Washburn XB-125

XB125 model, made in China around 2002, 20 frets, 5 strings. The top is laminated, two passive soapbars, active EQ.

The sound of that bass is really nice for that price. I have compared it with the top models of Cort and it is a really good opponent. I have tested it on a Warwick combo, SWR and on a Marshall. I do not remember the models :)
The sound when the active EQ is on is really gorgeous. It is a good solution for hard core, metal. You may try playing even funk with it. On a stage it should sounds great if you are with the correct setup of gear ;) Never tested it..
The only problem that I have when playing is the pull up pot which turns off the active EQ. I will remove it soon and will change it with a switch key.

The bass was set-up by the consultants in the music store. One of them is a friend of mine and he did his best in this case. I had to fix the bow shape of the bass a little in order to fit my taste and I have touched the height of the strings. The setup was almost perfect.
I had a problem with the stereo plug of the bass but I got it replaced almost myself. It was not a hard task. :)

The bass is a really tough one if I may say so ;) I own it since 4 years and it was a really good choice. I will only change the soapbars soon but at this stage the bass is a perfect one :)
I will never use it on a gig without a backup. If the battery charge gets over I will be doomed to sound like I am playing through earphones :))) The passive output was the only minus of that bass.

Never used them :)

A good bass for beginners or for people who would like to purchase an affordable instrument at a low price. The only thing that I wanted from that bass is... that I wanted a Warwick :D

"Boodoo Kruttock"(c) Vladimir Putin (it means: "I'll be short-worded", hehehe)
My review'll be short.
1) - Nice, very nice, but I wanted more aggressive look, smth like Abbath's bass in Blashyrkh video... But this one's nice too.

minus one - this is the hardest penalty

I have nothing xcept my bass, my laptop, nice cord, Philips miniHiFisys and jack-minijack "thing" (I 4got how it'll be in Eng, sorry...)

So, I will not rate here. (But I realy want to maximize rates :))

I am no spec in this, but (thx2 Guitar Pro 5) I tuned it slightly.

Flaws... Strings were bad. And ARE bad, 'coz I'm a poor Russian student :)))

Minus 2 for strings, else is nice. 8

Live - dunno. Haven't tried yet.

But it seems like it's very hard...
...xcept strap button on the back. That one is bad. 'll be replaced.

minus 2. 8

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hfugghkk.....

I like that thing... but my second one'll be 4-stringed :)

Overall - 9

Superb five string Washburn Bantam Series XB125. Definitely made before 2003 in Korea I think... I pulled the sticker off the back of the headstock! I bought it online from Musician's Friend, it was a close out deal for $199.00! Best two hundred dollars I've ever spent! Translucent Black Burst over a laminated quilted maple top. The catalog says the body is alder but if it is, it's awfully light! 20 frets, two humbucking active soapbar pu's. What a neck! Wide, thin and flat. It came with a cable and I picked up a TKL hardshell for it.

I play bass in a 'rock band' and a five is the only way to go. I'm amp shopping again, but it sounded awesome through two different SWR Workingman models. I haven't gotten around to experimenting with any effects yet. Going direct to hard disk, the bridge pick up is just about right for me, while the neck pick up is warmer. The bridge has a great growl to it, reminescent of Eddie Jackson of Queensryche. Roll off the tone knob a bit on the bass and you get a rounder vintage sound. The neck pickup doesn't have near the attack of the bridge and seems to need a bit more clarity, even when running with a compressor. The middle setting (it has a toggle switch, not a blend knob, one volume and one tone)is almost useless to me though: it seems to lack any punch or attack whatsoever, quite a shock when the bridge pickup is considered! I guess the neck pickup overpowers the fine bridge PU. There seems to be a lack of clarity, definition and edge in the middle position, and because of the toggle switch you can't edge the blend back towards the bridge to compensate. I think I'll replace the toggle with a 500k blend knob and that should remedy that! But let me reiterate: the bridge pick up is the guvnor!

The bass was shipped to me with a decent set up. I had to adjust the neck due to a slight bow and then raise the strings and reintonate but I expected that. It came out of the case tuned to pitch @ A440! The chrome hardware was flawless and was the gear I expected to get for under $200.00. Even with the stock bridge, the bass has incredible sustain and tone that you can appreciate, even unplugged. A Leo Quann bridge would probably bring down the rafters!

Based on my prior experiences with Washburn products, I don't have a care in the world about gigging with this bass. The strap buttons will be replaced with Schallers ASAP. I doubt I'll pick up another bass guitar for awhile, due to funds, so this will be my only one.

I've never had to contact Washburn for anything other than registering the products I've owned.

I've played bass in several bands, outside of my nine year stint as guitarist with the Christian rock band UNDER AUTHORITY. I have also owned a Mercury series Washburn five string with active eq and it was also incredible. I recommend these basses to anyone, especially those of us on a budget. Washburn have reintroduced this model with a blend knob, black hardware and an awesome forearm bevel for immense comfort. I'd have to replace it if it flies the coop, and I'd go for the exact same model or the newer one. I just wish the neck pickup was better, especially considering the stripped- down controls. Long live Washburn!

I bought my xb-125 here in the philippines. it was made in china though. got 20 frets, 5-strings (coz it's an xb-125!), color is a cross between black and brown (burst finish), 2 humbuckers and the same electronics as the standard xb-125. don't know when it was made. bought it in a PERFECT PITCH shop here.

The sound is humongous! Love it all the way except that it eats up the battery power too fast. I'm gonna have to go to a special set-up shop here to include a bypass switch in the bass so that i won't use batteries as much as possible.

Action, fit and finish are ok!

REAL TOUGH!

1 year warranty!

REAL GOOD! Just hope they make another of this model with a passive switch!

Gorgeous Bass 5 string Right handed. 20 Fret. Passive humbucks.
Nice neck easy to play.
Fat ass frets and a killer sound
Titanium Ice colour never seen another one this colour.

Great sound through a Trace Elliot BLX80 combo and through my bands PA system 150 wt. Few high low frets but is a bad ass mother of a bass. Good control and a deep sound. Down tune to drop A WOW better than a K% fieldy signature bass.

Bought new and it kicks some serious ass. Nice action and excellent finish.
Good strong robust bass.
Mine is like a tank.

Goods strong mother ofr a bass. Would gig with just this and am using it to record soon.
good solid feels very light in hand which suits my temprement on stage

NOT USED

I paid #175 for this. my amp cost more. Yet it still sounds better than any other bass and plays well. Only one bass better signature washburn space bass.

It's an '02 Model i belive. 5 Strings, Passive Humbuckers, 20 Med/Jumb frets.
Solid Alder Body, Rosewood fingerboard, maple neck. Nice fast neck

I made the bass mold to my style of music, which is just about every thing cept country. Even through my jury rigged amp (BX15 amplifier throuh a stage monitor) it sounds nice and meaty in all but the bridge settings. Bridge setting has more of a High Twang to it.

Action was a lil low out the box. so had that raised to suit my style.
Pick ups were fine.
the frets have a few high/low frets in various places around the board. most notably on the D string 9th fret.. The paint looked good with one missed spot but its on the back so it doesnt matter anyways.

THis bass is built like a HumVee ive bumped it prodded it and even tweaked the hell outta it and it still keeps a rockin..
Neck is SUPER stable least on mine it is. I automatically replaced the strapbuttons with my strap locks..

havent needed CS yet. hopefully they are nice.

This bass is kick ass!
although i am in the process of buying a back up bass this will always be my main. Its infinately customizable (tone wise) and really just sounds awesome amp wise or PA wise.. even recording straight into the recorder.