Washburn KC40
Overview
Brand name:
Product:
- electric guitars
Series name:
Dates of manufacture:
1989 to 1992
The 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. The finish options were Black, Burning Magma, Charcoal Rain, White, Woodstone Blue, Woodstone Brown, or Woodstone Red finish.
Specifications (21)
Controls
| Tone controls | 1 tone control |
| Volume controls | 1 volume control |
| Pickup selector controls | 5-way selector switch |
Electronics
| Pickups brand and model | Washburn pickup(s) |
| Pickups configuration | 2 single coil pickups and 1 humbucker pickup |
General
| Finish colors | black finish, blue finish, gray finish, red finish, white finish |
| Finish effects | crackle finish |
| Made in | Korea |
| Number of strings | 6 strings |
Body
| Body material | alder body |
| Body shape features | archtop, double cutaway |
| Body style | super strat style body |
Hardware
| Bridge | Floyd Rose licensed tremolo |
| Hardware color | chrome hardware |
Fretboard
| Fingerboard inlay material | pearl fingerboard inlay material |
| Fingerboard material | rosewood fingerboard |
| Fingerboard position markers | dot fingerboard position markers |
Neck
| Neck joint | bolt on neck |
| Number of frets | 22 fret |
| Nut | locking nut |
| Tuner layout | six-in-a-row tuners |
Prices (18)
| Date | Price | Condition | Name | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | $470 | new | guitar-list | List price |
| 2016 | $200 | worn | ||
| 1994 | $250.00 | good | ||
| 2016 | $20 | worn | ||
| 1991 | €400 | excellent | ||
| 1989 | $400 | excellent | C | |
| 1996 | £100 | worn | ||
| 1999 | $300 | excellent | ||
| 1990 | $1 | good | ||
| 1990 | $400 | good | ||
| 1990 | $400 | new | ||
| 2018 | $350 | excellent | ||
| 2018 | £120 | excellent | Ernie | Still plays like a dream, classic Charcoal Rain. |
| 1997 | £300 | excellent | ||
| 2017 | $400.00 | new | Rachel | |
| 1989 | £200 | new | Steve T | Still going strong, and regularly played. |
| 2017 | $400 | good | Don Turpin | This is the Left handed Version, in Black, no Dents, chips or heavy scratches. Near Mint !, only light surface scratches as if played in a Store’s New display. Purchased a Gibson Hard Case at Purchase . |
| 1990 | $500 | new |
Reviews (7)
WASHBURN KC40 reviewed by Luis River
Luis River
I have one Washburn KC 40v for sale. [email protected]
WASHBURN KC40 reviewed by Meirion
Meirion
It’s a good guitar and quite unique compared to guitars these days. I bought mine around 1990 and sold it to buy a PRS 20 years later. It’s still the longest time that I owned any one guitar. The Floyd Rose unit was great and I loved the slim neck. My only gripe is that the “alder” body is made of plywood but it really makes no difference to the tone. It’s probably collectable now.
WASHBURN KC40 reviewed by Tom Schultz
Tom Schultz
Fantastic guitar. I will never sell it. Bought it new in 1990 - solid white, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard. In place of the single coil neck pickup, I installed a infinite sustain pickup identical to one I heard Steve Vai use. It is an amazing device. I had to rout out the back for the electronics, battery compartment and drill holes in the top for two toggle switches that operate the sustainer. Even when this guitar is stock, I can't believe it sells so cheap. It's as good as many top price electric guitars being sold today. My only complaint is the weight. It is a heavy sucker. Otherwise, it would get five stars from me.
WASHBURN KC40 reviewed by Roger
Roger
Bought a used KC40 in Woodstone brown & I must say that this is one of the best guitars I have ever owned. It just growls. I plan to buy more when I can find them.
WASHBURN KC40 reviewed by Mark
Mark
Great guitar, I've been playing the washburn kc-40v for years and still have that punch. Very good quality and playability. Nothing wrong.
WASHBURN KC40 reviewed by Aliza
Aliza
I've played hundreds of guitar makes and models in my lifetime. For the price, this one excels. My only gripe is it only has 22 frets, but that's not a big deal for most players. The pick ups are excellent for a guitar in this price range. I plugged mine into a cheap Marshall MG amp and no matter what setting it sounded great. I am a female player and the thin neck is great for those of us with smaller hands. (I have a hard time with the thick necks on all Fenders!) I would encourage anyone to give this guitar a go. I own cheap models to ones that cost thousands - but this guitar is the one I use for all practice sessions. I normally use DR strings, but strung this with Dean Markley 10-46 Blue Steel's and it sounds awesome. Try this guitar, you won't be disappointed.
WASHBURN KC40 reviewed by Garth
Garth
Fantastic all rounder...so sorry Fender & Gibson..you just don't come close
