The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: hieronymous on February 17, 2012, 01:21:59 PM

Title: mudbuckers & distortion
Post by: hieronymous on February 17, 2012, 01:21:59 PM
Hey guys, I recently received a picture of my '68 EB-2, taken during a recording session back in 2003:

(http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/8968/eb2oxbow22003.jpg)

I prefer the look of it without the pickguard so I took it off. Back then I used it a lot with distortion - in this case a Budda Phat Bass pedal. I also recently posted a track from the same session:

http://soundcloud.com/hieronymous-seven/yes-frost (http://soundcloud.com/hieronymous-seven/yes-frost)

Long live the Mighty Mudbucker!!!
Title: Re: mudbuckers & distortion
Post by: godofthunder on February 17, 2012, 01:37:29 PM
 That is a very cool track, sounds like it could have been recorded in '68 :)
Title: Re: mudbuckers & distortion
Post by: hieronymous on February 18, 2012, 11:18:45 AM
Thanks got!!!

Anyone have any thoughts on the finish? I always assumed it was original, but I remember the guitar player at the session saying he thought it was a refin. Looking at these pictures now, I can see that it does look kind of splotchy. Here's another shot:

(http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/7163/eb2oxbow202003b.jpg)
Title: Re: mudbuckers & distortion
Post by: dadagoboi on February 18, 2012, 12:35:59 PM
Thanks got!!!

Anyone have any thoughts on the finish? I always assumed it was original, but I remember the guitar player at the session saying he thought it was a refin. Looking at these pictures now, I can see that it does look kind of splotchy. Here's another shot:

(http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/7163/eb2oxbow202003b.jpg)

That's typical of lower quality maple which Norlin wasn't above using in '68. IMO that's why they did some walnut ones, maple can have have brown areas which aren't as noticeable when stained that dark.
Title: Re: mudbuckers & distortion
Post by: godofthunder on February 18, 2012, 01:30:17 PM
 The finish looks original to me as well. Purtty bass.
Title: Re: mudbuckers & distortion
Post by: Wilbur88 on February 18, 2012, 06:07:20 PM
Very cool track indeed. I'm chasing that sort of sound with my Epi Rivoli.  Flats I presume?
Title: Re: mudbuckers & distortion
Post by: chromium on February 19, 2012, 10:34:22 AM
Enjoyed the track!  The Budda+mud combo sounds great.  I don't know if its just me, or does the EB-2/Rivoli produce lows beyond all lows?  Mine seems to have a much deeper voice than the other EBs, but it has the earlier pickup- maybe that has something to do with it.

Did you sell this bass, or is it with friends now?  I like the sort of mottled look in the wood grain.  That's a good theory re: why they started offering the dark walnut finish.  Sparkling Burgundy was another means cover-up, and I always liked that finish too... even when it turns bronze.  Thought I remember someone at the old place referring to the bronzed SB finish as "Sparkling Fritter"  ;D  

Hey is that bass cabinet from the same "Ace Tone" company whose founder started Roland?  Don't recall seeing another cab like that before...
Title: Re: mudbuckers & distortion
Post by: hieronymous on February 19, 2012, 01:04:36 PM
Very cool track indeed. I'm chasing that sort of sound with my Epi Rivoli.  Flats I presume?

Thank you - yes it is flats, probably Rotosound Monels? I like the way flats sound with distortion & fuzz - different than rounds, though that can be a cool sound too (think 4001...)

Enjoyed the track!  The Budda+mud combo sounds great.  I don't know if its just me, or does the EB-2/Rivoli produce lows beyond all lows?  Mine seems to have a much deeper voice than the other EBs, but it has the earlier pickup- maybe that has something to do with it.

Agreed on the massive sub-lows, not sure if it's just the EB-2, I feel like my Melody Maker also has them, but it is also from 1968. Does yours have the same pickup as mine? I never figured out the different mudbucker variations.

Did you sell this bass, or is it with friends now?  I like the sort of mottled look in the wood grain.  That's a good theory re: why they started offering the dark walnut finish.  Sparkling Burgundy was another means cover-up, and I always liked that finish too... even when it turns bronze.  Thought I remember someone at the old place referring to the bronzed SB finish as "Sparkling Fritter"  ;D  

It's still at the same studio in Boston. I think of selling it since I don't use it much anymore, but never get around to it so it just sits there... The mottled maple theory makes sense to me!

Hey is that bass cabinet from the same "Ace Tone" company whose founder started Roland?  Don't recall seeing another cab like that before...

Yup, same Ace Tone, but it's just the logo from an old Ace Tone cab I inherited - I stuck it on a Carvin cab! Here's the head:

(http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/7122/acetone3ql.jpg)

This head stayed with me for a long time, but I finally gave it away...
Title: Re: mudbuckers & distortion
Post by: chromium on February 20, 2012, 12:49:36 PM
Yup, same Ace Tone

Thought that name looked familiar  8)  Didn't realize they had made bass amps.
(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/synth/AceTone/DSCF0304.jpg)
Title: Re: mudbuckers & distortion
Post by: leftybass on February 20, 2012, 02:57:36 PM
Looks like mine.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/EB2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/Gibhead.jpg)
Title: Re: mudbuckers & distortion
Post by: hieronymous on February 20, 2012, 03:42:00 PM
Looks like mine.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/EB2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/Gibhead.jpg)

I wish! An extra mudbucker would be so cool - then I could pretend to be Steve Swallow. Speaking of fuzzy Gibsons:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNo1VqARE7Y&list=FLJPTKHxB_XKoP1BDy5-yXwQ&index=36&feature=plpp_video

Also, yours doesn't look as splotchy as mine, I wonder if it's the use of flash in my pictures?  ???
Title: Re: mudbuckers & distortion
Post by: nofi on February 22, 2012, 12:43:27 PM
this is what swallow plays now with a steel pick. its the first one in the slide show. the AE5 swallow 5 string.

http://www.citron-guitars.com/?p=press&id=1

only 6100.00. :mrgreen:
Title: Re: mudbuckers & distortion
Post by: uwe on February 22, 2012, 05:35:26 PM
Interesting concept.
Title: Re: mudbuckers & distortion
Post by: hieronymous on February 23, 2012, 04:20:42 PM
this is what swallow plays now with a steel pick. its the first one in the slide show. the AE5 swallow 5 string.

http://www.citron-guitars.com/?p=press&id=1

only 6100.00. :mrgreen:

I love those! The look anyway.
Title: Re: mudbuckers & distortion
Post by: Dave W on February 23, 2012, 10:38:02 PM
I like the idea of those adjustable bone saddles.
Title: Re: mudbuckers & distortion
Post by: hieronymous on March 02, 2012, 03:33:21 PM
I put up another one: http://soundcloud.com/hieronymous-seven/minus-prolegomenon (http://soundcloud.com/hieronymous-seven/minus-prolegomenon)

Still the EB-2, but this time through a Crowther Prunes & Custard. I've never been able to get a sound like this again! One of those special moments...
Title: Re: mudbuckers & distortion
Post by: hieronymous on April 12, 2014, 02:34:24 PM
I put up a couple of more old tracks featuring distortion-drenched mudbucker, this time my old Melody Maker:

https://soundcloud.com/hieronymous-seven/pure-motorized-instinct (https://soundcloud.com/hieronymous-seven/pure-motorized-instinct)

https://soundcloud.com/hieronymous-seven/philippe-f-oscillo-mix (https://soundcloud.com/hieronymous-seven/philippe-f-oscillo-mix)

These were probably recorded around 2005 or so. In addition to the Z Vex Woolly Mammoth fuzz, it's also going through my MF-104 Moogerfooger Low Pass Filter. This was my favorite combo for a long time!
Title: Re: mudbuckers & distortion
Post by: 4stringer77 on April 13, 2014, 06:37:02 AM
Gnarly jams bro!
Title: Re: mudbuckers & distortion
Post by: Basvarken on April 13, 2014, 08:29:01 AM
Haha sounds like you had big fun with the effect pedals  :toast:
Title: Re: mudbuckers & distortion
Post by: Rob on April 13, 2014, 01:18:30 PM
I like the idea of those adjustable bone saddles.
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: mudbuckers & distortion
Post by: hieronymous on April 14, 2014, 08:27:11 AM
Haha sounds like you had big fun with the effect pedals  :toast:
Yeah, and it's a lot easier while recording in the studio (or at home)!
Title: Re: mudbuckers & distortion
Post by: hieronymous on April 15, 2014, 10:39:18 AM
Have all these tracks together in one place on soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/hieronymous-seven/sets/fuzzy-gibsons (https://soundcloud.com/hieronymous-seven/sets/fuzzy-gibsons)

Over 30 minutes of fuzzy Gibsons! Everything is either the EB-2 or the Melody Maker, except for Kha-Tess Part 4 which is the Les Paul Triumph.
Title: Re: mudbuckers & distortion
Post by: westen44 on April 15, 2014, 11:10:24 AM
I'm not as familiar with a Melody Maker, but I do like the deep, mellow, muddy sound of an EB-2.  Great sounding bass, IMO.  Maybe not modern, but I couldn't care less.  I like it.  Great music, too.