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Basses
As had been the case for
the past few years, bassists didn't have much to choose from in
1981. In fact, there was only one choice, the LB50, plus the
DN640 for those who preferred a doubleneck. The LB50 had some
modifications over the previous model, and this was just the
beginning of the sweeping changes that would occur throughout the
1980's.
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The 1981 catalog sported new photography
for the LB50 - instead of just describing the 3 variants, all 3
models were shown in a single photograph. There were some
changes to the LB50 from the previous year - it now sported dual volume
and dual tone controls, versus the one master tone control of the '79
and '80 models (a great way of narrowing down the year of a particular
instrument). To facilitate this additional control, the coil
splitters and phase switch was moved to a position behind the volume and
tone knobs (they were in front of the controls in previous years, like
the DN640 below). As in 1980, the LB50
was available in black with an ebony fingerboard (LB50BE, left), clear
maple with maple fingerboard (LB50CM, right) or clear maple finish
with an ebony fingerboard (LB50CE, center). Any of these could
be ordered with stereo wiring and/or gold hardware, and the LB50BE and
LB50CE could be ordered left-handed. The LB50CM sold for a very
reasonable $375, and the BE and CE models were $395. Left-handed
models were an additional $30, and a fretless model could be ordered
for $415. Stereo wiring was $20, and gold hardware was an
additional $50. The HC14 case was $60.
Click the picture for the full catalog
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Also available in 1981 was the DN640
(and DN612, for the guitarist), which was basically the
same as the 1980 model, with the exception of the control layout on the
6-string neck. Take a look at the knobs on the
'80 model - the
guitar and bass volume/tone controls were a mirror image of each other,
whereas the '81 (and later) used the same layout. This was the
design that would remain for these models until neck-thru design was
introduced in 1988.
The DN640, in black or clear finish, sold
for $765. The DN612, also available in black or clear finish, was
$795. Gold hardware was an additional $100, and the HC15 case was
$75. Left-handed models or maple fingerboards were not available.
Click the picture to see
the full catalog page.
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