Washburn Mercury Series Bass

I recently purchased the Washburn MB-4 Fretless Bass on ebay. I'm not sure exactly where it was made. This is one of the best playing fretless basses I have ever played. I would have to compare the playability to a Carvin fretless.
This has the active electronics which are cool, but they aren't quite as "customizable" as I prefer. I am usually very picky about my bass tones, but am pleased with the overall tones that I get out of it. I did not get a gig bag or anything with this bass, but I had a gig bag that was collecting dust, so I used it. I used to own a Washburn 6-string guitar. I'm not sure what the model on it was, like M-10, or something like that. It was a great guitar, and I wish that I would have kept it now.(It kinda looked like a chopped Explorer)

This bass sounds great for the blues that my current band plays. It does pretty good for slower ballad-type tunes as well. I am using a Carvin R1000 bass head, with a Hartke 15. The output jack has some strange "crackling" if you accidently step on the instrument cable, but I'm sure that is fixable. This bass has a deep tone. I kind of expect that from a fretless bass. I'm sure that the active electronics probably have something to do with that as well. I compared this bass to my ESP LTD 4-string (with active electronics), and it doesn't sound quite as good, but it is sufficient for what I plan to use it for.

This bass was purchased as used, and has a little rust on the bridge, the nut is chipped, and there is a "ding" in the neck (possible flaw?). It appears that this bass was already set up by another player. I haven't changed the action on it, as it plays great.

I feel that this bass will last quite a while with the proper care. I have no problem with putting this bass to pretty severe use on stage. I usually play pretty hard, so I will certainly put this bass to the test. The hardware seems fine, and the finish isn't in too bad of condition either. The strap buttons have been removed (by yours truly) to accomodate my locking DiMarzio strap. I will depend on this bass, like I would any other that I use. I feel that it is probably built just as sturdy and professionally as my ESP.

As far as I know, there is no warranty with this particular bass. I have not dealt with Washburn for any reason before, and don't anticipate any problems.

I have been playing bass for about 20 years. I currently own the Washburn MB-4 (discussed here), an ESP LTD B204, an Ibanez TRB-125, a BC Rich Platinum Series Warlock 4-string, a Carvin R1000 Bass head, a Sunn 4x12 bass cabinet, a Hartke 15, and a Yamaha B100 bass head.
If this bass was stolen, I would replace it with another one that would be VERY similar. I like the solidity of this bass. It seems like it would be very roadworthy.
I wish this had a 3-band EQ for the electronics.
Overall, I would have to say that I got a pretty good deal.

I bought this bass new in 1993. The retail price was $390 but it had a finish flaw and I got it for $210. The store had a truck load of Washburn instruments with finish flaws for 40% off. This is a four string precision bass with 24 frets.

It sounds alright for a medium grade instrument. I used it with a Peavey Combo 115 and a Hartke 3500 (piece of garbage).

The finish even though it has a flaw it looks good. The flaw is very hard to see. This instrument plays very well, even better than some of the more expensive instruments.

I had to replace a volume knob. Other than that, it has been very reliable.

It has been a very good first instrument not bad for the money. I have no intentions of selling it.

I bought this guitar in late 93 or early 94 I can't remember when it was made though. IT was expensive for me at the time $600.00 it came with nothing extra just the guitar. It had been in the store for a while becuase had to wipe all the fingerprints off of it. it has one split pickup. Probably a singel coil may be a humbucker. Haven't had the guts to look inside and check it out. It came with a very good shape cracked blue finish, one tone one volume. a large scale neck. 24 frets and the odd bolt on shape to the body. Nice tuners. Overall I think I should have maybe got a better deal on the axe but I was pleased anyway so I have to give it an 8 becuase it was expensive for a 16 year old kid to pay for. and it didn't come with anything

For just one pickup it's pretty decent. You can go from flea and sublime to les claypool slap with just a turn of the tone. It all depends on the amp to. I don't even have a base amp I just use my guitar amd and it works pretty well. This thing can also get LOUD! I play almost everything so it works well but it looks werd with all the tuners on one side to play jazz or something. It's a very metal looking guitar.

action is kinda BLAH, i have it as low as it will go and I can still slap with it. It's pretty high but it can be lived with very easilly. One of the saddles it a bit oversized and won't go down all the way as well but doesn't seem to affect more than action. Finish and wood are great, I put the headstock in a ceiling fan once. Not a scratch, the finish is tough and whipes off easily. Tuners are semi locking, they are not ment to but you can gently push them tight so they lock a little bit. Never had a problem with it going out of tune I can play a whole gig. The stock washburn Pickup isn't to noisy. The finish is excellent, still looks a well as the day I bought it. not a nick or dent, it's been dropped once or twice to. Just have to wipe it off every once in a while. The electronics, Well I have had a problem with the tone since I bought it but now everything else is acting up so I need to replace both pots and the jack. At least it isn't that expensive right. And the odd bolt on neck bothers me a little. It olts on at with an angle angle cut at the end. So if the neck breaks you could,t just replace it with a cheap fender copy or something. You would have to get a new neck from washburn and that won't be cheap. So ther are a few problems. Nice heavy chrome nobs to.

I don't have another bass so I can't play with anything else, however when my electronics started going bad I had to borow a friends Peavey. I had aproblem with a strap button but they replaced it for free, been fine ever since.IT's very dependable. Just keep the electronics and finish clean and it will last forever. It's not like everyone can afford a backup. especially if you pay for something like this. Great bass though

Never had to deal with them. They did sesnd me a catalog though?

Been playing for about five years, pleased with it, it's a little unbalanced but used to it. Just love how easyt it is to play, no swtiches or anything, it's allot like a good ol p bass. Wish I had asked for a discount or something but all in all very pleased