Remember when...

[iamthebassman]

..there were only 3 or 4 basses to choose from?
I was looking at Harmony Central Bass Reviews of Fender basses and they had about 20 different Jazz Bass models listed, and I got to thinking about when I started playing bass in the mid-70s. You either played the Fender Precision or the Fender Jazz or the Ric 4001, or, to a lesser extent, a Gibson, a short-scale Fender, or a Japanese knock-off of one of the above. For a Fender Jazz(or Precision)you were lucky if you got to choose between a rosewood or maple fingerboard.
I guess I'm just waxing nostalgic.

[throw_this_away]

that was all before my time, but as a younger guy I still find myself attracted to the old standard designs (ric and fender). I think it is a looks issue... newer designs just don't do it for me.

[rickfan60]

Remember when guitars really were what they appeared to be? These days, anything that looks like a vintage Fender is suspect. Even experienced vintage dealers/collectors are fooled by fakes and reissues.

[bob_atherton]

You're right Ted. I've always thought one day I would treat myself to an early Fender Jazz, maybe even a '62 if I got lucky (and rich!), but I think I will be very nervous about parting with big money, even if I think it's the real deal.

[philipharris]

I started out in 1972 with a Columbus Jazz bass copy, then progressed in 1979 to an Ibanez musician which was a 21st birthday present - but the irony is I really wanted either a)the jetglo 4001 or b) the Hayman 6-string that were in the shop, but I let myself get "sold". After that I didn't get a Ricky until 2001. And I still have the Ibanez - great sound, great action, just an absolute hound to look at and weighs more than a Marshall stack. I often wonder how things would have turned out with the Hayman...probably for the worse.

[edski]

"that's when a smoke was a smoke...and groovin' was groovin'..."

Seems I've been singing it wrong...

"that's when a sport was a sport..."

[delberthot]

I began with a Marlin Slammer p-bass copy in 1987, complete with peeling chrome on the bridge but always hankered after a Stingray 5 string or a rick. After 12 years of playing I ended up with a black stingray 5 string just like flea.

Played it for 5 years but something wasn't right. I've discovered after buying and selling 12 or so basses in the past 18 months that me and active electronics don't get along.

So in the end, I have sold the 6 basses I had and bought 2 4003s - a MID and a BB and am extremely happy.

The great thing about Rick is the exclusivity of owning one. Precisions and jazzes are 10 a penny. I enjoy now owning the best playing and sounding bass I have ever had in my 18 years of playing.

The only other bass that I have wanted but never owned is a Precision fretless with the maple fretboard like John Deacon had on the "live Killers" album.

Mmmm maple.

[s4001]

Years ago I always thought I'd want to treat myself to an early P or J, but just like Ted said, there's more fakes than real ones. I'd never even consider plunking down real money for a vintage F*nder. Unless, in the case of my guitar player, he's had his Jazz bass since the 70's so you know it's the real one.

But then again, that bass sucks....

[kcole4001]

I had a '71 Tele bass, but couldn't get enough definition out of it, so I traded that for an early '90's Japanese P Bass. That wasn't bad, but still not what I wanted. So I added a J style pup near the bridge & yanked the frets out (maple fingerboard) to make a fretless.
Sounded just like an upright bass!
Kids, don't try that at home (or on a Rick!).
I ended up trading that back to the original owner who wanted it back badly for an LP copy, which sounds pretty good.
I should've made it into a 5 string, but the deal was a favor to a good friend, so I couldn't say no.