The Washburn Chicago (KC) Series was a line of super-strats introduced around 1989 as a replacement for the Force (G) Series and made until 1992. Most of these KC models were made in Korea but the KC90 and KC100 were made in Japan and had Seymour Duncan pickups. In 1990 a few of the models were dropped including the KC100, KC10, KC45 and KC60 and other models were added including the KC42, KC44 and KC90. Models with vibrato bridges (which is all of them except the KC45 which had a wraparound bridge) have a "V" after the model name on the truss rod cover. Many of these guitars were available in Washburn's woodstone and rain finishes which were a kind of marbled or speckled paint effect respectively.
![]() | WASHBURN KC10The Washburn KC10 was the only single pickup model in the Chicago Series. Made in 1989 only it featured a single angled humbucker in the bridge position. It was also the only KC series guitar with a maple fingerboard. Source: Washburn catalog 1989. |
![]() | WASHBURN KC100The Washburn KC100 was the top of the range Chicago Series model in 1989. This Japanese made super-strat had carved top and back, solid flamed maple body, set maple neck, ebony fingerboard Seymour Duncan HSS pickups and Floyd Rose Licensed Tremolo. It had relatively complex active circuitry, with three knobs and three micro switches. The KC100 did not have the deeply scalloped cutaways seen on the other KC Series models, Source Washburn catalog 1989 |
![]() | WASHBURN KC20The Washburn KC20 was the entry level Chicago series superstrat. It came with HSS Washburn pickups and a vintage style vibrato bridge. The KC20 was availalble with rain-effect finishes including pacific blue rain, red rain and purple rain. Source: Washburn catalog 1990. |
![]() | WASHBURN KC40The Washburn KC40 was made from 1989 to 1992, The KC40 was a Chicago Series superstrat and had an ultra thin bolt-on maple neck. The neck joint was angled back and the body had deeply scalloped cutaways - both these features were designed to improve access to the upper frets. The KC40 had a 22 jumbo fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, six-on-one-side tuners, Floyd Rose 600S Pro tremolo with locking nut, one exposed humbucker and two single coil Washburn pickups (HSS) controlled by two knobs (1 volume, 1 tone), five-way switch, chrome hardware. |
![]() | WASHBURN KC42The Washburn KC42 was the reverse headstock version of the KC40. It came in black finish, woodstone flourescent yellow or woodstone flourescent red |
![]() | WASHBURN KC44The Washburn KC44 was a Chicago Series superstrat electric guitar, similar to the KC40 but with HSH pickup configuration and 22 frets. The KC44 had an alder body with an arched top and back (a little like the Ibanez S-Series) with deeply scalloped cutaways. It came with a Washburn 600S Pro Floyd Rose tremolo. It came with a speckled rain finish in black or white or a natural finish. Source: Washburn catalog 1990 |
![]() | WASHBURN KC45The Washburn KC45 was made in 1989 only and was just like the KC40 except with a wrap-around bridge and without a locking nut. |
![]() | WASHBURN KC60The Washburn KC60 was made in 1989 only. The KC60 was a Chicago Series superstrat and had an ultra thin bolt-on maple neck. The neck joint was angled back and the solid alder body had deeply scalloped cutaways - both these features were designed to improve access to the upper frets. The KC60 had a 22 jumbo fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, six-on-one-side tuners, Deluxe Floyd Rose Licensed tremolo with locking nut, one humbucker at the bridge and one angled single coil pickups (Washburn Eliminators) controlled by two knobs (1 volume, 1 tone). |
![]() | WASHBURN KC70The Washburn KC70 was made from 1989 to 1991. It was a Chicago Series superstrat with an alder body, deep scalloped cutaways and angled bolt-on neck heel. The body had an arch to the top and back. The thin bolt-on maple neck had a 22 fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot position markers. Hardware was black including, six-on-one-side tuners, Floyd Rose 600S tremolo and locking nut. The pickups were Washburn Eliminators - one humbucker and two single coils (HSS). |
![]() | WASHBURN KC90The Washburn KC90 was one of the flagship models of the KC Series - replacing the set-neck KC100 in 1990 at the top of the Chicago Series. This Japanese made super-strat had carved top and back, deeply scalloped cutaways, solid ash body, natural finish maple neck, Seymour Duncan HSS pickups and Washburn 600S Pro Floyd Rose Tremolo. Finish options included black and natural gold. Source Washburn catalog 1990. |
Specifications:
Model | Image | Finish colors | Made in | Number of strings | Finish effects | Graphics |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
WASHBURN KC10 1989 | ![]() | black finish, blue finish, purple finish, red finish, white finish | Korea | 6 strings | - | - |
WASHBURN KC100 1989 | ![]() | black finish, blonde finish, gold finish, red finish, white finish | Japan | 6 strings | metallic finish, transparent finish | - |
WASHBURN KC20 1989 to 1992 | ![]() | black finish, blue finish, purple finish, red finish, white finish | Korea | 6 strings | - | - |
WASHBURN KC40 1989 to 1992 | ![]() | black finish, blue finish, gray finish, red finish, white finish | Korea | 6 strings | crackle finish | - |
WASHBURN KC42 1990 to 1992 | ![]() | black finish, red finish, yellow finish | Korea | 6 strings | - | - |
WASHBURN KC44 1990 to 1992 | ![]() | black finish, natural finish, white finish | Korea | 6 strings | - | black rain finish |
WASHBURN KC45 1989 | ![]() | black finish, blue finish, gray finish, red finish, white finish | Korea | 6 strings | crackle finish | - |
WASHBURN KC60 1989 | ![]() | black finish, blue finish, gray finish, red finish, white finish | Korea | 6 strings | - | - |
WASHBURN KC70 1989 to 1991 | ![]() | black finish, brown finish, red finish, silver finish, white finish | Korea | 6 strings | metallic finish | - |
WASHBURN KC90 1990 to 1992 | ![]() | black finish, blonde finish, gold finish, red finish, white finish | Japan | 6 strings | metallic finish, transparent finish | - |
Model | Volume controls | Pickup selector controls | Tone controls | Controls material | Number of control knobs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
WASHBURN KC10 1989 | 1 volume control | - | - | - | - |
WASHBURN KC100 1989 | - | 5-way selector switch | - | - | - |
WASHBURN KC20 1989 to 1992 | 1 volume control | 5-way selector switch | 1 tone control | - | - |
WASHBURN KC40 1989 to 1992 | 1 volume control | 5-way selector switch | 1 tone control | - | - |
WASHBURN KC42 1990 to 1992 | 1 volume control | 5-way selector switch | 1 tone control | - | - |
WASHBURN KC44 1990 to 1992 | 1 volume control | 5-way selector switch | 1 tone control | - | - |
WASHBURN KC45 1989 | 1 volume control | 5-way selector switch | 1 tone control | - | - |
WASHBURN KC60 1989 | 1 volume control | 1 coil tap switch | 1 tone control | black controls | 2 control knobs |
WASHBURN KC70 1989 to 1991 | 1 volume control | 1 coil tap switch | 1 tone control | - | - |
WASHBURN KC90 1990 to 1992 | - | 5-way selector switch | - | - | - |
Model | Pickups brand and model | Pickups configuration |
---|---|---|
WASHBURN KC10 1989 | Washburn pickup(s) | 1 humbucker pickup |
WASHBURN KC100 1989 | Seymour Duncan pickup(s) | 2 single coil pickups and 1 humbucker pickup |
WASHBURN KC20 1989 to 1992 | Washburn pickup(s) | 2 single coil pickups and 1 humbucker pickup |
WASHBURN KC40 1989 to 1992 | Washburn pickup(s) | 2 single coil pickups and 1 humbucker pickup |
WASHBURN KC42 1990 to 1992 | Washburn pickup(s) | 2 single coil pickups and 1 humbucker pickup |
WASHBURN KC44 1990 to 1992 | Washburn pickup(s) | 1 single coil and 2 humbucker pickups |
WASHBURN KC45 1989 | Washburn pickup(s) | 2 single coil pickups and 1 humbucker pickup |
WASHBURN KC60 1989 | Washburn Eliminator pickup(s) | 1 single coil and 1 humbucker pickup |
WASHBURN KC70 1989 to 1991 | Washburn pickup(s) | 3 pickups |
WASHBURN KC90 1990 to 1992 | Seymour Duncan pickup(s) | 2 single coil pickups and 1 humbucker pickup |
Model | Body material | Body shape features | Body style | Body top material |
---|---|---|---|---|
WASHBURN KC10 1989 | wood body | double cutaway | - | - |
WASHBURN KC100 1989 | - | carved top, double cutaway | super strat style body | flamed maple body top |
WASHBURN KC20 1989 to 1992 | wood body | double cutaway | - | - |
WASHBURN KC40 1989 to 1992 | alder body | archtop, double cutaway | super strat style body | - |
WASHBURN KC42 1990 to 1992 | alder body | archtop, double cutaway | archtop | - |
WASHBURN KC44 1990 to 1992 | alder body | archtop, double cutaway | super strat style body | - |
WASHBURN KC45 1989 | alder body | double cutaway | super strat style body | - |
WASHBURN KC60 1989 | alder body | double cutaway | super strat style body | - |
WASHBURN KC70 1989 to 1991 | alder body | archtop, double cutaway | archtop | - |
WASHBURN KC90 1990 to 1992 | ash body | carved top, double cutaway | super strat style body | - |
Model | Bridge | Hardware color |
---|---|---|
WASHBURN KC10 1989 | tremolo bridge | chrome hardware |
WASHBURN KC100 1989 | double locking tremolo | black hardware |
WASHBURN KC20 1989 to 1992 | tremolo bridge | chrome hardware |
WASHBURN KC40 1989 to 1992 | Floyd Rose licensed tremolo | chrome hardware |
WASHBURN KC42 1990 to 1992 | double locking tremolo | chrome hardware |
WASHBURN KC44 1990 to 1992 | double locking tremolo | chrome hardware |
WASHBURN KC45 1989 | wraparound bridge | chrome hardware |
WASHBURN KC60 1989 | Floyd Rose licensed tremolo | black chrome hardware |
WASHBURN KC70 1989 to 1991 | Floyd Rose licensed tremolo | black hardware |
WASHBURN KC90 1990 to 1992 | double locking tremolo | black hardware |
Model | Fingerboard inlay material | Fingerboard material | Fingerboard position markers |
---|---|---|---|
WASHBURN KC10 1989 | pearl fingerboard inlay material | maple fingerboard | dot fingerboard position markers |
WASHBURN KC100 1989 | pearl fingerboard inlay material | rosewood fingerboard | dot fingerboard position markers |
WASHBURN KC20 1989 to 1992 | pearl fingerboard inlay material | rosewood fingerboard | dot fingerboard position markers |
WASHBURN KC40 1989 to 1992 | pearl fingerboard inlay material | rosewood fingerboard | dot fingerboard position markers |
WASHBURN KC42 1990 to 1992 | pearl fingerboard inlay material | rosewood fingerboard | dot fingerboard position markers |
WASHBURN KC44 1990 to 1992 | pearl fingerboard inlay material | rosewood fingerboard | dot fingerboard position markers |
WASHBURN KC45 1989 | pearl fingerboard inlay material | rosewood fingerboard | dot fingerboard position markers |
WASHBURN KC60 1989 | pearl fingerboard inlay material | rosewood fingerboard | dot fingerboard position markers |
WASHBURN KC70 1989 to 1991 | pearl fingerboard inlay material | rosewood fingerboard | dot fingerboard position markers |
WASHBURN KC90 1990 to 1992 | pearl fingerboard inlay material | rosewood fingerboard | dot fingerboard position markers |
Model | Neck joint | Neck material | Number of frets | Tuner layout | Nut | Peghead (headstock) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
WASHBURN KC10 1989 | bolt on neck | maple neck | 22 fret | six-in-a-row tuners | - | - |
WASHBURN KC100 1989 | set neck | maple neck | 24 fret | six-in-a-row tuners | - | - |
WASHBURN KC20 1989 to 1992 | bolt on neck | maple neck | 22 fret | six-in-a-row tuners | - | - |
WASHBURN KC40 1989 to 1992 | bolt on neck | - | 22 fret | six-in-a-row tuners | locking nut | - |
WASHBURN KC42 1990 to 1992 | bolt on neck | - | 22 fret | six-in-a-row tuners | - | reverse headstock |
WASHBURN KC44 1990 to 1992 | bolt on neck | - | 22 fret | six-in-a-row tuners | - | - |
WASHBURN KC45 1989 | bolt on neck | maple neck | 22 fret | six-in-a-row tuners | - | - |
WASHBURN KC60 1989 | bolt on neck | - | 22 fret | six-in-a-row tuners | locking nut | - |
WASHBURN KC70 1989 to 1991 | bolt on neck | - | 22 fret | six-in-a-row tuners | - | - |
WASHBURN KC90 1990 to 1992 | bolt on neck | maple neck | 24 fret | six-in-a-row tuners | - | - |
17 Comments
Washburn KC-Ltd
Submitted by Rob Whiting (not verified) on
I had one of these in 1989, SSH pickups and a non locking trem system. They came in solid red, white or black with a maple fretboard. Possibly a UK only model, it retailed at £145, about US $225 , due to exchange rates and stupid import duty.
Washburn KC LTD
Submitted by Michael Duncan (not verified) on
Australia had been flooded with low quality guitars from time to time, in the early nineties I could not find a decent Fender Strat to buy in the normal guitar shops although the specialty shops did have highly expensive used imports. I have one of the Washburn KC LTD models sold in Australia, (my first electric) and I went on to buy 15 guitars and still rate this as a very nice guitar (see it on Facebook with the others under my name). It's obviously a low priced guitar but it is great for the money and prized by my sons as well as a friend who wanted to buy it, he had a PRS and later on collected quite a few classy Ibanez models. A lot of music is played live on cheaper guitars and for those of us with very average hearing they are great value, I enjoy my cheap guitars just as much as my expensive much loved "special present" G&L Strat. Part of its charm is that these Washburns have really good necks combined with a smaller body, they are an excellent physical combination and would make a great hot rodded guitar if you want to change all the electrics to high quality stuff.
Washburn chicago series
Submitted by Arnold Rauch (not verified) on
I'm confused. My Washburn Chicago series does not match exactly to any of the models shown. It comes closest to the kc44 because that one is the only one that has 2 humbuckers and a center single coil. But mine is a 24 fret instead of a 22. Alsom mine had originally black hardware not chrome.I bought mine through Mars Music online in 2000 I guess it is possible that it was an 8 to 10 year old guitar but still new, but yeah really confused
Washburn - made in Chicago?
Submitted by guitar-list on
Is your guitar one of the Mercury (MG) models - some of these were actually made in Chicago from 1994 on. The MG90 & MG100 had HSH pickups like your guitar. I'll put up some pics on the MG series pages later and you can have a look.
Mine either
Submitted by Phil Gemmell (not verified) on
Mine was HSS passive (not great) pickups and in pale pastel green. Black hardware I repainted it fire engine red. Rosewood 22 fret fretboard with dot markers and black headstock. I can't work out how to attach an image to these comments.
Also.....
Submitted by Phil Gemmell (not verified) on
Mine had black knobs and had coil tap on the humbucker. It stated on the neck plate Made In Japan. I'm not a guitar snob so don't really care. It certainly didn't have active PUps or SDs from factory. I think there must be a few variations out there that differed between models to use up parts, paint or to fill orders.
KC42 color
Submitted by Dano (not verified) on
I've got a KC42 HSS with the reverse headstock that I bought new in 1990, but it's a marble lime green/black color. I see no mention of this color anywhere though.
Strange Washburn in UK
Submitted by Garry (not verified) on
A little help folks , My guitar looks most like KC10 BUT ,
Specs are as follows ,
600s Floyd Rose + locking nut
Single angled Eliminator Humbucker {same as KC10} with COIL TAP on tone knob .
Black tuners with Washburn logo
Deep double cutaways
Angled heel , bolt on maple neck with rosewood fingerboard .
serial number 8100799
all help welcome
I have the same in hot pink
Submitted by Quarter (not verified) on
The truss rod cover says it’s a kc-50V. Any info would be nice.
Designer
Submitted by Michael (not verified) on
These instruments were designed by Mick Donner (Gibson, Peavey, Parker) to replace the well-worn G-Series instruments. The name comes from Washburn’s National Sales Manager at the time, Keith Brawley (Brawley Guitara, Guitar Center, Gibson, Taylor). KC stands for “Keith’s Choice” as it was his favorite of the new designs presented by Mr. Donner.
Washburn Chicago Series
Submitted by Gabriel Peti (not verified) on
I have an off white Washburn Chicago Series from the late 80s or early 90s. It is set neck and shaped like a Tele not a Strat. it has gold hardware, EMG active pickups, a gold tuneomatic bridge and string thru body behind the bridge instead of a stop tail bridge. Any idea what this model is? I know they made a more upscale version of this guitar with translucent burgundy finish and figured woid showing through. Mine is opaque and it is an offwhite cream color.
Information about guitar
Submitted by Rob sim (not verified) on
I've got exact same guitar but have found no info what so ever, did you ever learn anything about yours because that would be a giant help! Sorry to bother
Info about KC30V
Submitted by Vittorio (not verified) on
Hi,
I have a KC30V model bought in Italy around 1995, equipped with Floyd Rose bridge and 3 single coil pick-ups.
Do you have more info about this model?
Thank you,
Vittorio
washburn KC-44v
Submitted by Russell Rector (not verified) on
ok I have the washburn Kc-44V so whats the v stand for?
"Vibrato"
Submitted by Jack Cuyler (not verified) on
"Vibrato"
Still play mine
Submitted by Phil Gemmell (not verified) on
I bought a KC40 (Probably) used in 1991 after the Kramer I went to get had been sold. I needed another guitar to string with 14-56 and tune to B or C. It did everything I needed it to do. It was a yuck pale pastel green bile kind of colour. The stock pick ups were pretty average. I only used the bridge. After the low tuning days were over, I binned the PUs and put a SD Pearly Gates in the bridge and painted it red. Then went EMG, the SD Live Wire Metal 18 volt. It's now passive again with a Tone Rider Generator. It gets new strings and fretboard oil. It's still the only shred machine set up I have. It plays awesome, stays in tune and is the easiest guitar I have for playing fast on. I don't remember what I paid for it, but I did buy it a hard case 2 years ago.
Tengo una KC-70V
Submitted by Jehová Villa (not verified) on
Es un regalo de mi padre, me la compró junto con un amplificador Crate. Le mandé a hacer una modificación de la que luego me arrepentí.
Aún la conservo, me gusta mucho su sonido.