NBD - Washburn Axxess XS-5

[Razman]

Technically last Friday was NBD but I just got done cleaning and tuning it up, pics taken, etc. I believe it is an '91 and it has a great finish - none of the play wear comes through on the pics but it has some, and the blue reminds me of some of the new Jackson basses that come like this.

A prior owner installed a Wilkinson top-loading bridge and Carvin jazz pickups but the factory electronics are still there. It sounds similar to the old Force ABT bass I had, which is really exciting for me - that was an excellent sounding bass, and along with the MB-5 turned me into more of a tone snob.

I need new strings for it - provided it sounds decent through my rigs I'll upgrade the knobs to black ones and replace the tuners as they are worn out. I'm getting a lot of buzzing so I'm thinking this has more pronounced low-mids/midrange, which will help the low-heavy stock electronics. Had to set the action a little higher than preferred but it's still playable.

As is my custom I seem to run across basses that lead me to the "end of the Internet" in that I can't find much about them. This one is no exception - a few references here on TB but not much else out there. Posting for posterity...

 

[Bitterdale]

Technically last Friday was NBD but I just got done cleaning and tuning it up, pics taken, etc. I believe it is an '91 and it has a great finish - none of the play wear comes through on the pics but it has some, and the blue reminds me of some of the new Jackson basses that come like this.

A prior owner installed a Wilkinson top-loading bridge and Carvin jazz pickups but the factory electronics are still there. It sounds similar to the old Force ABT bass I had, which is really exciting for me - that was an excellent sounding bass, and along with the MB-5 turned me into more of a tone snob.

I need new strings for it - provided it sounds decent through my rigs I'll upgrade the knobs to black ones and replace the tuners as they are worn out. I'm getting a lot of buzzing so I'm thinking this has more pronounced low-mids/midrange, which will help the low-heavy stock electronics. Had to set the action a little higher than preferred but it's still playable.

As is my custom I seem to run across basses that lead me to the "end of the Internet" in that I can't find much about them. This one is no exception - a few references here on TB but not much else out there. Posting for posterity...

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While I was researching this model bass, I came across your post.
Do you still have it? Did you ever get it sorted out?

 

[Razman]

While I was researching this model bass, I came across your post.
Do you still have it? Did you ever get it sorted out?

I sold it last year - it was just sitting, and didn't really fit in my current contexts. As much as I enjoyed it and put new strings/tuners/knobs on it, I knew I wasn't going to play it much.

Right after selling it, I looked on FB and saw another identical bass for sale local to me for a really good price - but, for all the reasons I mentioned, I didn't go look at it or buy it. The main thing to check on them is the stock electronics to make sure they are quiet. Otherwise they are solid, great sounding basses.

 

[Bitterdale]

I sold it last year - it was just sitting, and didn't really fit in my current contexts. As much as I enjoyed it and put new strings/tuners/knobs on it, I knew I wasn't going to play it much.

Right after selling it, I looked on FB and saw another identical bass for sale local to me for a really good price - but, for all the reasons I mentioned, I didn't go look at it or buy it. The main thing to check on them is the stock electronics to make sure they are quiet. Otherwise they are solid, great sounding basses.

Thanks for the response, I appreciate your input!