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What was your first bass guitar?

#2,121
about 40 years ago, a Maestro/Univox (relabelled univox factory second) looked just like this one (plus mine still had the pickguard):
mfb3.jpg

mfb2-1.jpg

Really nice playable bass, with a really cool bookmatched Foto-Flame top and back under a ruby red sunburst.
Unfortunately, I never got to play it thru a decent amp, so I have no idea of it's true sound. I wouldn't mind having this bass again.
 
#2,122
...not sure of the brand....a crappy HB that ALWAYS gave me feedback (no matter what I did!).....bought it at a place called "record head" (in the front they sold records and used instruments...in the back? well...lets just say that the oder was pungent when you walked into the store) in Milwaukee for like $50 back in 1981...it was VERY used...neck bow was awful.

here are a couple of pics of me playing it:

dk-firstbass-1.jpg


dk-firstbass-2.jpg


dk-firstbass-3.jpg


sad...but it WAS the early 1980s....

only had it a year or so...then went to a black Peavey T-40....which matched our guiatrist's Peavey T-140....kept that bass over 20 years....
 
#2,125
My first bass was a gift. Harley benton Hot rod PJ bass. light and lovely (satin neck) I got to pick it out too, It is fun.

Got it after breaking in on a... less than meticulously maintained P copy a friend had (twas set up with super high action & heavy rounds tuned to standard:scowl:). I got it out of the box & the thomann setup still had the E,D & G strings in tune:hyper:. action low with plenty of fret noise on command with a harder dig!

A functional bass is a good place to start, as is a patient instructor. I'm glad I learned to set up my gear straight away, (what order to plug things in, intonation, truss rod adjustments) It means I get practice diagnosing what is going wrong with a particular setup I've done.
I've yet to do any repairs or electronic modding etc. so we'll see how that goes.

I'm planning on throwing a set of EMG's or DiMarzios in the P position on the Hot rod, if not the J. I need a better amp rig first though!;)
 
#2,126
Mine was a Epiphone EB-0, a very cool bass for beginning. It's short scale, so very easy to play. I got it for about 1 year and a half, but one day when I was practicing with my band mates, I accidently broke the input jack with the wire plugged and the wood around it broke... I was really sad :( so I went to the local music store and bought another one !
 
#2,129
My first bass? Dang, I'm still playing my first bass.
In early 2011, my dad commented on me having a good ear for music, and that I should play an instrument (he's a guitarist, this is whilst I was running the OHP and guessing the songs by the first chord(s)) so I suggested bass. I then borrowed a friend's vox (weighed a ton, I hated it) and gave it back in a month. Then I went to a place from Friday-ad and bought a like-new Ashton. It's a cheap bass, but I love it, and I've had several pro musicians comment on how much they like the feel and tone.
Of course, my next bass is gonna be my home-made EUB. when I get the wood to start building of course :D
 
#2,133
My first bass was a brand new '67 ('68? It's all a blur at this point.) Sunburst Fender Jazz Bass, white bound and blocked rosewood neck. Because Dad was in the music business I was able to strike a trade for the Selmer trumpet I had to pay for the Jazz. I'd guess I had about $300 in the bass at that time I played this for about 2.5 years until I found and purchased my heavily road-worn blue '65 Jazz, for $75.00. After I had refurbed. my '65 I ultimately ended up selling my '67 to a student my H.S. band director had sent my way, along with my original Gretsch amp.

iJazz - When you are living history you seldom have appreciation of the experience.
 
#2,135
3/4 scale Regal bass, cheap Korean P bass knock off, very 80's looking. It was a great xmas present but I didn't learn to use it for 2 more years.

I, like the OP should, sold my first bass to fund a better one. Mine wasn't much better but it worked, a Squier Affinity P, which was sold to finally get a Fender Mexi P which I still own and use regularly.
 
#2,138
My first bass was a used 1984 Fender P of uncertain nationality; it had an E serial number, making it a MIJ or MIA. I got it in 1989. Brown sunburst, white pickguard and pickup cover, maple neck. It had plenty of dings on the finish and other wear, and a small round-headed stove bolt replacing one of the saddle screws in the bridge, but it played like a champ. Sadly, I had to sell it in a time of dire financial need in 2004. I still miss it. :(
 

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