It was Twenty-Six Years Ago Today...

[unbasslichkeit]

March 17, 1983: I took delivery of a new Fender Jazz Bass from Veneman Music in Rockville, MD. I called there looking for a Jazz Bass and the guy who answered the phone said they'd just got in a new line of Fender reissues and I should see them. I wanted a used 70's jazz Bass but every time I got to one it got sold out from under me.

My bandleader didn't think I could play fretless bass and sing at the same time (he was right!), and he needed me to sing. So..I traded a 1980 fretless P-bass and some cash for the bass in question.

It was called a '62 Vintage' even though it had stacked pots. No one knew what a 'Fullerton' was in those days.

This is what it looked like about 2001...

 

[Jeff K]

Hmmm. Maybe she should have a shamrock decal on the pickguard. At least for today! Happy Anniversary!

 

[markjazzbassist]

way cool man. does she still play great?

 

[GregC]

That's very cool. I bet you're happy that (a) the salesman talked you into it and (b) you've held on to it all this time. I bought a fantastic Fullerton '57 reissue P two years ago--man, I wish I'd had bought this new in '83, that's about when I started playing!

 

[Kobaia]

Sargent Peppers taught his band to play?


... oh its a bass.. nice i guess ... lol

 

[tink9975]

Lovely Bass

I miss Venemans...

 

[Jim C]

I bought a mid 70's bass (used) that came from Veneman's from the original owner (still have the bass and the recipt)

It came with a neck plate with no serial number
Spoke with counter guy Harry (who married the old man's gradn daugther)
Aparenly the sold grey market Fenders; they weren't an authorized dealer and had to remove the serial number plates prior to sale
I guess the day of the single, family style store is gone

 

[Sonic65]

Wow- what a blast from the past! I bought my first "good" bass, a black P, from Veneman's in Beltway Plaza in '73. About $200.00 brand new. Those were the days...