80s Bass guitars

[Heyturnup]

I may be old school but... I played a stingray the first part of the 80's until I found a Peavey Dyna-bass. Wow, had to have it. The pointy stuff was for the guitar slayers.

 

[74hc]

1980 Gene Simmons Kramer Axe, complete with aluminum neck.

In my city, the slappers loved the Kramer aluminum neck basses back then, just not the Axe.

 

[bararan]

Although it's not necessarily eponymous with the 80's or nearly as popular as many basses that have been mentioned so far, Yamaha BX-1 for me ticks all the boxes when I think 80's design

 

[arbiterusa]

Great thread. Not one choice I'd disagree with (and most I'd like to have). Can't quit my Steinberger, at some point I want to find an old Kramer Duke, preferably in a fretless.

 

[fretter]

For the P or J folks:

 

[big_fundamental]

Mid 80's P

• big_fundamental
• Apr 25, 2017

the rig I played in 1989. Fender Precision with a Yorkville Bloc 250.

My mid-80's Fender P, in front of the Yorkville rig it was played through. This is from the real garage band and college bar 80's, not the plastic MTV image of the 80's some people have.

 

[mikeyjm2]

Steinberger XL-2 for sure. Never had one... always wanted one (and still do).

 

[mikeswals]

Bands in the 80's played nearly everything on the market.
IOW, the audience isnt going to care.

 

[asands]

Next time someone asks what the best bass for metal is, just re post this. Then say you're welcome.

Might I submit the iron bird for consideration

 

[Rib 13]

Although it's not necessarily eponymous with the 80's or nearly as popular as many basses that have been mentioned so far, Yamaha BX-1 for me ticks all the boxes when I think 80's design

I have the BX-5 (five string version).....gets occasional play..........Very very fast neck, super slim 5 String........Just takes a bit getting used to. Its the only passive bass I will use live on occasion: Its best feature is that it has a tap coil for single coil mode...The other great feature is locking nuts so I can use any type of standard string instead of being relegated to double-ball end

 

[2tonic]

Does anyone remember Travis Bean? Enough koa and aluminum goodness to induce a permanent spinal curvature.
Or maybe Veillette Citron? Very boutique, but popular for a few years.

 

[Up the dose]

A Charvel, a Jackson, or a BC Rich with an animal print paint job. Tiger, Zebra, Leopard, Snakeskin etc....Check out Steel Panther for references.

 

[AshInAmsterdam]

Sorry if it's been posted I'm not reading four pages, but when I think 80s bass I think keytar bass.

 

[Malak the Mad]

...but a Steinberger + octagon Simmons Drums + Keytar + Aqua Net Hairspray (purple or white can) = I Want My MTV

Throw in the right jacket and you're set. Options range from…

Big Shoulder Pads a la "Purple Rain" era Prince

Michael Jackson/Thriller inspired

The "Miami Vice" white/pastel-colored tuxedo jacket with optional sleeves rolled up/down

Then, get yourself a forearm covered in Swatch watches…

…some white, velcro/lace-hybrid Reeboks…

…and wash it all down with a can of New Coke! Now you're good to go!

Although it's not necessarily eponymous with the 80's or nearly as popular as many basses that have been mentioned so far, Yamaha BX-1 for me ticks all the boxes when I think 80's design

I see your oh-so-pointy Yammy and raise you an Ibanez Axstar!

 

[Jughead6]

Gibson Victory.

 

[Toddcaster64]

Did somebody say Guild Pilot? Still have it. Surprising thing is that it is actually extremely versatile.

 

[Mathilda]

View attachment 1117078

WUT IS THUT.
I LOVE.

 

[mongo2]

1. Guild Pilot

2. Musicman Stingray

 

[devnulljp]

Aria SB with two pickups (the single pickup SB is, for all intents and purposes, a P-bass)

I really can't agree with that, unless we're talking about completely different Aria SBs. The ultimate early 80s bass for me would be the SB1000, one pickup, active electronics, 2-octave slim neck, neck-through body ... sounds nothing like a PBass either. I had (and still have) the passive version, the SB700, in the 80s. I agree the 2pickup SB900 isn't a PBass though.

Although I think there was a lower end model, maybe an RSB something, that had a kind of PBass pickup?

 

[Rip Van Dan]

Hmmm....how about late 70's to early 80's MIA Fender Jazz Bass?