MEKer

[quote name='wotsy' timestamp='1450307517' post='2931649'] think there's one for sale on this foreign website, I'm not even sure what language it is: [url="http://www.kupujemprodajem.com/washburn-28298011-oglas.htm"]http://www.kupujempr...98011-oglas.htm[/url] [/quote] Please understand the below is my interest as a Washburn historian and I simply try to unravel the mess Washburn has in their models among us Washburn fans. SO take it in that spirit. These so-called Washburn Force 30's are mods and not Washburn Force 30's. The Force 30 was a 6-string "Strat-type" guitar. Below is the documentation and some pics for you. Also take a close look at the "30" on the headstock of the bass wotsy found---you can see its fake. Why anybody would go thru the trouble to make fake Washburn Force 30's is beyond me. Also, bassassasin's bass is a B-40 as I explained to him a long time ago, along with pictures, etc. I repeat, as I told him, SB-40 or even SB-40EQ truss rod covers were occasionally put on B-40's and even some Vulture II basses at the factory in error. I actually have 2 SB-40's and one SB-40EQ. My first SB-40 I bought when they first came out for 1981 in Nov of 1980---still have it. The SB-40 has the 3 pots/toggle and mini-switch which was then adopted for the Force 40 series. Also Bakithi played a B-40 fretless in Graceland. The whole story is in several books and quotes not mention pictures. I certainly will not argue with anyone as I've put out the docs and pictures on these things so often I am tired of it.. People will believe what they want to believe regardless. Anyway---here is your answer for the "Force 30".

Bassassin---as to the J pup you mentioned on your B40-----here is a "satisfied customer" comment I'll pass on: "Check out a DiMarzio Ultra J, wired in series. Loud, thick, and hum free!" I just bought a B-40 yesterday (1981) and will definitiely check out the J pup myself--and prob go with the above as I know they are great quality and do not break the bank at the same time.

Heya Bassassin-----What I can do is have some of my Talkbass buddies give me the values of the components in their B-40s that are original. You could make a comparison, perhaps and go from there. Hmm, someone else did a mod they found to strengthen their tone also. Lemme check it out for you and ask what he did to strengthen his tone there. A Force 42 BBR! Gawd, now I'd like to see that one! I try to collect info on all BBR's as a specific grouping(I also own a Force 40 BBR which I DEARLY love) and have quite a list of models, but no Force 42 yet. Any chance the owner is in any forum to contact for some pics and serial number?

Hiya Bassassin--- Yep, sure thing there are inconsistencies found in the research. But the simple business fact remains that when Washburn contracted instruments to Yamaki and Matsumoko, they did exactly that; they contracted for Scavengers, Vulture I's, Vulture II's, B-20's, A-series, Raven's Hawks and Eagles, etc etc--within,and for, certain periods of time---like any other business. Generally it came out pretty darn well for the thousands and thousands of instruments made, with just a few mistakes such as the uncommon mis-labled instruments, an error in SN or no SN at all. Such mistakes did not mean the mis-labeled instrument was no longer what it was made to be and now took on the identity of the wrong label put on it. A B-40 is a B-40 is a B-40. A Vulture II is a Vulture II is a Vulture II. An SB-40 40 is an SB-40 is an SB-40. The differences between models are quite distinct. Your B-40 has a wrong truss rod cover on it. That does mean the B-40 is no longer a B-40. I cannot say it simpler than that. My SB-40 is an SB-40, bought original on roll-out to the market in autumn 1980. The electrical packages are distinctly different. They are 2 different basses--regardless of people calling them by incorrect names. I have seen many instances of SB-40's being called Vultures. Thats so ridiculous. They too are so very distinctly different models. I have established the models available 1978-1985 with great certitude, and years of production. I am constantly searching for anything to change the data if needed and will continue to do so. This includes keeping track of errors, even those in Washburn's own ads where a Wing series instrument is called a "Force" series instrument. Talk about blatant error. The issues of Yamaki/Matsumoko are corporate entanglments only such as which factory did how many of any particular model and for how long within the life of the model. That's pretty much it in a nutshell. And you are correct, that may be unsolvable. I have searched for years for contacts and documents to no avail As to lost records, I am referring to Washburn itself, corporate HQ in Chicago, who, they themselves, ordered the tossing out of all records 1987 on back, due to the unwanted work load of digitizing them. Washburn themselves told me that was the reason and that they also regret that move by those then in charge. Anyway, enough on this. You have a great B-40. I have a great SB-40. And on Talkbass we have an interesting list being built that is up to 58 different models being owned by our Washburn club members.

Hi Bassassin----Glad you got back to me on this. Thank you very much!! I have several examples of your bass being called SB-40, SB-40EQ , Vulture II and even SB40 Vulture. Some even have the truss rod cover saying so. I will give you some pictures here but first, a couple of points: 1. In Nov 1980 I bought my (Wing series) SB-40, a new model being intro'd for 1981. I still have it (see picture). It also introduced a new electronics package of 3 pots, 1 toggle and 1 mini-switch. This electronics package was then adopted thru 1985 on the B-40EQ and EQW, The Force 40EQ/EWQ and plain 40. 2. In 1982 they came out with the (Wing series) SB-40EQ, same bass as the 1981 SB-40 model, except it does not have brushed aluminum cavity covers. Note your bass's serial number is a 1982 number. Yet you have a 1981 truss rod cover name on it. Actually a not really rare factory error. 3. The (Wing series) B-40 officially came out in 1980 (until 1983) with the Vulture II electronics package of 4 pots and 1 toggle switch. But it finally had the first "fender-style" body for Washburn. In the last year of production, they also introduced the B-40EQ but with the Force series head and the SB-40 elec package. Regular B-40's, btw, NEVER have their name on them, just like the original Scavengers and Vultures I and II basses and 1978-1982 guitars did not. Btw, the picture of the "Vulture" belongs to Mitril over at Talkbass. Also a B-40 like yours. Unfortunately there are a lot of bad errors in most all the "vintage Washburn" sites. I have been researching for several years and hope to get a book out on it when I have a few more mysteries cleared up. Hard to do tho since all records were destroyed in 1988 (from 1987 on back). But I have accumulated hundreds of photos, ads, catalog pages, serial numbers, etc, so I am gettin' there. The amount of mistakes and anomolies Washburn did on these quality instruments is amazing, even some of their own ads are wrong. Anyway, you most certainly do have a classic, Wing series, B-40 wearing the wrong year anyhow SB-40 name. But that's just fine---its in fantastic shape and gorgeous and you have one of the factory error names. Very cool. B-20 Stage Basses--so very well made, I just could not handle the neck dive and the "v" neck shape. But truly works of art. I wish I'd kept mine just for that reason alone. So--Pictures are me with my original SB-40, typical B-40 (1981), 1982 SB-40EQ, Vulture II Hope that helps and I'd never sell that beauty personally.

You are correct--he did play a B-40 Fretless. He talks about it in a couple of books. He actually bought it--I think he said-- as his first bass in his native country because it was just there in an old store and everyone was afraid to get it since it was fretless. He could afford it and so he bought it. That's his story he tells in a couple of interviews. Odd also is that it is occasionallty refered to as an SB-40 although it most certainly is not. But he calls it by its right name--B-40--in the interviews.

The pic below was posted in Jan 2011 by Bassassin. I saw it was mis-labeled and put some correct info on his bass for him to know what he really had. Hope he still has it. Truly a great and beautiful bass. He said: "Anyway - 1982 Washburn SB40 Vulture II, a bit more obscure than the near-identical Force 40, I suppose... J. Looking at this older post here and noticed you think it is an "SB40 Vulture II". So to set the record straight, this beautiful bass is a Washburn B-40 (1980-1983). The SB-40's and the Vulture II's are 2 separate and different basses altogether. The Force 40's have the Force series headstock and the SB-40 electrical package--not very identical actually. Here is a listing for you of the Washburn basses from 1980-85 involving "B" series basses (and the others): [b][size=3]1980: [/size][/b][size=3]Introducing the [i][b]B-40 Wing Series [/b][/i]with the Vulture II electrical package (4 pots and toggle), B-20 Stage basses begin along with the 8-string B-20-8 Stage bass (Scavenger,Vulture I and II still being sold). [b]1981[/b]: same models as 1980 along with the new Wing series SB-40 (electrical package is 3 pots/toggle/mini-switch and later adopted by all Force 40s and the B-40 EQ/EQW) [b]1982:[/b] the Wing series SB-40EQ replaces SB-40 but same as the '81 SB-40( with the possible exception that the 40 had brushed aluminum cavity plates and the 40EQ did not as far as I can determine), the [b][i]Wing series B-40[/i][/b], the [b][i]Force-40-headstocked B-40EQW[/i][/b] with SB-40 electrical package, the Force 40EQ (also SB-40 elec pkg except for a very few with the B-40 [/size][size=3][size=3]elec [/size]package), Force 8 and Force 4, the B-20's little brother B-5 Stage bass introduced (Scavenger,Vulture I and II still being sold) [b]1983:[/b] [b][i]Wing series B-40[/i][/b], [b][i]Force series B-40EQW[/i][/b], the regular Force 40 begins, Force 4's and 8's and B-20's/5's (Vulture I and II still being sold as well) [b]1984:[/b] Regular Force 40's, introducing B-20 Stage BBR and B-5 Stage BBR and Force 40 BBRs and Force 8 BBR (single pup)--BBR'd completely: body, neck and headstock --only in 1984.[b][i]Last year for the B-40EQW[/i][/b]. Vulture II still in production. (guitars also BBR’d: HM models, Hawk, Tour 24, [/size][size=3][size=3][size=3]Force 6, FV-20V, [/size][/size]A series to include A-20/20V, A-23K, A-20K, A-5V, [/size][size=3] etc) [b]1985:[/b][i][b] Now we have the Force series B-40EQ[/b][/i], Force 4+8, the B-5 Stage bass...and the only Bass BBR is the Force 8 BBR which is NOT BBR'd on the maple fretboard neck--so its a partial BBR. NO more regular Force 40's or B-20's!(someone please show me a 1985 one and I'll change this, but do not believe so). Several guitars, however, were still BBR’d (HM models, Tour 24, some A series, Force 6)[/size] [size=3]Boyohboy---hang on to that B-40 if you can. Gorgeous, one of thre best I've seen. It was fantastically well-built in the Matsumoko factory in Japan. Quite a bass. [b]What's the serial number? [/b]And more pictures please?? As a vintage Washburn historian, I can be reached at [email protected] [/size] "

[quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1296250016' post='1106744'] Ah, y' see, that's exactly why I would - and have - played it live! The downside's the spine-crushing weight & the fact it tends to squeal like a piggy at any sort of volume. Looks nice on the wall though. Eric - love the Seiwa, remember discussing it a bit when you got it. Interestingly I subsequently got a Washburn SB40 Vulture II, which has the same massive bridge. Whipped it off to give the bass a hose-down & there's the verification of the hardware manufacturer, at least: [attachment=70307:chushin_...dge_base.jpg] I must admit I'm cheating a tiny bit with the Talbo - while these originally appeared in about 1984, making them "vintage" enough for this thread, mine's a reissue from about 2000 - and that's only "vintage" on Ebay! Anyway - 1982 Washburn SB40 Vulture II, a bit more obscure than the near-identical Force 40, I suppose... J. [/quote] Looking at this older post here and noticed this; so to set the record straight, this beautiful bass is a Washburn B-40 (1980-1983). The SB-40's and the Vulture II's are 2 separate and different basses altogether. The Force 40's have the Force series headstock and the SB-40 electrical package--not very identical actually. Here is a listing for you of the Washburn basses from 1980-85 involving "B" series basses (and the others): [b][size=3]1980:[/size][/b][size=3] [i][b]B-40 Wing Series [/b][/i]with the Vulture II electrical package (4 pots and toggle), B-20 Stage basses begin along with the 8-string B-20-8 Stage bass (Scavenger,Vulture I and II still being sold). [b]1981[/b]: same models as 1980 along with the new SB-40 (electrical package is 3 pots/toggle/mini-switch and later adopted by all Force 40s and the B-40 EQ/EQW) [b]1982:[/b] the Wing series SB-40EQ replaces SB-40 but same as the '81 SB-40( with the possible exception that the 40 had brushed aluminum cavity plates and the 40EQ did not as far as I can determine), the [b][i]Wing series B-40[/i][/b], the [b][i]Force-40-headstocked B-40EQW[/i][/b] with SB-40 electrical package, the Force 40EQ (also SB-40 elec pkg except for a very few with the B-40 [/size][size=3][size=3]elec [/size]package), Force 8 and Force 4, the B-20's little brother B-5 Stage bass introduced (Scavenger,Vulture I and II still being sold) [b]1983:[/b] [b][i]Wing series B-40[/i][/b], [b][i]Force series B-40EQW[/i][/b], the regular Force 40 begins, Force 4's and 8's and B-20's/5's (Vulture I and II still being sold as well) [b]1984:[/b] Regular Force 40's, introducing B-20 Stage BBR and B-5 Stage BBR and Force 40 BBRs and Force 8 BBR (single pup)--BBR'd completely: body, neck and headstock --only in 1984.[b][i]Last year for the B-40EQW[/i][/b]. Vulture II still in production. (guitars also BBR’d: HM models, Hawk, Tour 24, [/size][size=3][size=3][size=3]Force 6, FV-20V, [/size][/size]A series to include A-20/20V, A-23K, A-20K, A-5V, [/size][size=3] etc) [b]1985:[/b][i][b] Now we have the Force series B-40EQ[/b][/i], Force 4+8, the B-5 Stage bass...and the only Bass BBR is the Force 8 BBR which is NOT BBR'd on the maple fretboard neck--so its a partial BBR. NO more regular Force 40's or B-20's!(someone please show me a 1985 one and I'll change this, but do not believe so). Several guitars, however, were still BBR’d (HM models, Tour 24, some A series, Force 6)[/size] [size=3]Boyohboy---hang on to that B-40 if you can. Gorgeous, fantastically well-built in the Matsumoko factory. Quite a bass. What's the serial number? As a vintage Washburn historian, I can be reached at [email protected] [/size]

Hey Paul---thats actually a 1980. The single digit year thing did not start until late 80's and then only for a while. The first two numbers are the year.

Very nice, 1981. Thanks for posting! Yeah, have heard they are heavy. Glad to hear no neck-dive. Still looking for 78 and 79 owners and pics!

Can we get a pic of bass and number, please? Do they neck dive, noelk27 and have heard are fairly heavy?

See 1980 and 1981 a lot. But who is lucky enough to have a 1978 or 1979 Scavenger or Vulture I ?? If you do, please post picture and SN!