Anybody know? I've been digging through pics and seeing it much earlier than I thought. He's a ghost of himself on the 1990 Shoreline DVD but now I'm listening to 4/27/94 and he's great... strong playing and he has that exact tone that I'm seeking.
Might as well answer my own question by digging around the Jerry Site.
First sighting is 1986.
Before that there seems to be a G&L L2000, played from about 82-83
Befre that is the modded 50's P-bass.