michele stodart - the magic numbers

[funkytoe]

I just saw this band on Jools Holland's television show. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVL5TB4o4Kk

The bassist, michele stodart, has the most incredible tone and is extremely musical in her playing. I usually don't rave about other bassists, but her playing sent me on an internet search for more info.

She is listed as an endorser for Orange Amps and she does play some on You Tube. But on the Jools Holland program I saw, she was playing a jazz bass through a head that I did not recognize and a Gibson Gold Tone Cabinet. I WANT THAT RIG!!!

If anyone knows what head and cab combo she is using in this performance, please let me know. Best bass tone of the year IMO.

[robgo]

I know this answer is about a year and a half late but what the hell! The MNs are a great band and Michele does have an awesome tone. This thread: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showth...rt#post6522376 answers your question!

[funkytoe]

Thanks robgo -- but you just sent me to another one of my own posts. I eventually determined that the head was an old Simms Watts tube head -- as used by Mick Ronson. Sounds great for bass.

[robgo]

Ha! I didn't realise it was your post!!!!!!!! That's what you get for answering old threads!! She's a great bassist though, going to see them next month, I'll see if she's still using the same set up.

[funkytoe]

Originally Posted by robgo

Ha! I didn't realise it was your post!!!!!!!! That's what you get for answering old threads!! She's a great bassist though, going to see them next month, I'll see if she's still using the same set up.

Yes, please update and let us know. I saw her about 3 years ago and she had an Orange head and 2 1x15 cabs. Likely received an endorsement from Orange when their success started to happen. Sounded good -- but not GREAT like that Jools Holland show. I just really loved how that head/cab cut through with Jazz bass. Would love to see her pull out that Simms Watts again.

[John127]

So glad to see this old post bumped. I saw the Magic Numbers a few times live in NYC and Michelle blew me away. What a tone and sense of melody and rhythm! I was just mesmorized by her.

[davenport]

Michele uses a Japanese Jazz bass with a G printed on it from a previous band name "Guess". The bass belongs to the bass player from that Guess. Michele simply retained it when the previous player left the band prior to the formation of the magic numbers.

The Gibson Amp belonged to the magic numbers manager, a session guitarist called Paul Noble, (previously of the Warm Jets). The amp is designed for guitar featuring a 10 inch and 12 inch speaker. I believe it is called a "Gold Tone" These amplifiers suffer from power supply problems and often require a complete replacement transformer of an enlarged size.

see here: Gibson Goldtone Tube Guitar Amplifiers Hands-On Review at Musician's Friend | Musician's Friend

After some touring with the British band travis, The Magic Numbers employed some of travis' technicians and a michele pursued an endorsement deal with Orange as a result of Travis' Bass tech's relationship with the brand. I too believe her tone suffered after moving to Orange. As I understand it, the reliability of the orange amps made it tough for the band to use on tour and often the orange amp would be set up on stage, but with an ashdown amp setup behind it and plugged in.

Michele uses avalon DI's in the studio.

[funkytoe]

Here is another link for that Jools Holland show where Michelle plays through a Simms Watt head and a Gibson Goldtone cab. Still loving how that Jazz bass just cuts through. YouTube - The Magic Numbers 'Forever Lost & Love Me Like You' Later With Jools Holland