1980's High "Endy" basses ???

brett7276 · #1 11-03-2009, 12:29 PM

I have a facination- and totally out of hand- collection of early 80's basses

currently in the line up, Smith, Jaydee, Aria SB, Spector, BC Rich, Fenders, Musicman etc.

I have the jones for something intresting a new along those lines particularly in the vibe of the jay dee or aria SB and I of course like odd ball stuff that no one else has....anybody have any idea of anything that obtainable at reasonable price and intresting to someone who digs this kinds of stuff?

Dark Horse · #2 11-03-2009, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brett7276

...and I of course like odd ball stuff that no one else has....anybody have any idea of anything that obtainable...

If no one has them, how are you gonna get one ?

J/K.

PS - what about a nice Hamer ? Maybe a 12 stringer like Tom Petersons.

GeneralElectric · #3 11-03-2009, 12:33 PM

G&Ls, MM Cutlass and Sabre...

brett7276 · #4 11-03-2009, 12:36 PM

Good point= I was thinking more locally- most of the guys in Indinapolis either have an Ibanez, Fender or a Warwick and if they are really exotic a Lakland or a Ric, (there of course being few excpetions)
I'm one of those folks that likes to be utterly unique in every facet of my life- my mint green Jay Dee is kind of that deal- I pull it out and most people are like what in the world is that hideous thing...but I think its the bomb and I'd like to have a few other oddballs

Kenner · #5 11-03-2009, 12:36 PM

A friend of mine has a Guild X-702 on ebay..........

kjpollo · #6 11-03-2009, 12:37 PM

Well, if you're looking early 80's, try to track down an Ibanez Musician. Truly a trend-setter. Reasonably priced neck-thru with later models incorporating possibly the first true active/passive hybrid electronics.
Sting was known for playing a fretless before he got into Spectors. I had a fretted in Pearl Black but you most commonly see them in a dark stain that covers the body wings but the neckthru part is generally left natural.

I generally see them going around $800 when you can find them.

Also, how about a Kramer Duke? Patterned after the original Steinberger-featured the then-popular aluminum neck bolted to a wood body.
Not at all sure of the prices on those.

Sounds like a fun search/obsession. Good luck!

EDIT: Didnt Pedulla's also come out during the 80's?? Talk about "high-endy"!

kjpollo · #7 11-03-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark Horse

If no one has them, how are you gonna get one ?

J/K.

PS - what about a nice Hamer ? Maybe a 12 stringer like Tom Petersons.

Oh yeah! Dont forget Rick Savage's Hamer Blitz basses that were Explorer shaped. I understand the Scarab shape he used later on is virtually impossible to find.

kjpollo · #8 11-03-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenner

A friend of mine has a Guild X-702 on ebay..........

Which model is that?

Dark Horse · #9 11-03-2009, 12:40 PM

I used to have a Hamer Cruise Bass, one of the old high end ones - great bass.

brett7276 · #10 11-03-2009, 12:46 PM

thanks for the suggestion an Ibanez musician sounds like it might be a strong contender.... wondering about something built accross the pond,...maybe should watch e-bay UK...but for what...kind of want a wal but not sure $5000 is in the budget. My SB 100 was of the great finds like this great bass, very unique voice, well built and just a ton of fun for cheap....

Kenner · #11 11-03-2009, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjpollo

Which model is that?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-1983-Gui...item45ef0507e0

I have another friend who has a 12-string Hamer.....he plays in a Cheap Trick tribute band in Rockford, Il.

I think it's Budakon 79..........

BigOldHarry · #12 11-03-2009, 12:53 PM

back then... The new bass on the block was Warwick - - You had crazy high end stuff out there like Ken Smith & Alembic...

But for the more consumer-based player, I recall that Ibanez's new SoundGear basses were popular. I ended up buying a new Fender P-bass Plus in '89 and played it to death. Good bass, that.

Dark Horse · #13 11-03-2009, 12:53 PM

You might also look for an old Pedulla

brett7276 · #14 11-03-2009, 12:53 PM

That one looks like fun too

afireinside · #15 11-03-2009, 12:53 PM

odd bc rich found on CL today

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/msg/1448872761.html

Dark Horse · #16 11-03-2009, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afireinside

odd bc rich found on CL today

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/msg/1448872761.html

Post is deleted.

Kenner · #17 11-03-2009, 12:56 PM

I've played the X-702.......it plays great......awesome sparkley paint too!

Kenner · #18 11-03-2009, 12:58 PM

They only made about 200 of the X-702's

kjpollo · #19 11-03-2009, 01:02 PM

[quote=Kenner;8188576]http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-1983-Gui...item45ef0507e0

\QUOTE]

OMG- I remember those!!! Didnt Judas Priest use these for a while? I could swear I remember an ad in some guitar mag that had Downing, Tipton and Hill all holding these.
I also think JJ French from Twisted Sister used one.

Hey-thats another builder who really did well in the 80's-Guild! They had the Pilot and the companion "star" shaped bass, plus they had a 3 pickup model that was vaguely similar to Paul Reed Smith's 3 pickup basses. (IIRC)

Dark Horse · #20 11-03-2009, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjpollo

Hey-thats another builder who really did well in the 80's-Guild! They had the Pilot and the companion "star" shaped bass, plus they had a 3 pickup model that was vaguely similar to Paul Reed Smith's 3 pickup basses. (IIRC)

Those Pilot Basses are really nice. A friend of mine used to play those every night in front of 20,000+ people. You can get them dirt cheap too !