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Adam Clayton Jazz

#41
Deleted member 269102 said:
Yeah, I know this is talkbass, but I couldn't agree more. In particular, what Fender is asking for the Gilmour black strat seems to border on the obscene. For that price, I'd better be able to hop right in and drive it to a gig.
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AND it's not based on any real guitar - it's essentially how he had the guitar in the mid 80s, but not quite, cause its got the neck he has on it now.
When I get a Gilmour Signature it'll be the classic series 70s in black - just as he played it on Live at Pompei. It costs a lot less and no one will even know I'm playing a "signature guitar".
Yeah, I was aware I was heavy on guitars, but that's because, of course, that most guys known for playing Fender Basses pay them nearly stock and those who modded them significantly usually ended up with something like Billy Sheehan's "wife".
 
#44
Dragan said:
why - forums are places where lots of envy keyboard typers bashing other succesfull people!
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OK, preparing to get heat for this, but...

When I first picked up my bass back at the end of the 80s, Adam Clayton gave me a great gift: hope that I could actually become a bass player.

I know people bash those simplistic early U2 bass lines, but damn, they were so easy to learn and it was a great feeling to actually be able to play something recognizable right out of the gate.

So while he's no [insert your favorite stunt bassist here], I will probably always have a soft spot for Adam because of that.
 
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#45
Deleted member 269102 said:
OK, preparing to get heat for this, but...

When I first picked up my bass back at the end of the 80s, Adam Clayton gave me a great gift: hope that I could actually become a bass player.

I know people bash those simplistic early U2 bass lines, but damn, they were so easy to learn and it was a great feeling to actually be able to play something recognizable right out of the gate.

So while he's no [insert your favorite stunt bassist here], I will probably always have a soft spot for Adam because of that.
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Yeah, it's a dirty little secret that he's one of my favourite bass players - he's groovy and has a generally great sound. As far a simple - yeah but in the GOOD way, as in "deceptively simple" many of his lines are the kind of thing you can learn as a beginner, but few of them are stock lines, they compliment the music and add both rhythm and melodic interest to what would have been an otherwise sparse sound. Plus his old beat up P look almost identical to my (though I have a WHOLE pickguard).
 
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#48
hsech said:
I got an iPod a couple of years ago from my sons for Christmas. That is the only thing Apple I've ever owned or care to own.
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I've owned a few, but I haven't bought any in years. The ease of use and aesthetics of their products are appealing, but I greatly dislike Apple.
 
#49
nzscott said:
...when people judge musicians by their style or technique ...at least Adam Clayton is out there doing it ,not sitting around picking holes in other successful musicians . sometimes its about the notes you don't play ,not the notes you do play , less is more!
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+1 Amen brother. I'd give my left testicle to have half of Adam's career.
 
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#50
Stripes said:
Because where most of these guys actually contributed something to bass playing and inspired people to play I don't really think that anyone can say the same about him. But that's all IMO ofcourse.
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I will politely disagree with you. I think there were a lot of kids in the 80's, who are now my age, who picked up instruments when U2 became popular. (Not trolling or trying to derail the thread here.)

As far as the bass itself, it looks and probably sounds great. I like the matching head stock. I guess my only argument is... what makes this different from other Jazz basses?

I'll audition one if the opportunity presents itself.
 
#57
I have little to say about Adam Clayton, other than he earns his money and good on him for a long and successful career. This instrument, OTOH, is overpriced for what it is and certainly doesn't have the cachet of the GL Jazz or Harris Pre, to name two instruments wielded by name players for years that then later became FMIC artist models. That said, as a cash-in, the AC Jazz ranks significantly lower than the Dusty Hill Pre when it comes to endorsement avarice. YMMV.
 
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#59
darkblack99 said:
I have little to say about Adam Clayton, other than he earns his money and good on him for a long and successful career. This instrument, OTOH, is overpriced for what it is and certainly doesn't have the cachet of the GL Jazz or Harris Pre, to name two instruments wielded by name players for years that then later became FMIC artist models. That said, as a cash-in, the AC Jazz ranks significantly lower than the Dusty Hill Pre when it comes to endorsement avarice. YMMV.
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Except, Adam is one of the richest musicians in the world and Dusty is not. I mean I don't think Dusty is going hungry, but the money Adam is getting for this isn't even going to be noticable when thrown on the enourmous pile he receives every week in royalties.
 
#60
I think those who bash Adam's work have only heard some of the radio hits. Yes, "With Or Without You" is about as simple as you can get. 4 notes repeated throughout an entire song. Though in its defense, that song is all about mood and build-up and not virtuoso playing. But, while he's nowhere on my list of Favorite Bassists, he and U2 in general also inspired me early on to want to pick up an instrument and play (and Edge, while no Steve Howe, has a very distinctive style, not something that can be said of many guitarists).

Adam Clayton is somewhat underappreciated because there actually IS some very interesting and capable playing by him on many of U2's albums. Listen to the bass line in 1984's "Bad" (from Unforgettable Fire) - it's not simple at all, and he gets such great tone and sustain. Or listen to "I Threw A Brick Through A Window" (from 1981's October) or "Acrobat" (from 1991's Achtung Baby). His playing on "Seconds" and "New Year's Day" (from 1983's War), as simple as it is, really makes those songs. Or just watch the Live In Red Rocks video from the War tour. His playing is very melodic and driving.

U2 get a bad rap in general and while I'm not a huge fan anymore and stopped listening to anything after 1993's Zooropa, I still think they're one of the greatest bands of all time. They only need the first 5 albums in their catalog to be eligible for me, but the next few after that were also pretty damned good.

As for this bass? Meh. It's pretty. But like others have said, pricey and nothing special. I don't look at it and go, "Oh, Adam Clayton!".
 
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