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Birth year basses

ScarfFace

ScarfFace

Aug 23, 2014
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2,479
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La Crosse WI
#1
i know lots of TBers like to get a vintage Fender or Rickenbacker from the year they were born. Even better if it was made the same month they were born! That's a really cool idea for guys born in the 50s, 60s, and even early 70s, but what about guys like me born in the 80s? Specifically 1984. I know this period wasn't exactly the Golden Age for Fender and I know almost nothing about other basses built in the 80s. What would be some good options for "birth year basses" for guys born in the 80s, and specifically '84?
 
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#2
This 83 G&L SB2 in the classifieds is a birth year bass for me. It's beautiful.
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#7
ScarfFace said:
Specifically 1984. I know this period wasn't exactly the Golden Age for Fender
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Nobody gives a damn about golden age. Have you seen the price of 70's Fenders? :roflmao:

The mid 80's were a golden age for bass guitars, regardless of what the big F had turned into. Look to the far East, the likes of Aria SBs, Ibanez RBs and the rest of the great Matsumoku and Fujigen output - basses which are as good as any.

Around the world you've got G&L, Alembic, Warwick, Spector, Steinberger, Wal, Warwick, Guild and more, so many amazing basses out there from that era.
 
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#8
I would totally seek out an '84 G&L. They came strong out of the blocks in '80 and their stuff has always been quality. A quick google search tells me it won't break the bank, either.

As I write this, I'm lamenting a) that I was born 20 years too soon and b) that I didn't buy one of the first Wunkays when I had the chance.

EDIT: +1 to an Aria SB or (if you have strong back) Ibanez Musician. And don't forget Peavey T40s and Foundations.
 
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#11
Many great basses built in 1984.

For example, the 1984 Fender AV basses are generally pretty great. Pedulla, Smith, Modulus, and Tobias were all in there early eras, and any of those can be very cool. Alembic was firing on all cylinders. Many great choices.

I would much rather choose from those than from what was available in my birth year, 1955.
 
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#13
ScarfFace said:
i know lots of TBers like to get a vintage Fender or Rickenbacker from the year they were born. Even better if it was made the same month they were born! That's a really cool idea for guys born in the 50s, 60s, and even early 70s, but what about guys like me born in the 80s? Specifically 1984. I know this period wasn't exactly the Golden Age for Fender and I know almost nothing about other basses built in the 80s. What would be some good options for "birth year basses" for guys born in the 80s, and specifically '84?
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How about the '84 (I believe) Ibby RB 950? Nice basses!
ibby 004.jpg
ibby 001.jpg

Mine's not for sale, though.
 
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#15
I haven't even thought of doing that. I do have a birth month and year motorcycle (feb 1984). I had to look for 7 months to find it and fly halfway across the US to buy it and ride it back, but it was worth it. Now to find a birth year bass. Peavey foundation is a great choice. I already have a 1991, might as well get an 84. I think they started in 83, I could be wrong.
 
#17
ScarfFace said:
i know lots of TBers like to get a vintage Fender or Rickenbacker from the year they were born. Even better if it was made the same month they were born! That's a really cool idea for guys born in the 50s, 60s, and even early 70s, but what about guys like me born in the 80s? Specifically 1984. I know this period wasn't exactly the Golden Age for Fender and I know almost nothing about other basses built in the 80s. What would be some good options for "birth year basses" for guys born in the 80s, and specifically '84?
Click to expand...

Who have you been TALKING to? In the 1980s, Fender FIXED all the problems with the 70s basses (and I'm a defender of 70s stuff). This era has THREE series that have their own followings because they're such great basses - the JV (first Japanese stuff which was all more or less vintage styled), the E series - early MIJ stuff NOT in a vintage mold and the AVRI - the original American reissues which are absolutely fantastic basses built by the people who would go on to create the custom shop. All of these are highly sought after basses.

Gibson also straightened themselves out from their 70s quality issues. (80s and 90s Gibsons are better instruments in many people's minds than current production).

And as other have said, this was the early days of G&L and Ernie Ball Music-man, the era of Ibanez musician basses, Steinberger, aluminum neck Kramers, and a bunch of other stuff I'm not majorly into so I can't name it all.

Ironically, the era of keyboard/synth music was a HUGE time in bass.
 
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