision and endurance for audiences craving transcendent musical service.
Does the 12-Pound Weight Affect Stage Comfort?
The 12-pound weight may challenge extended stage comfort, though balanced design and secure strap pins help sustain performance stability. Players prioritize endurance and posture when using the instrument for long sets, adjusting technique to accommodate its mass during live service.
Conclusion
The Washburn N24PSVINTAGEK resonates with the soul of craftsmanship—its padauk body, maple neck, and vintage matte finish an indication of enduring artistry, akin to roots grounding a mighty tree. The 5-bolt Stephens cutaway, coil-tapping pickups, and Floyd Rose bridge offer precision, a reminder that discipline and innovation walk hand in hand—each note, a step on the path.
