Your first bass love?

[Michael Simpson]

My "first" bass love always has been and always will be my '74 Rick 4001.

This used to belong to my uncle, however he died well before his time. It spent years in my grandparent's attic, since well before i was born until I started showing an interest in playing bass seriously when I was around 8 or 9. Before this I was playing a crappy Marlin Sidewinder bass. The neck was twisted, the action was a mile high and it was nigh-on unplayable to my (at the time) "wee boy hands". My grandparents presented this to me one day and told me it's story and I was immediately taken. Still the easiest playing bass I've ever played. It has been my main bass ever since joining my first band at the age of 12, it saw 6 years of constant gigging and still plays like a champion, and I fall in love with it again everytime I pick it up.
These days it enjoys an easy life next to my modified Squier P, which is the only bass that I've enjoyed almost as much as my Rick. But she's still number one

 

[Michael Simpson]

My "first" bass love always has been and always will be my '74 Rick 4001. View attachment 2903385This used to belong to my uncle, however he died well before his time. It spent years in my grandparent's attic, since well before i was born until I started showing an interest in playing bass seriously when I was around 8 or 9. Before this I was playing a crappy Marlin Sidewinder bass. The neck was twisted, the action was a mile high and it was nigh-on unplayable to my (at the time) "wee boy hands". My grandparents presented this to me one day and told me it's story and I was immediately taken. Still the easiest playing bass I've ever played. It has been my main bass ever since joining my first band at the age of 12, it saw 6 years of constant gigging and still plays like a champion, and I fall in love with it again everytime I pick it up.
These days it enjoys an easy life next to my modified Squier P, which is the only bass that I've enjoyed almost as much as my Rick. But she's still number one View attachment 2903401

Oh, and further to this I'm pouring a lot of time and love into my newest P Bass Project, so hoping to get some love back when it's all finished

Thread documenting my progress so far can be found through my profile for those that are interested.

 

[lbbc]

Aria Beatle Bass @1973

 

[mikeswals]

Spector.
Once I was able to afford one, it was a dreamy bass come true, no disappointments.

 

[morgansterne]

My first bass, I splurged on the good stuff. Made in America fender jazz. Here it is at my first cover band's first paying gig.

Great tone even when played by beginner me. I eventually sold it when I needed a five string.

 

[packhowitzer]

I love them all. I'm just a bass tramp I guess. I love the nice ones and the not so nice ones. even the ugly ones need some lovin'

 

[bassestkkm]

Well this is the earliest picture I have of myself playing. I had been playing for about a year at this point. But that P bass was the reason most of my favorite players have been some form of P bass. It was stolen from me about 4 years later, but it was the one that started it all for me.

 

[JoeWPgh]

My 66 Guild Starfire that I got in 73. It was swapped back and forth a few times with a friend. I finally got it back, but then it was stolen about 7 years ago.

 

[twinjet]

I had owned nine basses before I bought a bass that I really liked.
Why?
Bass makers weren't making what I wanted!
Until Tune made this.View attachment 2902487

What is on this bass that didn't exist on older 6-string basses?

 

[Mastermold]

Got a '72 4001 back in '84 that I still have. It was my second bass and the first I really liked.

 

[twinjet]

My Schecter Stiletto Custom 6 6-string bass. That was my main for eight years. Saw plenty of work from swanky jazz dinners and high school graduate parties to big band work and my first recording job. Sold to fund a Fender P bass that sold ten months later. No regrets, however.

 

[Watchootognbout]

What is on this bass that didn't exist on older 6-string basses?

This is the first bass that I didn't have to change anything on.
I wasn't "settling" with an issue.

No paint.
No chrome;
No pickguard.
Not retro/traditional styling.

Satin/oil finish.
Gold hardware.
Natural dark exotic wood.
Six strings.
Bought off the wall.
Inexpensive.

 

[Alacajun]

View attachment 2902393 Sure, why not.

I had been borrowing a friend’s P40 (the worst bass... in the world!) and needed to buy my own. I saw a Jazz Bass (‘76) in the paper for $350. My mom took me to look at it. Later, she said the second I opened the case, she knew I was going to buy it. I loved that thing for about 10 years. Then, being a young drunk idiot, left it at the pawn shop too long. That’s pretty much what it looked like but nearly new and not all scuffed up.

What's a P40? Are you talking about a Peavey T-40?

 

[saabfender]

What's a P40? Are you talking about a Peavey T-40?

Yes, indeed. My bad.

 

[Alacajun]

Yes, indeed. My bad.

I've owned a couple T-40s. I think they have a very unique sound, but man they are heavy.
I don't think I could use one exclusively....

 

[twinjet]

This is the first bass that I didn't have to change anything on.
I wasn't "settling" with an issue.

No paint.
No chrome;
No pickguard.
Not retro/traditional styling.

Satin/oil finish.
Gold hardware.
Natural dark exotic wood.
Six strings.
Bought off the wall.
Inexpensive.

Sounds like a winner. Right on.

 

[blowinblue]

My first bass love? Well, I started playing bass in 1977. At the time I was married to my ex-wife (first wife). So, since I started playing bass while married to my ex-wife, she would have to be considered my first 'bass love'. Sorry, just trying to sort this thread out.

P.S. I know the rules. No pic, no ex-wife. No way. My present wife has access to these pages.

M. M.

 

[Duckophile]

My old Guild b-301, neck dive and all.

 

[blowinblue]

Finally got this thread sorted out. We're talking about actual bass guitars here. I've owned basses that I liked a lot, but the first one I truly fell 'in love with' was my '03 Elrick fretless 5. It opened my eyes (and ears and hands) to a completely new world of bass goodness.

M. M.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

My 1975 Gibson L9S The Ripper. The first time I ever saw it was on a stand on stage with Gene Simmons of Kiss, he also was the first time I ever heard the growling tone, that grabbed me and never let go. I knew I wanted one at that point and busted my hump to get it. And I have had it by my side since 1975. Forever my favorite throughout all these years and many, many, many other basses I have played or purchased in my 50 years of banging on 4 strings. RTS.

Nice sounding bass and I love the lights on your hat!