Which Famous Bassists change bass brands as Frequently as us TBers?

[NYCbassist]

Originally Posted by bryan gibson

...I think you just finished watching the same TV show that I did I really dug the reverse head Tele and the modded Jazz 5'er.

It must have been. He likes his 5 strings too. If you want some Gas check this out.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/...ic-bass-guitar

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by Immigrant

I learn something new every day here. I thought he primarily plays Yamaha basses and Peavey amps.

...oh, yeah. He's a schill for amps, as well. Remember the "cut the crap...well-executed fart" ad when he was endorsing Mesa Boogie? IIRC, he was using Yamaha in the "1984" era, Ibanez Integra, and the aforementioned Peaveys as was Eddie. I'm a little foggy on the others but nothing a google search won't cure. I'm sure Michael is not the worst of the bunch but his BP advertisements were the first thing to come to mind.

Riis

[Direct Box Rox]

It's unnecessary to change basses that many times. Same thing for guitar players. They think the audience is impressed that his music requires a different instrument for every song. Plus it strokes their egos to look off to the side and see a bunch of different basses on their stands ready to go. And if the audience was blindfolded they couldn't tell what bass he's using.

[malthumb]

Originally Posted by Baird6869

Which famous bassists change basses more often than many change their underwear?

Just curious as to which famous bassists you think would impress even the hardest core Talkbass Classifieds-lurking TBers with their GAS inspired buying/selling.

Also, what basses have the bassists in question been seen playing?

I can't think of many, but John Entwhistle was definitely at the top of the list in his heyday.

Quoted the OP because I don't think he was asking about actual instrument changes through a performance (where this thread is headed) but changes in brand preferences over time (what I responded to)

How many brands have produced Mark King Signature versions?

• Alembic (I have one)
• Jay Dee
• Fender
• Status
• Any others?

I think that qualifies him for the list.

[Jazz Ad]

Jonas Hellborg also had a lot of signature models along the years.

[malthumb]

Just for grins, here's a Mark King Signature Gallery....(with examples of him playing each)....Funny thing is I didn't know who Mark King was when I ordered my Mark King Alembic.

Alembic


Fender


JayDee


Status

[smperry]

Moved to Bassists

[2meterbassman]

Obviously: Lee Sklar - the endorser for all bass companies in the world at the same time.

I think there is no company without a Lee Sklar signature model...
(and I had one of his originals in my hands - before he got it, hehehehe)

[winterburn69]

If John Entwistle counts for like 7 brands (Danelectro, Rickenbacker, Fender, Gibson, Alembic, Warwick & Status) over 38 years I think Simon Gallup should qualify. 7 brands over the 33 year span he's been associated with The Cure.

[JimiLL]

Originally Posted by Direct Box Rox

It's unnecessary to change basses that many times. Same thing for guitar players. They think the audience is impressed that his music requires a different instrument for every song. Plus it strokes their egos to look off to the side and see a bunch of different basses on their stands ready to go. And if the audience was blindfolded they couldn't tell what bass he's using.

Maybe if hes playing Fenders

[GM60466]

adam clayton

[klaus486]

I can't believe no one has mentioned Steve Bailey!

He's had a bunch of signature models.

There may be more that I am unaware of....

Aria Pro
Ibanez
Fender
Warwick

[testing1two]

Some of these comparisons aren't quite fair since the endorsement game is very different from the GAS of a famous player. Also, most of the players mentioned so far have had 30+ year careers. That's a lot of time to accumulate gear. Personally, I think the GAS on TB is much worse.

[Jayson]

John Stirratt has used a bunch of different brands in his Wilco tenure. He's using a custom Schroeder now.

[fretlesssurfer]

Originally Posted by klaus486

I can't believe no one has mentioned Steve Bailey!

He's had a bunch of signature models.

There may be more that I am unaware of....

Aria Pro
Ibanez
Fender
Warwick

A couple of things.

Many of you are confusing endorsements with signature models. All Sig models are "endorsements", but not the other way around.

For the Record.... never had Ibanez endorsement. They made a prototype that was nice, and I played it quite a bit. Simply because I liked it, and like the guys at the company.

Aria, my first design project (sig model) ended because the US distribution fell apart, and they were having quality control issues. Ended it.
The Fender SRB is a great bass, and always will be. A unique instrument for Fender. Why I did not renew my contract is documented well here on TB.

Warwick.. is a great company, and a GREAT hang. I hope some of you get to the point in your career where you need to balance Business and Fun. Early on in my career, it was about Fun (heartfield/fender)... then it was all about business (aria) and I learned a lot about business. Then 15 years later I wanted good business and fun so I signed with Fender. ALL business, and no fun unfortunately. Only lasted 2 years.
If any of you have seen any of the Fuss on the Buss series, you will see how Warwick is FUN.
AT this point in my life, it is about the hang... just like it was in high school.

And, about Lee Sklar, who is ALL about the HANG> He ONLY plays what he likes.. and he is one of the most amazing guys to hang with. There is no thought of "supplementing income"... it needs no supplementing, trust me... ;-)

Oh... and Klaus, Im gonna be in Portland in a couple of weeks, with VW. Come on out! SB

[Roscoe East]

Originally Posted by NYCbassist

Ricky Phillips of Styx. He plays a different bass for almost every song.

Thread drift: I was watching VH1's Behind The Music about Styx yesterday (jeez what a dysfunctional band!), and then they followed it with a very recent Styx concert that included Phillips...and yeah, he sure does use a lot of instruments.

Has anyone seen any of these recent Styx shows? I was curious about "Come Sail Away" where both Phillips and Chuck Panozzo are playing bass concurrently. As far as I could tell they were simply doubling one another's lines for the entire tune.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by Roscoe East

Thread drift: I was watching VH1's Behind The Music about Styx yesterday (jeez what a dysfunctional band!), and then they followed it with a very recent Styx concert that included Phillips...and yeah, he sure does use a lot of instruments.

Has anyone seen any of these recent Styx shows? I was curious about "Come Sail Away" where both Phillips and Chuck Panozzo are playing bass concurrently. As far as I could tell they were simply doubling one another's lines for the entire tune.

Chuck is back? Interesting...

Not sure why some folks seem so invested in what others use, but I don't know of anyone who endorses gear they hate just for a payday.

[malthumb]

Originally Posted by fretlesssurfer

A couple of things.

Many of you are confusing endorsements with signature models. All Sig models are "endorsements", but not the other way around.

....

One instance where Sig models ARE NOT endorsements. Alembic does not do endorsements but have a bunch of signature models (Stanley Clarke, Mark King, Jimmy Johnson, Edwin Van Huik, John Paul Jones)

You are correct, though, that endorsement deals do not necessarily = signature models.

[Brad Johnson]

Originally Posted by malthumb

Quoted the OP because I don't think he was asking about actual instrument changes through a performance (where this thread is headed) but changes in brand preferences over time (what I responded to)

How many brands have produced Mark King Signature versions?

• Alembic (I have one)
• Jay Dee
• Fender
• Status
• Any others?

I think that qualifies him for the list.

Yeah, there are more.

[Brad Johnson]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Chuck is back? Interesting...

Not sure why some folks seem so invested in what others use, but I don't know of anyone who endorses gear they hate just for a payday.

I know guys who would like to play gear other than they endorse. And a couple that actually said they dislike what they're using.