User Reviews : Westone Genesis XA-6520-TBU

1. Westone Genesis XA-6520-TBU - 2 months ago - Koeller (USA)
Purchase year : 1997        Price paid : 100 USD (used)
The Westone Genesis bass was made in Japan and has a body made from Canadian Ash with a walnut transparent finish. The 4 bolt neck is made from Canadian hard rock maple with a 24 fret rosewood fingerboard. The original price in 1987 was $569. Some of the features are Carbon Graphite string nut, Trakwind deluxe Machine heads, and a 34 inch scale. The 2 Pick-ups are Magnabass III and Magnabass IV's, with Magnacast Brass Bridge,and 3 control Knobs (Master volume, tone control for the neck pickup and tone control for the bridge pickup). The Genesis bass also featured an exclusive stepped body for sustain and playing ease (for slapping, popping and tapping). I found this bass at a Salvation Army on RT.38 north (Wilmington, Massachusetts) on my way to a pay gig, I stopped in just to use the restroom and saw it sitting there on the counter. The man said it was just brought in. The 3 strings were all rusty, and it was covered with dust and grime. I said how much do you want?, he said $100,I paid the cash right there.Took it home and oiled the neck with Clarinet Bore oil, polished the body with carnuba wax, and derusted the metal parts. oiled up the bass bridge saddles and after a re-string with brand new GHS 105's, I plugged her in, and she worked perfectly. After adjusting the neck truss rod and setting the intonation, this bass came to life, a second chance to re-claim the true glory days. This bass was made to rock, but I'm more of a jazz-er. Every bass player that saw and played it, wanted it on the spot. I also play the tenor sax on gigs, so I've let some of my friends play it and they love it. I always get the same "How much do you want for it?"question, but it's not for sale. I have used this bass in Japan at Jazz clubs and also for Broadway styled shows (Grease).It's smooth and phat and funky. Kind of heavy but has tons of sustain. It was made to play all day. If only Jaco could have tried it out, it would have been more famous. The Genesis was the last great bass from MATSUMOKU (Maker of Aria, Westone,& Electra) celebrating the 65th anniversary of St. Louis Music. Very rare, and the value is going as we speak.