What are some aesthetically 80's basses?

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

These guys are about as 80s as it gets!

 

[Raman]

In the same line as the Steinberger, this is my 1st bass: Ibanez Axstar. (Still have it but too lazy to take it out of its case to take a picture.)
I think it's very, very 80's. Especially when you know that the guy who played it just before it became mine was Kid Creole and the Coconuts' bassist! I can't think of a band that's more 80's than that...

 

[Blueinred]

View attachment 4472485

Be still my beating heart.....

 

[Blueinred]

Any other basses have this look?

I came across a listing for a MIJ Aria bass in yellow with black hardware that I think is absolutely gorgeous, just really has that new wave vibe. From the angular sculpting of the body sides and around the bridge, the sharp cutouts, the headstock.'

I'm sharing the photos here for y'alls pleasure. Original listing: Aria Pro II Avante Series AVB-85V 1997 Japan 5-string bass RARE | eBay

Any other basses have this look?

View attachment 4471944 View attachment 4471945

The official bass of the Pittsburgh Steelers have this color scheme. Can't stand it.

 

[spatters]

I win.

(The story, as far as I can piece it together from automatically translated Japanese websites: Yamaha hosted a Battle of the Bands called "EastWest" from 1976 to 1986. The winning band each year got custom instruments. This is one of them. Therefore, it's a one-off, not a production bass. This makes me sad.)

 

[roller]

I win.

View attachment 4472588

(The story, as far as I can piece it together from automatically translated Japanese websites: Yamaha hosted a Battle of the Bands called "EastWest" from 1976 to 1986. The winning band each year got custom instruments. This is one of them. Therefore, it's a one-off, not a production bass. This makes me sad.)

 

[Dominic D]

While not specifically 80’s, the Explorer and its pointy variants always come to mind.

 

[moon-bass]

Guild is the first that comes to mind for me as well. Their "pointy" models were really excellent in terms of quality and sound, but man are some of them dated today!

View attachment 4471963

I feel like I need this in my life ...

 

[bass12]

To me nothing says '80s like a Status (except for maybe a Kubicki). I still regret passing up the opportunity to buy a Series 2000 back in... 2000.

 

[Standalone]

I gig and record on one.

 

[Thorsoundcore]

Love some old Westones. I wish I’d bought a pickup bed full back when you almost couldn’t give them away…

Got to try a Westone once! Mine are different brands, but do come from the same factory though of course. The bottom 4 are Aria pros and the top is a Westbury.

 

[r_bnks]

 

[Camarillo]

Not so extreme, but these are my 80’a looking basses.
‘79 ‘84 and ‘81

 

[themickster]

Nick Beggs was always criminally overlooked in my opinion. He’s a monster player.

He's too shy

 

[FatherTrucker]

These guys are about as 80s as it gets! View attachment 4472571

I just got a Power Jazz Special but it doesn't have the preamp. I love it!

 

[roller]

80s Ibanez Musicians and Roadstars are soooooo cooooooooool!!!

I gig and record on one. View attachment 4472661

 

[sonojono]

An edit I did a year ago. Miss this bass but I don’t miss the glossy neck

 

[MBASSTT]

The Westone Rail epitomizes the 80s

 

[burpgun]

King of the 80's basses...
View attachment 4472436

Extra points for Sting rocking his own band’s t-shirt. Wonder how the Spector stacks up against that ancient Precision he plays these days.

 

[Peavaria]

I recently purchased this 1986 beauty!