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05-13-2006, 07:47 PM
| | | | Why call it an axe?
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It seems just about every where I go at least one person refers to there instrument as an ax does any one know how this started? |
05-13-2006, 07:50 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: 97465 | | | ... 'cuz it's best used in the woodshed.
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05-13-2006, 07:57 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Buffalo, NY | | | Maybe it has something to do with "chops".
Joe
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05-13-2006, 07:59 PM
|  | prefers electric miles davis | | Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA | | | cause paul bunyan was the first one to play the bass, and he accidently called his bass his "axe" one time (because he had that huge axe) and it just stuck ever since then. |
05-13-2006, 08:23 PM
|  | Registered User | | | | | Because
Last edited by Steve : 02-06-2007 at 03:08 PM.
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05-13-2006, 08:39 PM
|  | Four on the floor | | Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 大和/Alyeska | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by markjazzbassist cause paul bunyan was the first one to play the bass, and he accidently called his bass his "axe" one time (because he had that huge axe) and it just stuck ever since then. | Hey I can verify that because I think I've even got the original Bass Player issue with that interview.  |
05-13-2006, 09:05 PM
| | | What interesting responses.  |
05-13-2006, 10:45 PM
| | Registered User
Independent Manufacturers Representative | | Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Frisco, Texas | | It's got to be because of the shape...I mean, who hasn't thought about holding their axe by the "handle" and chopping some wood with it??
I did a little research online, and apparently it was first called an axe by jazz musicians in the 50's.
Maybe it has to do with the fact that, like an axe, a guitar (or bass) is a tool that needs a strong person behind it to give it it's power.
I'm just guessing though. Good question! I had never considered the origin, although I always snickered when Gene Simmons played his AXE bass...that was too cool! Here's a link to Gene's Axe: http://www.guitarden.com/simmons/AXE.gif |
05-13-2006, 11:39 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sioux City, Iowa | | | One time I saw I guy get hit in the head by a guitar. He jumped up on stage trying to start something with the band and the guitar player raised up his mighty axe and came chopping down onto this idiots head. The bass player was ready to let one fly on his buddy. And he played a heavy 70's axe.
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05-13-2006, 11:42 PM
| | | | I get people calling guitars and basses "axes," but I draw the line at people calling keyboards "axes." I see that all the time, and I'm just ...wut? |
05-14-2006, 07:09 AM
| | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by FriscoBassAce It's got to be because of the shape...I mean, who hasn't thought about holding their axe by the "handle" and chopping some wood with it??
I did a little research online, and apparently it was first called an axe by jazz musicians in the 50's. | That makes sens...I'm pretty sure horn guys were also calling their respective instruments an 'axe'.
Woodshed, chops, tool, etc all work for me.
About the EB's shape...when my parents bought my 1st bass, the salesdude told them(in front of me)-
It can always be used as an oar in the event he loses interest.
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05-14-2006, 08:23 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: www.cookeharvey.com | | | I am going to guess it was pre-50's like Woody Herman's Woodchoppers Ball which was a shredding tune. |
05-14-2006, 09:01 AM
|  | Looking like a born-again. Living like a heretic. Moderator | | Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: California | | Why call it an axe?
Because of this guy! 
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05-14-2006, 09:23 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Kingston, NY/Middletown, CT | | | It is true that it was Paul Bunyan. He and George Washington once had a bass battle, George with his hatchet and Paul with his axe.
Needless to say, Paul won displaying a superb variety of techniques. |
05-14-2006, 10:38 AM
| | prefers electric miles davis | | Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by werbo1 It is true that it was Paul Bunyan. He and George Washington once had a bass battle, George with his hatchet and Paul with his axe.
Needless to say, Paul won displaying a superb variety of techniques. | +1, hahaha | | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
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