How much did you pay for your first bass?

[Nephilymbass]

I got my first bass for Christmas in 1994 so I have no clue what it costs.

I want to say mim p basses were $400 new back then.

Prices have changed a lot the last few years. My first stingray I paid I want to say $1100 for at a local shop back in 05 or 06 the new one I paid $1575 for. the mim fender standards used to go for like $400 new. Now they are $600-$700. I'm not absolutely sure because I've only bought them used since my original p bass.

A dollar just isn't worth what it used to be worth anymore. So unless I really like a particular bass and can also get interest free finaincing I end up buying used.

In some cases there have been improvements, like I don't remember my original stingray having the smooth oil/wax neck finish. I'm pretty sure it was the typical sticky(when dry) to slippery (when sweaty) gloss neck. Don't remember the original having a compensated nut either. The fenders may have gotten a little quieter in the noise department but that's about the only change. And a pointless one in my opinion because I general buy fenders specifically because there's so many aftermarket pickup options

 

[Cliff Bordwell]

$110 with all coins in the late 1980's.

 

[Muddslide]

This was my second:

Ha! I used to have the guitar version of that! It was bright blue with a woodgrain pickguard and a neck made of about 150 pieces of thin wood slices laminated together. Teisco. Cool.

 

[Sid Fang]

In 1978, I paid $450 for a 1966 "batwing" Epiphone Embassy, partly because I already owned a matching Epiphone Wiltshire 12-string. Worst. Neck. Dive. Ever. But awesome tone - it's essentially a 60's T-bird with an even smaller body stock. I still have it, and will probably never sell it.

 

[Sid Fang]

...
$100 back in 1976 was a lot more buying power that $100 now.

Just about exactly 4 times more, as it happens.

 

[Muddslide]

Hondo P copy. Bought in '86 for $125.

Hey--last September I bought a Lotus P copy that is identical to the Hondo Professional 830 P copy.

I paid $125 exactly.

See? They are holding their value!

 

[Muddslide]

In 1977 I paid exactly $450 for my 1977 Fender Precision bass, which I still have and play todayView attachment 562387

Soooo beautiful!

 

[Muddslide]

1985, Yamaha BB300- $200 brand new @ NMV in Potsdam NY......still have it too!View attachment 562383

One of my best friends back in the day had one of these in black. It was a darn nice bass.

 

[Mike M.]

We're going way back here. I was in 11th grade in '69 and bought a Crestwood bass from a friend at school for $30.00. My very first bass.

While learning I worked after school and on weekends and saved for a new Gibson EB3. Bass, case and tax cost me $365.00!!!

I also saved for my first amp, a Traynor YBA-1 which cost $150.00. Also bought two SRO 15" speakers although I really can't remember how much those cost me. Could be wrong but I think they were around $50.00 each.

 

[gjohnson441496]

Soooo beautiful!

Thanks!

 

[Craig T Vector]

Awesome thread.

My first was a Peavey T-40, purchased for $50 secondhand in 1992. Still have it, though I admit I have been a horrible parent to it.

First amp was some pawn shop 10" combo thing. I think it was $75. So yeah, paid more for the practice amp than I did the bass.

 

[jeppu]

I bought used Cort B4 for approx. $220 at 2009.
Is it too high??
And recently I bought used Tribute L2500 for approx $420...

 

[the harp unstrung]

'Twas an extremely pre-loved Sears Silvertone...no telling how old it was...a solid body, two Pick Up, sunburst affair with 3 steel strings and a black-tape-wound D string.
The year was 1971...the place was Poughkeepsie Music...the price was $35.00. Best money I ever spent...

 

[the general]

Summer of 2002, Slamer by Hamer 4 string and a fender cab/amp combo all for $150. I still play with the cab/amp but gave away the bass to a coworker's kid.

 

[Milo Spleen]

Bass player was moving (1970) away so I bought his black faced Bassman and a Lyle P for $200 and never played guitar again.

 

[avri62]

In 1978, I spent a whopping $200.00 for a used Fender Music Master short scale bass and a late 60's Gibson 100 watt Thor amp!

 

[dralionux]

2009
SX SJB-62 QMD 3TS fretless short scale. $99.00 plus shipping.

 

[jjk2007]

Bought a G&L L-2000 series E from a guy my Dad worked with in K.C. back in about January of 1990. Bought it for $200 IIRC.

 

[totallyfrozen]

How much did you pay for your first bass and amp? How long ago and what did you get?

I'm curious how much this stuff cost way back when I should have started.

1996 - paid $109 at a pawnshop for a Peavey knock-off of a p-bass. Still have, plays well.

 

[JimmyM]

I didn't pay for it but my mom and dad found a Framus Stratostar that cost $50 at a pawn shop and got it for me for Christmas when I was 13. First bass I paid for was a 76 Precision I bought new for $400. Still got it too, although you'd never recognize it for all the extreme modding. Hey, how was I to know that 40 years later it would be somewhat collectable? I modded mine because I had to!