Will Lee..Spyro Gyra..Circa 1980

sk8terguy316 · #1 10-12-2006, 09:14 PM

I have been listening to several Spyro Gyra tunes off of Carnaval and I know Will Lee plays on that and was wondering if anyone knows what kind of bass Will was using during that time period. Particularly on that album or with Spyro Gyra tunes in general, but other information on the basses he used would be helpfull to. Thank you. I know know he uses Sad's but I dont know if he was using the likes of his old Fender Jazz or the Red Fretless Precision (sometimes I dont think this doesn't sound fretless) or something else Thank you again

JimK · #2 10-13-2006, 01:14 PM

Given that time frame(late '70s), I would guess it's his sunburst Fender Jazz with possibly a maple Valley Arts(?) replacement neck + possibly some early Sadowsky pre-amp action?

An very early issue of Bass Player has him on the cover holding that bass.

Lee also shows up a lot on SG's Morning Dance, Catching The Sun, & Free Time.

NJL · #3 10-13-2006, 01:21 PM

I have Carnaval on Vinyl!

Los Hemanos Brecker are on that one, too...

soniq · #4 10-13-2006, 01:26 PM

Saw them in '78 with all the original members and they were absolutely awesome. The percussionist was nuts!

NJL · #5 10-13-2006, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soniq

The percussionist was nuts!

If it was who I think it was, HE invented ADD.

jerry · #6 10-13-2006, 02:59 PM

Even though they were still touring with their bass player Jim Kurzdorfer, Will Lee started recording with them on their second album. Most of the time when I saw Will Lee back in those days he used his P-bass. I had the pleasure of sitting next to Will at our table for a great Spyro Gyra show at the Bottom Line......good times, good times.

Alvaro Martín Gómez A. · #7 10-16-2006, 09:18 PM

I also have "Carnaval", which I really like, and WL's tone sounds like a P-bass to me. "Dizzy" is my favorite track from the album (nice short bass solos there) along with "Cafe Amore".

Larry99 · #8 10-17-2006, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJL

I have Carnaval on Vinyl!

I have all that old Spyro on Vinyl !! ...always loved the slap bass on Freetime. is that Will on that track?

JimK · #9 10-17-2006, 12:01 PM

Yes...I also liked Lee's doublestop thingees during the solo section of "Freetime".

I haven't played Carnaval in a long while...20+ years? Seems like a re-visit is in order.

jerry · #10 10-17-2006, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimK

Yes...I also liked Lee's doublestop thingees during the solo section of "Freetime".

I haven't played Carnaval in a long while...20+ years? Seems like a re-visit is in order.

I recently did just that, I went back and listened to Freetime and a few other old Spyro albums including Tom Schuman's solo album 'Extremities', Basically for Will.

sk8terguy316 · #11 10-25-2006, 04:45 PM

Tjose of you that aren't sure if you have listened to Carnaval or Freetime does it sound Precision or Jazzish to youor maybve something different. I'm not entirely sure. so I asked for advice thank you

sk8terguy316 · #12 10-26-2006, 04:25 PM

No one nows what bass he plays on Carnaval or any other Spyro Gyra or atleast what tit sounds like

JimK · #13 10-27-2006, 05:32 PM

I always assumed it was a Jazz.
I thought he had "Frankenstein'd" his P-bass by then.

sk8terguy316 · #14 10-27-2006, 09:05 PM

So you believe it was a jazz? If so rosewood or maple 60's or 70's

JimK · #15 10-28-2006, 02:35 PM

I'm not that anal about gear.

How about sending an e-mail to Uncle Will?
OK, I posted a message at Lee's website.
Maybe we'll hear something...

jerry · #16 10-28-2006, 04:31 PM

If I remember right, Freetime sounds like his P-bass.