Another Adam Clayton Bass?

[TrevorOfDoom]

I have played many signature basses in stores and that friends of mine own. I have never found a significant difference between them and non signature basses. I make a good living so it's not a question of being able to afford signature basses. I just have a problem with justifying spending several hundred dollars more just because there is a artist's name on the headstock. Especially since the difference in cost to produce the bass is negligible.

I agree, if the signature isn’t distinguishable enough from the stock line.
But i wouldn’t count any bass out until i’ve played it and judged it based on its own merits.
The Geddy Lee Jazz has a propriatery neck shape, as does the Roger Waters and Nate Mendel.
If these neck shapes speak to you, then they’re worth it.
If you can’t tell a difference, or the difference is negligable, then yeah it’s not worth it.
And again, i didn’t buy any of my signature basses because of the name.
I bought ‘em because of the bass itself, and i don’t feel like i paid any more than the bass was worth.

 

[Nev375]

Here's some examples of very different styles of U2 basslines throughout their career which don't suck. (IMO)

 

[pie_man_25]

I'm kinda there with you. Was a huge fan until Rattle and Hum. After all these years, I'm still a listener of everything up to that point, though. I paid for the Joshua Tree reunion tour, more for nostalgia than anything else, and don't regret it. But they really didn't sound that great.

To be honest, what live footage I've seen of them since the 90s, and the the show I went to last summer, both Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen, Jr. look like they are just calling it in. Given the amount of time these guys have played live together, with a huge chunk of that time spent being outrageously famous, I don't expect them to be overly excited every show. But sheesh, they look they could be playing in their sleep. I guess that doesn't say much about the complexity of their parts LOL. I can't really disagree with the argument that he hasn't really stretched himself. At the same time, he has made an insane amount of money doing it. Why change the formula? I've read interviews with the Malcom brothers where they are very clear about how hard they worked to keep AC/DC "the same". But I see far less vitriol for AC/DC here than I do for U2.

I don't get the hate. They aren't virtuosos. But their sound and groove together was unmistakable. I will still listen to Adam Clayton and enjoy his licks and vamps far more than any solo bass virtuoso. I may be in the minority here, but I think Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. are one of the greatest rhythm sections in mainstream rock history. I fully accept that it is a matter of opinion, and that I am not a critic. Simple, rock solid, and tight. Just right for their songs. Just enough unique fills to make things interesting, and nothing more. And that's what I like to play and listen to.

I do find it annoying that the richer and more famous you are, the more people want to gift things to you. Says a lot about the belief that people need to pull themselves up by the bootstraps to be successful. But that's a different topic for another day.

They're a good band for what they do. They're also one of the biggest bands going right now. If not the biggest. Look, if I were U2 famous, I'd have better things to do than think about making my bass playing the artsy-est it could be, and worry about what a bunch of turds think about me on the internet. I'd probably have a model wife with whom to hang out on a yacht or a benefit banquet for rich people to pat themselves on the back for some reason to attend. I'd probably complain about the hors d'oeuvres too.

Also, this bass was a gift from a watch company that liked how much money he gave them.

 

[40Hz]

Also, this bass was a gift from a watch company that liked how much money he gave them.

Yep. If you read the article the link pointed to you’d know that. But this is TB. Why let the actual facts get in the way of indulging in a good rant, right?

 

[pie_man_25]

Yep. If you read the article the link pointed to you’d know that. But this is TB. Why let the actual facts get in the way of indulging in a good rant, right?

U2s a band full of people that are hard to like, I agree with that. When I'm lucky enough to have a whole day off, I've just got better things to worry about. I'd rather spend an afternoon noodling around on whatever instrument is at hand while waiting on a load of laundry than worry about what some guy rich enough to be a human shaped pile of poopie is up to.

 

[40Hz]

U2s a band full of people that are hard to like, I agree with that. When I'm lucky enough to have a whole day off, I've just got better things to worry about. I'd rather spend an afternoon noodling around on whatever instrument is at hand while waiting on a load of laundry than worry about what some guy rich enough to be a human shaped pile of poopie is up to.

Not my cuppa tea either. I like maybe a single short section in one U2 song. But man! Whole lotta vitriol flying around here over nada.

 

[DevinWard369]

I still think I own the NICEST Adam Clayton. But that’s just my opinion!!

 

[-Asdfgh-]

He must have a really good agent to land all these endorsement deals, good for him.

Yeah, because he's so short of cash...

 

[-Asdfgh-]

I have never and will never buy a signature bass. People buy them thinking they are going to sound like the bass the artist uses. In reality, many artists make modification after they receive their basses from the manufacturer. For example, I remember reading an interview with Marcus Miller and he said that the first thing he did when he received his basses from Fender was to send them out and have the preamp changed. So people were buying the Marcus Miller signature bass and it wasn't even what he was using. This is typical of signature basses.
Most signature basses are just stock basses with an artist's name on the headstock. There may be some minor differences depending on the artist such as the bridge or pickups but the overall cost to produce them are relatively the same. Is it really more expensive for Fender to produce a stock MIA bass with an artist's name on it than it costs to produce one without the the artist's name? The answer is no. Yet people spend several hundred dollars more just because it has a name on it. I don't get it. In my opinion, it's just an excuse to artificially inflate the price of a stock bass.

If Clayton actually signed the bass himself I might pay a few hundred extra, assuming I could get it back on eBay.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

I'm guessing that he can get a sig from pretty much any company he wants. He and his band have more money than God (if God had money).

Bono thinks he is God, I thought. He just clicks his fingers and starving children die.

 

[I am Soma]

everyone has opinions. mine is that hes solid and serves the song which I dig. give me that over jaco every time. I am not trying to derail - just pointing out everyone has different tastes/preferences.

talkbass is fun.

 

[StevieM]

Reminds me of a female bassist named Rhonda something who was endorsing a different bass or string company every year, year after year.

Ronda Smith, ex-Prince bassist. It seemed like, for awhile, she was endorsing a different bass every month, or so, one being Lakland. And, she was a fox, too. Which, I'm sure helped. Lol.

 

[StevieM]

I really like how the knobs are recessed. I love it when a builder recesses the knobs, bridge, etc. on a build. It gives a bass a much smoother look, and feel.

 

[Mark_70]

Small world.. the pic in my avatar is from a Moser Monard I used to have.
I traded that for a used IWC Ingenieur + a bunch of cash. Bought an EBMM Sterling and still had some cash left.
One of the best deals I ever made. Using the EBMM and the IWC almost every day whereas the Moser Monard spent most of it's time in the safe at the bank..

Regards
Mark

 

[gjohnson441496]

talkbass is fun.

Yep!

 

[whatizitman]

Glad I'm not the only one that has never listened to Rattle and Hum all the way through (maybe I'll try again today). However, I do like some of the albums they made after that one. I have a bunch of their stuff, but I'm with you on Rattle and Hum.

I really, really like the song Heartland. Simple bassline and all. It's one of my top U2 favs. But that's it off that album. I don't think I ever saw the movie. As much as I appreciate B.B.King, I can't stand When Love Comes to Town.

 

[whatizitman]

The Rolling Stones would never degrade their rep by selling out.

Yes. But it's the choice of a new generation.

 

[bassstrangler]

From what little time I spent looking online, this is a watch that costs at least $10,000. For that kind of money I'd expect a free bass as well as something better than a rubber watch band.

 

[songwriter21]

Ronda Smith, ex-Prince bassist. It seemed like, for awhile, she was endorsing a different bass every month, or so, one being Lakland. And, she was a fox, too. Which, I'm sure helped. Lol.

Rhonda can also get whatever, I would think. If you were good enough to play for Prince, well....

 

[Fender_Bender]

I'm kinda there with you. Was a huge fan until Rattle and Hum. After all these years, I'm still a listener of everything up to that point, though. I paid for the Joshua Tree reunion tour, more for nostalgia than anything else, and don't regret it. But they really didn't sound that great.

To be honest, what live footage I've seen of them since the 90s, and the the show I went to last summer, both Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen, Jr. look like they are just calling it in. Given the amount of time these guys have played live together, with a huge chunk of that time spent being outrageously famous, I don't expect them to be overly excited every show. But sheesh, they look they could be playing in their sleep. I guess that doesn't say much about the complexity of their parts LOL. I can't really disagree with the argument that he hasn't really stretched himself. At the same time, he has made an insane amount of money doing it. Why change the formula? I've read interviews with the Malcom brothers where they are very clear about how hard they worked to keep AC/DC "the same". But I see far less vitriol for AC/DC here than I do for U2.

I don't get the hate. They aren't virtuosos. But their sound and groove together was unmistakable. I will still listen to Adam Clayton and enjoy his licks and vamps far more than any solo bass virtuoso. I may be in the minority here, but I think Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. are one of the greatest rhythm sections in mainstream rock history. I fully accept that it is a matter of opinion, and that I am not a critic. Simple, rock solid, and tight. Just right for their songs. Just enough unique fills to make things interesting, and nothing more. And that's what I like to play and listen to.

I do find it annoying that the richer and more famous you are, the more people want to gift things to you. Says a lot about the belief that people need to pull themselves up by the bootstraps to be successful. But that's a different topic for another day.

I don’t get the hate either. I have one of their older CD’s kicking around somewhere but they’re far from my favourite band. Sure Bono has become some sort of a d-bag and egos have gotten high, but I don’t begrudge them any of their success.
I wouldn’t mind one of the Clayton jazz basses but I’m not really a fan of Sherwood green. It’s cool to see the old lollipop tuners being made again though.