Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Black Friday
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
Jackson Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas: these retro S-styles take the high-performance electric guitar brand back to the '80s, offering single and dual-humbucker platforms for shred with the choice of rosewood or maple fingerboards – and what about that "Two-Face" black-and-white finish?
Guitars “These guitars empower metal artists with the authentic, crushing tone that built Jackson’s legendary reputation”: Jackson takes us back to the heyday of shred with the Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas series – and what about that Two Face finish?
The Sterling By Music Man Kaizen is a more affordable version of the Animals As Leaders guitarist Tosin Abasi's signature model, and is offered here in Firemist Purple Satin and Stealth Black.
Artists Sterling By Music Man unveils affordable version of Tosin Abasi’s futuristic Kaizen signature model
Nuno Bettencourt launches his own guitar company, and poses with his new models against a fence.
Artists Nuno Bettencourt launches his own guitar company debuting two new S-styles – and the N4 isn’t going anywhere
Fender's American Professional Classic series photographed against the side of a chrome tour bus [L-R]: Jaguar in faded Sherwood Green Metallic, HSS Stratocaster in Faded Lake Placid Blue, Stratocaster in Faded Firemist Gold, Telecaster in Faded Butterscotch Blonde, Precision Bass in Faded 3-Color Sunburst.
Guitars Fender gives its US lineup a retro-modern makeover with the American Professional Classic range
Jackson American Series Rhoads: the Rhoads is now officially being made in the USA again, and is offered with a choice of a hardtail or Floyd Rose, with the hardtail finished in Satin Black and Snow White, and the Floyd in Satin Black, Matte Army Drab and Snow White. Note the reverse headstock.
Guitars All Rhoads lead to California as Jackson brings one of its most-iconic metal guitars home for a high-end upgrade
Herman Li of DragonForce sits with his new PRS SE signature model, Chleo, in a purple-lit room filled with arcade machines.
Artists PRS refreshes SE range and takes a top-tier shredder to the masses with Herman Li's Chleo
PRS S2 Mira 594: lined up against a PRS head and cab, the relaunched and refreshed Mira 594 is presented in blue, Matcha Green, red and Antique White
Guitars “I don’t think it found its true voice until now”: Revived, refreshed, PRS adds the Mira 594 to the S2 range
Korn's Brian 'Head' Welch and James 'Munky' Shaffer show off their new Ibanez signature 7-strings
Artists Korn’s Head and Munky unveil new Ibanez 7-strings – and explain how it all comes back to Steve Vai
Fender Vintera II Road Worn 60s Telecaster
Guitars Fender’s Vintera II Road Worn series has Golden Era vibe, tone and feel with era-correct pickups and aged nitro finishes
A still from KHDK's Instagram reel with the logo emblazoned over one of the stompbox company's new and as-yet-unannounced and unreleased electric guitar designs.
Guitars KHDK Electronics makes pedals for metal's biggest stars; now it's going to make electric guitars too
Jackson Pro Series Cory Beaulieu King V: refreshed with quilt maple top, signature Seymour Duncany pickups and offered in six and seven-string versions – both with a Floyd Rose vibrato.
Artists Jackson and Corey Beaulieu ante up with the Trivium guitarist's new Seymour Duncan-loaded next-gen King V
Rick Graham is photographed in a dark setting with a warm stagelight in the background; he holds his new signature electric guitar, a shell-pink S-style with a reverse headstock
Artists Charvel and Rick Graham team up for Pro-Mod signature model with relic'd nitro cult colour finish
Squier Hello Kitty Stratocaster in new limited-edition white, photographed against a pink background with the new guitar strap and – freshly refinished in black – Hello Kitty op-amp fuzz.
Guitars The Squier Hello Kitty Stratocaster returns in limited edition white as Fender announces expanded capsule collection
Charvel Limited Edition Sean Long Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 HH HT M: the While She Sleeps guitarists artist model is now officially available in Neon Pink by popular demand.
Artists By popular demand, Sean Long of While She Sleeps’ Charvel signature model now comes in Neon Pink
Loog Hello Kitty Fender Stratocaster
Guitars Fender x Loog’s Hello Kitty Stratocaster it might be the cutest beginner guitar of all time
More
  • Black Friday plugin deals - LIVE
  • JoBo x Fuchs
  • "The most expensive bit of drumming in history”
  • Radiohead Daydreaming
  • Vanilla Fudge
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Guitars
  2. Electric Guitars

NAMM 2016: Washburn unveils Sonamaster electric guitars

News
By The MusicRadar Team published 27 January 2016

S-style double cutaways on the way

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Introduction

Introduction

NAMM 2016: Washburn has unveiled a new S-style electrics line, the Sonomaster.

The Sonomaster series adds four double cutaway electrics and one bass to the firm's electric offering and joins the seven previously announced new Parallaxe models to round out the firm's 2016 offering.

Browse the gallery to view the full set of press releases.

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
Sonamaster Series S1

Sonamaster Series S1

PRESS RELEASE: The S1 is available in tobacco sunburst and black and features a basswood body with 3-single coil Sonamaster pickups and wired with a 5-position switch, 1 Volume and 1 Tone control.

A maple neck sports a rosewood fingerboard and a reverse headstock with Washburn engraved die cast tuners for easy and precise tuning. The fulcrum style tremolo is perfect for gentle vibrato or full on dive bombs. The S1 is full of the classic tone single coil equipped guitars are famous for.

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
Sonamaster Series S2

Sonamaster Series S2

PRESS RELEASE: The S2 comes in metallic black, metallic red and metallic blue.

The alder body features slightly hotter Sonamaster + single coil pickups and a Washburn humbucker in the bridge position for meatier lead tones. The control layout and hardware is identical to the S1.

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
Sonamaster Series S3 S3XTS

Sonamaster Series S3 S3XTS

PRESS RELEASE: The S3 comes in 2 flavors; the 3 single coil S3XTS with flame maple tobacco sunburst top and the 2 single coil/1 humbucker S3HXRS (pictured in intro) with cherry sunburst flame maple top.

Both guitars feature alder bodies and the hotter Sonamaster + single coil pickups. All other features are the same as the S1.

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
Sonamaster Series SB1

Sonamaster Series SB1

PRESS RELEASE: With features like Washburn’s reverse headstock, 80’s inspired body shape, and offset position markers, the Sonamaster SB1 is an instant classic aimed at the bass player beginning their musical journey.

Built with a class-leading Alder body, Maple neck with Rosewood fingerboard, and wired with a split-coil hum bucking pickup, the SB1 is the perfect partner whether playing classic blues, rock, soul or funk. Available in Black and Tobacco-Sunburst finishes.

Page 5 of 5
Page 5 of 5
The MusicRadar Team
The MusicRadar Team
Social Links Navigation

MusicRadar is the internet's most popular website for music-makers of all kinds, be they guitarists, drummers, keyboard players, DJs or producers.

GEAR: We help musicians find the best gear with top-ranking gear round-ups and high-quality, authoritative reviews by a wide team of highly experienced experts.

TIPS: We also provide tuition, from bite-sized tips to advanced work-outs and guidance from recognised musicians and stars.

STARS: We talk to artists and musicians about their creative processes, digging deep into the nuts and bolts of their gear and technique. We give fans an insight into the actual craft of music-making that no other music website can.

Deals not to miss
Jackson Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas: these retro S-styles take the high-performance electric guitar brand back to the '80s, offering single and dual-humbucker platforms for shred with the choice of rosewood or maple fingerboards – and what about that "Two-Face" black-and-white finish?
“These guitars empower metal artists with the authentic, crushing tone that built Jackson’s legendary reputation”: Jackson takes us back to the heyday of shred with the Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas series – and what about that Two Face finish?
 
 
The Sterling By Music Man Kaizen is a more affordable version of the Animals As Leaders guitarist Tosin Abasi's signature model, and is offered here in Firemist Purple Satin and Stealth Black.
Sterling By Music Man unveils affordable version of Tosin Abasi’s futuristic Kaizen signature model
 
 
Nuno Bettencourt launches his own guitar company, and poses with his new models against a fence.
Nuno Bettencourt launches his own guitar company debuting two new S-styles – and the N4 isn’t going anywhere
 
 
Fender's American Professional Classic series photographed against the side of a chrome tour bus [L-R]: Jaguar in faded Sherwood Green Metallic, HSS Stratocaster in Faded Lake Placid Blue, Stratocaster in Faded Firemist Gold, Telecaster in Faded Butterscotch Blonde, Precision Bass in Faded 3-Color Sunburst.
Fender gives its US lineup a retro-modern makeover with the American Professional Classic range
 
 
Jackson American Series Rhoads: the Rhoads is now officially being made in the USA again, and is offered with a choice of a hardtail or Floyd Rose, with the hardtail finished in Satin Black and Snow White, and the Floyd in Satin Black, Matte Army Drab and Snow White. Note the reverse headstock.
All Rhoads lead to California as Jackson brings one of its most-iconic metal guitars home for a high-end upgrade
 
 
Herman Li of DragonForce sits with his new PRS SE signature model, Chleo, in a purple-lit room filled with arcade machines.
PRS refreshes SE range and takes a top-tier shredder to the masses with Herman Li's Chleo
 
 
Latest in Electric Guitars
Squier Sonic Strat deal
This amazing-value Walmart Squier Sonic Strat deal proves beginner guitarists have never had it so good - get 25% off for Black Friday
 
 
A Strandberg Boden Essential headless guitar on a concrete floor
$300 off the 4.5-star rated Strandberg Boden Essential feels like the guitar deal of the year - save big on the most forward-thinking guitar around
 
 
The Fender x Palace Limited Edition Telecaster has a 90s-inspired rave graphic finish on the front, and the brand's Triferg on the back – the release also includes a Fender x Palace guitar strap and guitar pick set.
Rave culture meets the first mass-produced electric guitar – Fender teams up with Palace Skateboards for limited run Telecaster
 
 
A Strandberg and Epiphone electric guitars on a blue/green background
New deals added! Thomann are still upping their Cyber Week sale game with fresh-but-serious offers on guitars, pedals, and more - save up to 70% while stock lasts
 
 
PRS Mark Lettieri Fiore HH, pictured here in its blue gloss and red satin versions against a pair of PRS tube amp stacks.
“It’s been on stage with everyone from Deep Purple to Janet Jackson. It kind of blows me away that people ever responded in that way”: PRS reworks Mark Lettieri’s signature Fiore as super-versatile dual-humbucker model with serial/parallel switching
 
 
Ace Frehley's 1999/2000 Gibson Les Paul 'Smoker' is up for auction and has a sunburst finish, is routed for three humbuckers, but has been modified to emit smoke from the neck pickup cavity
Ace Frehley’s ‘Smoker’ Les Pauls were spectacular but dangerous – now one from his final Kiss tour heads to auction
 
 
Latest in News
TC Electronic Plethora X1 pedal
Just £99 for 14 effects pedals in one? Surely this TC Electronic Plethora X1 compact multi-effects deal makes it the most value-packed stompbox this Black Friday
 
 
Pittsburgh Modular Voltage Lab 2 and Cre8audio Boom Chick
Buy bleeps, get beats free: These synth and drum machine combos are the most tempting Black Friday deals I’ve seen
 
 
Apple iPad Air M3
I’ve scoured the Earth for the best Black Friday iPad deal, and this is the one I think musicians should go for
 
 
Olivia Dean attends the 2025 ARIA Awards at Hordern Pavilion at Hordern Pavilion on November 19, 2025
“We have a duty to encourage a fair resale market”: Olivia Dean calls on other artists to ensure fans don’t get ripped off
 
 
Roland TD313 with Black Friday logo
Roland only just released its next-level TD313 electronic drum set, but you can already save £200 with this surprise Black Friday deal
 
 
Moog Messenger and Walrus Audio Qi Etherealizer deals at Sweetwater
Get $200 off the Moog Messenger at Sweetwater this Black Friday
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...