The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Fender Basses => Topic started by: gweimer on January 02, 2009, 03:38:15 PM
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My drummer just picked up a Jap Fender Precision. I'm not sure what he paid for it, but I'm guessing less than $100. It's a two-piece body, with some nice grain, and done in a sort of goldburst. Neck is maple all around. Gold anodized pickguard. It's Japanese, and has serial number P034856. I know that puts it about '93-'94. My question is - could this be a Duck Dunn signature? How would I know?
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I don't know either, but I do know Booker T. & the MGs play in Holland for the first time in 30 years and I've got tickets! ;D
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Does it have Duck Dunn's signature in a decal on it? If not, it is not.
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I don't think the Duck Dunn was around that early anyway.
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No signature on the decal, so it's not the Duck Dunn model. Thanks for the info. To top it off, either the pickup is shot, or there's a wire pulled off somewhere. It's a dead Fender. It's in decent shape, otherwise. What would it be worth, in working order?
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The Dunns' were released in '98 and I can only remember them being Candy apple red. Still should be a pretty nice bass DD or not!
S.
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As I remember the short-lived Fender Duck Dunn Signature was MIJ, one-peice maple neck, only came in CAR, and had the anodized guard. I do recall an interview with Duck (probably in Bassics Mag.) around that time where he nicely voiced some dissapointment with FMIC for resisting what he really wanted, but I don't recall the details. Shortly after that his friend Bob Glaub introduced him to Laklands. I saw Duck with CSNY in 2000, and he had two Lakland Bob Glaubs (a gold one he played all night and a red one in the rack) as well as his famous P bass (the 'burst maple neck with the anodized guard the little sticker of a duck on it) in the rack too. He only played the gold one, even though his tech took all three out of the rack during the intermission and retuned them all.
jte
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Hi guys, I'm a part time defector from TDPRI's Bassplace.
I could be mistaken but I'm pretty sure I remember a short lived Duck Dunn signature bass in the late 80's/early 90's that was based on a sunburst 57 P with anodised guard.
I have an interview with Duck in a British Bass magazine from the mid 90's were his comments about the CAR P Bass with the block inlay Jazz Neck (The basis for the current Lakland Duck Dunn sig) go as follows:
"I hated that Bass, I only used it for a short time, but its the photo that gets used the most so everyone thinks it was my favourite."
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Thanks for all the info. As it turns out, the jack was grounding out. I guess the bass is pretty nice. My drummer got a nice deal. He's turning it around. He got our guitarist a nearly new Fender DeVille amp for $50.
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http://vguitar.com/features/artists/details.asp?AID=2272
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A bit of topic bit in eight days I see Booker T. & the MGs live in Holland! I'm looking forward to it! the 19th of march they'll do a show at The Melkweg, Amsterdam.
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http://vguitar.com/features/artists/details.asp?AID=2272
I found a CIJ Duck Dunn signature at a local GC - looking for info I found this old thread, and found that the link Chris posted doesn't work, but I think this is the same article: http://www.vintageguitar.com/3021/donald-duck-dunn/ (http://www.vintageguitar.com/3021/donald-duck-dunn/) - he doesn't say anything negative about the bass:
Q: Touch on the Duck Dunn signature model Fender Precision Bass.
A: That was around 1998; it was a Japanese-made limited edition. It was Candy Apple Red with a maple neck. I have the first two made.
There's also a (catalog?) picture of him with it (with the following credit: "Dunn displaying his Fender signature model in a 1998 photo. Photo: Rich Morava, courtesy of Donald "Duck" Dunn."):
(http://imageshack.us/a/img840/9675/duck04.jpg)
They want $800 for the bass. I played, it liked it - it had Chromes on it which seemed to suit it. One of halves of the pickup still had the protective covering on it! These are from around '98 so unless the pup was replaced it's been on there almost 15 years! The neck was fairly chunky, but that didn't bother me. If I had any money to spare I'd be tempted! One of the greatest compliments I've ever been paid was being called "Donald 'Duck' Dunn" by the leader of a band I was playing with...
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i think it's 1/2 mgs about now?
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edit: cos I hadn't noticed how old the thread was!! :mrgreen:
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That's OK, I'll use it to say that I'm getting a copy of "What Duck Done" (2nd ed. with CD, tab and music) for Christmas! Out of print but a gent is selling them on Ebay.
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Oh well if that's the case I'll use it as an excuse to say that I ordered my next set of tickets for Cropper's UK tour starting in January. I'm hoping to see 3 maybe 4 gigs this time. :)
Nice catch with the book btw, I've heard it's very good!
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edit: cos I hadn't noticed how old the thread was!! :mrgreen:
Sorry about that - I should have pointed out that I was resurrecting an old thread instead of starting a new one! :-[
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Sorry about that - I should have pointed out that I was resurrecting an old thread instead of starting a new one! :-[
You did! I just didn't notice, my fault for jumping in without reading properly. Booker T stuff does that to me! :mrgreen:
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Out of print? It was on my Amazon wish list last Christmas. I did get it BTW.
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Out of print? It was on my Amazon wish list last Christmas. I did get it BTW.
Yes. Currently n/a at Amazon.
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Give eBay a shot. I've done VERY well on HTF books for cheap there.
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So here's my dilemma - I really like the Duck Dunn Sig that I found at GC, but can't afford it. It's perhaps a little pricey at US$795, though supposedly there were only about 200 made. The only thing I can think to trade for it is my '68 or so Gibson Melody Maker Bass. Used to be one of my favorite basses, but I haven't played it much in almost 5 years. GC has one in their used inventory somewhere for $3000 (http://www.guitarcenter.com/In-Store-Vintage-VINTAGE-1969-GIBSON-MELODY-MAKER-BASS-PELHAM-BL-NO-HOLD-105060369-i1708054.gc) - mine has a couple of issues so I'm thinking I should/might be able to get at least the value of the Dunn Sig, though realistically I don't think the Melody Maker is worth anywhere near as much as GC is asking.
Any thoughts?
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I just checked the GC used site. If it's the one in Concord there's been a significant price reduction.
Better hurry, somebody's going to buy it with that price drop. I'd figure out how to do it and then how to pay for it. Credit card comes to mind. If you're done with the MM it should cover that much or close. I think GC is very 'optimistic' on their MM pricing.
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Considering GC's ridiculous asking price on the MM they have, maybe they'll do an even trade. If not, I would think the MM would bring at least $600 on eBay.
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I just checked the GC used site. If it's the one in Concord there's been a significant price reduction.
Better hurry, somebody's going to buy it with that price drop. I'd figure out how to do it and then how to pay for it. Credit card comes to mind. If you're done with the MM it should cover that much or close. I think GC is very 'optimistic' on their MM pricing.
Considering GC's ridiculous asking price on the MM they have, maybe they'll do an even trade. If not, I would think the MM would bring at least $600 on eBay.
Thanks! I was kind of expecting someone to say "What - are you crazy?" But then again, I didn't post this in the Gibson section. GC is definitely optimistic on the MM pricing - that's what I'm hoping for! Going to take it in tomorrow, wish me luck... :mrgreen:
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Thanks! I was kind of expecting someone to say "What - are you crazy?" But then again, I didn't post this in the Gibson section.
What we didn't tell ya is that you're expected to route a mudbucker into the neck position of that Dunn as soon as you get it :P ;D
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What we didn't tell ya is that you're expected to route a mudbucker into the neck position of that Dunn as soon as you get it :P ;D
Don't tempt me! 8)
Also, not sure where I got the 200 number from - found another quote for 1000 made. Looks like they were only made in '98. If I end up getting it, it will go nicely with my '96 Bass VI reissue...
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Hope you get the bass!
These are the Dunn tributes I built for myself. Full 1 3/4" wide USA Fender neck on the nitro blonde Warmoth 4 lb swamp ash body. Allparts MIJ neck with Fender MIJ body on the CAR. USA Duncan Antiquity pups.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/P1010823-001.jpg)
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Nice - I like those!
As much as I appreciate Donald "Duck" Dunn, I never really dove deeply into his playing or gear, probably because I became more aware of him later in my playing career. So I keep finding references to the various basses that he played and his signature models but don't have a very strong image of him playing them. Makes me question a little bit my motivation to pick up this signature model - I think it's partly my affection for Fender Japan basses, as well as the relative rarity - they don't seem to come up very often. And of course the fact that I enjoyed playing it in the store the last time. Hope to spend a little more time with it today while GC contact their "vintage department."
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I have a CIJ '51 RI Precision and MIJ '62 RI Jazz, they're both excellent instruments.
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You liked playing it in the store and you intend to play it more than the Melody Maker bass. That's all the reason you need.
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You liked playing it in the store and you intend to play it more than the Melody Maker bass. That's all the reason you need.
I agree. And if the GC pricing is anywhere near consistent (very dangerous assumption) you should be able to trade straight across or even get a few $ back.
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I got it! :mrgreen: ;D 8)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img802/9206/15112481920743503857887.jpg)
The good news - it was on sale even lower than the posted price.
The bad news - that's what I got for the Melody Maker - we did a straight trade. So I basically got $700 for the MM - he said they would sell it for $1100. But all things considered, I think I made out ok! We don't call it an "evertilt" bridge for nothing!
Dug around some more - found one person claiming 400 produced, another that 150 were imported to the USA. I find the 150 a bit doubtful - mine is #153!
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Baz pointed out that this bass looks like Glenn Hughes's bass - at first I thought he meant the one he played with Purple, but I think he meant this one, which I believe is a Nash:
(http://imageshack.us/a/img853/9404/glennhughes.jpg)
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Congrats on the deal, I don't think there was any bad news. They need to turn a profit and I doubt you'd get their intended asking price if you put it on eBay. Win-win.
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Go ye forth now and commit Duckness. It is a noble thing! ;)
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Thanks everyone for your help and encouragement!
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So I gave the bass a workout last night - put it through my CAJ tube compressor, Alembic F-2B preamp and Cafe Walter headphone pre. Played along with a bunch of different stuff, including some Dr. John and George Benson. The bass sounded great - nice string-to-string balance - the G string is nice and strong. Here's another shot I took at GC - it's going to be a bit before I can get new pics at home, the weather is too crappy:
(http://imageshack.us/a/img267/9209/dunngc.jpg)
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That looks awesome- congrats!! Love the CAR
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A classic look there.
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Very nice! That store had 2 of them at the same time. I almost bought one a few months back but they would not budge on the price. Glad you got the other one. I had one years ago when they first came out. I sold it because I used my Noel Redding bass more. One thing I wish they would have done with the Dunn (pun intended) was use the larger Kluson style reverse tuners. They do have really nice necks.
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Very nice! That store had 2 of them at the same time. I almost bought one a few months back but they would not budge on the price. Glad you got the other one. I had one years ago when they first came out. I sold it because I used my Noel Redding bass more. One thing I wish they would have done with the Dunn (pun intended) was use the larger Kluson style reverse tuners. They do have really nice necks.
Thanks! I noticed the smaller tuners - at least it's not noticeable from the front. The Classic '70s one has the bigger tuners, and that's what all my MIJs had back in the '80s.
Now if I found a Noel Redding bass I'd be in trouble because I would love to have one of those too!
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Congrats Harry. How does it sound through the GK. Esp. The E string? Also what is the characteristic of the Redding JaZz that sets it apart from other Jazz basses?
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.... Also what is the characteristic of the Redding JaZz that sets it apart from other Jazz basses?
Noel endorsed it! ;D
IIRC it was modeled on his 65 J.
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Congrats Harry. How does it sound through the GK. Esp. The E string? Also what is the characteristic of the Redding JaZz that sets it apart from other Jazz basses?
I don't actually know anything about the Noel Redding sig - not sure why I'm so excited about signature basses these days, usually I'm not. I think that for me it's because both the Dunn & the Redding were very limited releases that I wasn't aware of when they came out, plus they are both Fender Japan. And, of course, they are both players that I like and was somewhat influenced by, though as I said above I was never really a "disciple" of "Duck" and I later turned more to Billy Cox instead of Noel. This link has the most info that I found in a brief search:
http://www.junkmaleclothing.com/products/noel-redding-fender-jazz (http://www.junkmaleclothing.com/products/noel-redding-fender-jazz)
It's kind of funny because I don't think it's really a bass/guitar dealer, but it is a very detailed write-up!
I haven't played the Dunn through the GK yet - will let you know how it goes though it won't be for a little while.
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Very cool! I love the new red Nate Mendel Bass too!
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Here's a shot I took the other day - it almost looks like incandescent light but it's the sun setting behind me:
(http://imageshack.us/a/img10/3410/dunstairs.jpg)
Ordered some new strings - the Chromes on there now aren't thick enough - the A string is swimming in the nut - plus the blue silks don't match the color of the bass, shallow I know :P Was going to order LaBellas but decided to try GHS M3050 flats - they were cheaper and I've never tried them.
I find that the neck feels chunkier on the Dunn than on my '70s P, but I measured them with my calipers and they are almost identical, both width and back-to-front at the nut! Not sure if it's the neck shape, radius, or just pure subjectivity...
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That's such a simple color combination that's it's elegant. I like it!
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The GHS Precision Flats are nice but unless something has changed, the only long scale version is called "long scale plus" which IIRC has a winding length of at least 38 inches. Your E string post will have to take up part of the wound portion past the silk.
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iF i COULD EVER AFFORD A FENDER BASS "NEW" (WHERE YOU CAN CHOOSE THE COLOR)...THAT WOULD BE IT! BEAUTIFUL.
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This color combination is definitely nice. I like the way the gold anodized pickguard complements the maple neck (or is it the other way around?)
The GHS Precision Flats are nice but unless something has changed, the only long scale version is called "long scale plus" which IIRC has a winding length of at least 38 inches. Your E string post will have to take up part of the wound portion past the silk.
Doh! I don't know why I didn't ask here before buying them. :-[ I think I'll try them anyway, haven't had problems with the un-silked portion on the post before. Or do you think I should send them back and get something else?
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The GHS Precision Flats are nice but unless something has changed, the only long scale version is called "long scale plus" which IIRC has a winding length of at least 38 inches. Your E string post will have to take up part of the wound portion past the silk.
I don't really think that matters as long as the string holds together. Shouldn't make any audible difference.
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I don't really think that matters as long as the string holds together. Shouldn't make any audible difference.
I think you're right - for most part I've never had a problem - I think it's only in extreme cases where the string ends up at an extreme angle in relation to the nut, possibly putting strain on it (the nut that is)?
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It won't matter tone-wise, and since you've also wound the sil portion around the tuner too, the tuning should be stable. What matters is there's always the possibility of the inner windings breaking or separating from the outer winding. I've had this happen twice, though not with GHS strings. Most likely nothing will happen.
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The strings arrived today - that was fast! 2 days from NH to CA! Strung 'em up, raised the saddles, played it for a while unplugged - so far so good! Dave, you were right about the E string, but doesn't look like it'll be an issue. Pics to follow...
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Definitely enjoying these strings - they feel a little more flexible than the Chromes that were on it when I got it. And Dave was definitely right about the low E:
(http://imageshack.us/a/img202/1963/dunnheadstockghs.jpg)
No problems so far though - the angle from the nut to the tuner post seems to be fine. Wish I had left the A string a little bit longer to get a bit more pressure on the nut though...
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Others have installed many more strings than I have, but i usually cut 'em four finger-widths past the tuner. That leaves plenty of length for wrapping.
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Others have installed many more strings than I have, but i usually cut 'em four finger-widths past the tuner. That leaves plenty of length for wrapping.
I go with three inches past the tuner, maybe an inch-and-a-half on the E string. Have to remember to do more like 4-5 on the A string!
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On an inline headstock I usually just pull the string taut at the tuner and then measure out two more tuner lengths.
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Two tuner lengths is exactly how I do it.
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These look interesting (http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2012/12/05/noahjames-guitars-introduces-jenz-bass-machine-heads/) for the downward tension issue that I often have on the A string...
EDIT: Here is the official website (http://www.noahjames.com/jenz1/HOME.html) so you don't have to click through.
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These look interesting (http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2012/12/05/noahjames-guitars-introduces-jenz-bass-machine-heads/) for the downward tension issue that I often have on the A string...
Those make sense...having the built-in spiral to route the string downwards is a nice touch.
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Those look good and aren't terribly expensive, plus there's the reduction of dead spots, at least on the test bass.
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Finally got to give the Dunn Sig a roadtest - rehearsal with a new band - only one mic picking up everything, recording came out better than I expected but not ideal...
http://soundcloud.com/hieronymous-seven/aint-it-jammy-now (http://soundcloud.com/hieronymous-seven/aint-it-jammy-now)
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Took down the soundclip - going to be rehearsing and performing with that band next week and hope to pull some better recordings.
One thing I noticed - the CAR of the Dunn Sig doesn't look so good in low-res pics - much worse than the Oly White of the '70s P or the 3TS of the Bass VI...
(http://imageshack.us/a/img266/2678/threefenderjapans1.jpg)
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One thing I noticed - the CAR of the Dunn Sig doesn't look so good in low-res pics - much worse than the Oly White of the '70s P or the 3TS of the Bass VI...
It's the jpeg compression not having enough dynamic chrominance contrast, and red is a very dynamic color, the 'upper midrange' of the human visual spectrum. You can literally see the 'blocking' pixellating effect of a too-limited color pallette to translate subtle shade variation.
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My first decent recording of the Duck Dunn bass!
http://soundcloud.com/hieronymous-seven/aka-pdh (http://soundcloud.com/hieronymous-seven/aka-pdh)
Live, I only had it going through my CAJ tube compressor, DI box, then unfortunately I had it going through a mixer just to boost the signal for one of the auxiliary inputs on my MBox - the main ones were being used for the guitar and drum mics. Not sure how much that affected the sound. Sounded good live - just had my amp (Glockenklang Soul Head) running flat - but the recording was a little bit thin - so after the fact put it through my Alembic F-2B preamp with bass boosted, slight mid cut, and slight treble cut (didn't need to cut much because it has flats). I think it came out pretty good! I also videotaped it and used some of the sound from the video camera for natural reverb.
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That is a great sound!!! Fat and nice. The essence of P-bass.
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That is a great sound!!! Fat and nice. The essence of P-bass.
Thanks for listening! The Alembic F-2B is my secret weapon...
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for the first thirty seconds or so i thought the bass was too loud. then the bass volume went down and it sounded just right.
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great fender sound. love it. there is a reason i have been a fender p bass guy for 40 years.....
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Nice one, Harry... 8)
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Yeah nice jam! Sorta made me think of Medeski, Martin, Wood, and Scofield...minus Medeski :) ...or the Meters, Crusaders, etc.. All good stuff that I'd much rather be playing instead of Van Morrison, Steve Miller, or [insert requisite cover band music here].
Bass sounds great!
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Thanks everyone! The guitarist contacted me via a craigslist ad I posted looking for someone I met at a John Scofield show, so there is definitely a connection! Medesky Martin & Wood minus Medesky/plus Scofield definitely captures part of what we are going for! I also managed to videotape the performance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5JYXuQr5uQ
There's an intro bit that I cut on the soundcloud version (http://soundcloud.com/hieronymous-seven/aka-pdh)...
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hey Harry, are you using the GK back there? sounded good.
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Really nice, sound and chops congrats!
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hey Harry, are you using the GK back there? sounded good.
I was planning on using it, but got sick and ran out of time and space. My Glockenklang/Epifani setup was there so that's what I used. HOWEVER, in the video you are mostly hearing the direct signal which I sweetened up with my Alembic F-2B preamp.
Really nice, sound and chops congrats!
Thanks! I'm very happy with the bass and also glad that I found these musicians! The past few years I've been leaning more towards soul jazz/funk/r&b and fantasized about playing it - didn't expect to actually find like-minded people into playing it! Plus we all have fairly flexible day jobs so the expectations seem to be gelling so far. We are going to play together again for the fourth time ever this Thursday to try and learn some new material - I'll try and pull a recording of that too.