Brian Ray, US Epiphone basses and Gibson's press department.

[Chris P.]

I recently interviewed Brian Ray of Paul McCartney's live band. He's a guitarist, taking over bass duties as Macca playes piano or guitar. He's a real nice guy.

After starting with a P (*) and some vintage Guilds M-85 he played two Gibson SG basses, then two Jack Casady's and currently a black Epiphone EB-3 (long scale) with a white guard and a white one with a black guard. It matches his black-ish Gibson SG signature. I asked him where they're made, because they aren't stock colours. He didn't really knew. I asked a friend at Gibson's, who just told me that Gibson has two prototype builders who do some 'custom' work, but it aren't the CS guys. They get in some Epiphone bodies and necks without lacquering and they finish them and ad Gibson hardware and electronics. Quite interesting.

(*) After Brian wanted to play a Höfner at his first who, Macca made clear Höfners where 'his thing'

And I had to share this:

I e-mailed Gibson's publicity department. The short version:

Me: Do you have high resolution pictures of Brian Ray?
Gibson: Don't you mean Brian May?
Me: No, Brian Ray who playes Epiphone basses, has his own Gibson Signature guitar and plays with McCartney.

Waiting on an answer now 

[Dave W]

....

And I had to share this:

I e-mailed Gibson's publicity department. The short version:

Me: Do you have high resolution pictures of Brian Ray?
Gibson: Don't you mean Brian May?
Me: No, Brian Ray who playes Epiphone basses, has his own Gibson Signature guitar and plays with McCartney.

Waiting on an answer now 

Why am I not surprised at this?

I hope you're not holding your breath waiting for that answer.

[Chris P.]

I just cried for a while in a corner in fetal position.

[gearHed289]

Me: Do you have high resolution pictures of Brian Ray?
Gibson: Don't you mean Brian May?
Me: No, Brian Ray who playes Epiphone basses, has his own Gibson Signature guitar and plays with McCartney.

Amazing. 

[uwe]

Could have been worse, they might have asked whether Chris meant Lana Del Raey's brother!

[TBird1958]

If ever the day comes that I can't find my own ass with at least one hand will one of you kind gentlemen please just shoot me. 

[Dave W]

Could have been worse, they might have asked whether Chris meant Lana Del Raey's brother!

Or her guitarist brother Teisco Del Rey.

[Highlander]

We shop in Tesco's... is that close enough...?

If ever the day comes that I can't find my own ass with at least one hand will one of you kind gentlemen please just shoot me...

May I ask you to consider a bidet first...?

[TBird1958]

We shop in Tesco's... is that close enough...?

May I ask you to consider a bidet first...?

We don't have those here!
You and your fancy Scottish plumbing 

[Pilgrim]

If ever the day comes that I can't find my own ass with at least one hand will one of you kind gentlemen please just shoot me.

No need, the fall off the platform shoes will probably finish you off! 

[uwe]

"You and your fancy Scottish plumbing  ..."



I always thought they have moorlands for that type of business over there?

[TBird1958]

"You and your fancy Scottish plumbing  ..."



I always thought they have moorlands for that type of business over there?

Talk about a short story...."Scottish Plumbing through the ages" 

[Granny Gremlin]

We don't have those here!
You and your fancy Scottish plumbing 

You do in the nicer parts of town.  ... as well as colon irrigation service providing establishments, though that's a different part of town altogether.

[Dave W]

Only 12 posts from Gibson's press department to colon irrigation in Seattle. Impressive!

[Alanko]

Talk about a short story...."Scottish Plumbing through the ages" 

10,000 BC - 1950 AD = Naw.

1951 AD - present day = Aye.