Prs bass?

[ajkula66]

The inimitable Robbie Shakespeare has used a PRS bass for years along with Fender Jazz and Steinberger basses.

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He is likely the only well-known bass player that I've ever seen with the old 80s PRS...then again, I don't believe that these were ever marketed properly and their availability was spotty at best.

 

[delta7fred]

I was recently visiting my daughter and of course checked out the 3 local music shops, one had a PRS bass hanging in the window.

I've no idea what model but it appeared to be 2 single coils (possibly VVT controls) and was priced at about 450GBP IIRC. I was keen to try it out but unfortunately the shop was never open when I was in town.

 

[burgerdj]

I played a GG5 recently. It really was a remarkable instrument and the EQ is unlike most production basses. The neck, like older models, was wide and thin. I thought it comfortable to play while seated but as pointed out previously, the geometry did not work very well standing. I have smaller hands, so you're experience may vary. I happened upon numerous EB4 basses in the 1990s, both the 3/4 pickup versions and the later JJ versions. Nice, but not remarkable - especially for the price. Great woods and finish though.

 

[CTBassGuy]

I've no idea what model but it appeared to be 2 single coils (possibly VVT controls) and was priced at about 450GBP IIRC.

At that price and configuration, it was probably an SE Kestrel (one of the three on the right). If it had a pickguard, it was. The ones on the left are the SE Kingfishers (HH config and 24 fret).

 

[10cc]

OK, I'll give a serious answer.

I had one of these about 15 years ago. (See picture, though this one ain't mine.) I don't recall if it was even given a model name or number.

Neck was wide like a P-bass but shallow front to back. It was very light, maybe 8 1/4 pounds, though I know there were some heavier ones made. Sounded killer. They haven't made this model in over 10 years. . . . . Sold it after about a year of ownership because the neck geometry was not my favorite. Now I'm kicking myself for having sold it.


View attachment 3165445

Yep. I also let one go like this.

 

[10cc]

In action. 2003

 

[delta7fred]

At that price and configuration, it was probably an SE Kestrel (one of the three on the right). If it had a pickguard, it was. The ones on the left are the SE Kingfishers (HH config and 24 fret).
View attachment 3166163

Thanks.

It definitely had a pickguard and looked like one of the 3 on the right but I can't remember if it was a solid colour or bust (it was in an unlit shop and I thought I would catch the shop open so didn't take too much notice).

 

[stringthrough]

In action. 2003
View attachment 3166236

... and here is a video of me playing that bass at a rehearsal.

 

[chadds]

I bought the '80s fretless. The store owner said it had sold him a lot of PRS basses. It was something. Bought a fretted charcoal ten top with the birds. Just okay. There some guy in Annapolis buying them at a good price so I sold them both. Maybe it was Paul himself.

I'm less impressionable now but OMG Michael Manring made me want one. Truth be told the fretless was way more expressive. I had the fretted in a studio. I was in the control room and held a note so long the engineer called other engineers in to hear it.

 

[chadds]

It wasn't the build it was the electronics that didn't do justice in the early versions. Justice in bass driven music.