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your first ever bass

My first bass was a '98 Fender American Jazz bass, and until three or four days ago it was my only bass. I got that bass as an early graduation present from college from my parents, but they scored a sweet deal on it for $500 brand new. (The only positive Guitar Center experience of my life) That has been my only bass for the past 9 years except for a Gibson Les Paul bass that I was borrowing until I could afford my own. She's still a beautiful instrument, and my first bass love, although I must admit that I can't stop staring at her new little sister's enormous pickups! (my G&L).
 
First bass ever bought (for me) in 1985 - Westone Thunder 1A :):

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Last bass bought (last week) - Westone Thunder 1A :hmm::

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So much for progress :p!
 
My first was a red burst Kent Hollowbody. Can't remember much about it... how many pickups, year,etc. Must have been late 60's early 70's. Anyone ever hear of them? I didnt like it much.. bought a P-Bass in 75 and its been my main bass up untill a year ago...
 
Technically, a Fernandes Gravity 4X was my first "purchased" bass I had owned all of a day until I returned it for an SR500 which became my first "playing" bass.

I bought the Fernandez sight-unseen online (its a lefty thing)...but once I got it I returned it because the "Gun Metal Blue" color was more electric Cobalt and I just didn't like the feel....I upped the budget for an SR500 and became very spoiled....
 
Well, let's see, I believe it was around 1973 and the bass player in my brothers band quit, so they asked me if I wanted to play bass for them. One of the guys in the band had lots of connections, so he got a hold of a late 60's lake placid blue Fender Jazz bass. I think it cost me 250 bucks. Man, don't I wish I had that now. Anyways, it was a sweet bass, I played it through Acoustics backs then.
Ken
 
My first bass was a black Vantage Avenger av325. I bought it off a friend of mine for 100$ including a 30 watt rocktec amp and a hardshell case. At one point a friend of mine working at a autobody shop repainted it the same colour as his brothers car. After this it sat untouched for 2 years, parts started going missing over time. Two months ago I started to sand off the paint with the idea that I was going to do something with it. Sanding was starting to feel like it was going to take forever, so I bought a sticker of a "bass" stuck it on it and called it a day. I also replaced the nut, pickups, knobs, one tuner, and bridge with parts I had sitting around. My first Bass is now my "bass" bass.
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My first bass was a "CMI" Pbass-esque bass. I got it at a pawn shop for around $100. It was a mess but it was still playable and i needed something to learn on. After about a year it was falling apart so I saved up some cash then sold it for $50 and bought my first "real" bass, a Yamaha RBX370A. Unfortunatly I don't have pictures of either.
 
I got my first bass in 1968, and although I played it until '73 (when I bought a new P-bass), the only things I remember are: (1) it was well-used when Pop gave it to me (2) the action was very high because neck was warped - and wasn't fixable (3) the brand was Kawai.

I can't recall the color, pickup configuration, or anything else about it, but I do recall Pop telling me that the action was a lot lower than the action on his upright: "Stick with it. It'll toughen you up."
 
1970's Rickenbacker. Paid only 350 bucks because of a deep scratch on the back. I didn't care because the deep scratch was facing me and the guy teaching me to play had a Rickenbacker. Sold it for 800 (thought I was making out with $$). Wish I never got rid of it. I miss the coated fingerboard. Excelent tone.
 
Mine was a Samick Bass (forgot the model number).

P/J, all passive, slim neck.

The electronics crapped out on me after 4 days of purchase back in 2000. I never tried to fix it (all pots have to be dialed wide open for the bass to work)

The truss rod wouldnt work properly... had to shim the neck!

Once I got my first Fender (i have 3 now!) i sold it to a beginner player.

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im sure most of you didnt get a stingray for your first bass ( unless you are one of those spoilt little *****), most of us buy second hand basses or somthing thats like a toy. many get your typical squier bass or an ibanez gsr.

does anyone still own their first basses and have pictures o them?

First bass was a Squier P-bass. 2 weeks later I bought a Stingray :hyper:

Im not spoilt though, im just in my 20's and working hard. I had been playing guitar for a few years prior to picking up a bass and had a Gibson Les Paul, so I was into buying decent instruments I guess. The P-bass I had, just had a crappy fit and finish to it and when I picked up the ray I now own, I just HAD to have it. Its a few years down the track now, so it was wasn't a waste. I own 5 basses now and the same Ray is still my main 'go to' bass.
 
A japanese Vision short scale bass, looked a bit like a jazz bass with hofner pickups, bought it from my cousin back in 1981. A real POS with no sustain or tone whatsoever. Later on I stripped the sunburst finish before repainting it white and found out the body was plywood. Wish I still had it though, just for sentimental value. No hope of getting it back as I know it doesn't even exist anymore: I sold it in 1983 to a kid who after a while sold it on to his friend, the last owner smashed it to pieces after a drunken party.
 
My first was a Memphis P bass copy from 1983. The action was super high, could have flown an airplane under the strings. Baseball bat thick neck. It built up some serious forearms for me. I still have it and actually straightend the neck out, droped the bridge down, replaced the pots and it plays and sounds great now.