46 years later

[ilan]

In 1977, when I was 15 years old, my parents bought me a MIJ Prima branded Jazz knockoff with weird tele-like pickups. This was my 3rd bass (before it I had a Hofner 500/1 and a Klira Rio), and I immediately peeled off the Prima sticker and made a crude Fender decal (actually I made two, the second try was nicer). Sold it in 1981 to buy a Peavey T40, my first decent bass.

Fast forward to yesterday, the bass pops up in Facebook Marketplace, for $320. I immediately recognized it.

So I bought it... again, 46 years later.

1977


2023

[Pilgrim]

Wonderful!

How did you recognize it??

[ilan]

The decal. I wasn't 100% sure at first, so I pulled a few old photos and there was no doubt left. And when I saw it in person I even remembered some of the dings.

Whoever owned it in the last four decades took good care of it. I did a quick setup, shimmed the neck and gave the truss rod a half turn. It could use a fret redress, maybe I'll do that sometime. It actually sounds very nice with the neck pickup. The bridge pickup is as crappy as I remembered it.

[uwe]

Return to the Promised Land!



Alas!, so even in 1977 they already had secret underground Fender decal forgery workshops in the Holy Land? 

Happy as the outcome seems, one question lingers, lieber Ilan: What happened to your fetching 1977 dungarees? 

[ilan]

Return to the Promised Land!

It has never left the country.

Alas!, so even in 1977 they already had secret underground Fender decal forgery workshops in the Holy Land? 

I used a Fender ad from the Melody Maker magazine, and Letraset dry transfer letters. Remember Letraset?

Happy as the outcome seems, one question lingers, lieber Ilan: What happened to your fetching 1977 dungarees? 

Thank you for not mentioning the horrid sweater.

[uwe]

Personally, I think even the sweater pales a little in direct comparison to the enticingly floral strap, don't you?

[Dave W]

Cool story.

You've aged. 

[ilan]

You've aged. 

Yep. Almost 61. But that’s just a number, you know, what matters is that I feel like a grumpy 78 years old.

[uwe]

Cool story.

You've aged. 

I'd put it differently, Ilan: Your always naturally inherent coolness factor has increased multifold over the course of only almost half a century!

But why the pose on the newer pic pretending you're a finger player who needs a thumb rest? That stretched out pinkie on the adolescent one is much cuter!

[morrow]

Nice to bring her back home.
Great story , looking good!

[uwe]

Neither the bass nor the player are really worse for wear. Unsettling so.



Mind you, those cryogenics studies in the secret Negev Desert underground labs are vastly advanced. It's where they manufacture the wild fire inducing lasers too!

[Basvarken]

Cool story!

I have no chanced of ever finding back my first bass, an Ibanez Blazer.
I modified it beyond repair...

And yes, I remember Letraset.
Couldn't do without it in the eighties! I also used it to put my name on my first guitar. And on just about everything else. 
Made entire demo cassette inlays with Letraset!

[ilan]

Mind you, those cryogenics studies in the secret Negev Desert underground labs are vastly advanced. It's where they manufacture the wild fire inducing lasers too!

Well in my case it's this top secret formula

https://www.ebay.com/itm/266118616703

[Alanko]

Yep. Almost 61. But that’s just a number, you know, what matters is that I feel like a grumpy 78 years old.

You have more hair at 61 than I had at 21!

[ilan]

I have no chanced of ever finding back my first bass, an Ibanez Blazer.

My first bass, a 1967 Höfner 500/1, is in the US and still owned by my first bass teacher, to whom I sold it in 1976. We've emailed and I have first dibs if he sells it. Which I doubt he ever will, having owned it for 47 years.