Want to see and hear Scott LaFaro's bass?

[Bassphil]

Hi everyone. It just occurred to me that everyone here in the forum may like the chance to hear Scott LaFaro's actual Prescott bass.

I was just granted to permission (and the honor) of taking Scott's bass out of the kolstein shop for a week to use for a CD I'm recording. It's a pretty overwhelming experience to say the least! I'm planning on documenting my experience with the legendary instrument to share with the world.

I just picked it up yesterday (Saturday Dec 4th, 2010) and used it at a rehearsal for the upcoming session. I made a quick little video of it with my iPhone when I got it home, which is up on YouTube now. My YouTube channel is here:

http://www.youtube.com/Bassphil

I woke up early today and logged about 4 hours on his bass so far. I just bought a new Zoom Q3HD camera for the occasion, which I've had set up all day, so the future videos will sound and look much better! I'm planning on videoing the entire 3 day recording session, plus interviews with Barrie Kolstein, Don Friedman, and Eliot Zigmund. I also grabbed a bit of the rehearsal with Don and Eliot yesterday with it.

Let me know if you guys have any questions or would like to see or hear anything specific! I'd love some feedback (no pun intended).

Oh, and by the way, the bass sounds and plays incredibly well. Words cannot describe how much I love this bass- pedigree aside. I feel like I can play anything on the bass. Barrie Kolstein did an amazing job of restoring this beautiful instrument.

Please tune in and check it out!!

[Jake deVilliers]

What a trip Phil! I'm looking forward to hearing you play it with the trio.

What kind of strings are on it?

[Mark Carlsen]

Way to go Phil... I look forward to following your journey w. this great axe.

[Bassphil]

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

What a trip Phil! I'm looking forward to hearing you play it with the trio.

What kind of strings are on it?

Thanks for subscribing guys! I just finished shooting some video here at the house where I just talk about the bass a little bit. I also play along with a few of Scott's solos. I'll try to find some time to post it in the next few days if I have the time. If not, then it will probably have to wait until the weekend.

As for the strings on the bass, they're Kolstein strings, though I forget exactly which model. They're a synthetic gut with steel wrapping, and I think Barrie mentioned that the core is multiple strands that are wound together instead of a one piece core. He said that it is the closest string to what Scott was using. The bass sounds absolutely great as it stands, so I didn't want to change anything.

[chop_1992]

Wow, Phil! That's beautiful. I'm really looking forward to hearing the record with Eliot & Don (please tell them I said 'hi'). The bass sounds great on the clip . . . have fun . . . I know you will!

[duckyincarnate]

That's fantastic. Thanks for posting this.

[Uncletoad]

Nice.

[Bassphil]

Originally Posted by chop_1992

Wow, Phil! That's beautiful. I'm really looking forward to hearing the record with Eliot & Don (please tell them I said 'hi'). The bass sounds great on the clip . . . have fun . . . I know you will!

Thanks John! Man, the next time you're in NYC, you should take a ride out to Kolstein's and check out the bass. It might be the best bass I've ever laid my hands on. Let me know ahead of time and I'll drive you out there!

I'll be sure to tell Don and Eliot that you said hi. I'm sorry I missed you in Berlin- I was supposed to be there all week, but I found a MAJOR flaw in my reservations the day before I was supposed to leave, and it was going to cost over $1K to fix it. Ahhhhh, air travel...

I'm off to the studio now. I'll post again soon!

[Tampabass]

What a great opportunity.
Great sound, nice playing. Keep us updated.
Thanks for sharing.

[Silevesq]

I'm not shure if I should envy or hate you for that! But I got to say that busetto shape is just wonderful!
Does it look like it has been destroyed and then fully restored or?

From the video it look really nice and from the picture on Kolstein to! Is it a 7/8 it look so big when you play it?

How does it sound with the bow?
I think I could keep asking you question forever about that bass I wish I'll get the chance of seeing it in real someday.

Thank you very much for that video!

[plangentmusic]

I actually played That bass. I was most certainly not worthy.

Not only is Scott a god, but I wasn't aware it was his bass. It was in a shop on Long Island (forgot the name) and it just had a vibe and I went to play it. The owner said it'd be "refinished."

OMFG, it was amazing. When he told me who the previous owner was, I apologized (to the bass) and put it back.

The instrument is magic. But that may be because the master had his hands on it for many, many hours.

[Bassphil]

Originally Posted by Silevesq

I'm not shure if I should envy or hate you for that! But I got to say that busetto shape is just wonderful!
Does it look like it has been destroyed and then fully restored or?

From the video it look really nice and from the picture on Kolstein to! Is it a 7/8 it look so big when you play it?

How does it sound with the bow?
I think I could keep asking you question forever about that bass I wish I'll get the chance of seeing it in real someday.

Thank you very much for that video!

Actually, it's a 3/4 size bass. Here's the link to Kolsteins page:

http://kolstein.cybrhost.com/mm5/mer...gory_Code=bass

You can see where Barrie had to replace some wood from the fire damage, but it's not obvious. Basically, it looks like a really old bass that's seen some action.

Yes, it bows well- amazingly well. Honestly, you can play anything on this instrument. You should hear how well the notes sound on the E string---- in thumb position

Today in the studio I was demonstrating to Don and Eliot how there are no bad notes on the bass. I played the octave F's up near thumb position on the A and G string, then played them a little higher up on the E and A strings. The high F on the E string actually sounds a little better than the F on the A string! Crazy.

I just got home from the studio, and I'm working on two little videos that I made yesterday in my basement. A friend of mine (a great pianist) Matthew Fries, popped in for a minute, so I made him play a few tunes with me. I should have at least one of them up my midnight on my YouTube page.

[Mark Carlsen]

Man. this must be an amazing week for you Phil... Scott's energy must be bubbling everywhere between the fact his bass is being played by a world class bassist, being recorded again and the intertwined history of Don and Elliot.
Thankyou so much for sharing all this with us. Have a ball the rest of the week

[Bassphil]

Originally Posted by Mark Carlsen

Man. this must be an amazing week for you Phil... Scott's energy must be bubbling everywhere between the fact his bass is being played by a world class bassist, being recorded again and the intertwined history of Don and Elliot.
Thankyou so much for sharing all this with us. Have a ball the rest of the week

Thanks Mark! Tomorrow's our final day in the studio, then I have to give the bass back on Thursday :-(

Wait until you hear how amazing this bass sounds! I recorded a bunch of little improvised solo bass pieces today so everyone can hear what the bass sounds like- no pesky rhythm section covering things up :-) I wanted to give the world a chance to just hear what this bass sounds like, in addition to all f my other goals with the project. It's been an amazing experience hearing what Scott heard when he was alone in the practice room.

I just uploaded another tune to YouTube. I recorded me and my good friend Matthew Fries with my new Zoom Q3HD in my basement. It's just a little blues, but you can hear a little more of the bass!

[Bassphil]

Hi everyone!

Before I left town for Christmas, I uploaded a new video to YouTube. I have a lot more footage, but I skipped ahead to the last thing I filmed in the studio since it was easy to edit and upload. It's a little summary of my thoughts after spending 5 or so days with Scott's bass.

Thanks again for checking it out!

[ugly_bassplayer]

Thank you for sharing your experience with this legendary bass.
Sounds awesome , great playing.

I would love to hear what it sounds like with gut strings like on the old recordings.

[Lesfunk]

Wow Very cool indeed.

[Treyzer]

Phil,

I've had your book for a number of years. It provides so many insights into Scott's playing. I just watched your videos and it is obvious how beautiful the bass sounds and how much fun you had playing it. Can't wait to hear your CD.

All The Best

Trey

[bass_snake]

Must be a great experience! I envy you.

Fred

[madmatt]

No...