Bruce Thomas and his "picks"

drnknmstr · #1 12-03-2008, 04:23 PM

Ok,

So I looked around but to no avail, but did Bruce Thomas play exclusively fingerstyle? Honestly, sometimes I can't tell. Especially in "Everyday I Write the Book", but also the Attractions' earlier stuff, he really sounds like he's using a pick.

His sound is really to die for.

The Mock Turtle Regulator · #2 12-03-2008, 04:40 PM

I've seen him use a pick on a couple of songs when the Attractions played Later with Jools Holland.

but I think "Every day..." is just fingerstyle on roundwounds, probably on a p bass.
Mark Bedford of Madness got a similar sound fingerstyle.

drnknmstr · #3 12-03-2008, 04:53 PM

I know that "Everyday" was a Wal, but sure sounds like a nice punchy P, doesn't it?

And I LOVE Mark Bedford's style too.

Ezbass · #4 12-04-2008, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drnknmstr

I know that "Everyday" was a Wal, but sure sounds like a nice punchy P, doesn't it?

And I LOVE Mark Bedford's style too.

He plays a Wal in the video but it really sounds like a P on the track.

We play a couple of Madness numbers in my covers band as well as a couple of Attractions songs, these are some of the best moments in our set for me together with Ian Dury's Rhythm Stick. Hmm I'm feeling a temporal and geographical theme here.

phxlbrmpf · #5 12-04-2008, 05:22 AM

I too love Mark (Bedders)'s playing, listening to "Divine Madness" taught me a lot, I love how he combines groove and melody.

Bruce Lindfield · #6 12-04-2008, 06:56 AM

I saw Elvis Costello and the Attractions live a few times and I'm sure Bruce Thomas just played fingerstyle on a P bass - but this was quite a while ago - long before "Jools Holland' Later" even existed!!

Last time I saw them - they had a big wheel with song titles on and they just spun the wheel to pick a tune at random - great band!

drnknmstr · #7 12-04-2008, 01:30 PM

Still, I'm not convinced it's all fingerstyle. "Everyday" sounds so much like a pick! He can't be getting that sound with just his fingers!

Somebody tell me!

corinpills · #8 12-04-2008, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

I saw Elvis Costello and the Attractions live a few times and I'm sure Bruce Thomas just played fingerstyle on a P bass - but this was quite a while ago - long before "Jools Holland' Later" even existed!!

Last time I saw them - they had a big wheel with song titles on and they just spun the wheel to pick a tune at random - great band!

Blood And Chocolate tour. One of my favorite albums and a very interesting time for Elvis.

Jim C · #9 12-04-2008, 07:04 PM

I was a stage manager at University of Maryland when Elvis played there in 1985.
Bruce played a P bass the entire show.
Sound guy let me play his bass backstage while they were at dinner.
Pre CBS with a medium chunky neck and medium action.
That guy could get tone out of a cigar box with rubber bands attached.

drnknmstr · #10 12-05-2008, 10:48 AM

But does anyone know what he used a pick on? I know it seems like such a silly question, but there's this part of me that's dying to know. Or if even used one at all?

The Mock Turtle Regulator · #11 12-05-2008, 03:13 PM

Elvis Costello "New Lace Sleeves" Played with a Pick?

drnknmstr · #12 12-05-2008, 05:02 PM

Thanks mate. I really did do a search. I must've missed it somehow.