Probably 25 years ago I was playing a Steinberger and the singer had management backing. During the run through for a video, the producer suggested that the bass was too modern looking for a band that was similar to Tom Petty. Brought a P for the shoot and everyone was happy; of course we weren't actually playing just lip sinking to a track.
- Thread starter syciprider
- Start date
Probably 25 years ago I was playing a Steinberger and the singer had management backing. During the run through for a video, the producer suggested that the bass was too modern looking for a band that was similar to Tom Petty. Brought a P for the shoot and everyone was happy; of course we weren't actually playing just lip sinking to a track.
kylierider
Well-known member
One answer. Tribute bands. I love my MM basses but when I'm playing with the Johnny Cash tribute band and need an electric I always use my P bass because it has THAT look and sound.
Both of the JC bandleaders I've worked with liked my Stingray but thought it had a more modern look and sound than my 78 P bass.
Aussie Mark
Well-known member
Real life examples for me where it's been an explicit requirement of the gig:
Pink Floyd tribute band
Grease show
Real life examples for me where it's been an implied requirement of the gig:
Blues gigs in traditional blues venues populated by hard core blues nazis
And to expand on what Mike said about tribute bands, my Stones tribute band is a good example. I love EBMM basses. I love long scale basses. For many years I couldn't stand playing short scale bassse. But, for the Stones tribute band I've had to go out and buy a couple of short scale basses, for the "look" and the "sound". I'd ABSOLUTELY love to be able to play my Big Al in the Stones tribute, but it ain't gonna happen if I want to keep making $200-$300 a gig with this band.
Last edited:
Mabongohogany
Well-known member
Huh.
I have a P-bass, really kewl '69.
I have a Bongo HH and a Sterling H.
...Many more basses by some GREAT builders too.
I WISH I had a Big AL (4SSS Roasted) and a 'Ray Classic and a Reflex.
Not an issue with me!
I have a P-bass, really kewl '69.
I have a Bongo HH and a Sterling H.
...Many more basses by some GREAT builders too.
I WISH I had a Big AL (4SSS Roasted) and a 'Ray Classic and a Reflex.
Not an issue with me!
projectapollo
Well-known member
I have one incoming in 2 weeks if you ever decide to let go of that Mahog Bongo.
This is a GREAT thread, by the way.
oli@bass
Well-known member
OK, I get it. Didn't think of tribute bands, where you want to copy the sound but also the show and the looks of the original band. I tried to understand why the band leader or manager of an original act would require a certain bass model for the gig.
(I'm still not sure that anyone (except bass players) in the audience would actually notice if "Roger Waters" played a black/maple 'Ray...)
Mabongohogany
Well-known member
NEVAH again!!
Surely EBMM will come up with another magnificent incarnation of the Roasted BA!
Congrats on the incoming btw...
Psycho Ward
Well-known member
If Big Al's came in a lefty I'd have several by now.
drTStingray
Well-known member
Probably because he knows very little about bass or bass players? Because you can get a tone straight out of the box and spend very little time recording the bass compared with 'more important' instruments? I'm with you on this, Ollie.
There is a very good Thin Lizzy tribute band which tours the UK called Limehouse Lizzy - the bass player uses a black MM with a mirror scratch plate - I guess this sounds more like the recorded version of Phil Lynott than a P Bass, doesn't look that different to the average punter, probably sounds ten times better.
Also, I would doubt very much that a P Bass was used on any of the original Grease movie soundtrack (possibly a Jazz, maybe even a StingRay on some of it) - if it was it was surely pre-amped externally anyway which surely makes it an 'active' bass pre-amped externally rather than on board.
I seem to recall Guy Pratt, who was a long time player in the actual Pink Floyd, is an enthiusiastic StingRay user.
I have always wanted a P Bass but never got round to buying one - I got off to a bad (or good?) start - the bass rig to have for an R and B player in the early 70s was a natural, maple board P Bass and an Acoustic 371 - when I'd saved enough for one, the StingRay was the bass to have - everyone had stopped using P basses and even Jazzes to an extent, so I got a StingRay and a 371. That experience may have coloured my view!
I've spent hours playing P basses in shops off and on. I've viewed a lovely sonic blue one in a vintage guitar shop - the closest I've got to buying one in recent years has been after spending an hour or so in a booth with a mid 70s natural one - it was nice for Motown, would do clangy rock (though not as well as a Ric), would do Geezer Butler sounds (I think it's really a two trick pony!) - when it came to the decision whether to part with £2000 or not I ending up thinking I couldn't justify it on something which wouldn't add to my playing arsenal one bit - I couldn't do anything with it that wasn't covered by one of my MM basses - and I can do lots more with them on top.
So I'm thankful to hear Sycipider and Lord Bongo's experience with these things - it will be useful reference next time I think of buying one
Rano Bass
Well-known member
Aussie Mark
Well-known member
Also, I would doubt very much that a P Bass was used on any of the original Grease movie soundtrack (possibly a Jazz, maybe even a StingRay on some of it) - if it was it was surely pre-amped externally anyway which surely makes it an 'active' bass pre-amped externally rather than on board.time I think of buying one
I'm sure you're 100% correct
, however visually this 9 person stage show required a P bass "look", to fit the fifties vibe of the costumes(although I did use the 30th Stingray a couple of times and got away with it). Since you were not part of the show you can't really surmise or guesstimate, although I can understand how it might be fun for you to try.
I know about Guy Pratt, who has spent a lot of time in Australia over the years. However, the Floyd show I was a member of played Roger Waters era material.
Smallmouth_Bass
Well-known member
Does a tribute band really need the instruments that the original artists were using? How strict is it or does it just depend on the band being covered?
Aussie Mark
Well-known member
There's no rule at all that tribute bands must be 100% historically accurate equipment wise, just as there is no rule that the band members should dress like the originals or wear wigs or whatever. Tribute bands come in many flavours and degrees ... some strive to just play the songs as close to the original as possible ... some make sure the frontperson looks like the original ... some aim for all band members to dress in the style of the original band ... some go the whole hog.
It all depends on the type of tribute the band is aiming for, and how much importance the band leader/manager/band member put on the lookalike side of things.
Our Rolling Stones tribute has been praised for how close we look in terms of wardrobe and stage gear, and that's great because that's our aim (and to sound pretty close as well), so if I turned up with my Big Al or Stingray it would not fit with what our band is aiming to do. In a purely "soundalike" Stones tribute band on the other hand, the Big Al or Stingray would be fine.
I don't think taking appearance into account is unique to the tribute band world, as it's pretty clear that many original bands decide on a visual style too as part of their image (which is probably a determining factor as to why black and white are the best selling Stingray colours)
drTStingray
Well-known member
I'm sure you're 100% correct
I know about Guy Pratt, who has spent a lot of time in Australia over the years. However, the Floyd show I was a member of played Roger Waters era material.
No probs Mark - it's great you get these gigs - must be frustrating not to always be able to play your favourite bass.
Last edited:
