2010 Crossroads- Oteil and Weeks strings!

[Bibby]

I just watched this entire concert on Netflix - wow!!!

My favorite bass tones - by far - were Oteil Burbridge with Tedeschi/Trucks and Willie Weeks with Clapton. Their playing and tone absolutely sang and sat in the mix so nicely!!

One thing they had in common - they were both P basses. Oteil's was a Road Worn and I think Willies was an actual vintage, both maple boards. Willie had an Aguilar rig, not sure about Oteil.

Does anyone know what strings these guys use? If I had to guess I would say flats, but I'm just not sure. I just know the tone was perfect and I need details! I know the eagle eyes on this board know the scoop....

 

[Blues Bass Man]

Flats for sure.
I seem to remember reading Willie Weeks uses La Bella
Burbridge has his Road Worn is strung up with Flats....Not sure what brand though.

 

[ShoeManiac]

I was at this gig. Pretty sure that Oteil was playing through an SWR rig.

Don't forget about Pino, either. I sat out for the John Mayer set, but Pino was rocking a P-Bass for that set, too. He was using an SVT, IIRC.

 

[JTE]

Otiel at least used to use D'Addario strings. In one BP interview he talked about how he used to buy D'Addarios even though other companies were giving him strings for free, so a friend helped him set up the endorsement.

Last time I read Willie talking about his strings, he said he was using flats. That was for the John Scofield tribute to Ray Charles and he said the music just sort of called for flats. Don't know about what he's using with the Clapton gig, and I wouldn't just assume they're the same.

John

 

[MF_Maher]

Oteil often plays through Epifani amps and cabs, but I haven't seen this Crossroads yet.

I'm not sure if his P-basses are road-worns; he got into buying older Fenders a few years ago...including his gorgeous '64 Jazz (the year of his birth)--that I wish he'd play more often on the few ABB gigs they do anymore. A Jazz cuts through more than the P-bass in that setting, in my opinion.

It was more than a little intimidating playing with him in the room at a party in NYC a few years ago, but he's such a good guy and I got over it pretty quickly. I love him on any model bass and through any amp!

 

[Blues Bass Man]

JTE, I know Burbridge was using D'Addario XL Nickel Wounds,but I didn't want to assume he was using D'Addario Flats just because of that.
On Weeks...I'm a HUGE Willie Weeks fan, and been front row for a number of the shows he's done with Clapton, and there is no doubt in my mind he was using Flats at those shows.

 

[ronlitz]

I just got the Blu-ray the other day. At one point, the camera zooms in on Willie's bass. I tried to get a good shot of it, but the quality isn't great. The image is clearer to the eye on my TV, and it looks to me like Willie is playing rounds.

 

[Type-55]

Agree with OP.
Excellent bass tone from both.
I would love to know what strings WW uses with Clapton.

 

[AdamK]

So I see Oteil Burbridge's string choice was being discussed here. I'm very curious what he is using specifically on his green Modulus Q6 as seen/heard here:

 

[JFMusic]

So I see Oteil Burbridge's string choice was being discussed here. I'm very curious what he is using specifically on his green Modulus Q6 as seen/heard here:

Adam, it may be worth reaching out to Oteil directly via social media to ask him. I had some specific EQ questions about how he sets his Q6 for Dead and Company, and he got right back to me. One of the most talented and humble players out there...

 

[AdamK]

Adam, it may be worth reaching out to Oteil directly via social media to ask him. I had some specific EQ questions about how he sets his Q6 for Dead and Company, and he got right back to me. One of the most talented and humble players out there...

Sooo it just so happens that a good bass player friend of mine has arranged for me to meet Oteil after his show this Sunday, so I will definitely be asking about the strings. Also, definitely agree on the most talented and humble player out there. #1 in my opinion. His playing with Dead & Company may be my favorite from all he has done.

 

[JFMusic]

Sooo it just so happens that a good bass player friend of mine has arranged for me to meet Oteil after his show this Sunday, so I will definitely be asking about the strings. Also, definitely agree on the most talented and humble player out there. #1 in my opinion. His playing with Dead & Company may be my favorite from all he has done.

Agreed! And that's awesome you'll get the opportunity to ask him directly - if you can, post any new info you learn in this thread... now I'm curious to hear what he has to say.

 

[AdamK]

OK so I found out what strings Oteil uses on his Modulus. Exactly what I thought. D'Addario medium gauge nickel, round wound.

 

[freshbass]

I just watched this entire concert on Netflix - wow!!!

My favorite bass tones - by far - were Oteil Burbridge with Tedeschi/Trucks and Willie Weeks with Clapton. Their playing and tone absolutely sang and sat in the mix so nicely!!

One thing they had in common - they were both P basses. Oteil's was a Road Worn and I think Willies was an actual vintage, both maple boards. Willie had an Aguilar rig, not sure about Oteil.

Does anyone know what strings these guys use? If I had to guess I would say flats, but I'm just not sure. I just know the tone was perfect and I need details! I know the eagle eyes on this board know the scoop....

AFAIK willie weeks uses labella flats on his precision basses 760FM 49-109 set

 

[Lobster11]

AFAIK willie weeks uses labella flats on his precision basses 760FM 49-109 set

I had the opportunity to meet Willie Weeks (who's currently touring with Boz Scaggs) last night. We only got to chat briefly, but when I mentioned that I was a bass player he asked me, "You have a P-bass, right?" When I told him I did he added that "you don't need anything but a good P on stage." I followed up with "with flats, right?" He laughed and sheepishly said no, he was actually using rounds, but it was okay because they were "really dead." It was hilarious.