Show Us Your Wu?

[CamillusUSA]

Thanks Spook - How've you been? Heard from Big Mike?

[Spook410]

Thanks Spook - How've you been? Heard from Big Mike?

I'm very well though obviously suffering a bit of guitar envy. I didn't realize Wu guitars had achieved that level of sophistication and style. If only there were a place to store one more guitar around here. I am glad I loaded up on Yunzhi's and Wu's back in the day. Ended up being a good long term choice. Like you, I acquired a variety and have enjoyed the options that affords. As for Big Mike I have not seen a post from him in awhile.

[2bornot2bop]

Thanks Spook - How've you been? Heard from Big Mike?

He’s become a lurker. He rarely posts any more, but he posted a month ago. He felt alienated by a few members here. It’s unfortunate, but it is what it is.

[CamillusUSA]

IMHO, sad. He's a good guy and always there to help....

Thanks.

[Johnpiazza]

Hello everyone. I want to thank the members of the group who have shared their experiences ordering a Wu. As a lefty, this was basically my only option within my budget. I have returned to Jazz guitar after a 20+ year hiatus, trying to play something between Bucky Pizzarelli, Bill Frisell, Joe Pass,and Charlie Hunter. It took almost a year, about 100 emails back and forth with Ms Lora, COVID-related delays, and some detailed finishing work from my local luthier, but I am really happy with the result--all for roughly the price of a production archtop. I'll post more details soon. In addition, I have learned a lot about amps here, and am very happy with my Little Jazz, even with the low A string.

[Spook410]

Congrats on your new guitar. I can see why it had to be a custom. Would have been tough to find those features on a production model.

[Johnpiazza]

I've had my Wu for two years now, playing it pretty much daily, and it's still going strong. I have a web-page which gives more details, including a link to all the pictures during construction that Ms Lora sent me during the year I had to wait. I also have a link at the end to a youtube playlist where I'm playing it through a few amps.
Who knows what will happen with Tariffs, so it's hard to recommend one now, but I'm still glad I was able to get pretty much my perfect guitar for a reasonable price.
https://johnpiazza.net/wu-lefty-7-archtop/

[joman50]

The 2026 Super Wu as recently finished:

18" lower bout
All solid figured maple, including the top and pickguard
Ebony fingerboard and 2nd ebony pickguard (not hown)
Wilkerson pickups
9 ply maple, wood binding front and back
neck mounted on body at 15, 16th fret like a Byrdland
Gotoh tuners
F style headstock like the one of a kind, Heritage Super Eagle Centurion
Wu burst finish

[Johnpiazza]

Congratulations! It looks great! Can’t wait to hear your impressions on how it feels and sounds, as well as the quality/details.

[GuyBoden]

Well done.

Very nice Wu, and 18 inch should have a big acoustic sound.

[joman50]

Currently undergoing the airing out and curing process
over the next few months

[2bornot2bop]

Hey, I recognize that pick guard shape! I used it on an 18” Kenny Burrell.

[Rob MacKillop]

Here's the most famous Wu in the world just now, Wu Yize, newly-crowned World Champion of Snooker. The guy is unbelievable!


OK, back to guitars...

[coyote-1]

So if I’m reading this thread correctly: when ordering from Wu, order the archtop without electronics… but do order a pickguard as a separate uninstalled item. Then along with the requisite fretwork, do your own electronics and pickguard install.

That way you’re not paying for components you will not be using.

[GuyBoden]

So if I’m reading this thread correctly: when ordering from Wu, order the archtop without electronics… but do order a pickguard as a separate uninstalled item. Then along with the requisite fretwork, do your own electronics and pickguard install.

That way you’re not paying for components you will not be using.

Buy three identical pickguards when you order the guitar, so you can use each pickguard with a different pickup type or as an acoustic guitar, but ensure that the pickguards are despatched with the guitar, people can forget to despatch the pickguards.

[Johnpiazza]

I've had my Wu for 3 years now.
It is a good idea to order multiple pickguards, as well as a second tailpiece, especially if it's a unique design, shape or configuration (mine is 7 string lefty, so I can't just order a replacement from StewMac). This will save money down the line if there's an accident, crack, failure, or you change pickups. I had ordered a second pickguard, but it didn't make it into the order, so definitely confirm before they ship.
Wilkinson tuners are tolerable, and still work after 3 years of daily playing, but the black plastic finish on the knobs is cheap. I'd love to replace them with Gotoh, but I haven't been able to confirm that they'll work with the same screw hole (anyone know? It needs the diagonally-oriented hole)

Definitely pass on the electronics: Mine came with a garbage pickup and wheel-knobs glued to the underside of the pickguard, and it all had to be unglued, taken apart and re-cut for a new pickup. I ditched everything but the tailpiece jack. Better to specify no elctronics.
Don't forget to ground the strings at the tailpiece. They're not going to do that for you.

Definitely go for the complete setup from your local pro. Wu is a talented guitar carver and builder, but professional work stateside is necessary to "finish the job." You're still getting an amazing guitar for the money. I ended up paying my local luthier $800 for the finishing (mostly labor: intonation/PLEK, assembly of pickup/pickguard, wiring, grounding the tailpiece, etc,), and I have no regrets.
(This work was done by Wood Street Guitar Repair in Oakland, CA)

[Spook410]

I started playing Wu and Yunzhi guitars 14 years ago. No warps, cracks, or other issues with materials or workmanship. Still great sounding guitars. Rather than have a luthier do basic things, I chose to teach myself. Fret leveling, crowning, and filing sharp nubs wasn't always needed but sometimes. Finish buffing, replace tuners, setup including cutting new nuts, and installing electronics on all of them. Basic stuff but nice skills to have along with acquiring the tools. I suppose it has saved me money but there is also the satisfaction and connection you get with the guitar. Well, except for the part where you trudge through every screw up possible. I am not naturally gifted in this area.

As for Gotoh tuners, they are my favorite. The 510 models have always fit fine for me. However, before you order check the hole/shaft diameter. Some boring might be required. Easy to do some incidental finish chipping if not done properly. Don't ask how I know.

[GuyBoden]

I asked for Guyker tuners on my Yunzhi.

I sent a link to the Guyker tuners when I ordered the guitar (last year).

Locking Guitar Tuning Pegs Set 3R+3L 1:21 Ratio | Guyker

These beauties:

[2bornot2bop]

So if I’m reading this thread correctly: when ordering from Wu, order the archtop without electronics… but do order a pickguard as a separate uninstalled item. Then along with the requisite fretwork, do your own electronics and pickguard install.

That way you’re not paying for components you will not be using.

That’s exactly how I ordered mine in 2016. Cost me $1100 for an 18”, and another $600 to finish it, plus the cost of a Biltoft CC pickup. But the shop did amazing fret work on the guitar plus a Plek job. The guitar practically played itself it was so smooth. You’d not have known it was a Chinese made archtop.

[Johnpiazza]

2bornot2bop my experience exactly. I paid for the finishing job it deserves (as well as a handwound KA floating pickup), and now I've got a hand-carved custom guitar for sub $3k, built by a master who has probably carved more archtops in the Benedetto tradition than anyone living or dead. It's a work of art, and it's the perfect guitar for me.

[jads57]

So just curious,since MrWu worked for Eastman are the Wu guitars built more like Benedetto design. Meaning thinner carved plates for the top and back?
Or do they offer other options like thicker carved tops and backs ala Gibson L-5CES?

Thanks!

[2bornot2bop]

So just curious,since MrWu worked for Eastman are the Wu guitars built more like Benedetto design. Meaning thinner carved plates for the top and back?
Or do they offer other options like thicker carved tops and backs ala Gibson L-5CES?

Thanks!

It depends upon how you order it. However, communicating that to Wu is another story entirely.

[jads57]

So it can be specified with thicker plates? Or just how they normally carve them. Amd that would be in the Benedetto style,since Eastmans were based on that spec?

[2bornot2bop]

So it can be specified with thicker plates? Or just how they normally carve them. Amd that would be in the Benedetto style,since Eastmans were based on that spec?

No, they aim to please. Another member here also requested thicker plates on his S400 look alike some 10 or so years ago.

[caue amaral]

My Yunzhi is about 15 years old...it has the same specifications as the Eastman AR880 model, except for the design of the f-holes and the markings on the neck!