http://i21.ebayimg.com/01/i/02/cc/bf/98_1_b.JPG

or not.........

http://i21.ebayimg.com/01/i/02/cc/bf/98_1_b.JPG

or not.........

Nice! :)

I wonder if they got free distortion (overdrive) pedals as well!! ??

I seem to recall that Mingus did the ad in the period when he stopped performing and to quote Sue Mingus, "generally went crazy", from 1967 or so.

I would have been shocked to see either actually play it.

I think Mingus DID use it for only one show in 1969, but he was on a lot of medication at the time.......

WOW, I fingered he would never touch an electric bass

WOW, I fingered he would never touch an electric bass

Well, there's some really amusing quotes of him denouncing the EB that I've read.....and amplifiers, and Eddie Gomez......

Well, there's some really amusing quotes of him denouncing the EB that I've read.....and amplifiers, and Eddie Gomez......


genius, but still a nut. Just have to read "Beneath the Underdog" for that.

Well, there's some really amusing quotes of him denouncing the EB that I've read.....and amplifiers, and Eddie Gomez......

Really? I thought he chose Eddie to pinch hit for him in the later stuff, when he got too sick to play.

Really? I thought he chose Eddie to pinch hit for him in the later stuff, when he got too sick to play.

Marcus you are right.

Mingusfingus what is the quote?

Hey, I've seen pictures of Richard Davis playing a P-bass so don't go thinking he's a purist.

WOW, I fingered he would never touch an electric bass


I heard Chuck Rainey tell a story of Mingus coming in one night and sitting in with King Curtis. Chuck said that Charles put the end of his(chuck's) P-Bass on a bar stool to stand it "upright" and played a few songs. Not 100% sure, but if I correctly recall, Rainey said Mingus he liked the music, but did not like the instrument.......

Hey, I've seen pictures of Richard Davis playing a P-bass so don't go thinking he's a purist.

Purist no, but the image of Richard or Mingus with a Slab strapped on just isn't right.

Can't imagine Mingus, he was suckh a huge guy, with a little instrument.

Marcus you are right.

Mingusfingus what is the quote?


I don't have it in front of me, but it was when he was talking about Gomez and Mraz on the last sessions (when they filled in for him) - he was saying that they don't pluck the strings right (enough OOMPH) and they play in thumb position all the time, that they don't use the full range of the bass. I read this in "tonight at Noon" by Sue Mingus.

that is mingus.

How did you like "Tonight at Noon"

that is mingus.

How did you like "Tonight at Noon"

Fantastic, as it gives a unique perspective into his character. Most of the book is about him as a dying man, and man, his death was like his music - art. It's a must read if you are a Mingus freak like me.

I'll have to check it out. Mingus is the reason I ever picked up the UB.

Agreed!! - very well written too - you tend not to expect it - especially if you've read 'Myself When I Am Real' where the author seems too in awe of his subject to make sensible judgements - and especially editorial ones. (Oh and BTU is a blast!)

Agreed!! - very well written too - you tend not to expect it - especially if you've read 'Myself When I Am Real' where the author seems too in awe of his subject to make sensible judgements - and especially editorial ones. (Oh and BTU is a blast!)

I agree - I was not crazy about "Myself", and a lot of the facts were wrong.

"Mingus/Mingus" is a must-read, written by two of Mingus' friends.

more on mingus's views of the EB....

http://webusers.siba.fi/~eonttone/mingus/misc/db270177.html

I agree - I was not crazy about "Myself", and a lot of the facts were wrong.

"Mingus/Mingus" is a must-read, written by two of Mingus' friends.

Thanks - I haven't read that one and will get hold of a copy :hyper: .

Hey MF - thanks for the book reccomendation - I'll get that one - haven't seen it around.

If Mingus was on Talk-Bass, now there's a thought reading your link! I guess the little kid with Ornette was Haden?

I guess the little kid with Ornette was Haden?

Must be, cause Haden STILL uses gut (Golden Spirals, close enough). I use them too, they're nice. No I don't have any more - I got em on ebay!

more on mingus's views of the EB....

http://webusers.siba.fi/~eonttone/mingus/misc/db270177.html


So the question, why the endorsement? Strictly monitary.

So the question, why the endorsement? Strictly monitary.

I think so. I'd have to look it up.

I think so. I'd have to look it up.

Only Mingus would endorse something he would never actually play.

That link was great..thanks, Fingus. "That question went out with high button shoes"...hah! Love it.

Really? I thought he chose Eddie to pinch hit for him in the later stuff, when he got too sick to play.

Yeah, and then he bitched about it after!

None of the links in this thread are working.

None of the links in this thread are working.

The Framus ad, I can't find a new link. As for the downbeat article:

The following was published in Downbeat magazine in January 27, 1977. The other musicians interviewed were Rufus Reid, George Duvivier, Richard Davis, Ron Carter, Charlie Haden, Alphonso Johnson, Eddie Gomez, Dave Holland, Stanley Clarke, Monk Montgomery, Stafford James, Ray Brown, Rick Petrone, Larry Ridley, George Mraz, Miroslav Vitous, Chris White etc.
Bass Lines
Crystal Gazing With A Bonanza Of Experts

Compiled by Arnold Jay Smith with assistance from Bob Henschen.

Has the bass been liberated? Traditionally, the bass has been part of the rhythm section, but recently, with the advent and improvement of the electric bass, traditional notions of the function of the bass have come under examination. What do you see the role of the bass being in the future? Will it continue to be supplemental and supportive, or will it take on a new, more dominant role?

Charles Mingus: Jimmy Blanton was doing everything that they are doing on electric bass now. That has been done in 1937. Gil Hadnot, Blanton, Adolphus Albrook. You never heard of them because you never heard jazz. A question like that... electricity has made a difference in the playing of somebody? Electricity has put music back.

You can't bow electric bass. The acoustic kind with a pickup is another story, but you can't bend it because once you put in that amplifier you can't bend your notes. A real bass player will tell you. They had amplifiers way back in the 40's. Joe Comfort with Nat Cole had one; in fact I think he invented it. Oh, you can hear it better, but on one level, one volume. There's no dee-ah, dee-ah; it's all ding, ding, ding, ding, ding. I don't know if it will ever be able to happen. I'm not an electrician, man. Once a microphone touches that wood, the wood is no longer wood. It's something beyond human control. The wood and the strings make it happen. Get rid of the steel strings if you want to hear straight music, good music. You must go back to gut. Ask that little kid who was with Ornette Coleman, what's his name? Bass players are not particular anymore. They know that nobody really listens so they go out and bull****.

I don't want to take the bass anywhere. I'm just playing it. I always play the same, probably less now than I used to. Your question went out with high-button shoes. When I came in there were already soloists? As a leader? I don't think myself as a leader. I don't know if my instrument can be a lead instrument. I don't understand. I understand what you are saying, but I don't understand the reason why ask. I never pay any attention to where my sidemen go from me. I'm too busy playing. When I'm playing I don't pay attention to who's listening. When I was listening I listened to symphony orchestras, Beethoven, Bach, Brahms, Stravinsky. You don't listen to one instrument; you listen to music. String quartets, whatever there is. How can I cut off something else because I'm a bass player? I'll see you later. Call me some other time!