Washburn SH B3 Reviews 5

This is the new signature bass for Stu Hamm put out by Washburn. If you follow Stu Hamm you'll know he had the popular Stu Hamm Urge model made by Fender, well with in the past few months he made the switch to Washburn after releasing an acoustic signature bass with them.

I was able to demo this bass at a store that just got one in. I don't think you'll be seeing too many of these. The price tag of $3,000 will keep them out of reach for most. I plugged it up through a Mark Bass combo and went to town for a bit on it.

The fast 24 fret 2 octave neck was a breeze to play on. Stu does a ton of tapping and two handed riffs so he needs easy access and he got it. There is a under the saddle piezo pickup in addition to the humbucker in the neck and a Jazz style pickup in the bridge position. The Piezo gave me all the top end brightness and clarity a bassist could ask for. Possibly too much, but they the more the merrier! The 'exclusive' Stu Hamm preamp and pickups are what you'd expect from the normal EMG series.

Nothing that I can think of. The overall look of the bass doesn't jive with me, but that is my personal opinion. If you like it all the power to you.

Typical bass 'stuff' Alder body, maple neck and a rosewood fretboard. The Hipshot tuners and bridge performed as great as they always do. The drop D tuner is something I'm seeing more and more on basses and is fun, but I don't really see it as a necessity.

Holy Stu Hamm this bass is expensive! This is a great playing and sounding bass it is just too rich for my blood.

Billy rated this unit 5 on 2011-05-25.

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