Please identify this bass

Freuds_Cat · May 20, 2013, 07:38:40 PM

This is a pic of Måns Groundstroem from Tasavallan Presidentti. Is that a Burns he is playing? or something different.

Denis · May 20, 2013, 08:13:43 PM

That's in another thread somewhere. I think Pekka knows something about it.

Lightyear · May 20, 2013, 09:20:25 PM

Yup, I thought I'd seen that same image too.

Dave W · May 20, 2013, 10:33:01 PM

IIRC he said it was a modified WEM bass.

Highlander · May 20, 2013, 10:52:17 PM

There may be an identification issue with this one as Pekka names this person as the late Pekka (? no relation) Pohjola on this posting elsewhere...

The relevant links within that posting appear to be down so I dug out an old one from 1971... definitely proggie...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9fm6KWlo4k

Pekka could offer more... not familiar with this band in anything but name but listening to this track leads me to the conclusion that he certainly was adept with the four-string-beast...

Considering that this band once had two Pekka's in the lineup just how common a name is this in Finland...?

Insomnia again so this is an interesting distraction for me as I've been up since 4am...

Some solo material - sounded like Mike Oldfield on guitar on a first listen (it is - there is a link)... I can understand the "Zappa" references - he died of alcohol related reasons a few years back at the age of 56... rip...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-65Ee58UCQw

Not sure what the bass is in the second one...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPf4Gkglueo

Always late to the party... I may have to give this guy a further listen...

Highlander · May 20, 2013, 11:31:19 PM

A very modified WEM Sapphire or Rapier bass...

Chris P. · May 21, 2013, 02:37:02 AM

Herbie is right. Certainly nu Burns.

Pekka · May 21, 2013, 03:34:34 AM

A modified WEM and indeed Pekka Pohjola playing it with the late Ronnie Österberg on drums. Måns Groundstroem also played in Wigwam, he joined after Pekka left in 1974.

After that bass Pohjola used a Rickenbacker for a while but after that he used a 1970 Fender Jazz Bass for the best part of his career. He also used a Precision for a while in 1980/81 until it was stolen. The Jazz had two bridge pickups.

From about 1994 onwards he used two custom basses built by Jorma Mansikka-aho as seen on that "Melkein" clip. Here's a few highlights from Pekka's solo career. He was an excellent bass player but even more excellent composer.

Pekka is a very common name in Finland and also one of the best if you ask me.

Pekka · May 21, 2013, 03:41:10 AM

Here's a Wigwam thread I made earlier:

http://bassoutpost.com/index.php?topic=7379.0

Highlander · May 21, 2013, 05:06:48 PM

Do you know what the bass is he's using in that live video I posted...?

Does "Pekka" have a meaning...?

My "proper" Gaelic name (Coinneach) means "chosen one" or "favourite one"... oh well...

Freuds_Cat · May 21, 2013, 08:24:16 PM

Sorry about the identity issue. No choice but to believe the original post on the site where found it.
Interestingly, in this pic, same band (Tasavallan Presidentti) , different bass player but same bass

Pekka · May 22, 2013, 04:33:36 AM

Quote from: Freuds_Cat on May 21, 2013, 08:24:16 PM
Sorry about the identity issue. No choice but to believe the original post on the site where found it.
Interestingly, in this pic, same band (Tasavallan Presidentti) , different bass player but same bass

No, it's a different band too, Pohjola never played in Tasavallan Presidentti. They shared members 'though as Måns Groundstroem was Tasavallan Presidentti's original bassist and later a Wigwam member and Jukka Tolonen played guitar on some Wigwam albums but was never a member.

Måsse Groundstroem recommended the WEM bass for Pohjola in the late 60's.

Pekka · May 22, 2013, 04:42:11 AM

Quote from: HERBIE on May 21, 2013, 05:06:48 PM
Do you know what the bass is he's using in that live video I posted...?

It's a custom bass made by Jorma Kirsikka-Aho, not Mansikka-Aho as I previously posted. Berries both 'though (Mansikka=strawberry, Kirsikka=cherry). JoBass it was called IIRC.

Quote from: HERBIE on May 21, 2013, 05:06:48 PM
Does "Pekka" have a meaning...?

Don't know but if it has it has to be something along the lines of "handsome, wise, well-behaving" etc.

Highlander · May 22, 2013, 04:13:42 PM

Did a bit of research and it has a meaning... "rock" or "stone"

Pekka · May 24, 2013, 12:20:41 PM

Quote from: HERBIE on May 22, 2013, 04:13:42 PM
Did a bit of research and it has a meaning... "rock" or "stone"

OK, could have been much worse.

As it happens, tonight I have to be that rock in a Pekka Pohjola tribute concert in my hometown. Very hard stuff to play but fun and the songs are great. Two bass solos even but luckily within a same song.