Philosophical question about birth year basses

[ThuzzleFump]

I was born in '51. Nuff said.

Difficult indeed is your path, young Jedi.

 

[ThuzzleFump]

Mine was stolen along with my amps in 1992 from the back of the truck we were loading in to. The T-40 hurt the Aria Pro going at the same time was devastating.

Bummer.

 

[ThuzzleFump]

Another '65 child, eh?

TV was pretty bad in 64-65.

 

[mcarp555]

You're valuable!

I'd donate my body to science, except they'd probably return it postage due.

 

[Biggbass]

I find it easier to acquire and just as rewarding to seek out a birth decade bass than a birth year bass.

But was is an old AF? as the OP states he is one of....

 

[Deleted member 165050]

I've had a birth year 6-string, namely an ancient Gibson archtop. After I'd got over the whole "wow this is as old as me" thing, I have to say the actual playing experience was a bit disappointing.

 

[kodiakblair]

I preferred the weight when I was 17. Now? Not so much

I like the idea about the 1st bass. Not my actual 1st bass, it was a semi hollow with 3 strings,no pegheads,a hole where the knobs were covered by plywood and the pickups hold on by nails for good measure. It cost me £1

No. I'd like my 1st real bass, it was a 12lb store brand P-bass made in Japan. The store shut 30 year odd year back and I'm not even 100% sure of it's name. Took it with me when I moved from Scotland down to London for work. When I got the scratch to buy a Fender it came with me for part exchange. 8 shops and 12 Fenders later me and the store brand bass went home.

Man it was a great bass. Sadly I couldn't hitch-hike back to Scotland with 2 basses so only the Wal made the trip

 

[ThuzzleFump]

I find it easier to acquire and just as rewarding to seek out a birth decade bass than a birth year bass.

But was is an old AF? as the OP states he is one of....

Old AF means very old.

 

[Picton]

I want a birth year bass just because my birth year bass happens to have a really cool set of features. But I'm not made of money, so the genuine article is far out of the question.

A reissue would be just fine. I'm not going to bankrupt myself over this.

 

[CGremlin]

I don't really have any itch to get a bass made in my birth year. I did, however, end up with three Peavey T-40s and two T-60s made in 1978, my wife's birth year. The fact that '78 was the first year the T-series became available has nothing to do with it, as far as my wife knows.

 

[Skerrvydog]

I happened to buy an *almost* birth year bass when I bought my '75 Grabber. (20 years ago)Only one year younger than me so close enough. I do get a bit of joy out of playing something "almost as old as me"
Luckily I have no preconception that i could ever afford something of quality from the era I was born, hence the non-running '79 Jeep Wagoneer in my driveway, that I bought for way less than a bass of your birth year of good enough quality would run....

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Never crossed my mind that a birth-year bass meant anything(to me).

If I was invested in doing that, it would have to be an original bass made in the year of my birth. Otherwise, why do it? Philosophically speaking, that is.

I never gave this a lot of though either. There wern't lot of options when I was born.

 

[lz4005]

I want a birth year bass just because my birth year bass happens to have a really cool set of features.

I'm sort of the same way. My birth year corresponds to the first year of the mudbucker version of the Telecaster bass, and I've always thought they were cool.

As far as I know there's never been a Fender reissue of that exact bass. Only the two pickup VM version and a Squier that I hated the neck of.

I'd have to have a good bit of extra cash laying around to splash for one, though. Mostly because it would be almost useless tone-wise for the kinds of music I play.

 

[J_Bass]

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.

If you are married or have children or grand children, why not the year you got married? Or the birth year of your children, or grandchildren. It wouldn't be so hard to find or so expensive.

 

[FugaziBomb]

I'm much more inclined to get a "first" bass than a birth year. My first was a '79 T-40. Very good bass but a killer on the back

View attachment 2854731

I also have a 79 T-40 (white) that I feel ever so slightly trumps the 83. As for first basses, I sort of have my Fender Jazz - though the neck is now part of one bass and the body another

 

[J-Bassomatic]

If your financial situation is such that you can afford it, and I mean truly afford it, then why the hell not? I'd do it even just for the novelty of it. FWIW I was born in '65. So set me up with a '65 Jazz, custom color w/ matching headstock, dots, binding, and paddle tuners.

While we are at it, I'd take a '65 Vette or a '65 Camaro, just because. If you have the means, go for it. My uncle spent an absurd amount of money on a custom bicycle when he turned 70, because......he could.

I see no reason not to do it.

I think the Camaro came out in 67 and from 70 or so to until just a couple years ago were ugly as all get out, especially with those long pointed noses. I had a 70.

 

[Koog]

My birth year pre-dates the electric bass....go figure.

 

[J-Bassomatic]

What would a birth year bass rather be played by?

A) you

B) A cloned reproduction of you, aged in a lab, made to look like born in the same year as you.

How did you get a hold of my medical records???

 

[Big John66]

I turned 50 last year and just so happened to find a BYB that was pretty much my dream bass. Fender Jazz, Candy Apple Red with finished headstock, all stock, dots with binding and lollipop tuners. It was the most expensive bass I've ever purchased, but I've already had offers that were 3K more than I payed for it. Btw, it's not for sale.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

I happened to buy an *almost* birth year bass when I bought my '75 Grabber. (20 years ago)Only one year younger than me so close enough. I do get a bit of joy out of playing something "almost as old as me"
Luckily I have no preconception that i could ever afford something of quality from the era I was born, hence the non-running '79 Jeep Wagoneer in my driveway, that I bought for way less than a bass of your birth year of good enough quality would run....

I like the one Skyler drives...