AussieBassman Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 A Hofner S7B like this http://www.vintagehofner.co.uk/hofner/basses/bas26.html Bought mine in 83 and still going strong (the pic isn't of mine but it looks just like it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingBollock Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 (edited) The first Bass I ever owned and one I regret massively having to sell. The Westone Raider I: (I got this pic online, this was not my Bass. The only photo I have of mine I am playing it while naked, so you ain't getting to see it!) Edited December 29, 2012 by KingBollock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlapbassSteve Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 +1 for absolutely anything with a Westone/Matsumoku badge from that era. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 [quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1356704263' post='1912642'] The thing with early 80s Musicman basses is that they introduced new colours (as well as the Cutlass models with graphite necks), rosewood fretboards, and some colours moved to alder rather than ash bodies so give an arguably smoother sound. The 2 band Stingray EQ has been more or less the same since 1979 to date. And yes, made by Charvel. [/quote] Bodies were made by Charvel and a number of other luthiers such as Grover Jackson out of pretty much whatever wood they could find. Mahogany and popla-...[ahem] tulipwood were also used when alder and ash weren't available. This happened because Leo Fender's company, CLF, was sub contracted to supply the bodies and necks and there had been a lot of returns due to quality control issues with the finish of instruments. Apparently Leo was also disappointed with the sale of Stingray guitars and started to deliberately sabotage some of the parts, such as shipping necks with unanchored truss rods (according to Sterling Ball in an interview). Seems both logical and reasonable that this situation might have prompted the use of graphite necks on the Cutlass basses, its another avenue for cutting dependency on a single supplier. Although not much chance of clarifying if that is the case given so much time has passed since then. But back on topic, I'd go for an Aria SB-1000...maybe with the Alembic pickups option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 I was thinking of a YOB bass for my 30th in a couple of years time ('85), I see Fullerton era Fenders seem quite well thought of, which I'm pretty sure 1983 was - was Fullerton still there in '85? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 [quote name='SlapbassSteve' timestamp='1356835592' post='1914238'] +1 for absolutely anything with a Westone/Matsumoku badge from that era. [/quote] For stuff that is widely available for good prices you can't go wrong with a bass made by Matsumoku, including the the Arias, Vox and Westones already flagged up here. http://www.matsumoku.org/models/models.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifer Posted December 30, 2012 Author Share Posted December 30, 2012 Thanks for the link, really like the look of the cardinal bass anyone know what they're like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu_g Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 I had a cardinal cb380 i think there shorter scale was nicely made but nothing special soundwise I prefer the output of a thunder 1a or an aria sb also had a vantage made in matsumoku nice basses with dimarzio pickups Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 [quote name='Lifer' timestamp='1356867123' post='1914391'] Thanks for the link, really like the look of the cardinal bass anyone know what they're like? [/quote] Like Stu I've got a CSB380 and also a 300, which has been my main gigging bass for the last 7 or so years. They play very nicely and the sound is very precision like, which you'd expect given the configuration. It actually sounds a bit 'gruntier' than my P's, which may well be down to the shorter 32" scale. It's something you should be aware of, as it probably won't do 'twang' in the same way as longer scale basses. (I hope these descriptions of the sound are helping, as it's quite difficult to describe the sound in text!) Not something I need as the treble and upper mids are turned down on my amp anyway. Pricewise they seem to have been climbing a bit recently, and I'd expect them to sell for £130 -£150 for the 300/380 - the higher designation doesn't seem to command any more on ebay. The 450 and deluxe models are very much rarer and can fetch a bit more (particularly the 450) when they show up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifer Posted December 30, 2012 Author Share Posted December 30, 2012 Twang and grunt are fine, what music do you play? Do you know how it in drop D? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 Plenty of great British luthiers making basses in 1983. Here's my Overwater from that year: [IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/BigRedX/DSC01848-1.jpg[/IMG] (or from 1984 - they aren't quite sure at Overwater) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 I'm playing 60's garage type stuff, so there's not a lot of call for top end. Not to say these basses won't provide that, it's just that I've never tried. I've not tried drop tuning it either, but I doubt a 32" scale bass would take kindly to it - the shorter scale adds a touch more 'flap' to the strings as it is. An RSB or SB would probably be a better bet. Unless you fancy going for heavier guage strings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thunderider Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 (edited) ah the 80s were everything cost nothing!!...everything seemed to cost 80£,a mate bought bc rich sharkfin for 80@,then he bought a jcm 800 and 412 for 100£,another bought a mini moog for 80£,another bought john taylors arai pro2 for £110 i got a westone thunder project from about then Edited December 30, 2012 by thunderider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monckyman Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 Ditto Matsumoku gear. I still own a Vox standard as above in original condition as well as the Vox phantom fretless. I recently bought an early 80s Hohner P Bass and its really very good and is my regular gigging bass now (with wizard pickups in). Cost me £80 off the bay. The 82 Ibanez Blazers are excellent also as Truckstop will declare. You're lucky. You're birth co incided with a seriously golden age of Japanese guitars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 [quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1356703437' post='1912619'] [size=5][sub]At this time, bass playing had been thoroughly influenced by the likes of Pino, Jaco, Louis Johnson, Nate Watts, Norman Watt-Roy, Mark King - so things had become technical - look at Nick Beggs - Kajagoogoo (top 10 single etc).[/sub][/size] [size=5][sub]So basses of the era - Musicman Stingray, Sabre or Cutlass.[/sub][/size] [size=5][sub]Ibanez Musician; [/sub][/size][size=5][sub]Steinberger; [/sub][/size][size=5][sub]Wal[/sub][/size] [size=5][sub]All choice basses of the time. Alembic if you could afford one (few people could); Jaydee if you couldn't.[/sub][/size] [size=5][sub]Fenders were off the radar for many serious players at this time as seriously out of date and unhip, but found in the hands of punk rockers etc.[/sub][/size] [/quote] Lol, totally true regarding Fenders...very "boring and old school" was the perception I remember as a young bassist at that time. You could hardly give away 70's Fenders during the early 80's. Aria & Ibanez were really good quality "hip" instruments for young poor(ish) players to aspire to during this time...and both represent good value for money for you on your quest today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megallica Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 I have just got myself an Aria SBR-80 from 1983 which is worth a look. I had a Ibanez Roadstar II RB720BK from 1983 a couple of years ago and still regret selling it, lovely maple neck on that one. I'm not sure when they launched the Yamaha RBX 800 but it was a great 80's bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4 Strings Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 Jaydee were at their most influential, these are fabulously made, sound of the period and are remarkable value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basslondon Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 [quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1356702034' post='1912598'] +1 on Phils selection here . I. For what its worth , with the benefit of hindsight I actually think the Aria SB1000 is a better designed bass than many of the more exotic boutique basses of that time , and it's sound is equal to anything out there even in the present day in my opinion . Providing you dont mind the weight , if you see one in reasonable condition at a good price I would say that they are the best bang for your buck if you want a bass from 1983 that encapsulates the sound and spirit of the age . I got a JV Series Squier in 1983 and it was a lovely bass , but what I really wanted was an Aria SB1000 so I could tell the girls at school that I had the same bass as John Taylor out of Duran Duran . Anyone who was in their early teens at the time will know the power of that association . [/quote] Having said that i sold my Squier JV for "Considerably more" last year than i bought my SB1000 for. So whilst i agree the SB 1000's are fab basses (I wont be getting rid of mine any time soon although i did have a moment of madness recently...cold flannel sorted that out!) the squiers are not too shabby. I think that was a tribute to the basses coming out of Japan in 1983 in general. Even the Westone thiunder series aquitted themselves well over the ensuing years..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelk27 Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 (edited) [quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1356844687' post='1914249']But back on topic, I'd go for an Aria SB-1000...maybe with the Alembic pickups option.[/quote] SB-LTD? Wasn't released until '88. If you were looking at the SB range in '83, the new model you'd have been most interested in was the SB-R150. [quote name='megallica' timestamp='1356891979' post='1914826']I'm not sure when they launched the Yamaha RBX 800 but it was a great 80's bass.[/quote] First RBX models were released in '86. If you were looking at the Yamaha range in '83 it would have had to be a BB, and the models of the day were the 3000 variants. Edited January 1, 2013 by noelk27 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 Yes after posting I realised there was a chance it wouldn't be an 83 bass. Unfortunately prepping for NY celebrations got in the way of making a correction. Thanks for picking that up for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megallica Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 [quote name='noelk27' timestamp='1357065999' post='1917083'] SB-LTD? Wasn't released until '88. If you were looking at the SB range in '83, the new model you'd have been most interested in was the SB-R150. First RBX models were released in '86. If you were looking at the Yamaha range in '83 it would have had to be a BB, and the models of the day were the 3000 variants. [/quote] Cheers for the clarification Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 If I may be my predictable self, Gibson Victory, available '81-'86. You might be able to find an '83 Grabber/G-3/Ripper but it was right at the end of their production run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifer Posted January 3, 2013 Author Share Posted January 3, 2013 Thanks Neepheid, haven't looked at the Victory before, what's the nut width on them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 [quote name='Lifer' timestamp='1357211918' post='1919055'] Thanks Neepheid, haven't looked at the Victory before, what's the nut width on them? [/quote] 44mm or thereabout. Definitely not a knitting needle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu_g Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 I had a victory sounded good but paint had crazed sold it on ebay few years back new owner stripped it back to wood sent me some pics it looked awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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