Washburn XB120, Bass guitar

...better.

The Washburn XB120 has twin pickups, two tone controls and a volume control, with a connection for the plug at the bottom of the bass.

The neck is a lot thinner than my old bass too, which took a little getting used to but is actually much easier to move your fretting hand up and down. It is also a lot lighter, therefore easier to throw shapes to as you pretend that you really are Geezer Butler and you're laying ...
...The Sea (or even better E5150 with its distorted sliding tones). Ahem.

But what about the sound, I hear you say, the most important of all? The gorgeous deep tones that run from the lower E and A strings compare really well with the sharper sweeter higher notes on the D string and ring out wonderfully on the G, as I found out the other night putting down the theme tune to Coronation Street ha ha. The tone is rich deep and throbbing, ... more

Having started playing bass with a cheapo Fender Precision copy, after a year I decided it was time to move up to a better make. It was a toss up between a classic jazz bass with all the tuning pegs lined up a la the Fender or one of the newer "Gothic" style ones like this. In true Mr Pink fashion a beer or six was consumed whilst I perused the choices avaliable, finally deciding to take a chance on this beaut and the deed was done!

The purchase was made from a firm in South Bend, Indiana, USA (isn't the internet wonderful) for a total of $303, approx £165, of which the actual bass cost $202 around about £110, pretty good considering the going price for this make in the UK is around £150-£200, and it arrived in less than a week so I was very pleased. A quick run through the scales showed that it was tuned up nicely too - even better.

The Washburn XB120 has twin pickups, two tone controls and a volume control, with a connection for the plug at the bottom of the bass.

The neck is a lot thinner than my old bass too, which took a little getting used to but is actually much easier to move your fretting hand up and down. It is also a lot lighter, therefore easier to throw shapes to as you pretend that you really are Geezer Butler and you're laying down the groove to a Sabs anthem like Children Of The Sea (or even better E5150 with its distorted sliding tones). Ahem.

But what about the sound, I hear you say, the most important of all? The gorgeous deep tones that run from the lower E and A strings compare really well with the sharper sweeter higher notes on the D string and ring out wonderfully on the G, as I found out the other night putting down the theme tune to Coronation Street ha ha. The tone is rich deep and throbbing, and even my wife has complemented me on some of the playing so it must be right somewhere! I was a bit surprised at the tone controls, they don't really make an awful lot of difference no matter how much you fiddle with them but I've found a way round by adjusting the volume and amp settings to match.

If there was a bit of a downer it was the strings, so tight to start with that my fingers ached and not using a pick I actually lost the feeling in the tips of my fingers for a while, but that was gradually sorted out with repeated playing which has softened and stretched them to the point where now it's not even noticeable.

I love playing the bass - I don't want to play six string after hearing the gorgeous pounding beats and harmonics that come out of the bass - and I love this baby too. There are lots more expensive makes on the market but for either a jobbing muso or a relative beginner like myself this has all the tools for the job. Highly recommended. Now dammit I am going to get Lee Dorman's rolling line on "Most Anything That You Want" nailed if it kills me. Thank you.
 

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