Washburn Bantam

[BrunoLovesBass]

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Has anyone ever played one? Is there anything I should know about this bass that would change my mind on buying it?

 

[Obese Chess]

Bass Player liked it, save for reportedly rough fretwork and an easily-scratchable finish.

They said it sounded great, and rough fret ends are easy to fix anyway.
I'd go for it.

 

[Kronos]

Maybe the factr that for $500 that you could get a heck of a lot better basses...
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for example

 

[BrunoLovesBass]

Maybe the factr that for $500 that you could get a heck of a lot better basses...
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for example

I was looking at it more for the whammy bar on it. But then again, last time I played a Spector, I loved it.

 

[Kronos]

The whammy bar on it is just a novelty. If you really want a whammy bar on a bass, I'd suggest getting a bass you enjoy, then getting a kahler whammy and having that installed.

Do you do a lot of soloing on your bass?

 

[Earwigger]

My pal plays that same bass, he likes it a lot. I don't much care for it, but that's because it has no "character" to the sound. The tremelo works pretty well too

 

[BrunoLovesBass]

The whammy bar on it is just a novelty. If you really want a whammy bar on a bass, I'd suggest getting a bass you enjoy, then getting a kahler whammy and having that installed.

Do you do a lot of soloing on your bass?

Getting a bass I enjoy, and a kahler, would be alot more though
And all my playing is done "solo"

 

[Kronos]

Oh, ok...then go for it.

 

[PilbaraBass]

from the BP review, the string spacing is a bit tight...this seems to be a common problem with Washburns...great tone, but tight string spacing.

If you like that, then go for it.

as far as looks, the bass looks cool.

 

[J Posega]

I saw this a week ago when it didn't have any pics yet and then cross checked it on Washburn's site. I didn't see anything about a Bantam with Whammy, so I figured it was a misprint. It sounds like a nice deal (hell, a bass whammy for under $300 is a great deal) as long as the trem holds tune.

 

[purfektstranger]

In the past I owned a Washburn Bantam 120. For the cheap price I found it to be a very decent bass (lifetime warranty as well). I sold it because I found the pickups sound was one dimensional. If you like that sound then great, but if not....shop around.

 

[wdinc01]

Well, I think the point is that it's a non-custom bass with a whammy for an affordable price. That's pretty much the selling point, because you can indeed get a better bass for the same price (*cough*SPECTOR*cough*). But then, from what I hear, it's okay, just might wanna get better pick ups if you plan on using it as a main bass.

I would like to try one out though.

 

[riffripper]

I have a 5 string Bantam BB5, it does not have a whammy though, didn't think I would ever use one. I had to get it set up and I put a set of new strings of a lighter guage, solid nickel Fenders and it made it sound great. I like the thin neck and the active soapbars. I also like that it is very light and easy access to the upper frets, I had no problems with the frets as I've read in other reviews, maybe it was just the model they played. The basswood body has good tone but it does ding very easy. I do not agree with the guy that said it sounded one dimential I find with the active pickups I can tweak the tone from bright to mellow and anywhere in between. The set of new nickel strings made it sound awesome.