Washburn USA Custom Shop Scott Ian RARE SI81

The Washburn USA Custom Shop Scott Ian SI81 is a signature electric guitar designed in collaboration with Scott Ian, the rhythm guitarist of Anthrax, tailored for heavy metal performance. Below is a detailed overview based on available information:

Key Specifications of the Washburn SI81

• Body: Mahogany, providing a warm, resonant tone ideal for heavy metal.
• Neck: Maple, set neck construction for enhanced sustain and stability.
• Fretboard: Ebony with 22 frets, featuring a 14-inch radius for fast playability.
• Scale Length: 24.75 inches, standard for a Les Paul-style feel but optimized for metal.
• Bridge: Original Floyd Rose double-locking tremolo system, allowing for extreme dive bombs and stable tuning under heavy use.
• Pickups:
• • Bridge: Seymour Duncan ’59 model, delivering high-output, aggressive tones with clarity.
  • Neck: Seymour Duncan ’59 model, offering versatility for cleaner tones.
• Electronics: Push/pull coil-tap on the tone knob for single-coil versatility, 3-way toggle switch, one volume, one tone control.
• Tuning System: Buzz Feiten Tuning System, ensuring precise intonation across the fretboard.
• Finish: Typically offered in a high-gloss black finish with Scott Ian’s signature graphics or custom designs (e.g., Anthrax logo or artwork).
• Hardware: Black hardware, including Grover tuners for reliable tuning stability.
• Other Features: Custom inlays (often block or Anthrax-themed), bound neck and headstock.

Production Details

• Introduced: Around 2007, as part of Washburn’s collaboration with Scott Ian.
• Origin: Made in the Washburn USA Custom Shop, which is now closed, making the SI81 a rare and sought-after model.
• Production Years: Specific production years are not well-documented publicly, but the model was part of Washburn’s high-end offerings in the mid-2000s to early 2010s. Exact dating for a specific guitar requires checking the serial number with Washburn’s customer service.

Design and Purpose

The SI81 was designed to meet Scott Ian’s needs for thrash metal performance, emphasizing durability, tonal aggression, and playability. The Floyd Rose bridge supports the heavy tremolo use common in metal, while the Seymour Duncan pickups provide the high-gain output needed for chugging riffs and searing leads. The Buzz Feiten system ensures accurate intonation, critical for complex metal compositions.

Availability and Rarity

Since the Washburn USA Custom Shop closed, the SI81 is no longer in production, making it a collector’s item. Used models occasionally appear on platforms like Reverb or eBay, often commanding high prices due to their limited run and association with Scott Ian. Listings from sources like Reverb (e.g., a 2007 Washburn Scott Ian signature model) confirm its rarity and premium status.