Washburn Bass FORCE4

Washburn FORCE-4 Electric Bass - Neck-Thru-Body Construction with Exotic Woods

The Washburn FORCE-4 electric bass guitar delivers boutique-level craftsmanship at an accessible price. Featuring premium neck-thru-body construction with 3-piece exotic wood laminate (Mahogany, Maple, Walnut), this 4-string bass offers the sustain, stability, and professional tone quality typically found in hand-made instruments costing $3,000+.

Perfect for intermediate to professional bassists seeking a versatile instrument for modern clean-finger, pick, and slap playing styles. The FORCE-4 combines elegant aesthetics with serious performance capabilities for both stage and studio.

Premium Construction - Boutique Quality at Mid-Tier Price

Neck-Thru-Body Design: Unlike bolt-on necks, the FORCE-4 features a continuous 3-piece solid wood neck that runs the entire length of the body. This construction method—identical to hand-made Tobias NYC basses and high-end Alembic instruments—provides:

• Superior Sustain: Uninterrupted wood grain transfers vibration efficiently from strings to body
• Enhanced Stability: Resistant to neck warping and humidity damage
• Improved Resonance: Single-piece construction eliminates dead spots common in bolt-on designs
• Professional Aesthetics: Visible wood laminate creates stunning visual appeal

Exotic Wood Combination:

• Mahogany: Warm, rich fundamental tone with excellent midrange presence
• Maple: Bright attack and clarity for articulate note definition
• Walnut: Balanced tonal characteristics with enhanced sustain
• Body Wings: Bubinga & Mahogany joint for deep, resonant low-end
• Fretboard: Rosewood with dot inlays for smooth playability

Professional Electronics & Hardware

Washburn ABT JJ Active Pickups:

• Dual active soap-bar pickups for powerful, modern bass tone
• 9V active electronics for extended dynamic range and low noise
• Powerful low-bass punch with vintage warmth to solid attack tones
• Suitable for multiple genres: jazz, rock, funk, metal, pop

Premium Controls & Hardware:

• Controls: 2 Volume + 2 Tone knobs for precise tonal shaping
• Tuners: Grover Bass Tuners - industry-standard precision hardware
• Battery Compartment: Separated 9V compartment for quick on-stage battery changes
• Frets: 24 frets enabling full 4-octave note range
• Finish: Natural Satin finish showcasing exotic wood beauty

Design & Playability

• Body Shape: Double cutaway design for upper fret access
• Ergonomics: Elegantly contoured body with molded armrest for comfort
• Weight Balance: Neck-thru construction provides perfect balance
• Professional Aesthetics: "Performing-artist-level" appearance

Available Configurations

• 4-String Version: Classic configuration for traditional bass playing
• 5-String Version: Extended low-B range for modern styles (available separately)

Top 3 Reasons to Buy the Washburn FORCE-4 Bass

1. Boutique Neck-Thru Construction at 60% Less Than Hand-Made Alternatives

Competitive Edge: The FORCE-4 uses the same neck-thru-body construction method as hand-made Tobias NYC basses ($3,500-$5,000), Alembic ($4,000+), and custom Fodera instruments ($6,000+). While Tobias hand-carves single-piece necks in New York workshops, Washburn achieves identical structural benefits with precision 3-piece laminate construction—actually SUPERIOR to single-piece designs because laminated wood is more stable and resistant to warping.

Compare to competitors at $1,350 price point:

• Ibanez SR Premium ($1,200-$1,500): Bolt-on neck construction—inferior sustain and resonance
• Yamaha TRBX604 ($1,400): Bolt-on neck—lacks the tonal transfer of neck-thru
• Fender American Performer ($1,400): Bolt-on neck—traditional but not boutique-level
• Music Man SUB Series ($1,300): Bolt-on neck—good but not neck-thru quality

In summary: "Get Tobias-level neck-thru construction and exotic wood craftsmanship for $1,350 instead of $4,000—boutique tone without the boutique price tag."

2. Active Electronics with Grover Hardware - Pro Components Throughout

Competitive Edge: While Ibanez SR Premium and Yamaha TRBX use proprietary budget hardware, the FORCE-4 features industry-standard Grover Bass Tuners—the same tuners found on $2,500+ Lakland and Sadowsky basses. Combined with Washburn's proprietary ABT JJ active pickups (9V system), you get:

• Lower noise floor than passive pickups (critical for studio recording)
• Extended dynamic range for expressive playing
• Consistent tone regardless of cable length (active buffering)
• Powerful output that drives pedals and amps efficiently

The separated battery compartment is a professional feature that Fender and Music Man charge $1,800+ for—quick battery swaps during gigs without removing the entire control plate.

In summary: "Grover tuners + active electronics + quick-change battery = pro-level components that competitors reserve for $2,000+ models."

3. Exotic 3-Wood Laminate Neck - More Stable Than Single-Piece Boutique Designs

Competitive Edge: Here's the secret that boutique builders won't tell you—Tobias NYC's single-piece neck construction, while romantic and hand-crafted, is actually LESS stable than Washburn's 3-piece laminate approach. The FORCE-4's Mahogany-Maple-Walnut laminate:

• Resists warping better than single-piece necks (cross-grain lamination)
• Handles humidity changes without twisting (critical for touring musicians)
• Provides tonal complexity from three wood species vs. one
• Looks stunning with visible wood striping (boutique aesthetics)

Tobias charges $4,000+ for hand-selecting single-piece wood and hand-carving—you're paying for labor, not superior performance. Washburn's precision-milled 3-piece laminate delivers better long-term stability with the same sustain and resonance benefits.

In summary: "3-piece exotic wood laminate = boutique looks + superior stability + tonal complexity that single-piece necks can't match."

Competitive Comparison Chart

What Bassists Are Saying

Value: Praised as a premium bass at mid-tier price, offering boutique-quality components and playability for home practice and stage performance.

Sound: Washburn ABT JJ active pickups deliver powerful low-bass punch with vintage warmth to solid attack tones—suitable for jazz, rock, funk, metal, and pop genres.

Build Quality: Neck-thru-body construction is renowned for sturdiness, longevity, and aesthetically professional appearance.

Appearance: The 3-exotic-wood neck laminate with natural satin finish gives it a "performing-artist-level" look that turns heads on stage.

Ideal For:

• Intermediate bassists upgrading from entry-level instruments
• Professional players seeking affordable backup or touring bass
• Studio musicians needing versatile active electronics
• Slap/funk players who demand fast attack and clarity
• Modern bassists playing clean-finger, pick, and slap styles
• Gigging musicians who need reliable, road-worthy construction
• Tone enthusiasts who appreciate exotic wood combinations
• Budget-conscious pros wanting boutique quality without $4,000+ price tags

Technical Specifications

• Body: Bubinga & Mahogany solid wood wings
• Neck: 3-piece neck-thru-body (Mahogany, Maple, Walnut)
• Fretboard: Rosewood with dot inlays
• Frets: 24 (4-octave range)
• Pickups: Washburn ABT JJ active soap-bar pickups
• Electronics: Active 9V system
• Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone knobs
• Tuners: Grover Bass Tuners
• Finish: Natural Satin
• Configurations: 4-string and 5-string versions available

The Washburn FORCE-4 is the smart choice for bassists who want boutique-level neck-thru construction, exotic wood craftsmanship, and professional components without paying hand-made prices. Get Tobias-quality performance for $1,350 instead of $4,000+.

Reserve yours today and experience the difference that neck-thru-body construction makes!