REX BROWN – The Bass Guitar That Started It All!

Rex Brown bought this Japanese build Ibanez RS-824 Roadster in 1981 right before he joined Pantera. It was his only bass guitar in the early club years of the band and it was also used on the recordings of ‘Metal Magic’ (Pantera’s 1983 debut album), ‘Projects In The Jungle’ (the bands’ 1984 second release) and ‘I Am The Night’ (1985 and the last album prior to Phil Anselmo joining).

In Rex’s own words; “This was my very first professional bass that I ever bought. It was purchased off Division Street in Arlington in 1981. The original color was black, but in those days Dime and I were always trying different pick-ups, paint jobs, electronics, etc. It was not until ’85, that it became what it is today. I recorded the first 3 Independent records with this bass, in whatever setup we were in. It was my backup after I bought a Hamer explorer that ended up in pieces, right up until the Jackson/Charvel era. It had the sound of an old P-bass that I always liked, as I still have some to this day. The drilled bullet holes and blood splatter was done in Dime’s garage on a very late and beer swilled evening. This bass really is the building block bass for me in many ways, it was part of the learning experience we all went thru in laying the foundation of what that rhythm section was all about. That Texas boogie that eventually grew into the Power Groove!! I’m still at odds with getting rid of her, but I’d much rather someone else enjoy it, than it just sitting in a case for another 30 years … Sigh !! The stories it could tell….




This bass has been customized and is missing the original electronics, knobs, one pickup. It also has chips, dents and dings in areas, common with an extensively stage used guitar. This is definitely a guitar that comes with a massive amount of character! The serial number is F801188. It has Hercules B tuners and Super P-4 and J-4 pick-ups.

The case is equally fascinating. Granted, it is in fragile condition with substantial road wear. That being said; Rex drew the bands’ original logo on the front of the case with the word ‘Rocker’ right underneath it (during the 1980s he used the stage name Rex Rocker, which was simply shortened to Rex by 1990’s “Cowboys From Hell’). There are several additional stickers on the case, as well as two extremely vintage backstage passes (dating back to 1983).

There is hardly anything more prestigious than a musician’s very first instrument and this guitar and case combo is definitely museum worthy!!

This guitar, which is signed twice by Rex on the back, comes directly from the personal collection of Rex Brown and will include a Certificate of Authenticity, signed by Rex!

More HERE.

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