EB-1 on a stick

[Dave W]

Speck Rhodes was the longtime bassist and cornball comic in Porter Wagoner's Wagonmasters. I watched Porter's weekly syndicated show for years and never saw him with anything other than his big upright. But here he is on the cover of a 1964 album playing an EB-1 on an endpin. First time I can recall seeing one being played with it, not sure it's the factory original pin.

I don't even remember the album. it's from a 1964 live performance in West Plains, MO (Porter and Speck's hometown).

[Highlander]

Jackie doesn't recognise it either but she was not a big fan of PW; more his more well known singing partner...
Seen re-runs and knowing the "humour" of that Gent I have to presume the photo was taken for humorous effect rather than musical fact...?
Thoughts Mr W...?

[uwe]

I only have my Epi EB-1 pin to compare which can be extended. Judged from that the size looks about right.

[dadagoboi]

IIRC John Entwistle played one on the pin in the Sally Simpson scene in"Tommy".  It's pictured and noted in 'Bass Culture', p 137.

[Granny Gremlin]

forget the bass; I want his suit!

[Dave W]

IIRC John Entwistle played one on the pin in the Sally Simpson scene in"Tommy".  It's pictured and noted in 'Bass Culture', p 137.

Thanks, good to know. I never saw Tommy or read the book.

Jackie doesn't recognise it either but she was not a big fan of PW; more his more well known singing partner...
Seen re-runs and knowing the "humour" of that Gent I have to presume the photo was taken for humorous effect rather than musical fact...?
Thoughts Mr W...?

Speck was a real musician, make no mistake about that. He was bassist in his brother's band (Slim Rhodes and his Mountaineers) for many years before Porter's show and that's where he developed the comic routine. I have no doubt he played that bass at that performance in West Plains. The acoustics were probably a lot different than on the set of the TV show.

By "more well known singing partner" I guess you mean Dolly Parton, but this was back when Norma Jean was the female vocalist. She got married and left about 1967. Dolly didn't become more well known until the mid-70s.

[Highlander]

Spot on re DP... Jackie never saw Norma but knows of her work...
J noted PW was a rather rare flyer (nerves) so never saw him over here when the Wembley shows were prevalent... she can't recall him here post 70's either...

[66Atlas]

I clicked on this thread half thinking it would be about some odd new food at the Minnesota State Fair.

I love Speck though, he may just be the original glam rocker 

[TBird1958]

forget the bass; I want his suit!

It looks like a Noddy Holder castoff, except the pants are too long 

[Highlander]

Noddy got Speck's cast-offs...!

[uwe]

True!

[Dave W]

I looked and found a pic of Slim's band dated 1949 with Speck in the suit and with blacked out front teeth. He was probably wearing it before Noddy was born.

[Highlander]

Oh my Gawd... he's not... is he...?

[Dave W]

Oh my Gawd... he's not... is he...?

[uwe]

15 June 1946 = Herr Holder's official birthdate

But I don't rule out that he drew inspiration (if he was anywhere around a telly in post-wartime England that is). Slade's glam attire was generally viewed to be inspired by Charles Dickens era meets Clockwork Orange.