Bass Centre Los Angeles

[nixdad]

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 View attachment 4153169 View attachment 4153171

Thanks so much for posting the photos and for your kind comments, David.

WOW! There aren't that many photos from the Calabasas days ('86-'88,) so I appreciate you sharing. It was always a blast seeing you and Joe, and we so much appreciated you guys making the drive from Hollywood - I'm sure the commute was much easier when we moved to Studio City in '88.

Level 42 opened for Tina Turner? WOW! That must have been a hell of a show. I remember you and Joe being big fans of Level 42 and Mark King, but I'd forgotten about the Tina Turner part.

Good times indeed!

Chris

 

[Yami]

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

Yeees! I used to go there. I bought my first Yamaha 5 string there.
They used to have Bass Seminars. Lots of local, (LA) famous bassist would come in and give in person, up close, talks and lessons. This was when practice videos were just starting up. I miss that place!

 

[nixdad]

Yeees! I used to go there. I bought my first Yamaha 5 string there.
They used to have Bass Seminars. Lots of local, (LA) famous bassist would come in and give in person, up close, talks and lessons. This was when practice videos were just starting up. I miss that place!

Thank you for your kind comments and patronage, @Yami.
Which clinics did you attend?

 

[LA_Kings_Fan]

Brings back memories ... used to frequent the store. Bought 3 Basses and lots of equipment from there, attended many of the Bass Seminars - Stu Hamm, Billy Sheehan, I kind of remember seeing John Entwistle also? but can that be right, can it? and others, this place was AMAZING !

- '86 Warwick Streamer Stage I
- '87 Warwick NT Thumb IV
- '89 Classic Kramer Era Stuart Spector USA NT NS-5
- Hartke Speaker Cabs w/ Fender BXR Amp head and Digitech effects

Not sure, but "Chris" rings a bell ? I think you sold me ALL of this ?

 

[nixdad]

Brings back memories ... used to frequent the store. Bought 3 Basses and lots of equipment from there, attended many of the Bass Seminars - Stu Hamm, Billy Sheehan, I kind of remember seeing John Entwistle also? but can that be right, can it? and others, this place was AMAZING !

- '86 Warwick Streamer Stage I
- '87 Warwick NT Thumb IV
- '89 Classic Kramer Era Stuart Spector USA NT NS-5
- Hartke Speaker Cabs w/ Fender BXR Amp head and Digitech effects

Not sure, but "Chris" rings a bell ? I think you sold me ALL of this ?



View attachment 7469738

Thanks for posting, @LA_Kings_Fan!

WOW - look at those photos! I don't know if we were involved in you procuring ALL of this gear, but we certainly appreciated your business and your support of the store.

Yes, John Entwistle certainly was one of the artist clinics we hosted in the late 80's & early 90's!

BTW, at some point we started having the bassist clinicians autograph the stool seat bottom that John Entwistle is seated on here:

Good times! Thanks for posting!
Chris

 

[Wood and Wire]

Thanks for posting, @LA_Kings_Fan!

WOW - look at those photo! I don't know if we were involved in you procuring ALL of this gear, but we certainly appreciated your business and your support of the store.

Yes, John Entwistle certainly was one of the artist clinics we hosted in the late 80's & early 90's!
View attachment 7519534

BTW, at some point we started having the bassist clinicians autograph the stool seat bottom that John Entwistle is seated on here:
View attachment 7519536

Good times! Thanks for posting!
Chris

"One of these guys has crabs"

Was that Hamm, or Entwistle's quipp?

And who got off the stool scratching the most?

 

[nixdad]

"One of these guys has crabs"

Was that Hamm, or Entwistle's quipp?

And who got off the stool scratching the most?

Your answer is there...it's the one who had the very DRYYYYYY sense of humor!

As to the answer of your question, we were a "don't ask, don't tell" shop.