Looking for an "80s as hell" bass... probably headless!

[JayX]

Hey guys, been a while since I've been on here.

Despite not having an active band at the moment, there's a tradition every 6 months at our local to do a 'Stars in their Eyes' night, which is undoubtedly the highlight of the year, and a bunch of us are going to do 80s stallwarts - JOURNEY. In the video for Separate Ways, he's clearly rocking a Steinberger/Hohner headless, and I'm itching at the idea of leaving the Warwick at home for the night and rocking something equally... 80s.

I saw Andy's [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=62103%5dHohner%5b/url%5d%20thread%20too%20late%20yesterday,%20and%20absolutely%20kicking%20myself..%20it%20would've%20been%20perfect.%20I've%20always%20wanted%20to%20have%20a%20second%20bass%20that%20could%20be%20used%20for%20fun%20gigs%20like%20this,%20and%20have%20always%20had%20a%20love%20for%20the%20Ibanez%20Destroyers,%20and%20basses%20with%20the%20colour/finish%20like%20%5burl="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=280403667918"]this[/url] (not a fan of the body shape itself mind). So open to ideas of what to go for, at a worryingly low budget (so second hand, naturally.. for authenticity and wallet reasons!) that will look the part and not suck so much it gets thrown to the back of the cupboard and never played again.

Feel free to whore your own awesome 80s axes for inspiration, and if you have something that fits the bill in my price range (really not much more than the £100 Andy wanted for his unfortunately) feel free to mention it (presumably that's allowed?)

[noelk27]

Aria, Ibanez, Music Man and Status say 80s more to me than Steinberger, but that's possibly the cost/price equation.

[JayX]

Heh yeah to pay for the Music Man or Status, I think I'd have to sell my Warwick.. possibly my Trace V6 too! When it comes to the headlesses, I should've pointed out I'm not really a fan of the 'non-cricket bat variety, I always thought the headless look only suited such a crazy body!

Altho, I have to be honest... the second I saw the Steinberger in Bill and Ted's as a kid, I knew I had to have one [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3KJBOqSjC0"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3KJBOqSjC0[/url]

[noelk27]

You can do 80s on a budget: OLP as opposed to Music Man; Washburn as opposed to Status. But if you want something genuinely 80s, then you'd get something Aria, Ibanez or Yamaha for a limited budget. If it has to be headless though, and an iconic design, then a Steinberger/Spirit fits the mould. (No pun intended.)

[Pete Academy]

My 1983 Steinberger is still for sale, but I want £2000.

[The Burpster]

Clearly the ultimate 'unmistakable 80s' bass would be a Steiny clone ( a genuine one being way out of your price bracket), although a less obvious but subtle one would be a Fender P lyte or one of the pointy head Fenders of that ilk.

[Dr.Dave]

Anything pointy really - you can pick pointy Charvels up for jack sh*t , mostly because they are !!!

In your shoes - I'd look to borrow something for a one off. I'm a long way from you or you'd be welcome to borrow my Status. You could consider picking up a hohner B2a , steiny clone. Looks the part and sounds pretty good. Maybe even a jack. You won't get either for a hndred quid BUT if you buy one for twice that or so then sell it on you won't loose a hundred quid and you might even make the price of a few pints.

[Mokl]

I have an awesome Westone Quantum which is about as 80`s as it gets. It has the original rifle case and has been a very convenient back up as it takes no room in the car. I might sell it but would be looking for £200.

Here's a pic I found online - mine is identical to this

[LukeFRC]

my vote for a japanese bass, finished in white preferably with a painted headstock too.

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=59034"]this?[/url]

[OutToPlayJazz]

A Hohner Jack Professional would seem to fit the bill. They crop up for sale quite regularly. I had one before I could afford a proper Status when I was at college.

[JayX]

[quote name='noelk27' post='614150' date='Oct 1 2009, 07:35 PM']You can do 80s on a budget: OLP as opposed to Music Man; Washburn as opposed to Status. But if you want something genuinely 80s, then you'd get something Aria, Ibanez or Yamaha for a limited budget. If it has to be headless though, and an iconic design, then a Steinberger/Spirit fits the mould. (No pun intended.)[/quote]

Yeah the Spirit's embody everything about what I'm looking for, something just 'out there' and completely different to what I usually play. A decent quality clone would be perfect as it's just way out of budget for someone with my abilities/fact it'll probably end up on my wall for ages after the gig!


[quote name='Pete Academy' post='614184' date='Oct 1 2009, 08:09 PM']My 1983 Steinberger is still for sale, but I want £2000.[/quote]

Hehe, if I get a big raise in the meantime, I'll let you know

[quote name='The Burpster' post='614192' date='Oct 1 2009, 08:16 PM']Clearly the ultimate 'unmistakable 80s' bass would be a Steiny clone ( a genuine one being way out of your price bracket), although a less obvious but subtle one would be a Fender P lyte or one of the pointy head Fenders of that ilk.[/quote]

Exactly with you on the clone. I'll have to keep an eye out for the pointier Fenders, but I've never been a huge fan of the P bass 'look'... I'll probably change my mind eventually, I used to have no love for Rickys and now I'd love to own one.

[quote name='Dr.Dave' post='614211' date='Oct 1 2009, 08:47 PM']Anything pointy really - you can pick pointy Charvels up for jack sh*t , mostly because they are !!!

In your shoes - I'd look to borrow something for a one off. I'm a long way from you or you'd be welcome to borrow my Status. You could consider picking up a hohner B2a , steiny clone. Looks the part and sounds pretty good. Maybe even a jack. You won't get either for a hndred quid BUT if you buy one for twice that or so then sell it on you won't loose a hundred quid and you might even make the price of a few pints.[/quote]

Haha yeah, I remember lusting over Charvel/Jackson about 12 years ago when I was in my teens... I honestly wouldn't pass the right one up, pointyness is a big 'awesome' factor. I love the sharpness of 80s design, and still will own a Countach 5000... one day. I think you're right about the resale as well, as much as I hate letting stuff go, I'm happy to somehow scrape more pounds into a deal if I think I could make most of it back.

[url="http://audiozone.dk/cm/displayimage.php?pid=1900&fullsize=1"]http://audiozone.dk/cm/displayimage.php?pi...&fullsize=1[/url] I would love to have this poster!

[quote name='Mokl' post='614221' date='Oct 1 2009, 08:52 PM']I have an awesome Westone Quantum which is about as 80`s as it gets. It has the original rifle case and has been a very convenient back up as it takes no room in the car. I might sell it but would be looking for £200.

Here's a pic I found online - mine is identical to this

[/quote]

NOW WE'RE TALKING! Look at that beauty! Might just be the camera angle really selling it, but that's awesome. I'll certainly keep your 'maybe sell it' in mind, I've never played a Westone but I know that a lot of people here have owned them in the past.

Googling around for the model led me to this : [url="http://media.photobucket.com/image/westone%20quantum/krugland/misc/IMG_1194.jpg"]http://media.photobucket.com/image/westone...sc/IMG_1194.jpg[/url] . Holy crap, that's the most awesome thing I've ever seen.

[quote name='LukeFRC' post='614223' date='Oct 1 2009, 08:52 PM']my vote for a japanese bass, finished in white preferably with a painted headstock too.

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=59034"]this?[/url][/quote]

I saw a similar bass a few years ago I was umming and arring about, but it was a slighly different model with a gorgeous pointy headstock. Googling led me to this - [url="http://i426.photobucket.com/albums/pp349/riccaliolio/Ibanez%20fretless/Ibanezfretless02.jpg"]http://i426.photobucket.com/albums/pp349/r...zfretless02.jpg[/url] - if the body of that was a bit more exciting, had that headstock and was a cooler colour.. I don't think I could say no then!


[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='614258' date='Oct 1 2009, 09:42 PM']A Hohner Jack Professional would seem to fit the bill. They crop up for sale quite regularly. I had one before I could afford a proper Status when I was at college.

[/quote]

For some reason, as stated above, I can't get into the non-cricket bat style of headless basses.. I think it's the Steinberger bridge looking out of place on a more traditional body. Maybe it's the case of not seeing 'the right one' yet tho.

Edited October 1, 2009 by JayX

[Mr Bassman]

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=61427&st=0&p=607241&#entry607241"]'80's doubleneck[/url]

[FlatEric]

[quote name='JayX' post='614113' date='Oct 1 2009, 06:59 PM']Hey guys, been a while since I've been on here.

Despite not having an active band at the moment, there's a tradition every 6 months at our local to do a 'Stars in their Eyes' night, which is undoubtedly the highlight of the year, and a bunch of us are going to do 80s stallwarts - JOURNEY. In the video for Separate Ways, he's clearly rocking a Steinberger/Hohner headless, and I'm itching at the idea of leaving the Warwick at home for the night and rocking something equally... 80s.

I saw Andy's [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=62103%5dHohner%5b/url%5d%20thread%20too%20late%20yesterday,%20and%20absolutely%20kicking%20myself..%20it%20would've%20been%20perfect.%20I've%20always%20wanted%20to%20have%20a%20second%20bass%20that%20could%20be%20used%20for%20fun%20gigs%20like%20this,%20and%20have%20always%20had%20a%20love%20for%20the%20Ibanez%20Destroyers,%20and%20basses%20with%20the%20colour/finish%20like%20%5burl="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=280403667918"]this[/url] (not a fan of the body shape itself mind). So open to ideas of what to go for, at a worryingly low budget (so second hand, naturally.. for authenticity and wallet reasons!) that will look the part and not suck so much it gets thrown to the back of the cupboard and never played again.

Feel free to whore your own awesome 80s axes for inspiration, and if you have something that fits the bill in my price range (really not much more than the £100 Andy wanted for his unfortunately) feel free to mention it (presumably that's allowed?)[/quote]

JOURNEY, it has to be a T-40!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
See some of these great basses on my post in Gear Porn.
Any love for T-40's?

Pic of the great man in action.
[attachment=33885:RVT_40.jpg]

Flat Eric

[JayX]

[quote name='Mr Bassman' post='614444' date='Oct 2 2009, 01:48 AM'][url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=61427&st=0&p=607241&#entry607241"]'80's doubleneck[/url][/quote]

Sweet Jesus! I could buy two, strap them together and do Cheap Trick the next year!

[quote name='FlatEric' post='614491' date='Oct 2 2009, 08:42 AM']JOURNEY, it has to be a T-40!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
See some of these great basses on my post in Gear Porn.
Any love for T-40's?

Pic of the great man in action.
[attachment=33885:RVT_40.jpg]

Flat Eric [/quote]

It's definitely a good looking bass, and would certainly be in my general "I'd buy that!" pile, but I think if I rocked it at the show the reaction would be "Oh, Jay's got a new bass?" rather than the wanted "Holy.. what the hell is he playing?!"

[Paul S]

I'm going to be selling my Hohner B2A but haven't got around to putting in in the for sale section as I was going to take it to the SE bass bash.

Here is a pic.

[attachment=33889:B2A3.jpg]

Looking for around £150 incl. Hohner fitted hard case.

Lots of mojo but plays really well - there is possibly a grounding issue that doesn't show up anywhere I have played it but someone else reckoned it buzzed.

PM me if you are interested I can send more pics plus details.

[JayX]

You have PM good sir.

[franzbassist]

Surely you need [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=61427"]this[/url]!

[JayX]

Yeah, that's the one Mr Bassman linked to.. it's awesome isn't it! I've never played fretless so undoubtedly would struggle like a fool as I just tried to play the bottom neck throughout the entire show!

[franzbassist]

[quote name='JayX' post='614641' date='Oct 2 2009, 11:29 AM']Yeah, that's the one Mr Bassman linked to[/quote]

Ah, hadn't noticed the link was already there, apologies to all...

[Mr Bassman]

[quote name='walbassist' post='614642' date='Oct 2 2009, 11:30 AM']Ah, hadn't noticed the link was already there, apologies to all...[/quote]

Thanks for the plug Gareth

[franzbassist]

[quote name='Mr Bassman' post='614652' date='Oct 2 2009, 11:52 AM']Thanks for the plug Gareth[/quote]

We aim to please...

[JayX]

It has two necks, therefore deserves two links don't worry about it.

[lemmywinks]

How about this?

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Steinberger-Clone-but-in-Green_W0QQitemZ270464625426QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item3ef8f2ab12&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Steinberger-Clone-bu...id=p3286.c0.m14[/url]

[Schnozzalee]

Cant get more eighties than a Kubicki or a Goodfellow....

[JayX]

[quote name='lemmywinks' post='615802' date='Oct 3 2009, 04:01 PM']How about this?

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Steinberger-Clone-but-in-Green_W0QQitemZ270464625426QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item3ef8f2ab12&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Steinberger-Clone-bu...id=p3286.c0.m14[/url][/quote]

Ha, fun colour. I actually ended up buying Paul's Hohner he posted earlier in the thread. Still up for seeing more 80s awesomeness tho!


[quote name='Schnozzalee' post='615859' date='Oct 3 2009, 05:09 PM']Cant get more eighties than a Kubicki or a Goodfellow.... [/quote]

Someone a few minutes walk from me is selling this : [url="http://cardiff.gumtree.com/cardiff/56/45908956.html"]http://cardiff.gumtree.com/cardiff/56/45908956.html[/url] seems a pretty sweet deal. Can't stand the headstocks on the Kubickis mind.