Yes, I still have it. A '77 Jazz Bass purchased from the original owner in 1980. I replaced the pups with Fralins. I still play it sometimes, but my Stuart Spector Design 4-string bass gets most of the live work.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Do you still have your very first bass?
- Thread starter Definitely
- Start date
I still have mine (Traben Chaos 4). It's a bass I still like but use rarely. The thing is I don't want to make the same mistakes I did in the past with other things by buying and selling and regretting it after. I have 6 basses now and I don't think it qualifies as "compulsive hoarding"...
My first bass was this 1965 Kent Basin St. model. My brother gave it to me.This was in 1968. It was made in Japan. The neck was slightly warped, which was unusual because it was as thick as a baseball bat.As a result of said warpage, the strings sat a half inch off the fretboard.When I played a note it was out of tune, not only with other strings but with itself. The frets buzzed. If you didn't keep your fingers in contact with the pickup, it would make a bad hum. I still have this bass. I wouldn't get rid of it no matter what. You should keep your first bass. Forty years from now you will be glad you did.
Attachments
Do I have the JC Penny sunburst short scale that I bought in 1980? Uh, "No". That stinker made it to the land fill long, long ago.
(wonder how many others had one of those...)
(wonder how many others had one of those...)
Still got my first bass, BC Rich Warlock. I dont really have to much of a use for it in normal circumstances so I did a jaco fretless job on it and now im in the process of refinishing the body with some cool artwork.
My actual first bass was a cheap Japanese Imperia that I had for about 4 months before I found my first REAL bass (a Fender P) in a pawn shop in 1965. And yes, I still have it. In fact it has been pretty much my only bass since I bought it (I paid $175) util My son made me my own custom made "Ben Bass". I have been a gigging musician for 47 years.
Still have my first bass, a '94 Mexican Standard P-Bass in Sunburst finish. Bought it new from Long & Mcquade. Matter of fact, I just threw some fresh flatwounds on it and played through my first amplifier today (quicker to grab the practice amp over setting up the Sunn head and cab). My rule is NEVER sell an instrument (or an amplifier, or a mic, or anything music).
yeah, when i was young i was an idiot.
my dad found a guy who was willing to sell me a '73 Fender Jazz Bass, Left-Handed American-made....
for $300!!!
it was beautiful. natural finish, pearl inlays, great playing condition! but like most 14 year-old kids, i wanted to play guitar so... i traded it for a Fender strat. and a Korean one at that! i cringe every time i think about the stupidity of my youth.
i now play a Japanese Fender Jazz Bass. looks, sounds, feels great, but i miss my first love.
my dad found a guy who was willing to sell me a '73 Fender Jazz Bass, Left-Handed American-made....
for $300!!!
it was beautiful. natural finish, pearl inlays, great playing condition! but like most 14 year-old kids, i wanted to play guitar so... i traded it for a Fender strat. and a Korean one at that! i cringe every time i think about the stupidity of my youth.
i now play a Japanese Fender Jazz Bass. looks, sounds, feels great, but i miss my first love.
I wish I knew then what I know now Id still have it... Was a black Vester warwick thumb copy with gold hardware with the slanted J p'ups near the bridge all carved and shaped body with the curve in the back and active.
Traded it for a Cort C-5 when they first hit Australia (I wanted to get a 5 string) still have that one its now been defretted.
Strangest part is that Vester made it all the way from Brisbane to Sydney over the span of about 8yrs when I had seen it pop up on Ebay for sale I knew straight away it was the one I had owned (even with lack of musical knowledge back then I knew my bass) Did I buy it back? Nope, I was broke and sure enough after 3yrs I still look on Ebay and wonder if it will pop up
If anyone has one of those can you post pics please it was a great bass for what it was and well worth the money
Traded it for a Cort C-5 when they first hit Australia (I wanted to get a 5 string) still have that one its now been defretted.
Strangest part is that Vester made it all the way from Brisbane to Sydney over the span of about 8yrs when I had seen it pop up on Ebay for sale I knew straight away it was the one I had owned (even with lack of musical knowledge back then I knew my bass) Did I buy it back? Nope, I was broke and sure enough after 3yrs I still look on Ebay and wonder if it will pop up
If anyone has one of those can you post pics please it was a great bass for what it was and well worth the money
My wife bought my first bass & amp for me. I'll NEVER get rid of it ! I have made some changes to it - bone nut & Badass bridge but, I'll always have it !
gnjpowell
Inactive
- Nov 12, 2010
- 562
- 2
- Disclosures
- Bass & guitar tech, FOH sound, backline rentals
No. It was a "Sears" bass and it was in the early 1970s. 40+ years later and _still_ not missing it...
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
yep. Even though its only 4 years old... It was knocked over, not it a case and the finish on the neck by the head stock cracked.. its still just fine and hold tune and plays. but kinda killed chances of selling it... oh well i probably wouldnt have sold it anyway
Sorry to say my first bass was stolen in 1986 in Oxnard CA. Bought it new in 1978, Ovation Magnum I, sunburst, serial #B00165. Bridge mute was removed, truss rod cover engraved with initials "KLL". I'd still be playing it, had a unique look and great tone. I still have and use my second bass, 1986 Carvin LB60 koa.
Oh Yeah... The hideous Spider Queen! It was a "gift" from my older brother!
And, unlike the previous chap, when my house got broken into in 2000, the thieves stole my other two basses, but didn't touch the Queen! I guess they knew "quality" when they saw it!!!!!
And, unlike the previous chap, when my house got broken into in 2000, the thieves stole my other two basses, but didn't touch the Queen! I guess they knew "quality" when they saw it!!!!!
Oh Yeah... The hideous Spider Queen! It was a "gift" from my older brother!
And, unlike the previous chap, when my house got broken into in 2000, the thieves stole my other two basses, but didn't touch the Queen! I guess they knew "quality" when they saw it!!!!!
Assuming it plays, the Queen looks awesome to me! I would have no problem rocking that body shape and competing with the Mothman.
