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Washburn XB100
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Washburn XB100

4-string bass guitar from Washburn belonging to the XB Bantam series

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« Washburn XB 100 »

Published on 02/03/12 at 15:00
4-string model. Unit is special painted (couldn't find if this was an option) black with silver metal flake). Standard neck with rosewood fingerboard. GHS Boomers currently strung. Replaced nut, but nothing else.

Found this at a pawn shop in early 2000 and my mother traded some old jewelry for it. I believe the floor price was $125 and came with a wimpy gig bag.

VERY SOLID. From the solid body to the tuners to the bridge to the neck...everything! I know this because I had a strap come loose and I chipped the paint on my drummer's rack. So I decided to chuck it about 20 yards onto the grass. After my little tantrum, I plugged it in and DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TO TUNE IT. It was dead on the cent.

Most would complain of the sound. It can be muddy. I found string selection is key key key. I've had positive success with GHS Boomers for a brighter sound. Dean Markley Blue Steel strings had a bit of a metallic sound. Fender Tapewounds gave it a smooth, groovy tone.

Volume and Tone adjustments are blah. Volume is on or off; no control. Tone helps, but only a few will know the sound difference in the middle of the mix.

For a budget bass found used at a pawn shop? I couldn't be happier. Especially for it being 12 years old in my possession. I'm currently looking for new pickups and custom hardware to completely refinish this one, after I purchase an acoustic.

Bottom line? From beginner to student to garage to gig to studio to road to living room THIS BASS DOES IT. Now, it may not do it 100%. Maybe not even 75%, at times, but that's not what this bass was for. This bass was made for anyone to do a little bit of everything on it. I know, because this is my first bass and I've done it all with this baby in tow.

An instrument like this one teaches you to pull your sound out of EVERY LITTLE DETAIL (instrument adjustments, volume/tone, strings, instrument cables, patch cords, pedals, amps/heads/combos/cabs, etc, etc). If it had not been for this bass, I don't think I would be as tonally constructive as I am today.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com