Steve Harris/Iron Maiden Run To The Hills music video

FrankieTbird · March 28, 2011, 10:44:43 AM

http://www.youtube.com/v/M149WTrkNR8?fs=1&amp

Anyone know what kind of bass Harris is using here? You can see it pretty good at about 2:29. I've seen this video a million times but I never really noticed that bass before. I thought he was strictly a Fender man. The 2+2 'stock kinda jumped out at me.

Edit to get single video.

OldManC · March 28, 2011, 11:00:22 AM

Looks like his Ibanez Roadster. He played that and a custom Lado (?) Thunderbird in the early days (there's also a black bicentennial bird pictured on the back cover of the first album). I'm pretty sure the various P basses he's been pictured with over the years were actually the one slab P he's known for (just with different paint jobs).

lowend1 · March 28, 2011, 02:16:42 PM

Quote from: OldManC on March 28, 2011, 11:00:22 AM
(there's also a black bicentennial bird pictured on the back cover of the first album). I'm pretty sure the various P basses he's been pictured with over the years were actually the one slab P he's known for (just with different paint jobs).

...and I thought I was the only one who noticed the bird.
Are you sure it's a "slab" P-Bass? I was under the impression it was just a 70s model with pinstriping around the edge...

Basvarken · March 28, 2011, 03:08:54 PM

Quote from: OldManC on March 28, 2011, 11:00:22 AM
Looks like his Ibanez Roadster.

My guess too.
Like this one, but with creme colored pickups

Rhythm N. Bliss · March 28, 2011, 03:54:22 PM

Maiden at their best! Good call, Frankie!

OldManC · March 30, 2011, 12:49:33 PM

Quote from: lowend1 on March 28, 2011, 02:16:42 PM
...and I thought I was the only one who noticed the bird.
Are you sure it's a "slab" P-Bass? I was under the impression it was just a 70s model with pinstriping around the edge...

From what I've read over the years (of course I can't find any definitive links now), Steve's main bass since the early days has been a slab body P, possibly one of the ones shipped over in 1966. Were any other 60's or 70's Precisions done with a slab?

The Lado:

Nocturnal · March 30, 2011, 02:27:49 PM

I seem to remember many years ago in BP magazine they had a short article on Steve Harris. It made reference to his main bass as a slab body Pbass that had been refinned many times (the white one in Georges post). It showed others that were similar Pbasses, all with the Basslines Quarter Pounder's and B.A.II bridges so that they would sound similar. Of course this is going from memory, so I could be off somewhere.

lowend1 · April 01, 2011, 01:52:36 PM

If the bass in question is the white pinstriped one, here's a look from a different angle. Both the rounded edge of the body and the body contours are visible. I've done a fair amount of reading on the slab Ps (haven't gotten the book yet tho'), and nowhere is Harris mentioned as a user. Since there were allegedly only 20 made, his name would probably figure prominently.

lowend1 · April 01, 2011, 01:55:24 PM

FYI...
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-Custom-Shop--66-Slab-Body-P-Bass-620948-i1470772.gc

Dave W · April 01, 2011, 10:07:52 PM

Agreed, that pinstriped P doesn't look like a slab body to me. Looks like a regular body with pinstripes. Maybe early 70s.

Nocturnal · April 02, 2011, 10:41:22 AM

I am probably confusing the slab body part with something else, cause I would think it would be in the book Lowend made reference to. I do remember the part about his main bass (the white one now) being refinished several times and now it is painted in tribute to his favorite football (or soccer, not sure which) team.

lowend1 · April 02, 2011, 11:16:42 AM

Quote from: Nokturnal on April 02, 2011, 10:41:22 AM...in tribute to his favorite football (or soccer, not sure which) team.

ain't it the same thing "over there"?
Actually his gear listing includes a '59 P-bass (originally Fiesta Red) that is refinished to checkerboard. Brilliant move!