What songs did John Paul Jones play an 8 string on?

[Stingray89]

I've read places that John Paul Jones used to use a custom made 8 string, so I was wondering what songs he recorded with it, or did he just play it at live concerts? And does anyone know if it was an 8 sting bass like a 12 string guitar, or were there 8 strings that he played individually?

[Adam Barkley]

Originally Posted by Stingray89

I've read places that John Paul Jones used to use a custom made 8 string, so I was wondering what songs he recorded with it, or did he just play it at live concerts? And does anyone know if it was an 8 sting bass like a 12 string guitar, or were there 8 strings that he played individually?

Basically all of Presence. It was a four string with four octave strings, not a single course eight string.

[superbassman2000]

i heard he pulls it out for live performances of black dog too

[The Lurker]

IIRC it was all later songs, mostly Presence.

He started with a Hagstrom in about '73, and then had Alembic make him one. Both were 4-string basses with octave strings paired on.

He used the Alembic live for (among other things) Nobody's Fault but Mine and Achilles' last Stand, though that was actually recorded with the Hagstrom.

http://www.led-zeppelin.org/referenc...=johnpaul-main
Much useful info here.


He's playing lots of octaved instruments lately.... 8 strings, 10-strings, 12-strings (6x2), bass mandolins, you name it. He puts on an insanely good show.

[Barkless Dog]

He used them on his solo discs as well?

[MarkTAW]

Oh yeah, the 8 is all over the disc he released with Diamanda Galas (highly recommended, btw) and his 2 solos discs after that.

+1 to being "all over Presence." Achilles Last Stand, Nobody's Fault But Mine, etc. are both classic 8 string bass songs. He even used it on a few songs he maybe shouldn't have.

[The Lurker]

Originally Posted by MarkTAW

Oh yeah, the 8 is all over the disc he released with Diamanda Galas (highly recommended, btw) and his 2 solos discs after that.

+1 to being "all over Presence." Achilles Last Stand, Nobody's Fault But Mine, etc. are both classic 8 string bass songs. He even used it on a few songs he maybe shouldn't have.

Actually, now that I recall it, Zep only ever did those two songs off of Presence live........

[Baryonyx]

Originally Posted by MarkTAW

He even used it on a few songs he maybe shouldn't have.

Such as...and why do you think he shouldn't have?

[RickC]

although often identified as an Alembic, there is some confusion/controversy over the actual make of JPJs 8-string. Bruce Becvar worked for Alembic between '72 and '77, and later opened his own shop and produced basses under his own name. I've seen at least one interview with JPJ where he claims the bass was built by Becvar post-Alembic.

/rick

[The Lurker]

Originally Posted by RickC

although often identified as an Alembic, there is some confusion/controversy over the actual make of JPJs 8-string. Bruce Becvar worked for Alembic between '72 and '77, and later opened his own shop and produced basses under his own name. I've seen at least one interview with JPJ where he claims the bass was built by Becvar post-Alembic.

/rick

Got a link? I'm interested. Here's the bass in question, by the way....

[Hoover]

Originally Posted by RickC

although often identified as an Alembic, there is some confusion/controversy over the actual make of JPJs 8-string. Bruce Becvar worked for Alembic between '72 and '77, and later opened his own shop and produced basses under his own name. I've seen at least one interview with JPJ where he claims the bass was built by Becvar post-Alembic.

+1
While it's indisputable that Becvar built JPJ's instrument, the nerdy question is indeed whether he did so while under Alembic's employ or when he was on his own.

I played a Bruce Becvar 4-string fretless bass that I found in the long-gone Petillo Frets custom guitar shop in Boston way back in 1978, and it was for all intents & purposes identical to JPJ's 8-string (except it also had a Star Wars X-Wing Fighter inlayed on the body in mother-of-pearl).

I also recall seeing a black&white ad for Becvar instruments in an old Guitar Player magazine, & it specifically mentioned (and portrayed) JPJ's 8-string.

Can anyone read the headstock on an old JPJ photo?