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"Married" to the same bass for almost 50 years

WoodyG3

WoodyG3

May 6, 2003
6,647
268
68
Colorado, USA
www.toucantrackclub.net
#1
I have a friend who is an very good local bassist, and he has been playing for almost 50 years. He's had the same '60s P-Bass (don't know the exact year) all that time. A dozen years ago or so, he got an Ibanez 5-string fretless of some sort, and that's the only other bass he's ever had.

I'm just wondering if anyone else there has a similar track record. (It sure isn't me. I've got 7 right now. :) )
 
#4
The bass I've had the longest is my Fender MIM Jazz, which I've had for 6 so far.

I'm far from having just one, though. I just got rid of my fretless so it's one down in the 'hoard'. I have 6, which is too many.

The weird thing is the jazz that I've had for 6 years, is the one I play the most and always go back to. The other main bass is the MM, but my jazz is my number one.
 
#6
I have had the same 1973 Fender Precision for 30 years now but I stopped playing bass from about 1990 to 2005.

When I started playing again in 2005, I switched to a Dingwall Afterburner II.
 
#9
I bought my 98 'Thumb BO 5er "NOS" in the summer of 2000. It's one of the few possessions I've owned for that long. It's seen a ton of playing time and is my only bass.

I had a JV Squier JB that was great but I regrettably sold it. I only owned that for a little over a year.

The weight of the 'Wick is killing my back for all the playing time I've been up to,...so I'm looking to retire it,...but I'll never get rid of it.
 
#14
I've had my BTB for 10 years now. It is the 3rd bass I have owned and the first two were traded in on other equipment. I want more. Can't afford them at the moment. Cars, college, wife and now kid always seem to get in the way of expensive bass GAS. Someday I'll get that MM and Roscoe I've always wanted. I'll always have my BTB though. Bought that thing on lay-away when I didn't have any credit. I'd go by the shop and drop $20-$100 on it at a time. Depending on whatever I had earned that week flipping pizzas and mowing yards.

50 years with the same bass is amazing. But, I can see his point. If you got one that works well and fits you, why change? Apparently your friend isn't a member of TB or GAS would soon get the best of his track record.
 
#15
no joke about TB inciting GAS. 6months ago I had no idea what gas was. Now I'm getting an alembic and two acme low b4s. I've owned only one bass in my playing time. Lotus headless steinberger licensed p/j. Got it for $125 about 9 years ago. First act was to throw emgs in it (had a time finding room for a 9 volt) but she's been my baby ever since. Currently restoring a 74 fender p. But have no intention of playing it.
 
#17
Bought my '66 pbass used in '79 with the money I made from my paper route....remember those? lol. Anywho, although I have many more basses, it's been my primary bass all along, so it's a 32 year marriage for me and going strong.
 

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