80s Bass guitars

[Badwater]

Yes, I think the MusicMan stingray is the classic 80s bass sound if you play the classic rock tunes.

 

[somebrains]

Pedulla MVP and a Spector NS2 are the only 80's basses I played and wish I bought.

I had a thing for the midrangey nasal honk for a long time.

 

[audreycashin]

Pointiest bass until LTD came along. I regret never getting the OHSC for it. I bought mine new in 1985 for about $250. Walked into my local music store (practically lived there and spent most of my money there) and the owner pointed it out. He hated it, said it would never sell and gave me pretty good deal on it. Played it live and recorded with it for a few years, then got my first Ric and never looked back. I dragged it out a couple of years ago to try it again but it just didn't do it for me. I keep it for posterity.

How about this for posterity?

 

[audreycashin]

Then there's this for pure 80's goodness... Whammy is a bit of fun

 

[BurnOut]

Wall. Or even better; Roland G-77

It occurred to me that the 80s might be the last decade one can think of specific factory-built basses that defined the era, period. Everything has gotten retro, nineties and on-to my mind, at least. But that's for another thread...

Is that the Flock of Seagulls signature bass

 

[ggvicviper]

Yamaha BB5000 or RBX5!

 

[Dynomuttasaurus]

I love how this has turned into a celebration of the 80s. I'm in total agreement that the headless (or keytar) epitomizes 80s pop. The metal scene of the mid-late 80s dominated my musical influence, but the visual was still very important. You don't want to hide behind a black or 3-tone sunburst bass. The 80s were about excess in color, form and if you were in thrash metal -- notes -- punchy, as sharp as your pointy headstock.

My addiction to reliving my high school years -- hopefully a little less awkward.

'81 Aria Pro II CSB, '89/'90 Fender Power Jazz Bass Special, '87 Fender Lyte Precision, '85 Westone Dynasty, '89 Ibanez EX405
Link Removed Link Removed

 

[jaybones]

Ibanez or a Yamaha BB. If you're going for more new wave 80's or pop, maybe a Yamaha Motion B, and a keytar.

 

[Canadian APII]

Maybe one of these?

 

[hieronymous]

Steinberger XL-2!!!

Wow - this is my most like post ever! When the topic popped up, I immediately pictured Ross Valory with a Steinberger, then Geddy Lee & Sting - Jamaaladeen Tacuma too.

Another one (sorta late 70ties/early 80ties) would be SD Curlee.

Didn't remember any of these even though I was a teenager in the '80s, always read Guitar Player magazine, etc. Then tonight on MTV watched the video for Night Ranger - Don't Tell Me You Love Me - and what's Jack Blades playing? S. D. Curlee!!! Did not remember that! Actually, this might have been the first time I ever saw the video - I wore out my vinyl but only remember seeing the videos for Sing Me Away and Sister Christian - I think I might actually have been lucky to listen to music back then for the most part rather than watch the videos. I would be a totally different person if it weren't for the Walkman...

 

[58kites]

What ever happened to all those Guild pilots? I never see them anywhere.

Got one...love it...keeping it.

 

[fishdreams]

Wow - this is my most like post ever! When the topic popped up, I immediately pictured Ross Valory with a Steinberger, then Geddy Lee & Sting - Jamaaladeen Tacuma too.



Didn't remember any of these even though I was a teenager in the '80s, always read Guitar Player magazine, etc. Then tonight on MTV watched the video for Night Ranger - Don't Tell Me You Love Me - and what's Jack Blades playing? S. D. Curlee!!! Did not remember that! Actually, this might have been the first time I ever saw the video - I wore out my vinyl but only remember seeing the videos for Sing Me Away and Sister Christian - I think I might actually have been lucky to listen to music back then for the most part rather than watch the videos. I would be a totally different person if it weren't for the Walkman...

I grew up in the Netherlands and I remember them being around. Ovations too.

 

[jamro217]

I have an Outlaw from '78. Not sure if they made it into the 80's.

Maybe not being manufactured, but they were still being played.

 

[leto]

View attachment 1117583

Both Brooklyn and Kramer NS 2s , big hair optional !)))

These are still popular today. I have five of them myself! Some are 80's area Kramer Spectors, the others are a few years old.

 

[leto]

When I think of 80's basses I think of what I saw on MTV mostly. For me it was a lot of Spectors\Kramer, Hamer, BC Rich, and Ibanez.

 

[danosix]

View attachment 1117699 Pure 80's

View attachment 1117699 Pure 80's

Wow - this thread has more "in the wild" pics of Performers than I think I've ever seen anywhere - seen lots in books, catalgues and mags, but never actual "people's" pics.

 

[Marc valero]

In the 80's I purchased and gigged a purple BC Rich Warlock because my girlfriend said it turned her on...

It did.
And that made up for looking ridiculous on stage.

I had one of those for a short time and a Kramer V type bass. Then got a 90 Stingray 5 and 95 MIM Jazz 5 with a lot better sound.

 

[Hosedawg]

Two I had sold just last year

 

[Quadzilla]

My vintage USA Hamer qualifies!

 

[Watchootognbout]

and The REST of them:View attachment 1117336 View attachment 1117337 View attachment 1117338 View attachment 1117339 View attachment 1117340 View attachment 1117341 View attachment 1117342 View attachment 1117343 View attachment 1117344 View attachment 1117345 View attachment 1117346 View attachment 1117347 View attachment 1117348

Ten thousand years later,I finally scroll to the end of your picture posts.
Geez dude!Minimize!!