washburn prototype

carlcaliente · #1 11-21-2010, 11:57 PM

I recently aquired a beautiful 70's era Washburn semi-hollowbody bass from a small instrument store owners private collection. I'm not expecting a miracle, just curious if anyone might know anything about it. or just to show off my find... lol. From what the previous owner knows it is a prototype that there were only three of them made it has active p and j pickups. it has no serial numbers, it is a set neck, and washburn has no records or can give me any information.

OtterOnBass · #2 11-22-2010, 01:52 PM

That is a very nice-looking bass. How does it sound?

fenderhutz · #3 11-22-2010, 02:01 PM

That logo doesn't look 70's era, it looks like a late 90's to me.

**iriegnome** · #4 11-22-2010, 02:31 PM

There is one of these at the Music Go Round here in Kenosha, WI!! I just saw it last week! Rudy (the owner) brings in tons of prototypes. There are bunches of them out there. Also, everyone always asks so much for them, but they are not worth much.

GM60466 · #5 11-22-2010, 02:38 PM

I believe it is a HBB4 made around 1980

carlcaliente · #6 11-22-2010, 06:03 PM

Otter, the bass sounds amazing... super thick tone.

koobie · #7 01-17-2011, 09:00 PM

Tell us more about this bass, looks nice. What's the neck shape/depth? How much does it weigh? Does it sound much like a P/J? Got any pics of the backside?

carlcaliente · #8 01-21-2011, 07:40 PM

You can definitely hear the p/j configuration but it has a deeper more dare i say "body-ful" tone. The neck is round and fretboard is ebony. The body is very lite compared to the neck and and a such there is some serious neck dive. thinking about moving the top strap button from behind the neck to the horn because i think some of the dive could be alleviated by that but I'd hate to go drilling extra holes in it... Sorry about the slow reply Koobie, i don't have answers for some questions at this moment. but i will definitely get them and some more pics for you! thanks for the interest!

KeithAlanK · #9 01-21-2011, 10:38 PM

That's a fine looking bass.
It would be great for sitting around the house practicing or jamming with friends, so don't go drilling new holes for a strap button. The wood of the upper horn may not be thick enough to support it anyway--you need a small mirror and flashlight to look inside and check, but I wouldn't modify this bass in any way that's permanent.
Might have some great tones for the studio, too.

I really like it!
Congrats on an interesting and unique find.

koobie · #10 01-22-2011, 10:20 AM

Enjoy your bass, Carl, it's a looker. An obvious thing to consider for neck dive is to install lighter tuners. The body style reminds me of Lakland's hollowbody, your Washburn might be smaller. If you take any new pics, putting it next to another bass would put it's size in perspective.

80'sRocker · #11 01-22-2011, 10:24 AM

I know my Washburn basses as good as anyone. This is not a 70's bass, I feel it is much newer (headstock), plus the pickups look 90's vintage. I have not seen one of these. Prototype: most likely - old: not. Either way a nice Wash!!

spade2you · #12 01-22-2011, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

That logo doesn't look 70's era, it looks like a late 90's to me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80'sRocker

I know my Washburn basses as good as anyone. This is not a 70's bass, I feel it is much newer (headstock), plus the pickups look 90's vintage. I have not seen one of these. Prototype: most likely - old: not. Either way a nice Wash!!

Agreed.

carlcaliente · #13 01-22-2011, 11:17 AM

Very good, thanks for the insight guys. Yeah the pickups did give me reason to believe it was newer than the previous owner said. But it sounds and plays so nice I'd hate to reserve it to at home or studio work, I wanna play it out for the world to see!!! Lol. I may try the tuner swap you suggested.