What did you do with your "beginner" bass?

[Matt Power]

Mine was a Hondo II Precision copy. I traded it off for a brand new, just introduced, Peavey T-40.

I had the same P.O.S.! It ended up at the local music store...traded it to pay the tax on a used 1974 Jazz in minty shape. I played that bass through grad school, and got my Master's in performance on it. I'd say it paid for itself...

 

[michael_t]

I took up the bass for the first time at age 52 back in 2009. I wanted to make sure my "beginner bass" was good enough to last me for a long time. 2008 Fender Highway One Jazz, which I still play regularly today. Still the most comfortable and best-sounding (to my ears) bass after all these years. This one will stay with me for life.

 

[Malak the Mad]

I must've really lucked out! My first-ever is...not "was", 'cuz I still have it...a solid, if mildly mojo'd up, CIJ Aerodyne Jazz. Either it is what shaped my ergonomic preferences or I nailed it on the first try. Either way, it still feels great in my hands!

So....I still have the very first bass I ever bought. Obviously, I've "outgrown" it, and now I only have about a dozen basses or so that are much higher quality.

But....since this is my first, it's really hard to let go of it, purely for sentimental reasons. But there's no reason to hang on to it, either. Is there?

What did you do with your first bass? Are you happy with your decision?

Outgrown it? Hardly! In fact, I have another Aerodyne, a non-export model, and three parts-basses with Aerodyne necks. In fact, I was planning on trying a new set of LaBella gold alloy flats on my first-ever later today just to see how it sounds.

"Sentimentality" and "nostalgia" can be very powerful urges for some people. I, for one, am no exception. So long as I don't have to make such a painful decision, it'll stay in my possession and I'll be happier for it!

 

[rhpatters]

I keep it for sentimental reasons, but also because it's a well built instrument and a bit of a rarity : an Ibanez Axstar.

I still have my Axstar. The last year with the better bridge and headless locking system. It is a very well built instrument. A respected luthier made that comment to me. That bass replaced a rickenbacker in 1987. I tried to retire it with a Spector and Axstar won. Tried again with a Warwick and the Axstar won. I did switch over to Jazz basses for many years but the Axstar slipped back in again at one point! So comfortable and great passive sound. I personally don't consider it a beginner bass. Everyone that has picked up has liked it. Also note they are worth over $1000 USD now. I see one equivalent to mine at $1,500 USD.

 

[pfschim]

my "beginner bass" was a '72 Fender Jazz. Black with a bound and blocked neck. what did I do to it ??
I defretted it during the early Jaco years
I stripped it (very poorly) to natural wood
I played the living crap out of it for about 10 years
I sold it. Don't regret it as it was just an ok bass that I wore the life out of. Never missed it, just got another Jazz bass.