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Philosophical question about birth year basses

ThuzzleFump

ThuzzleFump

All your bass...
Nov 15, 2015
1,851
2,708
California
#1
I am old AF. If I want a birth year bass, I can get one, but it would cost as much as a driveable C4 Corvette. Now, I can also buy a reproduction birth year bass, and I'm sure it's a good instrument...but if I do that, do I need to include "Substitute" by the Who in my set?

Srsly, do you think AVRI will satisfy my itch? I'm kinda dubious (doobie-us?) because I already have many fine instruments so maybe if I'm going to do it, I really have to do it. Let's just say that it really would be $6K or more for a decentish example. What would you do?

Not looking for an overly serious conversation, just shooting the sh with some folks who I respect. Thoughts appreciated, and as always, thanks all.
 
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#3
Nashrakh said:
I'll be Cpt. Obvious and ask: Why a birth year bass? Does it somehow make them better than others? Do you objectively need yet another bass that may or may not be superfluous?
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Well, it's a sentimental thing, right? I think that's the only reason for anybody. Of course I don't need it. I am old enough that the birth year bass is a coveted instrument, though my rational mind says it would not be objectively better than what I already have, nor anything I could have custom built for less money. I guess you've answered the question, darn it.
 
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#4
ThuzzleFump said:
I am old AF. If I want a birth year bass, I can get one, but it would cost as much as a driveable C4 Corvette. Now, I can also buy a reproduction birth year bass, and I'm sure it's a good instrument...but if I do that, do I need to include "Substitute" by the Who in my set?

Srsly, do you think AVRI will satisfy my itch? I'm kinda dubious (doobie-us?) because I already have many fine instruments so maybe if I'm going to do it, I really have to do it. Let's just say that it really would be $6K or more for a decentish example. What would you do?

Not looking for an overly serious conversation, just shooting the sh with some folks who I respect. Thoughts appreciated, and as always, thanks all.
Click to expand...

I've often thought the same thing about a birth-year bass. It would be kinda cool to have just to have. Personally, an AVRI wouldn't do it for me. It seems like that would defeat the purpose. I say go for it!
 
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#6
Nashrakh said:
I'll be Cpt. Obvious and ask: Why a birth year bass?
Click to expand...

Yeah, I gotta admit I had never even heard of the concept of a "birth year bass" until I joined TB, and it has still never occurred to me that there would be anything special about owning a birth year bass versus owning one that was a year or two older or younger. But I also understand that A) some people are sentimental, and B) I'm a cold heartless bastard. So I encourage anyone who's into the idea of owning a birth year bass to pursue it!

btw, I too am old AF, and a genuine birth year bass would either cost as much as a small house, or be a complete no-name POS. Maybe I should pursue the latter?
 
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#8
Bob_Ross said:
btw, I too am old AF, and a genuine birth year bass would either cost as much as a small house, or be a complete no-name POS. Maybe I should pursue the latter?
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Hahahaha! Right? Yeah, like you, the B-Y-B was not an idea that had occurred to me before joining this group. I suppose it's just another form/reason/excuse for GAS. I guess if you were born in 1987 maybe one would be affordable, but who wants this?

zvrd6rmbhvatxmf2wk9s.jpg
 
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#9
I wanted 1 also. Found one that happened to be in the same town. In my mind, I knew I would have this crazy connection to pieces of wood and electronics that were manufactured the same year that I was manufactured. It would be magic...every tone produced would affirm this magic synergy between me and that bass.
And I hated it.
Sold it at a loss, and don't regret doing so.
I'm not really a collector, so if I don't play it, I have no use for it.
I think sentimental reasons are completely acceptable for buying a bass, just clarify your internal expectations. Is it worth it if you don't play it?
For me it is not. If I don't play it, it's just to look at. And if it's just to look at, then spoiler alert:
All fender p basses look exactly the same to me in most cases. I know...heresy.
 
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#12
ThuzzleFump said:
Hahahaha! Right? Yeah, like you, the B-Y-B was not an idea that had occurred to me before joining this group. I suppose it's just another form/reason/excuse for GAS. I guess if you were born in 1987 maybe one would be affordable, but who wants this?

View attachment 2854576
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Maybe VanHalen it and play in a Stryper tribute act, but aaah I thing I will pass. Now black and maple would be a different story
 
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#13
ThuzzleFump said:
I am old AF. If I want a birth year bass, I can get one, but it would cost as much as a driveable C4 Corvette.
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I guarantee you could buy a bass that was made in your birth year for under $200 if all you cared about was the year of manufacture.

Condition, name brands, etc would have to be sacrificed, but you could get it done by the end of the week if you wanted to.
 
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