Washburn XB925

Purchased from Brookmays during a red tag final clearance sale last year for $800...a STEAL (the only model they had in the whole country, and it happened to be in my town)! This bass goes for $1,475 at Musicians Friend as of 9/2002. After having played it for a year, I'd say it's well worth 15 C-Notes.

This bass is crafted by Washburn's USA Custom division in Chicago, and it shows. The XB925 is a beautiful J Bass 5 string with special touches throughout. The Flame Maple top over a Swamp Ash body gives great tone through all settings. A two piece maple neck and rosewood fingerboard compliment a jazz neck that is just the right size for a player (like myself) that doesn't have huge hands. Great action and very playable. Then, you've got bartolini pick-ups and electronics, the Buzz Feiten Tuning System, a switch to go between active and passive pick-up, 3 band EQ on board...just a well designed and constructed bass. You can set this bass to play just about anything, from a light jazz flavor to a deep groove. It is my favorite bass.

While I don't use it much, I find the XB925 more difficult to slap than my Fender American Jazz. I've got to believe it's just me, though, since Bootsy Collins has played this mama! Also it's sustain is not as prevalent as the Fender (but how many are?).

Again, well constructed and solid. The XB925 is lighter than my Fender, which is a plus for long sets. I'm very careful with it as I'm not sure how much abuse it can take..but then I love my basses and treat them all well. It keeps tune fairly well but should have a pro set-up done after purchase (like all guitars require). Along with the aforementioned switch to go between active and passive, you've got a single volume control, a phase control to balance volume between the 2 pick-ups, a dual stacked bass/treble control and a mid-range knob. Firm buttons.

This is an excellent instrument. Clearly each person has to find the bass that fit's them right and gets you the sound you want. The XB925 must be underated or undiscovered by some people. It's played by Rick Savage (Def Leppard), Michael Bradford, Kenny Ames and others, but that's not why you buy a bass. This instrument is so versatile you can dial in heavy rock, funk, jazz, country, just about any feel you want. The action is crisp. The fretboard is so smooth....! If you have average size hands and want a truly professional bass, give this one a try. Keep it LOW and in the pocket.

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

Custom Shop USA
24 cases
Bartolini pickups and Pramp
Volume, Tone mdium, bass / treble, slecteur active / passive
Systm Buzz-Feiten (precision of the tuning)
Px: $ 1850

UTILIZATION

Channel enjoyable trs
Acute Accs just a little bit (especially for large hands)
Much lower equilibrium
Big sound!

SOUNDS

You need a good amp and especially good to support the baffle so bad, because the level of output is powerful trs. I love to push a little mdiums (the pastoral), but reinforce the bass, giving her a trs prcis dtach that although low compared to the rest of the group. I also like digging for a more rounded type Fender.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 4 years.
I wanted a musicman but the price deters me. I do not regret the purchase of the Washburn.
It is a good low-rev.