The Official Washburn Club (Redux!)

[msact]

Wow, thanks for all the great information. The SN is 811998. I will post a few more pictures tomorrow. This is really great info.

[Jaymi]

For those of you who have the Status 1000 basses, where is the serial number? I cannot locate on on the bass...

[MEKer]

Thanks for the pics, Jaymi!!

[msact]

Originally Posted by MEKer

OK--back to you. I did a long post last year with TB'er "iriegnome" to track down the identity of his Washburn. Turns out he had a Daion proto-type that Daion made for Washburn. Long story and great thread if you can find it.

You have a B-40. Daion also made the proto-type for Washburn on this bass. Your's (in beautiful condition) is the actual follow-up "made by Washburn" and was made in Japan. Notice the Daion proto-type headstock has the stripe down its middle in picture 2 (its owned by a Tb'er I think). Your bass also is known in Australia and Europe as LB-40. BTW, whats the serial number if you don't mind me asking?

From your B-40 evolved
1. the SB-40(3 knobs+2 switches),
2. SB-40EQ (3 knobs+2 switches--exactly the same as SB-40 except truss rod cover says SB-40EQ--don't ask me why)
3. the Force 40EQ(3--sometimes 4!!!- knobs+2 switches and replaced the SB-40, being identical when with 3 knobs, except the headstock and nut)
4. Force 40EQW
5.Force 40.

Whew--this gets confusing.

Now below I post what a Vulture II actually is (in Europe they were also known as a B-2) and then the Daion proto-type B-40. Since only 2 thumbnails allowed per post, I put in my next post a "rare fretless B-40" and another B-40 for you. Next post after that I give you pics of LB-40 from Australia and an LB-40 in Switzerland---all B-40's. Yeah, I search the world for this stuff since Washburn destroyed their frickin' records. Its a mess and I do not get why some names shifted per location.

Anyway, the years 1978-1983 were a nightmarish hodge-podge for historians. But in short: From the classic "hollow body" shape of the Scavenger and Vulture models, Daion and Washburn evolved the B-40 which evolved into the SB-40s (1980-1982) and then the Force 40's series (Forces started in 1983). (I have only located 5 SB-40/40EQs in the world and I own 2 of'em luckily.Where the hell are the others for god's sake!)
BTW, msact---what do you perceive your switch to be doing for you?

(I am gonna post all this info in another thread by itself so it does not get lost in this huge thread.)

Here are a couple of additional pics of the bass. Thanks again for the info. I really appreciate it.

[msact]

[MEKer]

I have a copy of the original wiring diagram for the B-40EQ with all the Japanese writing on the side of it---I wonder if it is close to your own B-40, msact. PM me if you'd like a copy of it! BTW: NICE PICTURES!!!!!!!!

[msact]

Originally Posted by MEKer

I have a copy of the original wiring diagram for the B-40EQ with all the Japanese writing on the side of it---I wonder if it is close to your own B-40, msact. PM me if you'd like a copy of it! BTW: NICE PICTURES!!!!!!!!

Thanks. I actually found that too while digging for info today. I can't make heads or tails of it. The toggle switch simply seems to be a pickup selector, but the forward and middle only seem to select the neck pickup. Perhaps 25 years or so of just sitting in my basement did something to the wiring. For now, it's ok because I like more of the neck pickup sound anyway. The case got damaged during hurricane Irene when it came through our area (Southeast PA) in 2011. Fortunately, the bass and an old fender bullet that were in my basement didn't get damaged.

[MEKer]

Yeah, I found it on Vintage Washburn site with a bunch of others but, of course, NOTHING on my SB-40 AGAIN! Dammit!

[msact]

Trying to get any info on Washburn during that era is almost impossible.

[MEKer]

Oh man, It's taken literally years for me to get the info I DO have and then organized it to make sense and solve some mysteries. BTW---I just sent out emails today to over 100 vintage sellers around the world to see what I can get on 1978-1984 Washburn basses. Maybe that'll stir something up! Sheez!

[MEKer]

Originally Posted by msact

Thanks. I actually found that too while digging for info today. I can't make heads or tails of it. The toggle switch simply seems to be a pickup selector, but the forward and middle only seem to select the neck pickup. Perhaps 25 years or so of just sitting in my basement did something to the wiring. For now, it's ok because I like more of the neck pickup sound anyway. The case got damaged during hurricane Irene when it came through our area (Southeast PA) in 2011. Fortunately, the bass and an old fender bullet that were in my basement didn't get damaged.

Well, when you take it in for a look-see, let me know what the tech says, please? Good luck!

[Melonthief]

Attachment 313737
I would be proud to have a number in this club! My washburns get gigged regularly and I get a lot of compliments on the tone and beauty of my basses.

[MEKer]

Wow---new TB'er--Melonthief-- comes slammin' in with 3 beauties!! Your Force 40 BBR is just like mine! Mine is a 1984. Great jazz tones on it. So a great B-20 (is it the Stage or ABT model?), a Wash-Status (is the model number "1000"?) and a wonderful BBR. I am foaming!

Info please?:
Serial Numbers/year model
Do you have ANY documents, brochures, etc with them?
Where/When did you get them?

Again--3 real BEA-U-TIES!!

Welcome!!!!

[MEKer]

Originally Posted by ronaldpdbrandt

And as always here on TB: no pics, no bass!

Here's mine, a 1982 Washburn Force 8, in near-mint condition:

What is the serial number on that beautiful Force 8, please? Nice Ric btw!!

[Melonthief]

It's really fun to find that someone else shares my enthusiasm for these basses! I'm happy to share what I do know about them.
Force 40 Chicago Series sn# 842402
2 active soapbar pups 18v preamp.
I found it on CL the guy wanted $150. I wound up paying $120! Laughed all the way home. I would have given $500 if I had to. This is my go to bass for rehearsals, gigs and personal practice.

The B20 sn# 833310
Passive PJ pups made by Maxon, these were stock in many Japanese basses of the era including ibanez, Aria, Tokyo etc
The b20 gets a wide variety of tones and it can sound like a rickenbacker if I want that tone. I take it to gigs as a back up. I bought it online from a music store in Ohio or Indiana for $350.another steal!
The status 1000 by Washburn. Some folks get confused by this and I admit there is still a lot I'd like to know. No serial#. The serial # on these was assigned in the USA after assembly by means of a sticker which is now gone.
2 active J style status pups. The neck and body wings are maple the fretboard is phenolic compound. This bass has incredible tone but the wood/ compound mix makes it sensitive to temperature changes. Therefore this is used for studio work and private practice. I would love to know the story behind the status / Washburn collusion, I'm sure it's a good one.

[Melonthief]

Oh and I traded a MM stingray for the status. Tried to love the MM but it was so heavy and clickity clanky And the neck was like a Louisville Slugger. Just not my thing.

[Melonthief]

Do I get in the club?

[Dluxe]

Great info on these basses. Have you seen this clip with Bakithi Kumalo playing a fretless B-40 (LB-40?) in concert. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHZT5gWyhZU

[Dluxe]

@ 2:35 in the video he does a short solo on the Washburn.

[MEKer]

Yeah-great clip of that fretless B-40!!!!!!!! Wish I had it!