So... I had a gift card at GC from a return I had made, and while looking thru the Talkbass thread about deals on the GC used site, I found a post about a 1984 Washburn Force 8. Never heard of it, and never played a Washburn, so I did a bit of research and got more & more intrigued. I love old Ibanezes, my main player is an ‘84 Roadstar II, and seeing these Washburns were made in Japan, in the Matsumuko factory had me intrigued.
Hard to see much in the dark photos, but it looked cool, and at $200 shipped (and knowing returns w/ GC are easy enough) I took a shot.
I was a bit nervous because it was listed in “good” condition (which seems to mean “not very good”) and I’d also heard enough horror stories about poor packing jobs and basses arriving damaged.
So...box arrives with hardly a dent, take the bass out & it seems to be in great shape!! A cpl little dings, and some light swirls on the back, but over all great shape! Also, the bridge looked weird... little research, it came with a KAHLER bass tremolo bridge!! Couldn’t see it in dark photos, but I’m really excited about it. Still need to get a bar, but I’ve never had a tremolo, and I’m excited to try it... especially seeing they sell for twice what I paid for the bass!!
The bass plays great... thin neck, but w/ enough depth front to back to feel really comfortable & fast. Not a light weight, but it feels solid, not so heavy as to be any kind of issue. Binding is in great shape, love the matte pickguard, and..... it sounds HUGE! Just what I like: big bottom, but nice sparkle and clarity also.
I do have a question for anyone familiar with Kahler trems. When I got the bass it was strung thru body, negating the Trem. I restrung it properly, with strings anchored on the bridge, but it seems I need to unlock it. Either that or I just need the bar to get the proper leverage to operate the Trem. Any ideas? Is there a way to unlock it or do I just need the arm?
I Want to thank Talkbass and @derekeugene specifically for introducing me to a “new to me” old model of bass that felt like home as soon as I picked it up. Early 80’s Japanese made basses are just incredible gems!
Read all that? You deserve a prize...
so w/o further delay, here’s some pics!
Hard to see much in the dark photos, but it looked cool, and at $200 shipped (and knowing returns w/ GC are easy enough) I took a shot.
I was a bit nervous because it was listed in “good” condition (which seems to mean “not very good”) and I’d also heard enough horror stories about poor packing jobs and basses arriving damaged.
So...box arrives with hardly a dent, take the bass out & it seems to be in great shape!! A cpl little dings, and some light swirls on the back, but over all great shape! Also, the bridge looked weird... little research, it came with a KAHLER bass tremolo bridge!! Couldn’t see it in dark photos, but I’m really excited about it. Still need to get a bar, but I’ve never had a tremolo, and I’m excited to try it... especially seeing they sell for twice what I paid for the bass!!
The bass plays great... thin neck, but w/ enough depth front to back to feel really comfortable & fast. Not a light weight, but it feels solid, not so heavy as to be any kind of issue. Binding is in great shape, love the matte pickguard, and..... it sounds HUGE! Just what I like: big bottom, but nice sparkle and clarity also.
I do have a question for anyone familiar with Kahler trems. When I got the bass it was strung thru body, negating the Trem. I restrung it properly, with strings anchored on the bridge, but it seems I need to unlock it. Either that or I just need the bar to get the proper leverage to operate the Trem. Any ideas? Is there a way to unlock it or do I just need the arm?
I Want to thank Talkbass and @derekeugene specifically for introducing me to a “new to me” old model of bass that felt like home as soon as I picked it up. Early 80’s Japanese made basses are just incredible gems!
Read all that? You deserve a prize...
so w/o further delay, here’s some pics!
