I started playing guitar in 1985 at the age of 13 and although I'm naturally right handed, my father had a left-handed guitar which I picked up and learned to play. When the band I was in got rid of the bass player in 1987 and changed name to 'King's Ransom', I was encouraged to take up bass and my dad bought me a white Washburn B10.

That was replaced on 20 May 1989 by my pride and joy - a lefty Washburn Series 1000 (Status). I also briefly had an Aria 5-string lefty but never got the hang of 5-strings! I continued gigging with 'King's Ransom' for another 2 years. We played a mix of 'metal' covers from Van Halen to Black Sabbath around the West Coast of Scotland.

Since late 1991, I haven't played much and my bass was unfortunalely damaged in a flood in the mid 1990s. I've recently found out that Washburn no longer carries spare parts and have given up much hope of restoring the bass to its former glories. However, after looking at your site I am now considering buying my dream bass from the 80s - a Warwick Thumb !!

Washburn Series 1000 (Status)

Aria 5-string