Product: Washburn XB 800
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted
12/03/2007
at
05:12pm
by
Rick
Features
:
8
Info is sketchy on this model but I think it was made in US in the mid 90's one source said 94-97. It is a 4 string 24 frets. The body has a flamed maple laminated top on probably alder or ash, the neck maple with rosewood board. Controls are balance then volume with treble and bass below. all hardware is gold plated standard washburn bridge. Pickups are from Status the British boutique bass maker running a 18v preamp that is coupled to 2 HB p/u the original p/u & preamp that Status produced (see that site for model)Washburn bantam style body, thin jazz size 19/16" at nut. Weight 9lbs
Sound
:
9
The preamp and p/u's are STATUS and have a lot of tonal range. I'm into pop, funk, r&b, folk heavey rock, and this bass does it all for me. Using a Carvin 1000 watt amp with 2x10 and 2x10 sub. I get the bart sound which I love and a reasonable slap, not as good as my warrior with basslines MM p/u. The bass cntrl has so much headroom that I turn down the amp bass eq when using this bass.Rich/full bass and treble but a little thin on mids, I fix that by using mids on amp. It covers a lot of sounds and I'm still finding more.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
9
I bought it on ebay for $130 and what a bargin. Boutique sound with excellent finish and hardware. I adjusted the truss rod to my specs and it has been rock solid since. It's a mystery bass nothing on Washburn site, one person thought they were made for the European market, but where ever and who ever put these together used care and skill. I saw one last week on ebay that went for under $200 what a deal. If you see one grab it, you won't regret it.
Reliability/Durability
:
8
Good solid bass no problem using it without a backup. The only comlaint I can come up with is the vol and balance pots have a little noise when moved around need to be cleaned, but minor annoyance not that noticible. This system was the original Status p/u's and preamp use by them until 87, they are still available from their website for more than 2x the price I paid for the whole bass.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Not needed
Overall Rating
:
8
I've been playing bass for 30 yrs and this is great in terms of price and action and favorite feature, new tonal possiblities. It's a little heavy 9lbs but wear a wider strap, problem solved. Price was the determining factor and the 18v Status system intrigued, the combination was well worth it. I still have a jazz and Warrior(Basslines) and Dean with barts that I mix it up with, there all great, they all have tonal personalities to explore.
