80s Bass guitars

[danosix]

Any Kramer aluminum necked bass.

Those are the epitome of 80s bass history - but not especially what many people (especially in the audience - it's a cover band, it matters) will associate with the era. The "look" of the aluminum headstock with the split is not "iconic" enough.
Not slagging them - just not what I'd recommend - unless they have a really good chiropractor.

 

[danosix]

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Are all those yours? Very nice 80s collection - extra points for the Performer, a rare axe indeed - and the two pickup Elite too - hardly common.

 

[morgan138]

White sparkle Jackson B3 that I sold to a guy in an 80s cover band.

 

[Quadzilla]

I play in an 80's tribute band (a pretty popular and successful one here in the mid-Atlantic region). I have a lot of 80's era basses, but if I had to pick "the one" that truly nails the 80's vibe and tone, it would be my 1981 Aria Pro II SB-R60. The one pictured isn't mine, but mine looks just like it (minus the thumb-rest).

 

[jamro217]

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.

Back in the day when Hi-A pickups were the name of Bartolinis.

 

[DrayMiles]

I always think of the Aria Pro II and whatever Ibanez Sting used to play.

An Ibanez Musician Bass

 

[jamro217]

'80's bass? Westone Rail, nasty old P bass, or the Electra Outlaw with the built in effects modules in the back. You could buy different ones and swap them out.

 

[smartinson]

I would suggest the old Ibanez RD basses that had their standard in-line headstock. It's one bass I wish I could find.

 

[gttim]

I always think of guitars like this Kramer.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

For some reason, whenever I think of Music Man, I peg it in the 70's, 90's, and onward. I skip the 80's for some reason.

I think it is a 90's bass b/c everyone was playing them then.

 

[rogerbmiller]

Aria Pro II SB1000

 

[Dave Campbell]

Up here in Canada a lot of players were using Lado basses.

 

[Quadzilla]

Aria Pro II SB1000

I'm still rockin your old SB-R60 that you sold to me. She's been with me to tons of gigs!

 

[Spirit of Ox]

Hopefully in the 7 pages on this topic, someone must've mentioned the Charvel 2B. It's by far one of the best basses made. I used to have three and sold them back when I was moving. Someday I will pickup another.
Nice fast neck with reversed P and J bridge pickup.

 

[RickyWoo]

If an Aria Pro II SB1000 was good enough for John Taylor in the 80's, it should at the very least be considered a top dog of the era.

 

[rogerbmiller]

I'm still rockin your old SB-R60 that you sold to me. She's been with me to tons of gigs!

Glad to hear it!

In fact let's give these and the SB-600s and SB-700s a shout out as well! The passive SBs have fuller bottom!

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

Something with a bright color, and a pointy headstock.

 

[nixdad]

Lots of great suggestions here. Another 4 string not mentioned specifically which screams 80's is Hamer's original Cruise Bass.

However, the 80's is when the 5-string bass became king, as many players were trying to compete with the lower registers of synths (there were many years when we sold more 5-string basses overall than 4-string basses.) Two in particular that stand out that we sold a ton of (not including all of the fantastic boutique brands) were the Yamaha TRB 5's (which included the piezo pickup in the bridge) and especially the MusicMan StingRay 5. At the initial '87 retail price of $995, we sold SR5's like they were candy.

 

[songwriter21]

@HMZ

I always think of the Aria Pro II and whatever Ibanez Sting used to play.

The first pic (Aria bass) laid down this freaking PHENOMENAL bass line from an album that you probably remember....

 

[BurnOut]

Back when I just played guitar, I passed on the crazy Rudy Sarzo Washburn for cheap. I shall never forgive myself.