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In 1999, Washburn set out to create a modern classic fit for the new millennium: the Idol series, a single-cut guitar design with all the quality, innovation and value you would expect from the esteemed Chicago-based company.

Ten years later, courtesy of a revamped Custom Shop facility, Washburn has added considerably to the Idol range with the USA model looking every inch a contender in the market for high-end, single-cut electrics.

Build

As you'd expect, the WI580 is appointed with a Tone Pros tune-o-matic-style bridge and stud tailpiece, and high-geared (18:1) Grover tuners – the former being a seemingly ever-present feature of many contemporary American custom shop guitars.

A chambered and lightweight mahogany body takes on a deeper, more individualistic shape than a traditional single-cut, while retaining the familiar styling of the original Idol, the WI64.

An aquiline treble side marries up the slicker and forward angled bass-side. It might look awkward, but the WI580 is surprisingly comfortable, especially with the ribcage contour.

Fret access is also excellent thanks to a recessed curve sloping across the heel joint.

A subtle, classy black 'burst finish is applied to a two-piece flame maple top, taking on a carved, slightly raised belly in a similar vein to a PRS Singlecut.

This high-gloss finish flatters the wonderfully tight flame maple cap, testament to the instrument's exceptional build.

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 feels modern, accommodating more kinetic playing styles.

Placed into the rosewood 'board are 22 half-block inlays, which complement the general aesthetic nicely.

The only clue as to the WI580's origin is an oblong custom shop logo emblazoned on to the vaguely Epiphone-esque headstock.

Washburn is among a number of manufacturers to employ the Buzz Feiten Tuning System.

"It allows someone playing with heavy gain to still ring out chords with clarity and true pitch," explains the Custom Shop's vice president of manufacturing, Terry Atkins.

This guitar is perfectly intonated in every playing position, and sounds particularly sweet acoustically.

The electrics include coil-splits on the tone controls, giving you the ability to alter the two Seymour Duncan pickups – a Custom Custom and '59 humbucker in this case.

In Washburn-speak they can be adjusted from, "humbucker crunch" to "razor-sharp single-coil" with just a pull-up of the tone control. A three-way toggle switch with two volumes and tones control the electrics.

Sounds

After a couple of strums through a cleanish amp, 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.