Washburn RR-V Tour Series
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The Washburn RR-V Tour Series is a rare line of solid-bodied electric 'Flying V' shaped guitars produced by Washburn Guitars in Japan[citation needed] between the years of 1985 to 1987.
Models
[edit]There were 4 models of RR-V. The RR-2, RR-11, RR-12, and RR-40 (the latter being the top-of-the-line model). All models featured a Floyd Rose Tremolo styled-bridge (called the 'Wonderbar Tremolo') and had a pickup configuration of one Humbucker at the bridge and two single-coils at the neck.
- RR-2 - Featured an Alnico split-coil humbucker, 2 single-coil pickups, 3 individual pickup selectors, and Grover machine heads. The body was available in one solid colour, most commonly black.
- RR-11 - Featured upgraded Washburn branded EMG pickups. The body was available in either solid white or red with black stripes painted diagonally across.
- RR-12 - Similar to the RR-11 model. Featured an 'Invader' humbucker at the bridge. Optional on this model was a carbonite fretboard. The body was available in white with red stripes diagonally across.
- RR-40 - The top model. Featured a triple coil humbucker, polished carbonite fretboard, and beveled edge body.
Users
[edit]Perhaps the most notable use of a Washburn RR Tour Series was by Brian May of Queen, who used a white Washburn RR11V in the music video for "Princes of the Universe."
Nigel Swanson of The Exploited played a custom-painted RR-2 during his time in the band, from 1985 to 1989.
Trey Azagthoth of death metal band Morbid Angel played an unspecified RR-V model during the band's early years in the 80s.