Cliff Williams

PBass101 · #1 08-15-2009, 10:01 AM

Just got back from AC/DC last night. 17th row, about fifteen feet from the catwalk. Best live concert I've ever seen, and I've seen a few.

I gotta say, Cliff Williams is not the greatest bass player in history, but he had the best live tone I've heard in a large stadium rock show. And I've seen Rush. The low end on Phil Rudd's bass drum was really rolled off, and the deepest, lowest sound coming from the PA was definitely Cliff's bass. And it was loud. By the end of the show, the low end and lower midrange from the bass guitar was easily as loud as everything else in the mix, except maybe Angus' guitar, and it each note was clearly audible.

PluckyThump · #2 08-15-2009, 10:10 AM

Ah, that magic moment when the bass guitar sits properly in the mix at a stadium show. Cherish it, doesn't happen very often.

Leftybass12 · #3 08-16-2009, 11:49 PM

Heh, I saw AC/DC in Cleveland in January, and I remember Cliff was not heard that much at all. All you would really hear was a big boom from the lows notes that Cliff was playing and nothing else really. It really pissed me off 'cause I'm also a sound tech and a bass player and I think you always need to hear a prevelant bass. And you're right Cliff does have a really good live tone.....when you can hear it.

tycobb73 · #4 08-17-2009, 11:43 AM

That band may not be technicly great but they are tighter than an anorexic's waistline.

PBass101 · #5 08-17-2009, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leftybass12

Heh, I saw AC/DC in Cleveland in January, and I remember Cliff was not heard that much at all. All you would really hear was a big boom from the lows notes that Cliff was playing and nothing else really. It really pissed me off 'cause I'm also a sound tech and a bass player and I think you always need to hear a prevelant bass. And you're right Cliff does have a really good live tone.....when you can hear it.

Where were your seats? We were right in front of the stage left PA line array system.

Allmanfan456 · #6 08-17-2009, 01:07 PM

Ive always respected Cliff Williams for being a very tight bassist. And sometimes he can make a neat sounding bass line. She Likes Rock N Roll is a great example.

Moosehead1966 · #7 08-17-2009, 01:24 PM

Okay, now I'm excited, seeing AC/DC tomorrow night in Grand Rapids..8th row also. I'll report on the low-end front upon my return!!

Marc

PBass101 · #8 08-17-2009, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moosehead1966

Okay, now I'm excited, seeing AC/DC tomorrow night in Grand Rapids..8th row also. I'll report on the low-end front upon my return!!

Marc

If it isn't the greatest concert you've ever attented, there's something wrong with you.

Leftybass12 · #9 08-18-2009, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PBass101

Where were your seats? We were right in front of the stage left PA line array system.

My friend and I were house right above the mezzanine section

tycobb73 · #10 08-18-2009, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PBass101

If it isn't the greatest concert you've ever attented, there's something wrong with you.

Seen em at Van Andel a few years back. One of the best concerts I've been too.

JimmyM · #11 08-19-2009, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PBass101

If it isn't the greatest concert you've ever attented, there's something wrong with you.

Right on...and I'll add this about Cliff...some people don't think he's a "great bassist," but let's see how many of them can play "Back In Black" without rushing, or how many can play the breakdown in "Sin City" without rushing or adding notes that don't need to be there.

p-bass · #12 08-19-2009, 01:26 AM

Cliff...GREAT Bass Player ! Holds the bottom end like a GREAT Bass player should ! Can anybody here do better ?...I doubt it. Come on...this guy knows his place....and holds it tight. That is a real Bass players job.

Another Dave · #13 08-19-2009, 01:36 AM

I respect the heck out of Cliff Williams...

He plays what he should, and not what he could...

Easy lines to play, much harder to make the band groove with it, IMO.

fullrangebass · #14 08-19-2009, 02:10 AM

Cliff Williams is rock solid and makes AC/DC groove. No flashy parts no slap, tap, chordal, harmonic tricks in his playing, but noone can nail it better than him. I only imagine if he played "Soul Stripper" (a two-note bass line from the early AC/DC catalog)........

JimmyM · #15 08-19-2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fullrangebass

Cliff Williams is rock solid and makes AC/DC groove. No flashy parts no slap, tap, chordal, harmonic tricks in his playing, but noone can nail it better than him. I only imagine if he played "Soul Stripper" (a two-note bass line from the early AC/DC catalog)........

A lot of people think Mark Evans played that one, but George Young did. Mark said George Young played about half the stuff on their albums because he wasn't that good. Early bootlegs of AC/DC before Cliff bear out Mark's claim.

Hamrhed · #16 08-20-2009, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

A lot of people think Mark Evans played that one, but George Young did. Mark said George Young played about half the stuff on their albums because he wasn't that good. Early bootlegs of AC/DC before Cliff bear out Mark's claim.

Didnt know that... knew that George was famous long ago as a musician before producing.

I saw a bunch of older AC/DC videos the other day- about 10 or so, and I thought it was strange how out of the ten or so, most of the footage showed Cliff & Mark playing Gibson basses... Ive always associated them w/ Stingray and P basses

PBass101 · #17 08-25-2009, 08:47 PM

Keep in mind, in the early days AC/DC didn't have a ton of money and alot of high-end basses might not have been available in Australia.

Bruins29 · #18 08-25-2009, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p-bass

Cliff...GREAT Bass Player ! Holds the bottom end like a GREAT Bass player should ! Can anybody here do better ?...I doubt it. Come on...this guy knows his place....and holds it tight. That is a real Bass players job.

Wow! Cliff is a sold player but implying nobody here is better/could do better?

Hamrhed · #19 08-26-2009, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruins29

Wow! Cliff is a sold player but implying nobody here is better/could do better?

I think the implication is a fair one in the sense that he is 'perfect for what AC/DC does'... not so much that no one here could play fancier

Subs · #20 08-31-2009, 03:20 PM

yeah, he's great for what the band need, nobody does that better.

Also, I think phil rudd is one of the most underrated drummers in the world, its not flashy but he has such a great rythmic touch. After listening to him for a while you can tell his style apart from others... well I can...

they were great in glasgow!