washburn status

[stef030]

so I have been wanting to buy a washburn status for a while,

when did they become a thousand pound plus bass

one chap had his up for 1500 pounds then realised its perhaps a bit pricey and dropped to a grand

at these prices it makes them more expensive than a real status

theres another couple at a grand 

really

or perhaps its just me

[White Cloud]

Crazy asking price. They're alright but nowhere near as good as a full-fat Status. 

[Chris2112]

I can't reconcile with them being anything other than £500 bass on a good day. I don't think they're worth any more than that, whatever you rose-tinted glasses might say. 

[itu]

I liked the bass, although the neck was very flexible. Electronics were from Status (treble booster) as well as noiseless single coils. Nice looking bass, but anything over £400 today would sound like a joke. A mint unit would cost more, but £1000 sounds like... stealing? Washburn isn't that retro.

 

I had a chance to buy a hand made bolt on carbon neck copy, which is far better that Washburn. It's an instant back to 80's bass!

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

Mmm....I nearly sold mine last year . Thankfully I changed my mind . I would say anything up to £600 due to rarity now, and that in the past I've seen ones in good condition go for around that .  I have seen some in not so good condition shall we say, get purchased for around £450 . I don't think they got a good deal there . 
 

I love the little clicks when adjusting the volume , bass and treble knobs . Well I did , until I got mine modified . ( more below) 

 

The output is thunderous , and very powerful from the status  active pickups ( 9v battery ) . The sound is very bright sounding, and  could be too much for rock bands .  ( again more below) . 
In bands I've been in , I have been asked to turn down . What they meant was cut off the treble . 
Also, you cannot hide mistakes ( if you're like me ) , due to the bright tone . 
 

As for the body , it is " rich American walnut " and quite heavy . A bass of quality in terms of looks and build . 
The jack is not the greatest quality . 
 

A lot of headless designs are made with basswood bodies . I would like to think of your opinions of those . The reason being , is that I have a Jack Daniels bass made with basswood . It sounds great , and fantastically light to play . However although I have gigged it in the past , I do wonder if basswood would be as resilient and tough as my Washburn status 🤔 is the sound as good ?🤔

 

Anyway , back to the modifications on my Washburn status and why :

1. I got carried away in a rehearsal with a blues band , and I thumped the bass in a Rudy Sarzo like manner .😬

    Took it into Denmark street and had a switchcraft Jack replacing the broken one .  There were still issues .
2. I kept getting radio signals ,and local taxi services going through the pickups . So, Graham Noden at Denmark street  tested the strength of them . I didn't need to change them . What he did was take out the active circuitry . This meant unfortunately (?) that all I need to do is plug and play . No clicks on the tone knobs anymore . Job done ! No more batteries , plus the bands I'd been in since loved the tone of it .

what Graham Noden pointed out was that so many manufacturers followed a trend in the '80s by putting active circuitry in basses as standard . Words to that effect anyway .

 

I say get one ! Headless strings and normal strings are compatible . Look fantastic ! 
I have a dimarzio strap with straplocks which take the weight off of the bass when moving around . 

Edited October 20, 2024 by RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE

[prowla]

I bought one new back in the 80s, because I couldn't afford a real Status.

I got a real one in the 90s and it was in a totally different league to the Washburn.

I sold the Washburn.

The (asking) prices of the copies now are ridiculous and £1k is double what would be a lot.

I've still got the Status.

(But Status prices have gone up a lot too.)

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

Same , except I haven't got a real status ...yet ! 

[jezzaboy]

I was speaking to a guy in a Quo tribute band and he hates the blooming thing but as he can`t afford a Charger like Rhino`s he plays a Washburn.

[okusman]

It is absolute madness!!!

50+ year old men who hark back to Lessons in Love and have lost all sense of perspective.

The shape design is the same was licensed from Status, it used a 100 series (?) preamp and a Status design bridge.

Not a drop of “graphite”

They are a decent bass.

It’s £500 territory.

Edited October 20, 2024 by okusman

[uk_lefty]

Generally with second hand gear, especially a little older, people chance their arm with the asking prices. I had one, great for my 80s band but when that folded I sold mine. Being left handed it's perhaps more rare and I got somewhere near £800 three years ago, but it was in excellent condition and a very rare left hander. 

[prowla]

"Rare" doesn't necessarily mean valuable.