GASing for an 80's type bass.

[GeneralElectric]

Ibanez RB850.

I'm going to jump on the bandwagon and say the Ibanez RB850. Super cool bass! I got mine years ago on here for I think less than $200. Sold it or traded it, I don't remember.

I also owned an Ibanez Musician that I picked up in the TB classifieds for like $600 which was an awesome bass and neck through. Traded it, stupidly, for tattoos.

 

[sheltjo6]

Dean Zone bass

If I were a collector of basses I'd pick one of these up just for the sake of completeness. I tried out a bran new one at Guitar Center and it's not a bad instrument. I love that I need welding goggle to look at it.

You found Bobby Dall's bass!!!

 

[socialleper]

In the 80's I remember seeing a lot of those crackle finished BC Rich basses, or those neon colored Ibanez basses with pointy headstocks. Airbrushing was really popular too. If you were really cool you had an airbrushed picture on your bass

I have a US Rich with a red and black cracked finished. The thing weighs a ton.

 

[bassmusic17]

No Peavey? Are you kidding me!?

 

[Kickass]

Washburn headless?

 

[MOTORHEADBANGER]

I'm partial to the Ibanez's but, to me, the quintessential 80's bass is the Aria Pro II.

I'm with Troy on this. I've used/owned a few Aria SB's (an '83 R60, an '81 SB-1000, and an SB-1000CB) and you really can't get more 80s in tone, looks, or feel. Punchy lows with a slightly nasal midrange, and snappy highs that really cut through a heavy mix.

 

[Liam Wald]

My favorite 80's basses are the Aria Pro-II. I own two of them...

 

[Spectrum]

Really!? 80's hair metal and not one mention of B.C. Rich!?

I have always secretly desired one of those, and now I really want one in that color. Not because I need another bass or have to have it for any reason, I just want it. Don't judge me.

 

[HubbardsFate]

Jackson Kelly Bird V - David Ellefson Signature: Jackson David Ellefson Signature Kelly Bird V - Blue Burst

Eighties-style goodness, but brand new

 

[Brian_DowntownChameleons]

you said what I wanted to...but sooner

Nothing says 80s like steinberger.

 

[audreycashin]

Can't forget the performer!View attachment 952039

love the Performer!

 

[A. D. Fairhurst]

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/this-thing.1244013 Try and get one of these things!

 

[DavC]

i had a headless Yamaha BX-1 when new , early 80's ... pretty cool , felt/sounded just OK ..

 

[J.D. Detroit]

Check out some of the 80s Kramer stuff. Striker and Forum models come to mind.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

For the 80's, I think Steinberger and Peavey Dyna basses.

 

[ashtray]

…or another eighties-tastic Ibanez, the Axstar! (dunno if they're any good, but I still GAS for one)

There has been one for sale on LA CL for the last 4 months. I think.

 

[TJH3113]

I'm with Troy on this. I've used/owned a few Aria SB's (an '83 R60, an '81 SB-1000, and an SB-1000CB) and you really can't get more 80s in tone, looks, or feel. Punchy lows with a slightly nasal midrange, and snappy highs that really cut through a heavy mix.

I was looking for one over the past year or so but the prices on them are pretty nuts and there are so many models, it's hard to keep track of what model's got what features. I actually had this one shipped to me from Connecticut but there was no output from the D and G string on the neck p/u and I didn't want to go down the repair/replacement road.

 

[MOTORHEADBANGER]

I was looking for one over the past year or so but the prices on them are pretty nuts and there are so many models, it's hard to keep track of what model's got what features. I actually had this one shipped to me from Connecticut but there was no output from the D and G string on the neck p/u and I didn't want to go down the repair/replacement road.
View attachment 952191

Pickup coil failure can happen in older basses like the SB's. I prefer the single pickup models myself (it's really in the sweet spot, half MusicMan, half Precision on steroids)

 

[elkkid2]

There's been a 1989 Kramer Forum floating around the classified section here for quite a while for a couple or three hundred. I had one back then. Great basses.

Me too1 I had it for over thirty years! --And it still kicked @ss!

 

[Vic Winters]

White body and no pickguard always seems right at home in any 80s outfit.