question for bass persons | Forums

[XXajniN]

The page is often overloaded. Here are the pictures:

[XXajniN]

Anyone with an idea about this bass' worth? Is $120 a good price if it's in good condition?

[ravenreaver]

Generally, I'm a fan of Washburns. Not particularly something I would buy for myself because I like a few models better, but my friend's who play them thoroughly enjoy them. As for this bass it looks like $120 might be a steal but there's no telling whether all of the parts are really in working order when you can't play it first, and judging by the picture's date it may be in worse condition than it was then. Personally, I'd buy local to avoid the risk of being ripped off. However, if the bass really is in working order it's a decent price. Worst case you can always upgrade to different pickups, tuners, pots, and such later if you really want to. Also, I would find one of these locally to sit down and play it for as long as you can to determine whether it's a comfortable fit for you or not.

[XXajniN]

It's from a local guy. I just never even held a bass guitar in my hands, I don't know if there's something specific I shoud watch out for. I'm going to take a look at it tomorrow. Any advice would be appreciated.

[ravenreaver]

The only specifics I can think of are make sure all the electronics work well, check the neck for cracks and breaks because this can flat out ruin a bass, and make sure the beast sounds and feels good. As long as you like the way it plays and all the parts are in working order $120 is a good deal. You might want to go ahead and have it set up after you buy it because the owner might not have had that done in years if he/she doesn't play it often.

[C.Linton]

Looks OK. I would check the neck for straightness, seeing as the truss-rod access cover is missing, someone may have been messing with the truss rod and lost the cover. As was said, play it thru an amp, and makes sure both pickups are working as well as the volume and tone knobs, and whatever switches are there (althought I don't see any in the pics)
To check the neck:
Fret it at the first and last fret (use both hands!!!LOL) check at about the 8th fret, there should be a gap between the bottom of the E string and the top of the fret enough to slide something the thickness of a credit card between. If the gap is much more than that (say 1/16." or more) I might consider passing. It looks, as I said because of the missing truss rod access cover. that someone has already been messing with the truss rod, and if the gap is that big, it may not be fixable. However, at a glance, it looks like a decent enough bass for $120, I would see if maybe because of the grafitti and sticker, you might see about talking him down 20 bucks. You may need to take it to a pro for a proper setup, which can cost anywhere from 30 - 50 dollars, but even with that expense, it would still be a relative bargain.
All in all, if it is in decent condition, and everything appears to work as it should, I would go for it. It looks like a fair enough bass for a beginner, at an OK price.
The closest Washburns I could find at Musician's Friend I could find were about 500 bucks new. I have no clue what this particular bass might have cost new, but at least you get an idea what a typical Washburn costs these days.

[XXajniN]

I've bought this bass. The neck is slightly bent, but I think it can be corrected. I got it for arround $65 because of that. When fretted on the 1st and the 24th fret, the gap is less than 2mm (arroung 1/16"), but the strings were too tight, the guy who sold it to me doesn't have a clue about guitars, he's just selling stuff. Electronics work fine.

Here are some fresh pics. I think this is Bantam XB-400.














Thanks for the help, guys.

[ravenreaver]

Not bad I would definitely go get a set up on it to correct the neck. It looks like it should be a good solid bass for a beginner and should last you some time. HNGD!

[XXajniN]

Thanks. I think I'll be able to fix this. My problem is that I live in a ****ty country where there are almost no professionals at anything and I can probably do a setup as good as anyone who would take my mone for that. The guy in my local music shop doesn't even play anything.

I will buy some sighter strings tomorrow, I measured these and they are the heaviest I could find on D'Addario website (these).

[XXajniN]

The graffito, sticker and strings are off:




The neck is already a bit straightened: