Bought my first bass in the early '70s. It was a brand-new Maple Glow 4001. I still own it.
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What did you do with your "beginner" bass?
- Thread starter Greenman72
- Start date
I started at 13 years old, stopped at 15, and started again at 18.
During the interim I left my Tiesco Del Rey at a friend's house.
Slight regret today, but not as much as the Ampeg Flip-top head my Dad traded away when I 'quit'
During the interim I left my Tiesco Del Rey at a friend's house.
Slight regret today, but not as much as the Ampeg Flip-top head my Dad traded away when I 'quit'
Traded it in for a fretless, and played a gig the next day
You can probably guess how that went
You can probably guess how that went
I keep it for sentimental reasons, but also because it's a well built instrument and a bit of a rarity : an Ibanez Axstar.
Don't fall into that trap. I sold my first bass in 1978 and went into the Navy. 40 years later I retire and start playing bass again. I think I want to find one just like my first bass and I did..... What a POS..... I couldn't get rid of it fast enough. How I ever played that thing in the first place is beyond me.
Got rid of it as soon as I could afford a better one, and I'm glad I did (I picked the closest answer in the poll).
My first bass was a Guild JetStar II, an EB3 wannabe: medium scale, dual buckers. Mine was black with matching headstock, rosewood board. It looked cool, but had an awkward bridge with wooden saddles, and mine had poor action.
Saved up for a 1977 Fender Precision (bought used in 1978), and even though the P-bass was heavy and far from the best one I've ever owned, I still liked it way better than the Guild. But I still think of the Guild from time to time... can't forget your first.
My first bass was a Guild JetStar II, an EB3 wannabe: medium scale, dual buckers. Mine was black with matching headstock, rosewood board. It looked cool, but had an awkward bridge with wooden saddles, and mine had poor action.
Saved up for a 1977 Fender Precision (bought used in 1978), and even though the P-bass was heavy and far from the best one I've ever owned, I still liked it way better than the Guild. But I still think of the Guild from time to time... can't forget your first.
I voted, got rid of it asap and glad I did, but that's not quite 100% accurate.
My first bass was an Ibanez lawsuit Ric copy in Fireglo. It played well and I guess I thought it sounded fine. What would I know about tone, if I fretted the intended note and it didn't buzz I thought that was a win. The guy I bought it from was in many bands with it so not sure it was a true "beginner bass" It was just as close to a Ric as he could afford.
But it was a huge, monster size bass for me. I'm only 5'6" and I swear it was almost as tall as me. Once I got my first short scale I never looked back. I hadn't thought of it for years but recently crossed paths with the guy I bought it from and he asked if I still had it. Unfortunately I don't know where it is. I sold it to a friend that loved it and played it for 25 years until his untimely passing. He had moved far away from me and only found out about his passing some time after it happened.
My first bass was an Ibanez lawsuit Ric copy in Fireglo. It played well and I guess I thought it sounded fine. What would I know about tone, if I fretted the intended note and it didn't buzz I thought that was a win. The guy I bought it from was in many bands with it so not sure it was a true "beginner bass" It was just as close to a Ric as he could afford.
But it was a huge, monster size bass for me. I'm only 5'6" and I swear it was almost as tall as me. Once I got my first short scale I never looked back. I hadn't thought of it for years but recently crossed paths with the guy I bought it from and he asked if I still had it. Unfortunately I don't know where it is. I sold it to a friend that loved it and played it for 25 years until his untimely passing. He had moved far away from me and only found out about his passing some time after it happened.
Got stolen by someone when I was in school. Pretty heartbreaking tbh.
I had two beginnings. I started in 1982 then quit bass for a few years. Started again with my 2nd beginner bass in 1987.
1. Univox Hi Flier with flats. Had no idea what it was, but for $100 I could afford it in 1982. I wish I had it now only so I could sell it and get more $$.
2. Peavey T40. I had it for maybe a year and then replaced it with my first Warmoth parts bass. I wish I had it now so I could sell it and get more $$.
So, my short answer is I got rid of my beginner basses and am glad I did.
1. Univox Hi Flier with flats. Had no idea what it was, but for $100 I could afford it in 1982. I wish I had it now only so I could sell it and get more $$.
2. Peavey T40. I had it for maybe a year and then replaced it with my first Warmoth parts bass. I wish I had it now so I could sell it and get more $$.
So, my short answer is I got rid of my beginner basses and am glad I did.
When I got my first really nice bass I ended up giving my beginner bass away.
I'm GAS'ing pretty hard for a new bass, and I was thinking about selling that nice bass to fund the new one since I don't play long scale anymore... but I've had it for nearly 20 years now, I don't think I can give her up even if she's just hanging on the wall these days.
I'm GAS'ing pretty hard for a new bass, and I was thinking about selling that nice bass to fund the new one since I don't play long scale anymore... but I've had it for nearly 20 years now, I don't think I can give her up even if she's just hanging on the wall these days.
My first bass is also Peavey Milestone…but a P bass. I still have it, and though I don’t usually gig with it, I do still occasionally play it. It’s really a great bass….light, sounds great in a mix, stays in tune incredibly well, holds a great set up, and is actually fairly bulletproof. If I had to sell all my basses except one, I probably would actually keep the Peavey.
My first bass was a pretty high quality Chandler PJ with EMGs. It eventually got a Warmoth 8-string neck and Schaller bridge, and then I used the 4-string neck to build a franken-P, so I’m still using all the parts. Here they are:
My first bass was a Charvel Pro Mod San Dimas, I wanted a bass for a while, and it was a nice color and available used for a good deal so I bought it. It still my primary bass. I ended up voting carrots though, because I am not sure if most people would call it a "beginner bass".
My first was a Squier VM Jazz. Natural finish.
Developed GAS from this place and sold it trying to find the “one”.
Wished I kept it, as it was a great sounding and looking instrument.
The one I had was before the shiny lacquered neck; mine was matte smooth and amazing.
Still have the American Special I sold it for, but still wish I had the first.
Developed GAS from this place and sold it trying to find the “one”.
Wished I kept it, as it was a great sounding and looking instrument.
The one I had was before the shiny lacquered neck; mine was matte smooth and amazing.
Still have the American Special I sold it for, but still wish I had the first.
Beginner basses in the early 70’s were mostly crap… at least in the farming community where I grew up 
My first (1975) was a ‘no-name’ P-type bass… crap
Sold it forthwith… picked up an Epi hollow body… decent bass but did not fit my needs… Worked really hard (at a local farmers market)… purchased a 1976 RIC… was happy 
My first (1975) was a ‘no-name’ P-type bass… crap
Sold it forthwith… picked up an Epi hollow body… decent bass but did not fit my needs… Worked really hard (at a local farmers market)… purchased a 1976 RIC… was happy 
My "beginner"bass was a '79 Pre EBMM Saber.
Three years after I bought it,I had it converted to fretless.
Then later had it changed back.
Then later stripped down and torched in selected places and had a translucent red/orange finish put on it.
Some time later the electronics crapped out.
I trashed it and bought a new bass.
An Aria SB Elite I.
Thirty something basses later..........
Three years after I bought it,I had it converted to fretless.
Then later had it changed back.
Then later stripped down and torched in selected places and had a translucent red/orange finish put on it.
Some time later the electronics crapped out.
I trashed it and bought a new bass.
An Aria SB Elite I.
Thirty something basses later..........
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I gave mine (late ‘80s Ibanez SR600) to a teenage beginner. I experienced a lot of generosity from older musicians when I was a kid starting out on bass, so I wanted to do something similar.
My first bass was a $50 Gibson EBO slot head that had terrible action from a broken truss rod, cracked headstock and turned out to be stolen. After playing it for a year and making the needed repairs. When I went to trade it up for a new bass a Hagstrom HBII it was on a hot sheet and was turned over to the police. I then visited the guy I bought it from and got my 50 bucks back [for not telling the cops where I'd gotten the bass]. While I have owned several Gibson basses since I have no fondness for that EBO. That Hagstrom on the other hand I miss all the time, lots of fun memories on that bass.
I held onto my 1st bass for a while until I noticed my friend’s son, 12 years old at the time, was gaining interest in playing music. He was playing tuba or something in his school’s marching band, and I could tell he was more interested in the music itself more than the instrument he was playing, so I gave him my old Hammer P bass and a little practice amp. I think I made the right choice, he’s killing it right now playing bass in his current band and I love it.
