So, what bass did Glenn Hughes play on "Made in Europe"?

**bassybill** · #1 06-04-2010, 08:57 PM

There's been a little controversy over what bass Glenn used on this album, based on a difference between the album cover pics and what bass he played on the "California Jam" video. There's only one answer for me, based on his tone for this recording. What say you? Ric or P?

http://www.billygreen.pwp.blueyonder...p%20Purple.mp3

I know, I shouldn't really need to ask.

**bassybill** · #2 06-04-2010, 09:07 PM

BTW, one of the reasons I ask is that I think for me personally this is probably just about the greatest rock album ever, bar none.

Alvaro will know what I'm talking about.

Meddle · #3 06-05-2010, 05:04 AM

To my humble ears it sounds like a Ric, and I know Glenn used a Ric in Trapeze, so its stands to reason it got an outing.

However every bit of footage of MK3 Purple has him playing that natural P, including this:

As was natural back then, this shoddy TV mix has little bass end. Oh well.

Alvaro Martín Gómez A. · #4 06-05-2010, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassybill

BTW, one of the reasons I ask is that I think for me personally this is probably just about the greatest rock album ever, bar none.

Alvaro will know what I'm talking about.

Exactly, Bill. I've just added my vote to the poll.

Jazz Ad · #5 06-05-2010, 07:05 AM

There are 3 pictures of Glenn Hugues in the album, including the front cover.
The 3 of them show him with a Ric.
I see no debate here.

PhR · #6 06-05-2010, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meddle

To my humble ears it sounds like a Ric, and I know Glenn used a Ric in Trapeze, so its stands to reason it got an outing.

However every bit of footage of MK3 Purple has him playing that natural P, including this:

As was natural back then, this shoddy TV mix has little bass end. Oh well.

I've seen pics of Hughes playing a Mustang and a Jazz Bass with Trapeze but never a Ric.

AFAIK, he used the fireglow 4001 on the very first tour with Purple in late 1973 and on "Burn" album and then gradually switched to Precision. The pics on the sleeve of "Made In Europe" are from "Burn" tour and the album is recorded in 1975, "Stormbringer" tour (Look at Jon Lord's keyboards: he has no clavinet on top of the Hammond and on the "Stormbringer" tour he had one, e.g. the intro to "You Fool No One")

Sorry, it's a P Bass.

Alvaro Martín Gómez A. · #7 06-05-2010, 07:37 AM

Puting the pictures debate aside, I hear the typical Ric tone throughout the album. Sort of a ballsier Geddy Lee.

Anybody may think otherwise, but this is a great example of the unmistakable Ric clank to my ears (taken from "Made In Europe", of course).

73jbass · #8 06-05-2010, 08:27 AM

California Jam. P-bass this time. Check out the rig Glenn is playing through!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfzv3bf9-OY

EdHunter · #9 06-05-2010, 08:35 AM

Made in Japan is a mich better album, and there's no question as to what Glover played on it...

**bassybill** · #10 06-05-2010, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

There are 3 pictures of Glenn Hugues in the album, including the front cover.
The 3 of them show him with a Ric.
I see no debate here.

Somebody told me once that the pics on the album cover were taken on a different tour and he was using a P bass by the time Made in Europe was recorded.

Yes, I think the same of that as you do.

**bassybill** · #11 06-05-2010, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdHunter

Made in Japan is a mich better album, and there's no question as to what Glover played on it...

I'd disagree - Made in Japan is a great album, but the incarnation of Purple on Made in Europe was the best the band ever got, imo.

I do agree that the live recordings really capture the band better than they ever got in the studio, even though I love the studio stuff as well. To me, Purple were the best heavy rock (but not heavy metal) band that have ever been.

**bassybill** · #12 06-05-2010, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhR

I've seen pics of Hughes playing a Mustang and a Jazz Bass with Trapeze but never a Ric.

AFAIK, he used the fireglow 4001 on the very first tour with Purple in late 1973 and on "Burn" album and then gradually switched to Precision. The pics on the sleeve of "Made In Europe" are from "Burn" tour and the album is recorded in 1975, "Stormbringer" tour (Look at Jon Lord's keyboards: he has no clavinet on top of the Hammond and on the "Stormbringer" tour he had one, e.g. the intro to "You Fool No One")

Sorry, it's a P Bass.

That's interesting stuff about where the pics came from - thanks. But I can't agree that the tone on the Made in Europe album supports the view that he was using a P by then.

I have a Ric, and a P. I know which of the two it sounds like to me.

EdHunter · #13 06-05-2010, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassybill

I'd disagree - Made in Japan is a great album, but the incarnation of Purple on Made in Europe was the best the band ever got, imo.

I do agree that the live recordings really capture the band better than they ever got in the studio, even though I love the studio stuff as well. To me, Purple were the best heavy rock (but not heavy metal) band that have ever been.

Mk. 3 Purple was not bad at all, and really did some great albums, and the stuff from Burn really testifies to the quality of the lineup.

But.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh aaaaaaaaaaaaaagh aaaaaaaaaaagh

Kink Rimson · #14 06-05-2010, 07:19 PM

I thought Hughes was playing a Precision around this time... The liner notes in the 'Burn' reissue say he started playing a Rick when he joined Purple as he saw it as their trademark bass sound, but soon returned to his preferred Precision.

Whatever bass he's playing, his backing vocals on this track are hysterical. Shoe-shine music.

Exploiter8 · #15 06-05-2010, 07:30 PM

GREAT ALBUM!!! I'd forgotten about it. I was a big fan of the "Stormbringer" album so this was IT!

From Wiki:

Side one

1. "Burn" (Blackmore, Coverdale, Jon Lord, Ian Paice) – 7:32
2. "Mistreated" (interpolating "Rock Me Baby") – 11:32
3. "Lady Double Dealer" – 4:15

Side two

4. "You Fool No One" (Blackmore, Coverdale, Lord, Paice) – 16:42
5. "Stormbringer" – 5:38

PhR · #16 06-05-2010, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassybill

That's interesting stuff about where the pics came from - thanks. But I can't agree that the tone on the Made in Europe album supports the view that he was using a P by then.

I have a Ric, and a P. I know which of the two it sounds like to me.

Have you seen the albums "Live In Paris 1975" or "MK III: The Final Concerts" which feature the source material "Made In Europe" was compiled from? The photos have Glenn playing the Precision and these are period pictures. Also, I have never seen a pic from 1975 with Glenn playing anything but the Precision, all the Rick photos are dating from 1974, and early that year.

Also, he used Hiwatt amps (DR 201) and Martin cabs (PA style bass bins) which contribute to the sound.

PrimusNut · #17 06-06-2010, 05:01 PM

It definately sounds like a Ric to me.

PhR · #18 06-01-2011, 01:20 PM

Pics from Graz, Austria 04/04/1975. The gig was one of the sources for "Made In Europe".
Deep Purple Graz 1975 Photo Gallery

PhR · #19 06-01-2011, 01:31 PM

A video from Saarbrucken, Germany 04/05/1975:
YouTube - ‪Deep Purple - Stormbringer- Live in Germany 1975‬&rlm;

Shaky and short but serves it's purpose.

poorbassist15 · #20 06-01-2011, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

Puting the pictures debate aside, I hear the typical Ric tone throughout the album. Sort of a ballsier Geddy Lee.

Anybody may think otherwise, but this is a great example of the unmistakable Ric clank to my ears (taken from "Made In Europe", of course).

To me that sounds like a combination of a keyboardish guitar thing(maybe a clavinet?) and a Precision.