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Washburn ATB T25 Taurus

#2
My experience with Washburns is basically that they are quite well-built instruments, but cursed with horrible electronics. The Taurus has fairly standard-looking J pickups, so they shouldn't be too difficult to swap out. I suggest some MECs with the MEC circuit for that Warwick sound... :D

Russ :bassist:
 
#4
I bought one about 4 months ago, and I love it. Mine needs a setup though real bad (the 1st 2 frets on the low B are all buzz... just a setup issue) and I got mine for a good price, because it had a little fretwork done, and wasn't 100% cosmetically. It sounds and plays great, it's got a nice low B, and it's got a great growly/thumpy sound to it. The pickups are suprisingly good (well, i like them), but the pots need to be replaced (at least on mine). It's a great bass for the money, the neck is really comfy and it looks great. The sound is growly, and it does have some warmth, and even some Mwahhh. Bubinga as a fingerboard is awesome. This bass would be an AMAZING fretless. I'm getting a really slick 5 pretty soon, and I might look into having this thing defretted. I really want a fretless, and I know this would have a perfect sound. I'm probably going to get mine set up today, and then I'll let you know how it goes after the setup.
 
#5
I have a Washburn P that was as Russ said: a good instrument with cheap electronics. I rebuilt that one with Seymour Duncan QP's and new pots and jack, and am more than satisfied with it now, but out of the box it was weak.

I recently bought the 4-string version of the Taurus, and I see no need to swap the pickups or pots. The pots are oddly arranged (neck pup volume is the one closest to bridge, and vice-versa; takes a little getting used to), but as for tone and playability, I like this baby just the way it is; a good setup and string change is all that's needed.
 
#7
i just got back from the music shop and must say: the taurus has a horrible sound! it was like i was playing on some cheap ass bass! i also tested an ibanez srx500 and if i hadn't the washburn force5 to test, i would be crying, the srx had a sound like banging iron bars together...

for the washburn force5: it's a fantastic bass, bit heavy, but sounds godlike! and i also dig the look of it! too bad its price is so high...
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#8
I really wouldn't say it's a winner on any front.

Ok, so it looks semi-decent, but those "multi-laminate-exotic-neckthrus" are popping out everywhere, you can buy a Carlo Robelli for something like $200, Peavey for $400, Epiphohe, Tobias, et cetera.

What it lacks is two things: personality and good electronics. For me, I need them, and I need them both, in a same package.
 
#11
C//LiMBa did you happen to try an Ibanez SRX505 those are actually pretty good. (considering i HATE Ibanez basses), the top of the pickups are scalopped so your thumb fits in real nice, no joke it was actually the comfiest bass i ever held, i want pickups like that :( ANyways I'm off topic sorry. I owuldnt know about the quality of Washburns, I was in Cuba for a week and spent time with the bassist of one of their bands and he had a washburn 5 string (it was old, needed a neck adjustment and had decayign strings) it was a pretty comfy bass though.

Concerning washburns, does anyone know if they still make the RB2602, the black six string wiht the little triangle like pickguard, I was wondering cause back in the day when i wanted a 6string i found it beautiful, but it doesn't seem to be available anymore, would anyone know?
 
#13
sargebaker said:
C//LiMBa did you happen to try an Ibanez SRX505 those are actually pretty good. (considering i HATE Ibanez basses), the top of the pickups are scalopped so your thumb fits in real nice, no joke it was actually the comfiest bass i ever held, i want pickups like that :( ANyways I'm off topic sorry. I owuldnt know about the quality of Washburns, I was in Cuba for a week and spent time with the bassist of one of their bands and he had a washburn 5 string (it was old, needed a neck adjustment and had decayign strings) it was a pretty comfy bass though.

Concerning washburns, does anyone know if they still make the RB2602, the black six string wiht the little triangle like pickguard, I was wondering cause back in the day when i wanted a 6string i found it beautiful, but it doesn't seem to be available anymore, would anyone know?
Click to expand...
SRX505 = SRX500 + 1 string ;) it sounded like my EDA900, Icecold! I like a more warm sound. Wich brands beside washburn have nice warm basses?
though, i like the looks of the SRX505:
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#14
C//LiMBa said:
....for the washburn force5: it's a fantastic bass, bit heavy, but sounds godlike! and i also dig the look of it! too bad its price is so high...
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Click to expand...

Just made my day! I'm taking the plunge on a 5 string and the Force 5 is the one I ordered BECAUSE of the wood type and ACTIVE electronics. Thanks!!! I'll let U know how mine is....
 
#16
I'm looking into getting my first 5 string and I wanted to know more about this bass too.

1. What is the neck profile like? I have an Ibanez sr400 that I love the neck on, but I don’t know how that really compares to 5 string. The only 5 string I ever played was a Fender MB5, it had a very nice shaped neck too, I would've gotten it, but I didn't want a 5 at the time.

2. How does it sound? Would anyone happen to have a sound clip of it? I can’t get anywhere to try it, and would like it if I could get a better idea of how it sounds.
 
#18
I have a Taurus 5'er. The general consensus in this thread is that the bass rocks and the electronis suck.>>... :D Nothing could be closer and ring more true. Washburn brought in a bass that riveled their late 70's basses with passion. They are solid, heavey (I like heavey), and have a good feel. THE ELECTRONICS SUCK SUCK SUCK. I just changed out the preamp and pots 2 days ago and have not plugged it into my full rig yet. If the EMG pre doesn't make those crappy pick-ups sound any better than I will have to chnge them as well :scowl: . Mine needed the tailpiece filed on the G-side and it needed a fret job. Cost me $70. Not that big of a deal. I really like the shap and feel though. We can save it, we have the technology :D
 
#19
Disclaimer: I don't like Washburns ... I own an Ibanez SRX505.

Most of the Washburns I've played have been very uncomfortable to me and I don't care for the sound at all. Plus, IMO, the bass isn't of such a high construction quality that it's worth modding it .

The SRX505 is a solid, kick-*ss bass, but the string spacing is a little tight for me. It is powerful though, very powerful, and is a great rock/funk bass. I played it nearly exclusively for 3 years until a recent 6 string purchase, now it's just getting dusty, so I put it up for sale.
 
#20
I'd still like to get a little more info on the shape of the neck though, if possible. The Bass Player review said it has a shallow C shaped neck, but I don't know what that means. I had a Peavey Fury II Before I got my Ibanez, and the neck was barely narrower (fretboard) on my ibanez but it was slightly thicker from front to back, and I think that made it more comfortable to me.

Sorry if I'm asking a lot, but I can't drive 100 miles to try one, so I'll probably end up ordering one off the internet if I decide too, so I was just looking for a little more info.

Thanks
 

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