# Mike Watt Gives Minutemen Bass to Flea After D.Boon's Death

> Mike Watt gave his prized Minutemen bass to Flea after D.Boon's death, saying he couldn't play it anymore.
- Title: Mike Watt Gives Minutemen Bass to Flea After D.Boon's Death
- Summary: Mike Watt gave his prized Minutemen bass to Flea after D.Boon's death, saying he couldn't play it anymore.
- Keywords: minutemen, mike watt, d boon, flea, gibson eb3-l, sonic youth, firehose, Guitar World
- Source: Guitar World — https://guitarworld.com/artists/bassists/mike-watt-on-the-prized-bass-that-he-gave-away-due-to-grief
- Published: 2026-11-08T17:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: minutemen, mike watt, d boon, flea, gibson eb3-l, sonic youth, firehose
## Minutemen's Tragic End
The Minutemen, led by guitarist D.Boon and bassist Mike Watt, disbanded after D.Boon died in a 1985 car accident.
## D.Boon's Death
D.Boon died on December 22, 1985, when his van crashed while he was not wearing a seatbelt.
## Watt's Bass
Watt owned a 1976 Gibson EB3-L bass with a thin three-quarter-scale neck that he played very fast.
## Gave Bass to Flea
After D.Boon died, Watt gave his bass to Flea, saying he couldn't play it anymore.

> After D.Boon was gone, I didn't feel right playing it anymore, so I just gave it away to Flea
## Sonic Youth Recruitment
Sonic Youth recruited Watt to play on two tracks of their 1986 album EVOL after he gave his bass to Flea.
## Firehose Formation
Watt formed Firehose with drummer George Hurley after Sonic Youth recruited him.
## Key takeaway

Mike Watt gave his Minutemen-era bass to Flea after D.Boon died in a 1985 car accident.