Best basses of 1983

[Diplock]

Nearly all the killer bass builders were in full swing in 1983, too much great stuff.
Honestly, a Fender from 83 would not be on my radar at all, there was better stuff out there.

I'd agree Fender was still in a bad slump in '83. The '57 reissue Precisions are good to excellent though and definitely foreshadowed better things to come from them.

 

[GBlake]

I've got two of the medium scale precisions and I love them! I believe this model was 1983-1987.

Still eyeing an '83 Jazz bass, maybe that'll be a bday present to myself next year.

Next up - dive into the world of short and medium scale '83 basses (which is my current preference to play)

 

[BGroovy]

I've got two of the medium scale precisions and I love them! I believe this model was 1983-1987.

Sounds like you have one too many ;-) I just missed an 83 squier medium scale in the local classifieds at a great price a few weeks ago.

 

[Quadzilla]

My '83 L2000 (next to my '89 Sb-1).

 

[BGroovy]

Here's an '83 I've never heard of

Lag Blackbass "Panthère Noire" 1983 made in France Custom Shop Handmade Toulouse Fretless, Neckthru, DiMarzio Set Pickups | Reverb

 

[B-Mac]

@lug just got a real nice red 'n' maple T-45 from '83

 

[wraub]

'83 MIJ SQ Squier Precision Bass- This one's had some mods but they're really good basses anyway.

 

[lug]

@lug just got a real nice red 'n' maple T-45 from '83

Correct!

 

[edot3021]

I have an 83 Squire P with active EMG and a Kahler trem. I bought it with the mods in the early 90s, but the bass itself has held up the 40 years.

 

[BGroovy]

Correct!

What a beaut!

 

[BGroovy]

'83 MIJ SQ Squier Precision Bass- This one's had some mods but they're really good basses anyway.

I'm considering a trade for a medium scale MIJ Squier

 

[lug]

What a beaut!

(blushes) .....the bass ain't bad looking either!

 

[Dave Bassincus]

1983 Jazz Standard I just picked up in trade from a friend of mine after sitting in a closet for years. I cleaned it up after this picture, had a setup and some electrical repairs, and now it kills. Used it in one band situation, sounded amazing with flat eq on the amp.

 

[BGroovy]

1983 Jazz Standard I just picked up in trade from a friend of mine after sitting in a closet for years. I cleaned it up after this picture, had a setup and some electrical repairs, and now it kills. Used it in one band situation, sounded amazing with flat eq on the amp.

Love it! I think these Dan Smith's are going to go up in value as a rarity...

 

[Mike Vee]

I really like the 83 Fullerton Jazz and Precision basses. Sienna burst FTW.

 

[Tim de Martino]

I have to go with the Steinberger XL , I remember seeing Gary Beers (INXS) playing one and I had to have one .

I have that actual bass....it's an L2. Great bass. Had an XL2, this is way better. Don't mean to gloat, but it is...

 

[Lord Kinbote]

Pick this '83 up in a pawn shop in '93. Bright hair metal pink, but sounded great. Especially for $150 with a hard shell case. My first decent, and only bass for many years.

 

[Jugghaid]

Pick this '83 up in a pawn shop in '93. Bright hair metal pink, but sounded great. Especially for $150 with a hard shell case. My first decent, and only bass for many years.

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I had the bright red NJ Rich Bich. Super cool bass

 

[Mastermold]

Recent photo of my '83 P-bass:

 

[bootstrap]

The RB620 I picked up from a fellow TBer about a year and a half ago