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How much did you pay for your first bass?
- Thread starter Mr Gaston
- Start date
You don't wanna know. In Australia, musical gear is super expensive. I think I got a Fender Squier P for something like $500? That's taking me back. I sold it to my art teacher who was also a hot jazz musician, and he pulled the frets out of it and I think it even appears on some awesome swing record.
Mine was £20 from a bible shop in Sevenoaks Kent, around 1988. It was a Hondo in sunburst, actually looked rather nice but had a diabolical action, not that it mattered much as I couldn't play at the time!
My first bass was a gift, given in 1983 by an acquaintance.
It needed some work and ended up battered and painted by a bandmate.
After that I was asked to play bass in another band, and got a 1980 Tokai Jazz sound to play from the guy that invited me.
More than a year after that, I decided to buy my own bass and amp.
I paid something like $ 500,- for he set.
(1000,- Dutch guilders in 1987)
It needed some work and ended up battered and painted by a bandmate.
After that I was asked to play bass in another band, and got a 1980 Tokai Jazz sound to play from the guy that invited me.
More than a year after that, I decided to buy my own bass and amp.
I paid something like $ 500,- for he set.
(1000,- Dutch guilders in 1987)
Fender Highway One Jazz Bass 2003 model, paid about 150$, sold it again for closer to 900$ a couple of years later
Peavy bass (don't know the model) and a Behringer 150W combo. I think it was something like €550 together.
Must have been sometime around 2003
Must have been sometime around 2003
300 DM which was the old German currency at the time (no, not that old...). It was a Stagg pegleg but I loved it. Played it through a peavey combo that was included for the price. It's a miracle I continued to play actually 
Ibanez Roadstar II and a Peavey Basic 112 back in 2002 I think it was around $200-250 altogether (used from Daddy's Junky Music)
2012 - Dan Electro Dano-blaster. $75 from a friend used. I developed plucking finger callouses on it.. it was horrible enough of an experience that I had to buy a nicer bass before I really started falling in love.
Nothing. In 2004, I believe, traded a MIM Tele for MIM P. Eventually sold that a few years later to get my Warwick ProLine Corvette.
1968 Fender Precision that I bought in 1976 for $90.
I still own it, along with the 1968 Les Paul Custom that I bought for $150 at the same garage sale.
The Fender was already roadworn (Stooges/MC5), with a stripped finish, a brass pickguard, and a brass nut. It has since been refretted once, had the pots replaced, and I got rid of the brass stuff years ago, but otherwise is exactly as it was the day I bought it.
I have spent nearly as much for a used strap!
I still own it, along with the 1968 Les Paul Custom that I bought for $150 at the same garage sale.
The Fender was already roadworn (Stooges/MC5), with a stripped finish, a brass pickguard, and a brass nut. It has since been refretted once, had the pots replaced, and I got rid of the brass stuff years ago, but otherwise is exactly as it was the day I bought it.
I have spent nearly as much for a used strap!
In roughly '98 I was given this by a friend who was about to toss it... it wasn't really playable. A couple of weeks later I took it to my small-town mom'n'pop shop and it cost $100 even for a solder fix, new strings, and setup. It played great after that and served me well until a year ago, when I sold it to a friend to help fund a better bass. I like that I still get to see it occasionally...
It was a couple of years before I got an amp - came across the practice amp I still use (Line6 15W 8") at Steve's Music in Ottawa for roughly $200.
It was a couple of years before I got an amp - came across the practice amp I still use (Line6 15W 8") at Steve's Music in Ottawa for roughly $200.
My first bass was a used single pickup Howard that I bought for $80 in 1966. I kept it until 1974. 
$75 in the late sixties.
Segova , Cheap Japanese bass trying to capitalize on the
name of the great Andres Segovia I think.
Segova , Cheap Japanese bass trying to capitalize on the
name of the great Andres Segovia I think.
Ibanez EWB10 open pour with on board pre amp
Music store demo in mint shape
$212.00 out the door with strap and cord.
Very light with a base ball bat neck.
First songs learned
Sweet Home Alabama
Lucky Man
I believe my first bass was purchased in 1996 a year or so after I started on guitar. It was a red squier affinity p bass. My dad got it at GC for $150 I think. I can remember begging him to buy it for me so the band I was in could have a bass player (we had three guitarists). Haven't looked back since. Its been bass all the way!
My first bass was bought, brand new from guitar center, back in '99. It was a black squier P bass and I believe it was about $110. I bought a little 8" crate practice amp with it for maybe $50 more. It was enough to get me started.
It's funny because I think you could probably go out and get the same thing for about the same price. Hell, maybe even cheaper now because they have those combo starter packs. I still have that bass and love. I've modded it so much it doesn't even look like it did when I bought it. I don't think anything is original on it except for the body. Which I stripped and refinned as well. Love that bass.
It's funny because I think you could probably go out and get the same thing for about the same price. Hell, maybe even cheaper now because they have those combo starter packs. I still have that bass and love. I've modded it so much it doesn't even look like it did when I bought it. I don't think anything is original on it except for the body. Which I stripped and refinned as well. Love that bass.
