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'82 Washburn SB-40 EQ Bass
- Thread starter Uber Soldat
- Start date
Solely up to you. I can't hear your pickup. I tend to measure the sound coming from one against some of Jaco's stuff, just for reference.
Actually glad this thread came up again as I, to my dismay, see I, for some reason, backed up all the correct dates by a year. And me being with SB-40 from the beginning! Yikes. Here is the correction and my apologies:
1. SB-40 hit the stores late 1980 (not 79) as a new 1981 product. (I bought my first one Nov, 1980 in L.A.).My own serial number is 811498. Only year produced.
2. The SB-40EQ came out for 1982 only. The only difference is the cavity plate is not brushed aluminum. I have never found any other differences. If anyone knows of any other, please let me know.
NOTE THE SB ELEC PACKAGE IS 3 POTS, A TOGGLE, A MINI-TOGGLE. this package was adopted to the B-40EQ/EQW, the Force 40 series also.
THE B-40 HAD THE OLD VULTURE II ELEC PACKAGE OF 4 POTS AND 1 TOGGLE WHICH CARRIED ON THROUGH 1983. THIS IS THE BASS BAKITHI KHUMALO USED WITH PAUL SIMON. THEY CAME IN FRETTED AND FRETLESS.
Here is a thumbnail history I have put together from years of investigation:
Washburn Basses from the magic years (note I have included few guitars, that is another subject)
1978: Wing series Scavenger (bass brother to Raven Guitar), Vulture I (bass brother to Hawk guitar)
1979: Wing series Scavenger, Vulture I, Vulture II and proto-type B-40 with the Vulture II electrical package very possibly made by Daion in TX or Japan FOR Washburn (it is the only Wing series bass with the stripe insert in headstock and similar to Daion XX B and then came out for general sale in 1980 with the regular wing headstock until B-40 sales ended in 1983---
1980: *Introducing the B-40 Wing Series with the Vulture II electrical package (4 pots and toggle), B-20 Stage basses begin along with the 8-string B-20-8 Stage bass (Scavenger,Vulture I and II still being sold).
1981: same models as 1980 along with the new Wing series SB-40 (electrical package is 3 pots/toggle/mini-switch and later adopted by all Force 40s and the B-40 EQ/EQW)(Scavenger,Vulture I and II still being sold)
1982: the Wing series SB-40EQ replaces SB-40 but same as the '81 SB-40 (with the possible exception that the 40 had brushed aluminum cavity plates and the 40EQ did not as far as I can determine), the Wing series B-40, the Force-40-headstocked B-40EQW with SB-40 electrical package, the Force 40EQ (also SB-40 elec pkg except for a very few with the B-40 elec package), Force 8 and Force 4, the Stage B-20 and with it’s little brother B-5 Stage bass introduced (Scavenger,Vulture I and II still being sold). Note WASHBURN FINALLY PUT THE NAMES OF THEIR ELEC GUITARS ON THE TRUSS ROD COVERs (Falcon, Hawk, T-Birds, Eagle---no Ravens produced)
1983: Wing series B-40, Force series B-40EQW and the B-40EQ(including fretless), the regular Force 40 begins, Force 4's and 8's and B-20's/5's (Vulture I and II still being sold as well)
Note: 1982 and 1983 sheet ads (same basses used for both years) list only B-40EQW, the 1983 catalog (page 8) lists only the B-40EQ as does the price list. Prototype B-60 bass and G-64 guitar (Bantam Headless) sold from a store ( I have pictures) with no SN's.
1984: Regular Force 40's, B-20 Stage BBR and B-5 Stage BBR and Force 40 BBRs and Force 8K BBR (as opposed to the B-8—there are 2 differently priced Force 8’s this year and 2 Force 8K’s) and the Bantam B-60 BBR headless (for $999.00 while a regular, non-BBR B-60 is $899.00)--All BBRs this year are BBR'd completely: body, neck and headstock --only in 1984. In the 1984 BBR catalog on page 2 it shows a Force 40 BBR but labeled as a Force 40EQ---another mistake by Washburn in advertising. The B-40EQ (the B-40EQW is not in the catalog). Vulture II still in production. Also for sale is the Tour Series for Rudy Sarzo Slammer Basses: B-70RS in black/white starburst and the B-70G (metallic gray) Also the B-60 Bantam headless (also in BBR) and the double neck Bantam B-62 came out. All Bantam B-60 Headless basses found to date only have 5 serial numbers instead of the usual 6 numbers.
NOTE:
1. BBR means BLACK Body, BLACK Hardware (with dark rosewood fretboard) and RED binding all the way around.
2. Some guitars also BBR’d: HM-20+35 models, Hawk, Tour 24 and Tour WT-24V BBR, Force 6, HB-35, FV-20V, FV-2V , A series to include A-20/20V, A-23K, A-20K, A-5V, etc. But also note some guitars like the Tour 24 (Les Paul style, also known as WT-24) did not have the red binding around the headstock.
3. Note Some B-5 Stage bass pick guards had their edges BBR'ed also! Not seen that on any other basses. AND some had the input jack on the FRONT of the bass by the 2 pots! Not on the bottom edge. The Stage basses B-20 and B-5 also had several different TYPES of pick guards used, another unusual thing about them.
4. BBR was used 20 years later in 2004 on the X-50 Guitar! And then also used by Cort in the 1990's on a cheaper model of guitar.
1985: the Force series B-40EQ, Force 4+8 last year, the B-5 Stage bass...and the only 2 Basses BBR are the Force 8 BBR which is NOT BBR'd on the maple fretboard neck--so its a partial BBR and the fully BBR'd Force 42 headless bass of which I have found only one sample (in England). NO more regular Force 40's or Stage B-20's!(someone please show me a 1985 one and I'll change this, but do not believe so). Several guitars, however, were still BBR’d (HM models, Tour WT-24V, some A series, Force 6). Also in the 1985 catalog is the Force 42 headless bass (also made in Fretless as owned by Doctor Bass at Level 42 Web Digest forum which was also offered in BBR (the only bass fully BBR'd in 1985. ( Invalid Link Removed) which may have been in production up to 88 (1987 for sure), and with the Bantam B-60 ($899.00) headless and the double neck Bantam B-62 (fretted/fretless for $1499.00) still in production. The GB-63B was a double neck with both guitar AND BASS (catalog says in black only and priced at $1499.00). We know the Bantam headless G-64 guitar (shown in red on the 1985 catalog, page 6) was also offered.
Who cares if the "op" is from 2008?? this is one of the top searches to come up when i search for Washburn SB40 EQ.
Now MEKer, I was always under the impression mine was an 81. But from looking at your chart, it seems it may be an 82??
my cavity has the aluminum inside of it tho, 4 knobs 1 toggle.
OK, Bassisgood4u, seems I may have to do a little bit more homework then on "jazz" tone.
Now MEKer, I was always under the impression mine was an 81. But from looking at your chart, it seems it may be an 82??
my cavity has the aluminum inside of it tho, 4 knobs 1 toggle.
OK, Bassisgood4u, seems I may have to do a little bit more homework then on "jazz" tone.
and two more, 1 of the aluminum inside the cavity and the other showing 81 as the first two numbers of the serial. Had to get that in the right light, kind of hard to see but its clearly an 8 and a 1
after looking above MEKer, our serial numbers are about 30 off! lol
after looking above MEKer, our serial numbers are about 30 off! lol
Attachments
I have a 1982 Washburn SB-40EQ, with a mahogany fret board, and EQ switch that sounds like a wawa pedal......can anyone tell me what this axe is worth in today's market? I bought I back in 1983 for like $850.00
Ask MEKer! He'll be your guy on that one. For me it worth the same but the market is strange now and if I was you, I'll not let this beauty in nobody's hands, it must be treat with great respect as it's a great lady.
MEKer, see below.....
I have a 1982 Washburn SB-40EQ, with a mahogany fret board, and EQ switch that sounds like a wawa pedal......can anyone tell me what this axe is worth in today's market? I bought I back in 1983 for like $850.00
He's not on line right now but maybe you could post also on the Washburn Club thread, he will surely reply on this as The SB, B and Force are his preferred basses.MEKer, see below.....
I have a 1982 Washburn SB-40EQ, with a mahogany fret board, and EQ switch that sounds like a wawa pedal......can anyone tell me what this axe is worth in today's market? I bought I back in 1983 for like $850.00
Heya Jonathan89131...Boy, that's a nice one! You rarely see an SB-40 or SB-40EQ in anything but a burst of some sort (honey or tobacco). Whats the serial number?MEKer, see below.....
I have a 1982 Washburn SB-40EQ, with a mahogany fret board, and EQ switch that sounds like a wawa pedal......can anyone tell me what this axe is worth in today's market? I bought I back in 1983 for like $850.00
1. your fretboard is rosewood, not mahogany.
2. The bigger toggle is pickup selector. If up = neck pup.....if in middle position = both pups.....in down = bridge pup
3. The mini-switch is for "brilliance". If up = full on effect.....if middle position = off......if down position = about half effect
And what is brilliance? It is a boost in the 800 - 900hz range to add some crunch to your tone. Some like it, some don't. I love it myself and it works great when using distortion as it enhances to give a real bite to the tone.
4. Value--tough one, but prices vary widely simply because bassists are unfamiliar with them, not knowing what fine, fine instruments they are (made by Matsumoku btw). I've seen them go at average of $450 usually. If lucky you can get one lower, sometrimes very lower. But then sometimes someone will put one up for $500-$650+ or so. Just between me and you---in playability and construction they are worth that, but the unknowing market won't see it that way and the bass will almost always sit until it is lowered. Go with $400-$425 and that is fair within the market if in good, not-needing-any-repairs condition.
Hope you are planning to keep it? Don't sell it unless absolutely dire need. Once gone, you may search for years to find another.
Of course, keeping it puts you up for Washburn Club membership if so inclined!
I personally have 2 SB-40's and one SB-40EQ.
BTW: the SB-40EQ was made for just 1982 and, IIRC, was at $799 when released. $850---well, fifty bucks above regular price when you bought it---but, dang, such a rare jewel that I certainly would not feel bad about it!
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Note Bisonzone's posts #24-#26 here---He actually has a B-40 bass, not an SB-40EQ like the truss rod cover is saying. But that is a dang nice B-40!
I have run across four-five B-40's now, since last on this thread, where they put an SB-40EQ truss rod cover on it---that is a factory error and I have written extensively about it in our Washburn Club thread. But, go up to my post #23 on this thread and you'll see what constitutes a B-40 vs an SB bass.
Now, Bisonzones B-40 IS a 1981 (per his serial number), and yet has an SN-40EQ truss rod cover which is from 1982! That is ALWAYS the error you find in this situation. But how can that be? The only and I mean only reason I can think of is the 1982 SB-40EQs were already in production to hit in late 1981 (usual practice) as the next year's new submission to the market. (That's what they did with the 1981 SB-40. They came out in November 1980 when I bought my first one.)
So what does that mean? It means the SB-40EQ truss rod cover were already there in the parts boxes and a worker grabbed one without thinking and slapped it on the B-40.
BTW, this SB thing ONLY happened to B-40's in 1981+1982. AND I have examples of 1982 B-40's with 1981 SB-40 truss rod cover on them! But...just factory errors.
A B-40 is a B-40 is a B-40.
I have run across four-five B-40's now, since last on this thread, where they put an SB-40EQ truss rod cover on it---that is a factory error and I have written extensively about it in our Washburn Club thread. But, go up to my post #23 on this thread and you'll see what constitutes a B-40 vs an SB bass.
Now, Bisonzones B-40 IS a 1981 (per his serial number), and yet has an SN-40EQ truss rod cover which is from 1982! That is ALWAYS the error you find in this situation. But how can that be? The only and I mean only reason I can think of is the 1982 SB-40EQs were already in production to hit in late 1981 (usual practice) as the next year's new submission to the market. (That's what they did with the 1981 SB-40. They came out in November 1980 when I bought my first one.)
So what does that mean? It means the SB-40EQ truss rod cover were already there in the parts boxes and a worker grabbed one without thinking and slapped it on the B-40.
BTW, this SB thing ONLY happened to B-40's in 1981+1982. AND I have examples of 1982 B-40's with 1981 SB-40 truss rod cover on them! But...just factory errors.
A B-40 is a B-40 is a B-40.
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I am think I may take your advice and not part with it! ThanksMEKer, see below.....
I have a 1982 Washburn SB-40EQ, with a mahogany fret board, and EQ switch that sounds like a wawa pedal......can anyone tell me what this axe is worth in today's market? I bought I back in 1983 for like $850.00
Good for you. You wanna join our Washburn Club?
What is the serial number? I'll get it in our database.
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Good to hear from you. lebo! Heck yeah, SB's are great players for gigs (I am in love with their necks!). Glad you have one. Any pictures and I'm interested in the serial number?
Wonderful for you to join our club. I'll get you your number tomorrow for official membership and once I have your serial number I'll get you on our database. Glad you chimed in here after so long!!!!
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HAh correcting a typo which give bad info: the Wing series B-40 came out as a 1980 model, not 1979 (I do however, have a picture of the proto-type from 1979).
I also said above "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" Wrong. Again, I typed a year off. Sorry.
It should read: "The SB-40 was initially produced in 1980 for release as a new 1981 model. I bought mine (SB-40) as soon as it hit the store in late 1980" (November 1980)
For those that do not realize, if, for instance, a 1981 model is coming out, the factory is already making them the year before so they CAN come out as a new 1981 model. Just like cars.
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