Washburn Hawk review | Guitar World

In 1978, Washburn rolled out their very first electric guitar models dubbed the Wing Series, which included the Eagle, Falcon, Hawk, Raven, and T-Bird. These “birds of play” were recognized for their dual-cutaway design and humbucking pickups, and depending on which one you chose, each varied in appointments and how fancy it looked. Top-of-the-line models like the Eagle and Falcon were adopted by some of the most noteworthy artists of the time, like Bob Marley, John Fogerty, and Nancy Wilson from Heart.

For Washburn, what’s old is new again. Once relegated to the rearview mirror, the brand is paving a road ahead with the revival of its classic Wing Series, bringing back the Hawk guitar alongside the Raven and Scavenger bass. Originally introduced in the late ’70s, these distinctive designs return with a welcome modern refresh while retaining the character that made the originals so memorable.

For Washburn aficionados, the original Hawk guitar has been recognized as a fan favorite — an elegant neck-through design compared to other similar vintage guitars of the time such as the Hamer Sunburst and Special, Yamaha’s SG series, and even the BC Rich Eagle. Now, Washburn offers the Hawk as an import model in two finishes, the Tobacco Burst option I have here and Trans Black, as well as a 12-string model, and finally, an American Hawk ‘78, which is a USA-made Custom Shop version.