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Your first bass vs. what you play now

#81
the first one was rickenbacker 4001. 20 years ago.

until 2 years ago never wished for another one.
then it felt like a good time to slow down and play some reggae, and got a warwick thumb nt. at the same time started building a warwick thumb nt copy w/ villex pickups.
 
#82
My first bass was a American made Peavey B-90, and while it was a great starter and of good quality, I came to find it... uninspiring. After sorting through a couple of Ibanez basses and a Spector Legend (that Legend = suck IMO), I have arrived at my current stable of an active Warwick Corvette 5'er, an American G&L L2000, and a Human Base BaseX.Oc5 (sadly, it's currently for sale).

I've tried a lot of things and found that I prefer the sound of a 2 pickup bass, with the exception of a Stingray that I'm pretending doesn't exist :hiding:. I absolutely love my current basses - very versatile and fun to play.
 
#84
My first was a 70's jazz, looked just like Geddy Lee's except I put a chrome pickguard on it. That was around 1981, had never heard of Geddy Lee, but loved Jaco, so the second was another 70's jazz, looked like it had been refinished by a gorilla - yanked the pearl block inlaid neck off, threw it away, and replaced it with an ebony/maple fretless (added lines later), and popped the singles for an early emg/preamp setup. Still use that bass all the time, best fretless neck I've ever played. I also now have a new (used) 76 or so jazz that I play all the time. I've had lots of others over the years but Fender jazz shape, sound, and neck profile feel like home.
 
#87
wow, my first bass was something I got for helping my dad do some furnace work at a music store. It was a P/J something copy that was bigger than I was. Just to add to the fun, someone stole it at a party I had and I have never seen it since. Schecter and Ibanez grace the house these days though.
Todd :)
 
#88
My first bass was a knock-off of the Beatle bass. I forget the company that made it. I also don'tr know the year of the bass. I bought it used back in 1979 or so.

I moved on to a Fender Mustang soon after, and must have traded the BB in.

As I moved on to other, better basses through the years, a good 90% of them have had one thing in common: thin necks.

Every Beatle Bass I have tried since have had skinny necks - too skinny anymore, for my tastes.

My present main bass is a Fender Jazz ('80 MIJ), and I find that neck just right. I'm also using an Epiphone Rippeer which has one of the thicker necks I have played, but I am adapting to it pretty well.

-----------

Cool thread! :bassist:
 
#89
My first bass was a Gibson Grabber, I bought because Gene Simmons played one at the time and I thought they looked cool.

I sold it to by a Gibson brand new Gibson RD Artist I still play today. Every Gibson since that has been a new sound & adventure, which keeps me coming back.
 
#90
My first bass was something that looked like Paul McCartney's Hofner. I have no idea who made. I bought it for $30 off a
a kid in high school. Played it for a month or so and sold it to
some other kid.

Second bass was a Gibson. Don't remember the model any more but it was a complete dog. Made me swear I'd never play another
Gibson bass as long as I lived.
 
#94
My first bass was a natural Carvin, circa 1978-80 or so. Stereo outputs, 4 string. Purchased used. I now play my Skjold 5 String Custom exclusively.

I haven't had that bass for some time. It would be interesting to try it again (make me want to get a hold of the chap I sold it to). I can't say it influenced my later purchases, but it was my first love and I've been playing bass ever since.
 
#97
Holy Cats! You guys!! Fender,gibson ,Ibanez Squier, Peavey,Ric!!! Am I the only guy started on a Hagstrom II? I worked all summer to pay for it, then all fall to get the Vox Essex amp.I modded it with a Gibson bridge P/U between the stock ones, painted an American flag on it and sold it when I went to my 70 P(in 70) which I still use. The Hag was also the last bass I ever sold. let me know if you ever see it.
 
#98
My first bass was an Ibanez GIO. This was back when the GIO looked like the old Road Gear series and not the now Sound Gear shape. Basswood body and one P Bass pickup and action that was set a mile high.

Currently I'm rocking a Vintage 1978 Fender Jazz and a 1986 Ken Smith.

There couldn't be more of a difference. :)

I will admit though, that I have been looking for an old Ibanez GIO to modd out just for the fun of it.;)
 

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