Washburn Status

Made in Japan back in late '80's to early '90's. Basically a Status bass with a Washburn badge. 24 frets. 4-string headless. It appears to be a 2-piece laminated from front to back. Controls consist of volume, pickup pan, PCB(Printed circuit board) input jack and tone from a Status 9-volt active control board. Two single-coil Status jazz pickups. It appears to be a neck-thru design or set neck. (Can't tell because the back of the neck is painted black). Phenolic fingerboard with side position markers only, no front markers and with medium-jumbo frets. The finish appears to be natural stained walnut color with a black stripe about as long as the pickups from the top of the body to the bottom. The body is the classic '80's Status jazz design with this one being headless consisting of a brass double-ball/locking(hex screws) string anchor at the top of the neck. If your running regular strings you only have to cut off the excess with wirecutters once you tighten the locking allen screws. The bridge consist of the Status side-locking bridge with the 4 'dice' string saddles that are adjustable with two adjustment screws in opposite corners and are clamped down from the side by 2 allen screws. The tuners are on the butt and is tilted at almost a 45-degree angle with the precision tuning gears. It comes with the traditional Status dual strap button configuration having one above the tuners and one below. I believe it is a 34" scale, maybe shorter (don't quote me on that one). I use a RoadRunner guitar gig bag to house it since the bass is a tall as an electric guitar.

I play mostly funk and '80's stuff and this bass does fit the bill. The active control supplies plenty of volume and the tone control will make your ears bleed at full range. The pickup pan and tone pots have center-idents so you can return to the middle position without hunting for it. Since it does not have a mid control the tone is really bright. This bass is EXCELLENT for slap. Since all the major hardware is made out of brass, the sustain goes on for days. The verdict is still out on finger-style playing.

I got this bass ump-teen handed off Ebay. I generally adjust the pickups with the 'E' string end backed down farther than the 'G' end for even signal distribution across the entire pickup. The strings get 'bouncy' when playing over the neck pickup and is like 'pulling on nails' playing over the bridge pickup. The bridge pickup is really too close to the bridge for good playability. A good thumbrest between the two pickups would justify the best position which is the 'sweet spot' for the finger-style though it doesn't come with one.
I did exercise the luxury of having the bass re-laquered as it had suffered pick abuse that scarred the finish. The pots were shot and I replaced them with O.E.M. Status pots. The truss-rod is at the bottom of the neck that can be accessed by removing the plastic cover. The action is above-average. The phenolic fingerboard is as smooth as the surface of a clipboard and buffs out to a really good shine on a buffing wheel. It had a stickered serial number which went m.i.a years ago before I owned it.

This bass is pretty solid. Because of the headless tuners it stays in tune exceptionally well. With all the t.l.c. I've given it restoring it back to it's original glory, this bass has new life again and begs to be played. I would only use the bass for mostly slap until I resolve the lack-of-thumbrest issue. I would use it without a backup provided I put in a fresh 9-volt battery.

I've e-mailed Rob Green at Status a few times and ordered the original replacement parts from him. He can help you with just about anything regarding this bass. The only downside is that the bridge tuner assembly is no longer made in that style because the original manufacturer went out of buisiness years ago according to Mr. Green. The only solution is to search for another bass manufacturer that has a similar design if you have a fatal problem with the original one.

I've been playing bass for over 2 years,(guitar 20 years). I own 3 Jaydees, a Status S-2 Classic fitted with green Sims Customs l.e.d.s in the neck, and a project Fender affinity jazz bass. I use Carvin, Trace Elliot, and Hartke amps. This bass was discontinued in the early '90's and so it is a good investment. I've had other players make me offers on the spot when I take it to a major guitar store chain (and that was before I did anything to it!). As I stated before, The bass is a funk machine that prides itself in slap. Finger-style is something left to be desired. Since I made the factory upgrades I have re-instated it as a high-end bass. The electronics are fairly strong and the pickups sound best in unison with the bridge pickup slightly favored more. If something happened to it, I'd probably just bask in the glow in pride of ownership instead of seeking another.

Bought mine on eBay for $500ish, from the writing on the inside panel of the unit it looks like it was made in the US (English writing) in '89.

Black on Black finishing, no fretmarkers on the board, but markings up the side of the neck. Looks like jumbo frets, but I am no expert.

Headless of course. With brass colored status bridge & tuner assembly.

Pickups fried out, so I spent $300 on 2 new EMG J pickups to get it working again, so I have 2 volume and 1 tone control.

I really, really, love this bass.

- I play in church, but also am an 80's music addict, and this bass works well for both.
- I use a couple of setups. Peavey for just me, and direct out.
- The new pickups are now producing a nice fat sound.
- I have the action set low, so if I am sloppy, then things can get buzzy.
- I can get pretty good variety on the sound from low & punchy up to soft & warm.

- I bought the unit used, so factory setup is N/A for me.
- The pickups fried out because the original wiring developed a fault or just plain burned out...so that was a definate knock.
- The brass Status bridge and tuning hardware is definately showing its age and you can see some rust peeking about in places.

- Bass has been going strong nearly 20 years, so high marks there.
- The hardware is starting to show age visually, but mechanically it is still tight.
- Electronics fried out, so low marks on that.
- I play a 40 minute live show every week with this unit and no backup, so I would say it can be counted on.
- One strap button was replaced, not sure why.

- I had the unit repaired when the electronics went, after 20 years though I never even thought to ask about a warranty...that would be above and beyond.

- I have been playing off and on for 15 years
- I also own an Ibanez GSR200fm
- If the bass were stolen I would try to find a replacement headless unit.
- I love it because it is very easy to play, fits well for me, and always produces a great sound. Portability and staying in tune are also great features of this bass.
- I really hate where the strap buttons are.
- I went and hunted this bass down, so I knew what I wanted.

Washburn Series 1000 Status Bass (S70), made in late 80s/early 90s, made by Washburn (design licenced by Status), 24 jumbo frets, 4 string, American walnut laminated front/back, volume/pick-up balance/tone, Status single coil pick-ups, Status active electronics, solid maple neck-through body construction, ebonized fingerboard, transparent laquered finish, headless, Status solid brass hardware.

I play mainly slap style, and this bass is perfect for this. Action can be set very low for easy slapping and that high-end buzzy sound. Because this bass is active, I plug it straight into an Alesis compressor which then feeds into a Digitech rack FX unit and from there into my mixing desk. I apply plenty of tight compression with noise gate and then stereo chorus FX; the mix channel EQ has a bit of treble and bass boost. Sounds amazing - just like Mark King's Level 42 sound. The sound can be varied using the pick-up balance and tone control - from very bassy to very high. There is plenty of variation in the tonal sound.

I bought the bass secondhand. The action was too high and the truss rod needed tightening to lower the action even further - very easy to adjust using imperial allen keys. The quality of finish is very good on this bass.

I haven't gigged this bass, only studio use. This bass could be 20 years old but it looks like new, therefore must be well built. So far all adjustments I've made have held - very solid.

No warranty due to age.

This is my first ever guitar. Have owned it for two months only. Previous to this I made music using samplers, synths and a sequencer. This is the cheaper option to owning a real Status bass. The bass feels comfortable to play. It could've had more tone controls like separate bass/treble/mid, etc. Overall, this is a good value for money bass. You get a nice looking, nice sounding guitar.

I bought mine secondhand ages ago and assumed it was made in the 80s.

Its well made, with a head thru body design that gives it endless sustain and keeps it in tune, long term.

I had the frets taken out of mine and it added heaps of character to the sound.

I also had the electronics changed by an old school British tech guy

I was never that impressed with how mine sounded. it was a bit woolly and lacked personality.

I worked with a guy who built the first Trace Elliot prototype amps and he looked at it and said the electronics weren't fully active and I got him to change the electronics but I still wasn't that taken.

Then I had the frets taken out and suddenly the bass a whole new voice.

A beautifully made bit gear. Never goes out of tune, nice even action and quiet electronics.

Mine hasn't seen that much use, but I've never had a problem.

Its a good solid performer, and it sounds great as a fretless.

not sure what year, i bought it 98. it was my 1st "serious" bass.
you know all the feats, knobs, p-ups, like all status washburns.

sound is nice, but i always liked more thunderous bass like jazz bass, precision bass or stingrays growl. but, like said, sound is nice, you can adjust it as it has very simple and effective regulations, good strings means a lot to this bass, some pedal, good amp and good playing ofcourse....
much better for stage in my opinion than for studio.

bass is solid,well built and this is where it stands tall - those hardware and tuning machine.... never, NEVER goes out of tune!

i ve been playing 10 years. had play number of basses, ownned lots and still own couple basses, status being one of them. sometime i pick it up from hard case and play, home or gig, still love it, its not my "main" bass but its a good one. if stolen or lost, i wouldnt replace it and that could say a lot, but its matter of preferences and tastes..... (it will be remembered by good.)

Headless but as mentioned will take standard strings. 2 sets of active pickups with 3 controls, 2 for tone and one for volume. Fret board is a mentioned earlier. The action can be dropped down very low whcihc makes for very fast playing.

I play mostly funk these days and with a really low action this suits very percussive fast playing really well. It can be played for standard stuff but you may have to raise the action for Rock sounds as with a low action you do get some rattling when playing with heavy fingers. But I have used this in rock evironments with a higher action and it sounds great. So much so that I have had a number of offers for it from Jazz/rock bassists who love the fretboard and the sheer power from the active setup. the only downside is the Knob controls which arent very nuanced. I tend to keep it at one setting and use my amp and equaliser to adjust the sound.

Cant really remember. But there were no flaws on it it when bought.

I have had absolutly no electrical problems. There is a bit of discoluration to the brass machine heads. I have had to put new screws in the strap buttons. Apart from this I only ever have to adjust the action and ussually for personal playing reasons. I have never needed to even consider a backup for reliability reasons.

Playing it for 14 years roughly. I would hate to have to replace it as it suits my style perfectly, although I am considering getting a second bass for less lively non funk numbers that wont stomach any rattles due to my low action settings.

Early 90's Headless active bass, graphite finger board. 2x Jazz style pickups.
Though the body neck (making it, in reality this is more like a "Steinberger" style bass with body "wings" attached).
2 octave neck - Zero fret with + 24 "usable" frets
Laminated exagurated "devil horns" body which at first glance looks like ply wood but at closer inspection looks like ash over adler(?)
Micro tuner bridge and head piece are made out of machined brass - originally laquered but now some some pitting & discolouration of the metal.
Finish is tough glossy translucent. The green colour (yes) took a while to grow on me but it looks great under stage lights

BRIGHT and deep - punchy but doesn't "growl" as much as you'd think though.
Actives tone control is useable but go from "slightly mellow" to "ARRRG!! that's TOO bright"
Tends to be a bit too bright and sharp, particularly with new strings, but wears old string quite well, you probably won't be changing strings every couple of month (and at the price of double ball end strings this is a "Good Thing")
Great pop-rock bass, excelent slap bass, not in to that style my self but other bass players who are and have played this have loved its tone.
Dialing down the tone and it will do a resonable 60's rock sound (Jack Bruce etc)

using double ball strings this bass never needs retuning... seriously - by the time the strings have streched that much they are well and truely tonally dead anyway.
Even using normal strings I usually only touch the tuning "pegs" if I'm learning a song by ear and the piece is not in 440 pitch. otherwise it can go 2 or 3 months of playing without needing retuning.

Off the shop floor all was fine and dandy, brass hardware discoloured rather quickly but no worse than you'd expect. After 13 or so years I still love the way this just fits

Neck is long scale, a little thick (front to back) for my liking but not overly so, width wise (across so E to G string) is narrow, not much taper and being through the body heel-less meens it's a resonably fast neck.

the finish on the neck is a little too grippy but OK if you polish it regularly.

excellent except for
1:the swich in the jack (to turn on/off the actives died within a few months (still in warrenty) The switch was enclosed so not repairable so was replaced by a guitar tech with generic unit.
2:The string lock for using normal strings (non double ball end) unless you line up the G string exactly under the lock screw you will find it will slip - and as it slips it tends to pull of the outer winding meaning that you have even harder time clamping the stirng - it's a 3 hander job or just buy double end strings (you know it makes sense).
3: the location of the upper horn mounted strap pin was problematic, it facedat an angle where normal playing stance would cause it to slip through the strap hole causing the guitar to fall (see below), replaced pins with straplocks & no further problems.

It had a bad experience involving a long drop and a solid surface. Impacting fair and square on the "head stock" nut caused the graphite fret board to seperate from the neck - surprisingly this was repairable by a local lutherer with only slight cosmetic damage. A normal bass/guitar would have, literally, lost it's head.

... well the shop it came from point blank refused to cover the broken switch jack but could not supply me with a local Washburn repairer and told me I'd have to deal with Washburn in the USA my self.... ummm OK... right.... $10 phonecall for a for a $5 switch

:/ <scowl>

this has been my one and only bass for most of the last 10 years so I must have liked it ;)

Actually it was the only one of my basses I couldn't sell - not because of the tone or build quality simply because (to the sound of "Dueling Banjos") the folk round these parts don't like any of them new fangled inventions .. if it ain't a Fender P bass they aint buyin'...

seriously though, even though I have recently aquired a MM Stingray and a Ric bass and the Status still gets pulled out and played as much as each of those.

I bought this headless bass in 1994.
It was an exposition model.
It has active mics and weights around a ton (hence the 7/10).
4 strings, 24 fret and I still haven't figured out how to set its mic (no selector, just 3 potentiometers), but it's because I like its natural sound.

I play many styles and it never faulted.
When I bought it, I was mostly listening to Primus ("Tales from the punchbowl"). This bass was probably the most excellently sounding I ever owned. depending on where you play your right fingers (closer to the deck or to the middle, a la Stuart Hamm, etc.) you change of sound instantaneously.
I since bought a double-bass in order to play jazz but when I need some powerful groove, I'd rather use this bass.

Nothing to say here : it is rock solid.

10 years after and I still owe it.
I do not change its strings quite often and it is hard to detune while playing.
Very dependable.

No guarantee, no problem, no contact with the company.

I began playing in 1986 and I also play the double bass, the guitar, the Djembe and synths.
This bass is my ultimate bass.
I use it all the time along with the others instruments and I do not know what I'd do if I lost it. Maybe I'd go for a Warwick... or for a Status... or maybe that fretless Vigier with a metal neck... if it still exist ?
No, I'd seriously miss THIS one.

Think this 4-string bass was made in the early 90's. It is a quality instrument with neck-thru design, smooth ebony fretboard, cool look, excellent balance. What is unique about this headless bass is that it uses regular strings or double-ball strings whereas most other headless basses only use double-ball strings. Not sure what more you could ask for in a bass. It also fits into a regular guitar case!

The active pickups sound great!

Low action, and the neck feels incredible. The white finish on the body has yellowed over the years though.

Very very sturdy. Hardware is second to none. Will last for years.

Been playing bass for 2 years, but been playing guitar for 12 years, so I'm not a newbie. This is a great bass for the money.