Grew up in a small town in southern IL. While in high school played bass in a garage band - late 70's/early 80's. I worked too much to really focus on learning to play/read music (pre-tab, internet, youtube days). I basically played simplified bass lines our lead guitarist figured out for me. I had a '79 Kramer 4001 aluminum neck and a early 70's azureglo Rickenbacker 4001 running thru an Acoustic head and an inverted 18" speaker cabinet. I wasn't that good, but with that setup it was hard to sound terrible.
Sold the Rick in around '85 while in college. (One of the biggest regrets of my life.) moved to AZ in 1989. Left the Kramer in IL. My father sold that without asking me. In the mid 90's found an exact model of the Kramer in a music pawn shop in Phoenix, so I bought it and it remains in the case today. I haven't played in over 30 years.
Have been back to IL a lot in the past couple years as my mother is still there and I have had to take care of a lot of stuff as she has deteriorated with Dementia. When I go back solo, I always stay with my life-long friend and drummer in that high school garage band. When I was back a few weeks ago, we drove over to Vincenes, IN and hit a music store. I was amazed as the decent quality basses available at very decent prices. I decided at that moment, I needed to get a new bass.....and maybe its not too late in life to actually learn to play bass correctly.
I got back to Phoenix and hit a couple GC locations. Was trying to decide between a Schecter Omen Extreme 4 and an Ibanez SR300e. Ended up getting both- refurbished/like new schecter on Ebay for $399 shipped and an older SR300 in excellent shape for $150.
I stumbled across this forum as I was researching/deciding.
(At this point in my life - my 2 adult children have moved out over the past couple years and I have a little extra disposable income.)
So...this week I'm looking on Craiglist/letgo/offerup to see what basses are out there. I came across a Korean made Ibanez SR1200 (1994) neck thru the body - mint with the case - for $600. Friday I took a look at it in person. That was a work of art - looked and sounded fantastic....so I walked away with a 3rd bass. I think I may have a bass addiction problem.
Honestly, that SR1200 for $600 has killed any desire in the back of my mind to get a blue Rick for $2000+.
Thanks for taking the time to read my long-winded intro/first post.....but I know you all will understand/empathize.
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