Philosophical question about birth year basses

[ThuzzleFump]

View attachment 2854821 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.

NOT helping!

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

None of the cells in your body are original.
You are simply a recent clone of yourself.
You crapped your original self down the toilet, or otherwise sloughed off all original parts, a long time ago.

Buy whatever bass those clones of inebriated brain cells you thought you killed, will help you to cope with your own self entropy.

 

[hypercarrots]

You guys are in the Air Force?

 

[4SG]

I love the idea of a birth year bass, and have thought about it from time to time. What gets in the way is that I wouldn't buy any instrument I wasn't going to play, and the specs from my birth year do not suit me, particularly the neck radius they used to make when there were still dinosaurs.

 

[micbass]

'58 here and for me, it's a big NO. The only thing good about having one would be looking at it and realizing it's more road worn and ragged than I am. I could say the same for my wife but, cheese balz, I ain't gonna.

 

[Manticore]

I'm also old AF and things from my birth year tend to be really expensive
View attachment 2854630

Same here.

For the price of a birth-year-bass I can buy a REALLY nice Alembic. Given the obvious choices, I wouldn't give the purchase of a birth-year-bass a moment's thought.

 

[Nephilymbass]

Honestly I've considered getting a birth year bass a couple times (1981) but there aren't many basses I'd be interested in from that year and the ones I have been interested in I was like Meh they want too much money for what it is.

 

[Billyzoom]

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.

I'm 53, and I saw a '64 P bass today, which is what I'd like to have. Not that I'm the greatest (or even good), but there's something to me that's cool about a bass that's been around your entire life. I don't have the scratch to pick it up at the moment, but I hope to one day. The plus side is that if you get a good deal, you can turn it over later at the same cost, or maybe even at a slight profit. So there's very little risk involved, as least in my head. I say go for it. A repro isn't at all the same, in my view. At least, in terms of the satisfaction it would bring me. It may be just as good an instrument, though. Good luck.

 

[Billyzoom]

I'd take my wife to Ireland for 2 weeks.

Were you gonna just drop her off? If so, I like the way you think...

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Honestly I've considered getting a birth year bass a couple times (1981) but there aren't many basses I'd be interested in from that year and the ones I have been interested in I was like Meh they want too much money for what it is.

1981? Sheesh. I've got arthritis damaged joints older than that!
But at least they are clones of the damage, kind of like new, old stock.

You're old enough to be my youngest child's little bro.

Your a good kid. Santa shoulda brung ya the bass you want. If not get it for yourself. Me and mom think you deserve it.

 

[Oddly]

TV was pretty bad in 64-65.

Well apparently my parents only got their first TV in 1966...

 

[pbass74]

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.

Well, on the positive side, you are young enough that a birth year bass is a possibility!

 

[ThuzzleFump]

I love the idea of a birth year bass, and have thought about it from time to time. What gets in the way is that I wouldn't buy any instrument I wasn't going to play, and the specs from my birth year do not suit me, particularly the neck radius they used to make when there were still dinosaurs.

Like a broom handle, right?

 

[dab12ax7ef]

My upright happened to be my birth year, 1986, not sure if that counts though.

I bought for my dad a 57 AVRI P-Bass, which was not even his birth year. It was more a close enough throwback to what he played as a kid. His first bass was probably early 60s P-Bass. A vintage bass would've not been in the budget. I've since inherited that bass and it is plenty sentimental to me even being a 2012 model.

 

[ThuzzleFump]

You guys are in the Air Force?

 

[ThuzzleFump]

'58 here and for me, it's a big NO. The only thing good about having one would be looking at it and realizing it's more road worn and ragged than I am. I could say the same for my wife but, cheese balz, I ain't gonna.

Nah, ladies love to hear that kind of stuff. Trust me, I've been married for decades. To three different women.

 

[LowActionHero]

Welp, they didn't make G&Ls back in '73, so I'm in the clear, but I say go for it! I guess.

 

[tycobb73]

I have a birth year sg, wife's birth year p bass, daughters birth year sting ray. The sg means the least to me. Playing 1 of the other bases or guitar is like having that person with me. I also got a strap at Chicago music exchange during a family trip. Every time I look at the strap I'm reminded of the trip.

 

[cchorney]

Sure, get a birth year bass. As long as it isn't a Fender, Rickenbacker, or Hofner. Something from Japan if you were born in the early 60's, or something from the Sears catalog if you are older. Have fun with it, but don't get all spendy. You should be able to get something for under $500 that plays well enough. It'll weigh too much but hey you wanted an old bass!

 

[Passinwind]

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.

Stock answer: get a nice upright. For many people a BYURB will just be getting broken in about now. A reissue? Meh...