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Bass Centre Los Angeles

I was just wondering if anyone remembered the old Bass Centre in Los Angeles? Between late 80's through the early
90's, I use to go there to take some lessons with Baba Elfante. I bought couple of stingrays, and they had pretty good customer service. I think the owner's name was Gary, and Chris who later went to work with Trace Elliote. I'm just curious if anyone else had experience with this store.

Bassconbeatz

Sure - I spend some $$ there. When Long moved and changed the name to LA Bass Exchange, I spent a *bunch* of money there. I still have an LA Bass Exchange gig bag...

What remains of LA Bass Center is part of the Amp Shop (google it).
 
I was Long's first customer, before the new doors even opened. He hooked me up with a great price for a Crest CA9 and Demeter pre. Best part, he had me go meet Jim at the Demeter shop to pick it up! Also got a nice rolling rack which he facilitated, all which I still have. I also have my gig bag from there as well.

Around the same time I think I remember a bass only store in Delaware or Maryland called Advent Music (I think). High end stuff only. My brother should remember the name. It was nice seeing some attention given to the lowenders.
 
Mike (WannaBeatle) -

I don't remember the details, but I do remember meeting you. It was not too common to find a young player who was as much into McCartney and The Beatles as you, which is why I remember.

If you get the chance, go out and see the Beatle group RAIN. They may be the best Beatles tribute band in the world, and are fronted by my buddy Joey Curatolo who plays the Paul role.

I'm glad to hear you're still at it, and thanks for the kind words. BTW, I will be at Bass Player LIVE 2011 in L.A. on Sunday, attending with my son Nick who is a pro bass player in town.

Chris
 
Seven and a half years later, I just want to chime in and share my Bass Centre memory. I bought a brand new Trace Elliot 1X18 cab and a used Trace head from there back in the day. I was totally happy with it and the entire experience.

Still go to the Bass Exchange these days, as recently as last week.
 
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Seven and a half years later, I just want to chime in and share my Bass Centre memory. I bought a brand new Trace Elliot 1X18 cab and a used Trace head from there back in the day. I was totally happy with it and the entire experience.

Still go to the Bass Exchange these days, as recently as last week.

Thanks for your kind comments, @Charlzm!

We appreciate you visiting the store, and your positive experience (which was always our goal.) It was truly a special era. Not a week goes by without a long-lost memory of an event, visit by a household name or a great encounter with an everyday player resurfaces and brings a smile to my face.

I appreciate you sharing! :)
Chris
 
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Hey, Chris!

The bass in my avatar pic is a '62 Jazz re-issue that I bought from you around 1991! Still use it to this day. Thanks for always being so friendly and helpful! Great times and a great place!

Lance Morrison
 
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I was able to go to the Bass Center once. I was too young to appreciate the gear they had.
I went to LA Bass Exchange in Tarzana often to buy DR strings and sold a G&L bass there.
The new(er) Amp Exchange is cool. I bought a Lakland 44-02 from them, and a Vintage Icon VJ74. I don't feel the need to go there and check things out there like I used to.
 
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Hey, Chris!

The bass in my avatar pic is a '62 Jazz re-issue that I bought from you around 1991! Still use it to this day. Thanks for always being so friendly and helpful! Great times and a great place!

Lance Morrison
Hey Lance!
Great to hear from you, and I hope all is going well. What are you up to and who are you performing with these days? You have such an awesome career.

Chris is playing a gig right now as we speak....type. his band, The Fab 8 are playing a concert in the park in Glendora.

This is my first time seeing him in over 25 years, too.

Thanks for the shout out, Paul! It was great to see you as well and get caught up after soooo many years.
 
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For the past 20 years I've been playing with Don Henley (when he isn't busy with his other band). I'm also playing in a band with Mike Campbell called The Dirty Knobs, and we should have an album out early next year and do some touring (when Mike isn't busy with HIS other band). I've been so lucky! Get in touch with me anytime you're in LA!
 
Just wanted to chime in as well, as I ran into an Instagram profile for Bass Centre Australia, and thought I’d look for info on “my” Bass Centre. As an early teen, I used to take lessons with Baba Elefante nearly every Saturday (from ‘93 until Maybe ‘95 or so), and my dad and I went to a few clinics and always came away thinking “wow!”. It was awesome to see all these other bass players, and it inspired me to try be as good as them. For my dad, it was like he was part of a community, and I could tell he was inspired to be a better bass player as well. We both loved going there to check out the gear and just be part of everything that was going on. I bought a Fender American Standard (I think that’s what they were called then?) Jazz Bass there, because it resembled the one Baba had. I still have my copy of “Standing in the Shadows of Motown” too! Just really great memories and I wish there was a place like that now!
 
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For the past 20 years I've been playing with Don Henley (when he isn't busy with his other band). I'm also playing in a band with Mike Campbell called The Dirty Knobs, and we should have an album out early next year and do some touring (when Mike isn't busy with HIS other band). I've been so lucky! Get in touch with me anytime you're in LA!
Hey Lance!
I'm only 2 years behind on this post - I hope things are as well, at least as well as they can be during this crazy time.
So glad you've had such an amazing career, and look forward to hearing more about your future adventures. I have fond memories of our BBQ lunches talking about dinosaurs at Village BBQ in Studio City.

Just wanted to chime in as well, as I ran into an Instagram profile for Bass Centre Australia, and thought I’d look for info on “my” Bass Centre. As an early teen, I used to take lessons with Baba Elefante nearly every Saturday (from ‘93 until Maybe ‘95 or so), and my dad and I went to a few clinics and always came away thinking “wow!”. It was awesome to see all these other bass players, and it inspired me to try be as good as them. For my dad, it was like he was part of a community, and I could tell he was inspired to be a better bass player as well. We both loved going there to check out the gear and just be part of everything that was going on. I bought a Fender American Standard (I think that’s what they were called then?) Jazz Bass there, because it resembled the one Baba had. I still have my copy of “Standing in the Shadows of Motown” too! Just really great memories and I wish there was a place like that now!
Thanks for posting, @_MO_! Baba is amazing, and was the first teacher we hired when we opened at 11818 Ventura Blvd in Studio City in '88. I took lessons with him in the 80's (as did my son for several years in the early 2000's.)

Yes, I went there in the late 80’s. I had bought a t-shirt from there as well. Great store!
Thanks for the kind comments.
A T-shirt like this one?
Bass%20Centre%20-%20Wapping%20Years%20-%20Metallica%20-%20bc%20t%20shirt.jpg_zps717b2a49.GIF


I don't have a T-shirt, but still have the tour jacket:
7B3AA8AB-F9D8-44BF-A2EB-B22AE183C7C7.jpeg
 
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I was in L.A. in 1998 to attend MTV Awards at Universal Studios Theatre. Remembering to rent a new convertible green Mustang just to drive up to Tarzana and pay a visit to Bass Exchange. I couldn't be in the city and not go to that store after seeing those nice ads on Bass Player magazine...those were the days.
 
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Wow I just came across this thread. L.A. 1987 - 1988. I was going to BIT. My roommate Joe and I went to the Calabasas store many times. It was like going to a candy store. I remember buying my first Trace Elliot system from them when they were the only dealer in the U.S.! A AH250 and a 4x10 cab. Bought many basses from them. Chris and Al were awesome guys. Chris gave Joe and I tickets and back stage passes to see Level 42 open for Tina Turner at the L.A. Forum. Here is a couple of pics of us at the Calabasas store. Thanks Chris for all you did for me. The Bass Centre ruled!

David
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