Big name players who stick with one brand?

[kokorollc]

Just curious. As most of us here are kind of gear geeks and take great pleasure in reading/researching and even trying out as many basses as possible I was thinking about some of the pros we love who can sometimes afford or are offered almost anything but still have stuck with their "signature" tone despite all of these temptations that constantly have us buying and selling. Victor and Fodera, Marcus, Duck Dunn, Patitucci, Haslip. There are some players that you just associate with a certain brand. Not to say they never stray but they are very consistent. Then there's the other side where a player has made a pretty significant shift one or more times throughout their career. Think Entwistle, Flea, Pino, Lee Sklar and Geddy Lee for sure. I don't think either way is "better" , it is just interesting to see how some of their music evolved with different instruments. Kindof justifies some of our constant swapping and searching for that elusive "holy grail" tone. For the record I don't think it exists. The Mormons got it right. More basses=better

[xUptheIronsx]

The first person I think of is Steve Harris of Iron Maiden...

I can't remember ever seeing him use something other than Fenders...P-basses to be exact.

[kokorollc]

Yeah. I dig the "if it ain't broke" logic. Still, love Geddy with the Ric, the Wal and the Jazz.

[Snarf]

Originally Posted by kokorollc

Just curious. As most of us here are kind of gear geeks and take great pleasure in reading/researching and even trying out as many basses as possible I was thinking about some of the pros we love who can sometimes afford or are offered almost anything but still have stuck with their "signature" tone despite all of these temptations that constantly have us buying and selling. Victor and Fodera, Marcus, Duck Dunn, Patitucci, Haslip. There are some players that you just associate with a certain brand. Not to say they never stray but they are very consistent. Then there's the other side where a player has made a pretty significant shift one or more times throughout their career. Think Entwistle, Flea, Pino, Lee Sklar and Geddy Lee for sure. I don't think either way is "better" , it is just interesting to see how some of their music evolved with different instruments. Kindof justifies some of our constant swapping and searching for that elusive "holy grail" tone. For the record I don't think it exists. The Mormons got it right. More basses=better

Victor plays lots of different basses, though is most often photographed with Foderas. JP still also plays Sadowsky afaik, and used to play Ken Smith a lot. Haslip, before Roscoe, was into Yamaha BBs, then was a big time Tobias guy.

[kokorollc]

Haslip onTobias is still one of my favorite fretless tones ever. That was a big shock when he moved on but there were some pretty substantial changes at Tobias and he changed to 6 string fretted. Lotta people left the crazy neckthrough thing in the 80s for lightweight. Then again Foderas seem to be everywhere these days.

[pgolliher]

There are a bunch of Fender guys (like Steve Harris- one of my favs) that come to mind, but there are others that pop in my mind that I have only seen play one brand(I am sure I could be wrong about these though...)
Stanley Clark - Alembic
Gary Willis- Ibanez
Norwood Fisher, P-Nut, TM Stevens, Dirk Lance- Warwick

[Munjibunga]

Nathan East and Yamaha.

Steve Bailey and Aria ... no, Fender ... no, Warwick ...

[kokorollc]

Agreed. Lot of the Warwick guys have been pretty solid through the years. That is definitely a very distinct sound that is not easily replicated. I think some guys have a pretty solid endorsement deal and good working relationship with their companies too. Why wouldn't Yamaha build exactly what Nathan East wants. The guy's had some fairly decent exposure through the years with...... well.....everyone.

[synaesthesia]

To take it further: one long career, one electric bass and the same set of strings since. Herbie Flowers and his Fender J Prototype with a weird Jazzmaster type switch, circa '59 to present.

[kokorollc]

Yeah. Those guys are a rare breed. Think how long Duck Dunn or Jamerson had a set of strings on.

[inate_hex]

Originally Posted by xUptheIronsx

The first person I think of is Steve Harris of Iron Maiden...

I can't remember ever seeing him use something other than Fenders...P-basses to be exact.

ive seen him use an ibanez roadster

[awesomesawyer]

jaco and fender!

[lposavad]

Duck Dunn - Fender

Alain Caron - F Bass

Jack Bruce - Warwick (mostly)

[SBsoundguy]

Originally Posted by xUptheIronsx

The first person I think of is Steve Harris of Iron Maiden...

I can't remember ever seeing him use something other than Fenders...P-basses to be exact.

Hey plays an odd P-bass/Tbird in the Aces High video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONO4mFb-Q_4

[Chrishi87]

Fieldy (Korn) - Ibanez
Ryan Martinie (Mudvayne)- Warwick
Tobin Esperance (Papa Roach)- Lakland
Oliver Riedel (Rammstein) - Sandberg
Jon Gallant (Billy Talent) - MusicMan
Drew Roulette (Dredg) - MusicMan
Stefan Olsdal (Placebo) - Gibson
Duff (Velvet Revolver / G´n´R) - Fender

[inate_hex]

Originally Posted by Chrishi87

Fieldy (Korn) - Ibanez
Ryan Martinie (Mudvayne)- Warwick
Tobin Esperance (Papa Roach)- Lakland
Oliver Riedel (Rammstein) - Sandberg
Jon Gallant (Billy Talent) - MusicMan
Drew Roulette (Dredg) - MusicMan
Stefan Olsdal (Placebo) - Gibson
Duff (Velvet Revolver / G´n´R) - Fender

duff has also used a gibson les paul bass

[Rip Topaz]

Nikki Sixx- Gibson Thunderbirds (except in studio)

[SBsoundguy]

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

Nikki Sixx- Gibson Thunderbirds (except in studio)

Can't say I blame him.

[Rip Topaz]

Originally Posted by SBsoundguy

Can't say I blame him.

Totally. But in his defense, he records with a '59 P.

[totallywink]

Billy Sheehan with Yamaha (after he retired the 'wife').