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Help: I need a white headless bass from the 80s.

poochiecheeks

poochiecheeks

Supporting Member
Feb 23, 2020
1,061
2,963
Central New Jersey
#1
Hello, I am looking for a white headless bass made in the 80s. I'm in an 80s band and need to look the part. I wear a rolled up suit jacket, band shirt and bright dress pants, so a headless paddle shaped bass would fit right in. Plus it would cut down on how much I smack the lead singer in the head with my bass.

But it seems every company back then had some version of a "steinberger" bass. I am looking at an Aria Wedge bass or maybe a Yamaha Bx1 if I can find a white one. What would you suggest for a great 80s headless bass? White stands out the best on stage and matches with any color clothes.
Passive is important. Neck through would be awesome too. Would really prefer something from the 80s and not newer.
Thank you
 
#4
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https://www.sweetwater.com/used/lis...BYsjOcw9fv64ZDN7Upa98HjxYZrM6Ma8aAmiiEALw_wcB
 
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#8
Sorry, everything that was white in the 80s is yellow now.
(including my teeth). :D

The Cort pictured above was my first bass... in the late 80s. (although mine was black)
It was solid, and I can recommend. I've thought about picking one up again just for 'whatevs.'

The pawn shop I bough it from set me up with a rifle bag as a gig bag, which I carried into my school every day with no trouble.
It worked great, but I don't know if I would welcome the extra scrutiny today.
 
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#14
not cheap but if ya want the real 80's deal...

fretnation.com

Steinberger XL-2 White Headless 1985 4-String Bass - 8.72lbs #3554 Pre

Pre-Owned Steinberger XL-2 Headless Bass Model: XL-2 Serial Number: 3554 Production Year: 1985 Weight: 8.72 Pounds Play a piece of bass history with this rare White Steinberger XL-2! This bass sounds incredible with a great easy to play setup. This is a one owner bass! It was professionally...
fretnation.com fretnation.com
 
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#15
I had a Steinberger, but I don't recall of anyone else that had a headless bass. I think that remembering headless basses from the 80's as them being predominant is really just headless basses being the most memorable, not the most common. I remember a ton of black basses or wood with gold hardware, Wal-style. If you want to be really 80's accurate, stand behind a synth/sampler. (depends on style of music)

I had a Cort headless for my first bass, but honestly, it was garbage. Only saw a Yamaha BX1 once in a GC used section and it had a weird neck profile. It really felt like playing a broom. Really narrow at the nut and a very round profile. If you want a white headless bass, the Steinberger Spirit is probably your best bet.
 
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#16
MultiScaleMale said:
I had a Steinberger, but I don't recall of anyone else that had a headless bass. I think that remembering headless basses from the 80's as them being predominant is really just headless basses being the most memorable, not the most common. I remember a ton of black basses or wood with gold hardware, Wal-style. If you want to be really 80's accurate, stand behind a synth/sampler. (depends on style of music)

I had a Cort headless for my first bass, but honestly, it was garbage. Only saw a Yamaha BX1 once in a GC used section and it had a weird neck profile. It really felt like playing a broom. Really narrow at the nut and a very round profile. If you want a white headless bass, the Steinberger Spirit is probably your best bet.
Click to expand...

Headless basses weren't predominant but some fairly well-known bassists used them. Off the top of my head Geddy Lee used one for a while and it was in the Rush videos, and Dan K. Brown of the Fixx has used one for decades now and still does.

It's kind of like the clothing, most people did not dress like Crocket and Tubbs from Miami Vice, but it stands out in popular imagery of the time.

OP, another 80s headless bass to consider is a Westone Rail Bass, but those are a bit harder to find, especially in white. Also the Westone Quantum, which I think is a pretty cool instrument.
 
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#20
Steinberger Spirit. Add a strap pin extender ($10 1/2hr DIY mod) and a single ball adapter if you want to use strings that aren't double ball.

The Washburn Status posted above would be nice too, but I've been watching the sales of these and the white ones are rare. If you found the walnut coloured one, a sheet of white vinyl body wrap would be visually the same at audience distance. The neck on the one I had is quite a bit chunkier than the actual Status if memory serves.
 
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