Washburn Force B20 ABT Project

FreakyLowBass · #1 01-19-2013, 02:29 PM

Bought this bass just as a project, and now it has turned into my stage bass, I absolutely love it! It was in pretty rough shape when I traded a few cables and a couple old woofers for it. I did some bodywork and had it airbrushed/clearcoated. The original Cruise Control preamp wasn't working, so I replaced it with an EMG BQC system (master volume, pickup blend, bass cut/boost, treble cut/boost, and mid sweep/cut/boost) and it has an amazing tone with the stock EMG Select pickups by washburn. I've just been having a few problems with the neck though: I can't seem to dial it in just right. There is a slight warp between the 5-7 frets. Maybe it's just because the necks on these are like toothpicks, but when I downtune I sometimes get buzzing, but only on notes that are played on frets 5-7. Probably followign the same issue, I can't lower the action without getting fret buzz. I'm looking into getting the neck refinished and refretted, but I'm not sure if it's worth it. As it stands, I'm only into it at less than $300, so should I just get a new neck, or redo the original one? Also, just out of curiousity, does anyone know how much this would be worth all said and done?

I've attached a before picture (didn't have any that would actually show the damage that it had) and a picture that I took today.

MEKer · #2 02-02-2013, 12:54 PM

project basses are fun-------how do you like the sound now after more playing? Whats the SN/YR? Does it say B20 anywhere on it?

After all the modding, you can only hope to recover costs I think. As long as its a great player now----keep it in your stable.

FreakyLowBass · #3 02-02-2013, 03:45 PM

The sound is amazing! Sound-wise, it's one of the most versatile basses I've ever played, especially with EQ that I have in it. SN is 8001756. It has B-20 labeled on the truss rod cover and all the features and original parts match the B-20's in the brochures.