Anybody go without playing crappy basses?

Oh man, you don't know the joys of woodshedding on a $50 Lotus Applause P copy?!
I started on a cheapie, because if bass playing wasn't for me, then I'd only be out of 50 bux.

 

I also started with a rare, expensive bass. It's by a European luthiers group called Epiphone (I think they just bought Fender, or something like that.) It was called an Accu-Bass, and was the bass that Leo Fender ripped off to make the P-Bass. Among other things, it had dual cutaways for increased mobility to the upper frets, a rare "sunburst" finish (I can't really exlain it... most people have never seen one so I can't really tell you what to compare it to...), and this crazy kind of pickup that was split into TWO pieces, that weren't attached, so the tonal variation was greater. I played all sorts of brands, and nothing ever came close to the thunderous tone of my Accu-Bass. I couldn't imagine starting on a lesser instrument.

 

Your so wierd.

 

my 1st bass was an old fender music master, it wasnt a pro model but at least professional brand, my parents got it for me as a christmass gift, couldve been much worse too cos they couldve gotten me a hondo, palmer or something really cruddy like that.

 

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by SuperDuck
I also started with a rare, expensive bass. It's by a European luthiers group called Epiphone (I think they just bought Fender, or something like that.) It was called an Accu-Bass, and was the bass that Leo Fender ripped off to make the P-Bass. Among other things, it had dual cutaways for increased mobility to the upper frets, a rare "sunburst" finish (I can't really exlain it... most people have never seen one so I can't really tell you what to compare it to...), and this crazy kind of pickup that was split into TWO pieces, that weren't attached, so the tonal variation was greater. I played all sorts of brands, and nothing ever came close to the thunderous tone of my Accu-Bass. I couldn't imagine starting on a lesser instrument.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You're so full of it! No such bass exists! If it does, how come we've never heard of it, huh? Answer THAT Mr. Duck, IF that's your real name!

 

Well, I managed to talk to Armando, the head of Epiphone Luthiers, Inc., and asked him for the link to the website. He was quite upset, because I interrupted a lesson he was giving to Bill Conklynn... or something like that. Anyway, he gave me a picture to prove that yes, such an amazing bass does exist. I'm warning you now, get some paper towel ahead of time to clean up the drool or other bodily fluids that will result from seeing this fine instrument... actually, art is the better word.
http://www.epiphone.com/legacy/images/ebacb.jpg

P.S., warwicknut, that IS my real name. It's... um... German. Yes. German.

 

I think yer pretty much alone on this one as well as hated

 

Compared to what I play on now. Started in 1973. Bought my first good bass in 1995 (a Carvin LB75). It's been a lot easier to play since then.

 

I bought my first bass at a seafood specialist. It plays pretty well. It smells after all these years, though.

 

i was never keen on the tiny single coil pickup they had in it, and the short scale neck gave me lots of flack from my friends, they always said get a real bass, I can at least say that bass sounded better than my other friends cheap hondo's and stuff like that

 

I had a musicmaster back in 1990... But while I was on vacation some fellas decided to open my garage and borrow my basses, guitar and my drummers cymbols. They didn't let me know when they would be back, but I am sure it will be any day now.

 

My First Bass was an Ibanez Soundgear. so I'm floating in the middle not to much not to les it was just right.

 

I started off playing a Peavey Patriot through a Peavey Basic 40. My how times have changed! Although I still use the Basic 40 to practice at home...

 

Strong words, lobsterboy.

 

my first bass was a crappo squier P bass.. i actually think its better that i started with it... i appreciate the difference in better basses now..

i ended up switching the coils on the pickup and the nut and making it a lefty for my best friend.. its unbalanced, but has that cool hendrix-thing going for it..

 

Yep, me too. Even in the old days, I would never touch the trashy stuff. Gibson and some of the quality European basses were my signature. Now my arsenal includes such names as Rickenbacker and Elrick.

I've picked up a few Fenders and Jacksons in showrooms lately but I laid them back down quick. Sometimes you have to taint yourself touching junk to find a good bass. There are some good cheap basses out there.

I like to keep a few good cheap basses around for backup and for playing the chicken wire clubs.

 

When a young person starting out ask's what bass should I start with I always recomend a lower priced bass! Then after they decide to stick with it, they can buy a more expensive one! I have seen some music stores try to sell the parents or, kid a more expensive bass only to put it in the closet or sell it at a loss ! There are many budget minded bass that have a nice action to start with for around two to three hundred bucks! A couple of years ago I bought my sons second bass for $270
a Yamaha RBX Has a good action from the factory. But I did put a bad ass bridge on it and DR strings,and it plays very nice for his school jazz band!
Good Luck, and God Bless

Chopper