'82 Washburn SB-40 EQ Bass

Uber Soldat · #1 04-16-2008, 10:26 AM

New here.

Some pics of my 1982 Washburn SB-40 EQ bass. I have had it for about 9 years now. When i first bought it i knew absolutely nothing about it. Searching on the net at that time yielded no results. 9 years later i thought i might as well try find a little more info about it and to my surprise (from what some people tell me) it is quite rare.

Was hoping that some of you might have some more info on this particular bass.

FL Knifemaker · #2 04-16-2008, 10:59 AM

I don't know anything about them but I like it. I'm diggin the reversed P pup!!

It looks like a Matsumoku factory creation. You might post some pics and questions here, under the Washburn subforum:

http://www.matsumoku.org/ggboard/index.php

checkeverything · #3 04-16-2008, 11:14 AM

Bakhithi Khumalo the bass player from Paul Simon's album 'Graceland' plays this same model except that its a fretless, without fretmarkers. Its the same bass you hear on all the tracks he did on the 'Graceland' album, which includes 'You can call me Al'. There is also a live video from this period which shows him playing this bass. Not sure whether you can still get a copy of it....on DVD?

Baryonyx · #4 04-16-2008, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by checkeverything

Bakhithi Khumalo the bass player from Paul Simon's album 'Graceland' plays this same model except that its a fretless, without fretmarkers. Its the same bass you hear on all the tracks he did on the 'Graceland' album, which includes 'You can call me Al'. There is also a live video from this period which shows him playing this bass. Not sure whether you can still get a copy of it....on DVD?

+1

I was just about to point that out!

Although Bakithi's bass is in sunburst. And yeah, you can get the Graceland concert on DVD (I have it). His tone on Graceland was just amazing. Best fretless tone ever imo, and the second best record ever (after Rush's "Hold Your Fire").

checkeverything · #5 04-16-2008, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris2112

+1

I was just about to point that out!

Although Bakithi's bass is in sunburst. And yeah, you can get the Graceland concert on DVD (I have it). His tone on Graceland was just amazing. Best fretless tone ever imo, and the second best record ever (after Rush's "Hold Your Fire").

yes, what a sound! I remember hearing it and thinking that it was some bass sarod...singin! And it was a diffferent sound from Jaco's ...refreshing. Must have been attributed to the position of that extreme back Jazz pickup. Don't think he plays them anymore- think he uses Warwicks now.

Baryonyx · #6 04-16-2008, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by checkeverything

yes, what a sound! I remember hearing it and thinking that it was some bass sarod...singin! And it was a diffferent sound from Jaco's ...refreshing. Must have been attributed to the position of that extreme back Jazz pickup. Don't think he plays them anymore- think he uses Warwicks now.

Well, Jaco was a big influence on him, he named a track on one of his solo albums after him IIRC! But he definitely had his own sound coming from the whole mqabanga style.

But yeah, he doesn't play the Washburn these days. I've seen him with Lakland basses and I know there was a guy on here who had a Lakland fretless 5 string that used to be his. I don't think he plays Warwicks, he has been playing a custom 6 string fretted of some sorts for a good few years now, among other things, but I don't recall there being a Warwick.

FL Knifemaker · #7 04-16-2008, 11:57 AM

Having owned quite a few Electra's over the years, I must say the Mat Factory P pups are awesome. I have one in an Aria P bass right now that I would NEVER part with. I have a second one that I'm considering installing in a Peavey Fury. I also have a double P Pup Electra that I'm refinishing. It has two of the pickups, plus the 18v preamp. The thing is a tone monster. I'm suprised more pros don't seek them out.

lebowski11 · #8 02-17-2013, 09:26 PM

I have an original 1981 SB40eq I had to change the pick ups from DiMarzio to EMG IN ORDER TO gig but the bass gigged well. What is it worth?

lebowski11 · #9 02-17-2013, 09:31 PM

It is rare made famous by the neck through and the fact that it was played by Rudy Sarzo from Quiet Riot and then Ozzy with Randy Rhodes.

MEKer · #10 02-17-2013, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uber Soldat

New here.

Some pics of my 1982 Washburn SB-40 EQ bass. I have had it for about 9 years now. When i first bought it i knew absolutely nothing about it. Searching on the net at that time yielded no results. 9 years later i thought i might as well try find a little more info about it and to my surprise (from what some people tell me) it is quite rare.

Was hoping that some of you might have some more info on this particular bass.

Welcome, UberSoldat! Go join the Washburn Club in the basses forum!! Whats the serial number on that beauty? Did you get any original paperwork with that when you found it?

MEKer · #11 02-17-2013, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lebowski11

I have an original 1981 SB40eq I had to change the pick ups from DiMarzio to EMG IN ORDER TO gig but the bass gigged well. What is it worth?

Another SB'er!! Great. Whats the serial number on yours? Any original documents that came with it? Are you already in the Washburn Club? ANYONE with an SB just HAS to join us!!!!
As to value, way too many people just do not appreciate an early '80's Washburn so I have seen prices from roughly $350 to $650 depending on condition.

MEKer · #12 02-17-2013, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by checkeverything

Bakhithi Khumalo the bass player from Paul Simon's album 'Graceland' plays this same model except that its a fretless, without fretmarkers. Its the same bass you hear on all the tracks he did on the 'Graceland' album, which includes 'You can call me Al'. There is also a live video from this period which shows him playing this bass. Not sure whether you can still get a copy of it....on DVD?

What is really odd about Bakhithi's fretless Washburn is that it has the B-40 electronics package and actually IS a B-40. Yet I have seen two now that actually have an SB-40 truss rod cover on them. B-40's appear to have come out in 1979. The SB-40 was initially produced in 1979 for release as a new 1980 model. I bought mine (SB-40) as soon as it hit the store in late 1979. SB's ALWAYS come with 3 knobs/1 toggle/1 mini-switch. B-40's came out with 4 knobs and 1 toggle. B-40's electronics were dropped for the B-40 by 1982 and replaced with the SB's electronic package of 3/1/1 and then renamed the B-40EQ.
Once again, Washburn made a mystery for everyone by putting an SB truss rod cover on a B-40. The question that will probably be unanswered forever is: WHY?