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Dean “PLAYMATE’ Bass

Home › Forums › Discuss Your Gear › Dean “PLAYMATE’ Bass

Tagged: Dean Bass

  • This topic has 8 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 2 years, 4 months ago by Marie Jarreau.
Viewing 6 reply threads
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    • August 18, 2023 at 8:48 am #349621
      Marie Jarreau
      Participant

        I’m in negotiation for a Dean “Playmate” bass right now.
        Always wanted to make the jump to try bass. Got a taste of it before, now I want more! LOL!.

        I had use of a Dean Playmate about four years ago, borrowed from a neighbor who was no longer playing. Then his daughter got interested so back it went. BUT I LOVED that instrument! The size was perfect for my short physical structure, easy to play and I loved the rich sound!! Couldn’t find one to buy then, and have been looking since. A good friend/former music partner was a master bass player who initially introduced me to the joy of bass. Covid ended our association as they had to go back to Canada. I love that bass sound, especially from the Dean Playmate. Hope this one is as good.

        ANYONE FAMILIAR WITH THE DEAN “PLAYMATE” BASS?
        I haven’t been able to find any info online about it – even from the company – I know I loved the one I got to try out!
        Gotta have it! LOL!

        Dean-Bass

        “Laissez les bon temps rouler“
        Marie Jarreau

      • August 18, 2023 at 11:51 am #349624
        JoLa
        Participant

          Hi Marie,

          There are a couple of them for sale on Reverb (which I browse often, I don’t know why 😉)
          I also think bass is cool and wish to learn it. Here’s one of the listings that has some info about it, you may also try to search for its reviews on YouTube.

          https://reverb.com/item/64248927-dean-playmate-black-electric-bass-4-string-and-10-watt-amplifier-package-w-gig-bag-and-more-local-pickup-only

          🎸JoLa

        • August 18, 2023 at 1:02 pm #349625
          Marie Jarreau
          Participant

            JoLa,
            Thanks so much. I hadn’t looked at Reverb in quite a while.
            Sometimes things seem to happen at very unexpected times. While learning bass has been on my mind for several years, I’d all but pushed it out of my thoughts. The other day a friend, who knows of my interest, came upon a link for a used one and sent it to me. A little more money than I wanted to spend but I remind myself that in today’s economy I have to adjust my preCovid-cost-considerations.
            How much do I REALY want it – is the real queston. LOL!

            Thanks for sending this info. It does provide some comparison and options for consideration.

            I’ll let you know how it turns out.

            Do you have a particular bass in mind that you like?

            “Laissez les bon temps rouler“
            Marie Jarreau

          • August 18, 2023 at 2:19 pm #349627
            JoLa
            Participant

              Oh yeah, I have a few ideas but trying to practice restraint in buying new gear 😁

              Besides, I already have a p-bass guitar that I bought locally only because I liked the way it looked and it was old and sort of odd. I like oddballs 😉 I still like it and have used it in a couple of challenge submissions. It is a full scale bass and of course, the neck is long and uncomfortable for me but I don’t want to use that as an excuse because I know I should just practice more.

              The only reason I’m still looking at basses is that I would like something smaller (short scale) and acoustic for couch practice. Love the Taylor GS Mini basses but they’re too expensive. As of now I’m leaning towards a Hadean UKB-23C, a cutaway bass ukulele and may pull the trigger on it anytime now 😆

              Attached is my 1960’s Vega P-Bass:

              🎸JoLa

              • August 18, 2023 at 4:10 pm #349632
                Marie Jarreau
                Participant

                  JoLa,
                  I can see how that P-Bass got your attention! Definitely an odd but beautiful artistic look to it. I REALLY like it, but I also REALLY like the simplicity of the Dean, as Steve mentions below, for ‘its’ Zen-like simplicity. And because I’d fallen for the one I’d had use of.

                  Judging from the placement of the headstock logo, these few available are “newer” models. I only hope they are as “bass-fully sweet” as that older one.

                  “Laissez les bon temps rouler“
                  Marie Jarreau

              • August 18, 2023 at 3:48 pm #349631
                sunjamr
                Participant

                  That is a truly beautiful bass, very zen-like in its simplicity. You would be foolish not to buy it. I now have 3 basses, each one quite different from the others. Learning to play bass has actually helped my guitar playing skills quite a bit, as I have mentioned before. Bass is all about phrasing, since you are (usually) only playing one note at a time. The best online bass instructor I have found is Mark at talkingbass.com. You can find lots of his tutorials on Youtube, but eventually you will want to sign up and become a member. It’s free, but you buy courses like walking bass, slap bass, groove bass, several beginner’s courses, etc for around $60 each. Mark is really good at explaining things, like Brian.

                  Sunjamr Steve

                  • August 18, 2023 at 5:13 pm #349634
                    sunjamr
                    Participant

                      Here’s Mark’s Youtube channel:

                      https://www.youtube.com/@talkingbasslessons

                      (and it’s talkingbass.net, not talkingbass.com)

                      Sunjamr Steve

                  • August 18, 2023 at 5:14 pm #349635
                    Marie Jarreau
                    Participant

                      Steve,
                      Thanks for chimimg-in.
                      yes, I do like the simplicity of this Dean bass, along with that previous connection. I hope these newer versions are as sweet.

                      That connection was about four years ago, and I did view several of Mark’s videos on bass for the beginner. After surfing thru a number of others I found that, like Brian, Mark at “Talking bass” was the most unpretentious, enjoyable, easy to follow and informative of all the others I’d checked out. Thank you for that reminder.

                      When listening to some of the most successful songs, vocal or instrumental, I love to listen deeper to hear the voice and mood of the bass. Yes, the phrasing, which holds down the beat and rhythm along with other percussion can be magical.

                      “Laissez les bon temps rouler“
                      Marie Jarreau

                    • August 18, 2023 at 8:01 pm #349643
                      Marie Jarreau
                      Participant

                        The Dean Bass I have pictured above is the bass and amp I had access to several years ago and then returned when owner’s daughter got interested in playing bass.

                        The one I had been discussing recently turns out NOT to be “the Dean I was looking for.” But rather a Dean Playmate Edge, which is a full scale base. Much too long for what I need. So I’ll be on the lookout again.
                        The others on Reverb and Ebay are also full scale. I’m not in a big hurry. The Dean Playmate I’d like to find, evidently is no longer being made, so I may have to “settle” for another short scale.

                        I just really love the simple, unassuming look of “my old bass-love!” LOL!

                        Oh well, sometimes we have to “settle.” :o)

                        “Laissez les bon temps rouler“
                        Marie Jarreau

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