Bassassin Posted August 2, 2010 Posted August 2, 2010 [quote name='Paul S' post='912727' date='Aug 2 2010, 01:03 PM'][url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Washburn-Force-4-Bass-Guitar-/130416623391?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item1e5d6fbf1f"]A new-ish Force 4[/url] has just popped up on eBay this morning, too, though considerably more dosh for what is probably a not particularly special bass compared to the older ones.[/quote] I'm sure these are fine for modern Chinese (or wherever) imports but like Aria, these days Washburn seem to have an undeservedly poor reputation which I'm sure is what leads to the 80s JapCrap classics being priced down like these two have been. However a quick Google suggests the Force 4 usually sells for between £299 - £450! Ridiculous. Anyway, been digging and I've found a bit more info about the SB40: [url="http://www.g3h.be/wings/vulture2.htm"]http://www.g3h.be/wings/vulture2.htm[/url] It looks like this was a transitional model between the Wing series Vulture through-neck & the Force 40, hence it being dubbed "Vulture II". There are a couple of differences between the one I've bought & the ones in the link - different control layout - mine has vx2, tx2 and a 3-way selector & doesn't have a mini-switch. It also appears to have a cast chrome bridge as opposed to the bent tin / brass bogseat saddles, although this may have been swapped at some point. Pickup spacing's slightly different, with the P unit being shunted slightly bridgeward and the J unit moved the other way - this looks the same as the Force 40 and actually suggests they might've run the 2 models concurrently for a while. Anyway I'm clearly rambling now, updates & pics once it arrives. J.
andy67 Posted August 2, 2010 Author Posted August 2, 2010 Good stuff...must admit to preferring the one you have. andy
AndyTravis Posted August 2, 2010 Posted August 2, 2010 (edited) [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Washburn-Force-ABT-4-string-Active-Bass-/190425598342?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2c56400986"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Washburn-Force-ABT-4...=item2c56400986[/url] A Pointier headstocked version. Probably Korean, 90's. Not my mug of brew, Guess what i'm looking for... The OP's link shows an early 80's force, Bassasins one is late 70's/Early 80's. Edited August 2, 2010 by AndyTravis
andy67 Posted August 2, 2010 Author Posted August 2, 2010 if you are anythink like me then...I'll definitely be looking for the B8CS precision style!! andy
AndyTravis Posted August 2, 2010 Posted August 2, 2010 This is the one i need... Hopefully Bassasin hates his once it arrives.
Bassassin Posted August 6, 2010 Posted August 6, 2010 So, it arrived this afternoon, didn't get the chance to unwrap it until this evening, and here's the proof that it actually exists: [attachment=55885:B40.jpg] It's all in one piece, in what I'd consider good played condition - there are a few knocks & scuffs but nothing major, negligible fretwear, nothing missing & everything working. The action's not spectacularly low but there's a bit of adjustment in the very Badass-esque bridge, and after that, lots of saddle to file... One of the pups (I'm thinking the J unit) has been replaced and there's a massive disparity in output, even with the P unit screwed right down & the J practically nudging the strings. I have a nice old bridge position DiMarzio Model J in my parts box (technically waiting for a partner for a J project) and I might see if it can keep up with the P on this bass. If I get the chance tomorrow I'll give it a wipe down & a bit of fettling and take some proper pics but my first impression is basically - bloody hell, £85? Unbelievable! Thanks, once again, are due. J.
Mr. Foxen Posted August 6, 2010 Posted August 6, 2010 (edited) [quote name='Bassassin' post='916600' date='Aug 6 2010, 01:27 AM']The action's not spectacularly low but there's a bit of adjustment in the very Badass-esque bridge, and after that, lots of saddle to file...[/quote] I bought a lefty knackered Washburn something just to steal one of those bridges from. Turned out to have Grovers and other nice hardware on it, but a terrible plywood body. Edited August 6, 2010 by Mr. Foxen
Muzz Posted August 6, 2010 Posted August 6, 2010 [quote name='AndyTravis' post='913185' date='Aug 2 2010, 09:08 PM'][url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Washburn-Force-ABT-4-string-Active-Bass-/190425598342?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2c56400986"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Washburn-Force-ABT-4...=item2c56400986[/url] A Pointier headstocked version. Probably Korean, 90's. Not my mug of brew, Guess what i'm looking for... The OP's link shows an early 80's force, Bassasins one is late 70's/Early 80's.[/quote] Jeez, sudden nostalgia blast - I used to have the 8-string version of the B-20. Huge, huge sound, but the worst neck dive of anything I've ever put round me neck - made a Thunderbird seem like a ukulele...
waynepunkdude Posted August 7, 2010 Posted August 7, 2010 One here for £250 [url="http://www.cashconverters.co.uk/auction-item/327106/washburn-abt-force-bass-guitar"]http://www.cashconverters.co.uk/auction-it...rce-bass-guitar[/url]
Bassassin Posted August 8, 2010 Posted August 8, 2010 [quote name='waynepunkdude' post='918434' date='Aug 7 2010, 11:37 PM']One here for £250 [url="http://www.cashconverters.co.uk/auction-item/327106/washburn-abt-force-bass-guitar"]http://www.cashconverters.co.uk/auction-it...rce-bass-guitar[/url][/quote] That's one of the modern ones, probably Chinese-made & doesn't bear much of a relationship to the late 70s/early 80s Matsumoku (or was it Yamaki? Who knows?) JapCrap other than in name. Considering Washburn doesn't have a stellar reputation in the contemporary guitar world, the current ones are pretty pricey - a new Force 4 seems to be £400 most places. Status update on my SB40 - it's presently on the slab getting tidied up - mostly cosmetic stuff & cleaning but it's clearly had a hefty knock on the back of the neck, and there's some very minor cracking between neck & fretboard at the nut end. Not a problem (I've successfully repaired far worse fretboard delamination loads of times) but it means getting it playable will take a bit longer than I'd expected, what with gluing & clamping & all. I've also found that the rather weak J pup in the bridge position is actually a shorter neck-length unit, meaning my DiMarzio won't fit. Bugger! Anyway I think when it's sorted I'll give it a thread of its own in Porn. :brow: J.
AndyTravis Posted August 29, 2010 Posted August 29, 2010 (edited) [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1985-WASHBURN-MATSUMOKO-JAPAN-VINTAGE-FORCE-BASS-GUITAR-/140443968487?pt=Guitar"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1985-WASHBURN-MATSUM...68487?pt=Guitar[/url] oooh, close. Still looking. [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1979-WASHBURN-WING-SERIES-VULTURE-BASS-RARE-/160472174376?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1979-WASHBURN-WING-S...ents_Guitars_CV[/url] Edited August 29, 2010 by AndyTravis
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