RARE Washburn AF-40V Prototype for sale

[Spacewig]

I stumbled across this one the other day. It would be a nice addition to the collection, although I'm not sure I want to pay the $4K. It's a 2005 prototype for the AF-40V that never went into reproduction. Seller is claiming this was the only 2005 prototype made. If true, it definitely holds value. What would be your max offer? I'm curious to hear your thoughts.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/191354664033?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

[Genebaby]

Ok, I'm a fan of it being a newer made guitar as it has a sweet Schaller Floyd rather than the Wonderbra from the 80's, but made in Korea? I would have thought a one-off prototype would have been USA made, so that puts me off big time, regardless of the model and rarity.

[Slayer]

Rick ,
You have one of these Frehley Washburns what do you think? I know that yours is from the 1980's

[Spacewig]

Ok, I'm a fan of it being a newer made guitar as it has a sweet Schaller Floyd rather than the Wonderbra from the 80's, but made in Korea? I would have thought a one-off prototype would have been USA made, so that puts me off big time, regardless of the model and rarity.

Yes, I thought that was a little strange that it wasn't made in the USA. However, I have an original 1986 AF-40V and have read that they were all imported. Never found out from where. Japan possibly. The bolt-on plate only has the Washburn logo and the serial number.

[shramiac]

Vic! You Xenophobe!!!

The originals were made in Japan anyway!




My Washburn G-8V superstrat has a "Han Solo" ( ) fingerboard too! Don't know if the frets are glued on top or are in a slot? They're worn out too! Not that I've played it in 15 years!

[Genebaby]

Ok, maybe Korea isn't so bad this time around but it's strange to see a one of prototype not made in the USA, from where I can see production moving overseas afterwards.

[Spacewig]

Ok, maybe Korea isn't so bad this time around but it's strange to see a one of prototype not made in the USA, from where I can see production moving overseas afterwards.

Agreed!

[poserboy71]

Rick ,
You have one of these Frehley Washburns what do you think? I know that yours is from the 1980's

It is a fun guitar to own but I rarely,if ever,play it. I am not even sure if I have ever plugged it in.
I actually love the WONDERBAR.I wish I had a few of them to play with.

[Slayer]

Did you see where Vic referred to it a the Wonderbra? LOL

[Genebaby]

Glad you noticed Kev.

[Slayer]

Glad you noticed Kev.

Brother Vic you were quite eloquent at illustrating that you thought the Wonderbar / Wonderbra sucked! LOL! I wouldn't have thought another thing about it until Schobel thought that they were cool. I've never used or even tried one so I know little about them so this debate has left the old man rubbing his bald head here

Too funny

[Genebaby]

My main issue with alternative trems from the 80's is part support. Today the Original Floyd and the Schaller Floyd, both made by Schaller in Germany, are still in production and you can rebuild them piece by piece.

If you have some other 80's trem on your guitar and it needs work, good luck.

All my trem equipped guitars, which are most of them, have an OFR or a Schaller.

The JT6 from Jackson was a good trem when it was new, similar to the upcoming Schaller in design, but after 20+ years many are tired and no longer function as they used to.

Seeing a good guitar with decent hardware in the trem department pleases me, otherwise I begin calculating the work needed to swap it all out.

[Slayer]

I know what you mean brother! I have some guitars that have less expensive Floyd License Trems and I have never sweated the thought of finding parts as it is completely logical that I would swap these units out when they fail and actually improve the guitar in the process.

Great points brother!

Kev

[Spacewig]

Well, it looks like I will be the new owner of this guitar! He accepted my offer
I'll post some more pics when I receive it.

[poserboy71]

Why would you pay close to that amount when you can get a real Washburn AF40 for far less ?

It seems as though thise guitar was made privately and not by Washburn.
Why would Ace or Washburn release that model in 2005 ?

[Spacewig]

I already have a real 88 Washburn AF40 signed by Ace himself. (I'm guessing '88 because of the serial number, #882**)

Anyways, this guitar seems like a cool collectable, & the only one in existence. My guess is that it wasn't rereleased because Ace didn't want to back it. I'll find out more when I get it. I don't think I will have any problems getting back what I paid, or even more if I decide to sell it in the future.

[ozone73]

Seeing this photo reminds me of a Washburn catalog thing I got in the mail a long time ago. I think I bought an Ace Frehley poster and it came with it. I'm going to have to see if I can find it ...

Vic! You Xenophobe!!!

The originals were made in Japan anyway!




My Washburn G-8V superstrat has a "Han Solo" ( ) fingerboard too! Don't know if the frets are glued on top or are in a slot? They're worn out too! Not that I've played it in 15 years!

[Genebaby]

Well, it looks like I will be the new owner of this guitar! He accepted my offer
I'll post some more pics when I receive it.

Congrats!! Tell us all about it and how they compare when you get it.

[Slayer]

Congratulations Spacewig!

[poserboy71]

The signature on the original

The signature on the reproduction/reissue?

[Spacewig]

Well, it finally arrived. Here's a picture of it next to my '88 AF-40, Yes, some slight variations. I saw what you were saying about the signature poserboy. The top of the "F" isn't on the signature.

[Genebaby]

Nice set you have there now.

[Spacewig]

Thanks! Now they are back in their cases. They are not to be played, just admired for now. Is it sad that I am not playing them?? Haha

[shramiac]

Thanks! Now they are back in their cases. They are not to be played, just admired for now. Is it sad that I am not playing them?? Haha

No! Don't touch it! No...don't even point!

Still freaks me that there are no on/off switches on north American electrical sockets!!!

[Spacewig]

No! Don't touch it! No...don't even point!

Nigel Rules!

[poserboy71]

Nice set you have there now.

Are you talking to AW ?

[Genebaby]

Nice set you have there now.

Are you talking to AW ?

Umm....no!!

[shramiac]