Washburn C5CE Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar Review: The Ultimate Nylon-String Crossover for Performance and Practice

For years, I found myself stuck in a common guitarist’s dilemma. I loved the mellow, romantic resonance of nylon strings, but every time I tried to take a traditional classical guitar to a gig or a worship service, I ran into the same walls: the lack of a cutaway made upper-fret access a nightmare, and the absence of reliable electronics meant I was stuck fighting with feedback-prone external microphones. I spent countless hours searching for a solution that felt like a professional instrument without demanding a professional’s entire life savings. The struggle wasn’t just about sound; it was about finding an instrument that could bridge the gap between traditional fingerstyle and the modern needs of a plugged-in performer. When I first encountered the Washburn C5CE Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar, I was skeptical. Could a guitar at this price point truly offer the “full, rich tone” promised while surviving the rigors of regular travel? This Washburn C5CE Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar Review is the result of putting those questions to the test.

What to Consider Before Stepping Into the World of Acoustic-Electric Classical Guitars

An acoustic-electric guitar is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for players who need the delicate touch of an acoustic instrument paired with the sheer power of modern amplification. In the classical world, this “crossover” category is essential for anyone playing in ensembles, churches, or small venues where the natural volume of a nylon-string guitar simply isn’t enough to fill the room. By integrating a pickup system and a cutaway body, these guitars allow for a level of versatility that traditional Spanish guitars lack, making them a cornerstone for the modern musician.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the limitations of a standard acoustic—perhaps a student moving into intermediate territory, or a gigging musician who needs a reliable secondary instrument. It is perfect for those who appreciate the softer tension of nylon strings, which are famously easier on the fingers than steel. However, it might not be suitable for orchestral purists who demand a traditional non-cutaway design and a purely acoustic projection for unamplified concert halls. For those individuals, a high-end luthier-built traditional classical might be the better, albeit significantly more expensive, alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Classical guitars generally have wider nuts and flatter fretboards than steel-string acoustics. You should look for an instrument that balances a comfortable body depth with a neck profile that doesn’t cause hand fatigue during long practice sessions. Before you buy, see its full feature set and user reviews to ensure the scale length matches your reach.
• Capacity/Performance: In the world of acoustic-electrics, performance is defined by the electronics. You need an active preamp system that allows for on-board EQ adjustments and includes a built-in tuner. This eliminates the need for extra pedals or clip-on tuners, streamlining your setup significantly.
• Materials & Durability: The choice of tonewoods—like the Spruce and Catalpa found here—directly impacts the “color” of your sound. Spruce provides the “snap” and clarity, while the back and side woods provide the warmth. Look for quality bracing, such as quarter-sawn Sitka Spruce, which provides structural integrity and enhances resonance.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Nylon strings require a different type of care than steel. Because they are sensitive to temperature and humidity, the guitar’s finish and bridge stability are paramount. An instrument that comes with high-tension strings, like D’Addario EJ46s, often stays in tune better and provides a more authoritative “punch” for the player.

While the Washburn C5CE Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar is an excellent choice for those seeking that perfect balance of tradition and tech, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions and the “Out of the Box” Experience

When we first unboxed the Washburn C5CE Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar, the immediate standout was the finish. The gloss on the Spruce top is applied with a level of precision you’d expect from a much higher-priced instrument. Holding it, the guitar feels substantial yet light enough for long standing sets. The cutaway is deep and elegant, offering a clear path to the higher registers that are often “off-limits” on classical guitars. While some budget guitars feel like they were rushed off the assembly line, this Washburn feels curated. We noticed the D’Addario strings were already installed, which is a nice touch, though like all nylon strings, they require a bit of “stretching in” before they hold their pitch perfectly. You can check the latest price and availability to see if this fits your current gear budget, as it often fluctuates based on seasonal demand.

A Deep Dive into the Washburn C5CE Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar’s Performance

The Tonal Foundation: Spruce, Catalpa, and Scalloped Bracing

The heart of any acoustic instrument is its wood, and the Washburn C5CE Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar utilizes a classic combination with a few modern twists. The top is crafted from Spruce, a tonewood legendary for its “voice.” In our testing, the Spruce provided a bright, articulate attack that made fingerstyle passages pop with clarity. But what really surprised us was the use of Catalpa for the back and sides. Catalpa is often an underrated wood in lutherie; it behaves similarly to Mahogany but offers a slightly more “airy” quality. This creates a balanced soundstage where the lows aren’t muddy and the highs aren’t shrill.

Crucially, Washburn has employed quarter-sawn scalloped Sitka Spruce bracing inside the body. For the uninitiated, bracing is the “skeleton” of the guitar. By scalloping the braces (shaving away some of the wood), the top is allowed to vibrate more freely while maintaining structural strength. When we played a series of complex flamenco-style rasgueados, the guitar didn’t “choke.” Instead, it projected with a volume that rivaled many full-bodied, non-cutaway classicals. It’s a feature that really sets it apart in the entry-to-mid-level market, providing a professional-grade resonance that helps your practice sessions feel more rewarding.

Onboard Electronics: The EVT Active Pickup System

Transitioning from the bedroom to the stage is where the Washburn C5CE Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar truly earns its keep. We plugged the guitar into a dedicated acoustic amplifier and a standard PA system to see how the EVT active electronics performed. One of the biggest hurdles with nylon-string pickups is the “quack”—that artificial, plastic-sounding snap that occurs when the piezo is overwhelmed. We found that the EVT system handles transients gracefully. The EQ controls allowed us to dial back the mids just enough to achieve a “woody” and natural amplified tone.

The onboard tuner is another highlight. It is bright, fast, and stays active even when the guitar isn’t plugged into an amp, making it an essential tool for backstage tuning. We did note some user feedback regarding variations in the electronics brand—some units shipping with Barcus Berry systems instead of the Washburn-branded EVT. In our evaluation, both systems are highly comparable in output and clarity, so this shouldn’t be a dealbreaker for most. If you’re looking for a guitar that is “plug-and-play” ready for Sunday morning services or Friday night café gigs, you should take a closer look at the electronics setup here.

Playability: The Mahogany Neck and Engineered Wood Fretboard

Classical guitars can be intimidating for those used to electric or steel-string acoustics because of the wider neck. However, the Washburn C5CE Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar features a Mahogany neck that feels surprisingly sleek. The finish on the back of the neck is smooth, preventing your thumb from sticking during fast position shifts. We spent several hours running through scales and complex chord inversions, and the ergonomic feel of the neck significantly reduced hand strain. This is a vital factor for beginners who are still building up their hand strength.

The fretboard is made of “engineered wood,” a sustainable alternative to traditional rosewood or ebony. Purists might balk at the term, but in our hands, it felt dense, smooth, and very consistent. There were no “dead spots” along the neck, and the fret ends were well-dressed, meaning no sharp edges to catch your fingers as you slide up to the 12th fret. The 25.5-inch scale length provides a familiar tension that makes the transition from other guitar types much easier. For those who want to explore the higher notes of a classical repertoire, the cutaway provides unobstructed access all the way up the neck, which is a game-changer for soloists.

Hardware and Strings: D’Addario EJ46 Hard Tension Nylon

Often, budget guitars are hobbled by poor-quality strings and cheap tuners that slip. Washburn avoided this pitfall by equipping the Washburn C5CE Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar with D’Addario EJ46 Pro-Arte strings. These are hard-tension strings, which we prefer because they offer more resistance and a fuller, “fatter” tone than normal-tension strings. They also hold their tune better once they’ve settled in. During our evaluation, we found that the wood bridge system was securely anchored, showing no signs of lifting even under the increased pull of the hard-tension strings.

The tuning machines themselves are classic gold-tone with pearloid buttons, providing a touch of elegance. They operate smoothly with a decent gear ratio, allowing for the micro-adjustments necessary to get a nylon string perfectly in pitch. When you consider the cost of a high-end set of strings and a professional setup, having these components ready to go out of the box adds significant value. You can see the full hardware specifications here to understand why this model is frequently recommended for serious students.

What Other Users Are Saying

The general consensus among the community mirrors much of our own experience, though there are some important caveats regarding shipping and handling. One user who purchased the guitar specifically for Gospel music noted that they were “not disappointed at all,” praising the high-quality finishing and the purity of the sound. This reinforces our finding that the guitar is an excellent choice for devotional or liturgical settings where a clean, respectful tone is required. Another user pointed out that while the guitar sounds great, they were surprised to find a Barcus Berry pickup instead of the Washburn-branded one pictured; however, they ultimately found the performance to be satisfactory.

On the negative side, there have been reports of shipping damage, with some users receiving guitars with cracks at the headstock or body. While these issues often stem from the courier’s handling rather than the guitar’s construction, it highlights the importance of choosing a reputable seller with a solid return policy. As one user mentioned, Washburn can sometimes be slow with direct exchanges, so many players prefer the protection offered by major online retailers. Overall, when the guitar arrives intact, the feedback is overwhelmingly positive regarding its playability and sound-to-price ratio.

Comparing the Washburn C5CE Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar to Its Top 3 Alternatives

1. Yamaha APX600 OBB Acoustic-Electric Guitar

The Yamaha APX600 is a different beast entirely. While the Washburn C5CE is a classical guitar with nylon strings, the APX600 is a thin-body steel-string acoustic. It is designed specifically for electric guitarists who need to switch to an acoustic sound on stage without the “bulky” feel of a dreadnought. It features a much narrower neck and a thinner body, which reduces feedback but also lacks the deep, unplugged resonance of the Washburn. If you are looking for the soft, mellow sound of nylon, stick with the Washburn. If you are an electric player who wants a “stage-ready” acoustic that feels like an electric, the Yamaha is your best bet.

2. Fender CD-60SCE Acoustic-Electric Guitar Bundle

The Fender CD-60SCE is a solid-top steel-string dreadnought. Unlike the Washburn’s classical focus, this Fender is built for folk, rock, and country strumming. It offers a much “louder” unplugged voice thanks to its larger body and steel strings, but it requires significantly more finger strength to play. The bundle is attractive because it includes a gig bag, tuner, and strap, making it a “one-stop shop” for beginners. However, it lacks the delicate, nuanced tone that the Washburn C5CE Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar provides. Choose the Fender if you want to play rock or pop hits; choose the Washburn if you want to play classical, bossa nova, or fingerstyle.

3. Yamaha FGX800C Acoustic-Electric Cutaway Guitar

The Yamaha FGX800C is often considered the gold standard for “first serious” steel-string acoustics. Like the Washburn, it features a solid top (Spruce) and a cutaway, but again, it uses steel strings. The FGX800C has a legendary reputation for durability and a very punchy, bright sound. Compared to the Washburn C5CE, the Yamaha FGX800C is more of an “all-rounder” for general music, but it cannot replicate the warm, romantic “thump” of a nylon-string guitar. For students who aren’t sure which path to take, the Yamaha is a safe bet, but for those specifically seeking that classical flavor, the Washburn remains the superior choice.

The Final Verdict: Is the Washburn C5CE the Right Choice for You?

After putting the Washburn C5CE Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar through its paces, we can confidently say that it is one of the most balanced “crossover” classical guitars on the market today. Its combination of a Spruce top and Catalpa body provides a tonal richness that punches far above its weight class, while the EVT electronics ensure you’re never left unheard in a live setting. While the shipping concerns mentioned by some users are a reality of buying instruments online, the actual build quality and musicality of the instrument are top-tier for its category. Whether you are a beginner looking for an “easy on the fingers” starter or a seasoned player needing a reliable stage nylon, this guitar delivers. We highly recommend it for its playability, aesthetics, and professional features. If you’re ready to add a new dimension to your playing, click here to secure your Washburn C5CE Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar today and start your journey into the world of amplified classical music.