Bernard Edwards - The Bassist for Chic

[Delberthot]

I heard that Bernard left his famous Stingray to John Taylor.

Also interesting about him also keeping the same strings on it all of the time. I had heard that he used flats but I suppose old, dead strings are going to sound a bit like flats.

 

[Rano Bass]

I heard that Bernard left his famous Stingray to John Taylor.

I read about that too, John was a big fan of Bernard and got to know him when he produced the Power Station album.

 

[markjazzbassist]

anyone know what kinda amp rig Bernard used?

 

[Blazer]

I read about that too, John was a big fan of Bernard and got to know him when he produced the Power Station album.

John Taylor and Nile Rodgers with Bernard's Stingray in 2002 while recording Duran Duran's comeback album "Astronaut".

Taylor playing the Stingray

 

[Delberthot]

That looks like Trace Amps - possibly AH600SMX.

I would take a guess that the visible cab is a Trace 1048H but could be something like an SWR.

I cannot seem to find anything listed about what Gear Bernard was using other than the basses.

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[JAUQO III-X]

Bernard mostly used Ampeg amps and cabs throughout his career.

 

[markjazzbassist]

Bernard mostly used Ampeg amps and cabs throughout his career.

thanks Jauqo. do you know which models specifically?

 

[JAUQO III-X]

thanks Jauqo. do you know which models specifically?

You're welcome and no I don't remember the exact model amp or cabs.

 

[T-MOST]

Bernard had one of the funkiest finger funk styles of all time... no question about it. It amazes me that he isn't a household name to most bassists. Try playing the bass line to Dance, Dance, Dance (without a pick like B did it) and feel the burn!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Bernard had one of the funkiest finger funk styles of all time... no question about it. It amazes me that he isn't a household name to most bassists. Try playing the bass line to Dance, Dance, Dance (without a pick like B did it) and feel the burn!

I play it with two fingers, and I still cramp half the time I do it.

 

[Bass Boy]

Jerry Barnes. Omar Hakim on drums.

Man I saw the tail end of Chic Live at Montreux 2004 last night on TV. Damn Jerry and Omar are tight!

 

[sanchorb]

John Taylor and Nile Rodgers with Bernard's Stingray in 2002 while recording Duran Duran's comeback album "Astronaut".

Taylor playing the Stingray

I seem to remember that the Stingray had a black pickguard, in fact I have a picture of Bernard with it...

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Wonder if somebody changed it, but nevertheless I would love to have that bass, Taylor was a lucky dude, he was inspired By Bernard to play the bass, and at the end he worked with his idol. Great story.

 

[mrufino1]

Bernard had one of the funkiest finger funk styles of all time... no question about it. It amazes me that he isn't a household name to most bassists. Try playing the bass line to Dance, Dance, Dance (without a pick like B did it) and feel the burn!

Nile Rodgers has said that Bernard didn't play with a pick, he played with his fingers but as if he was playing with a pick, and that it was REALLY hard on his fingers; they would often bleed during shows.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Bernard had more than one Stingray.

 

[mrufino1]

Nile Rodgers has said that Bernard didn't play with a pick, he played with his fingers but as if he was playing with a pick, and that it was REALLY hard on his fingers; they would often bleed during shows.

Never mind, I see now that was posted at least twice in this thread! To make up for my lack of paying attention:

 

[Blazer]

Bernard had more than one Stingray.

Yup, the one on this picture might well be the one he gave to John Taylor.

Other basses he was known for playing were BC Rich Eagle basses.

Edwards with a walnut BC Rich Eagle. He also owned a Maple Eagle with twin pickups.

 

[barbarbass]

Uh, Louis Johnson would like a word with you.

Beat me to it.

 

[Rano Bass]

Yup, the one on this picture might well be the one he gave to John Taylor.

Other basses he was known for playing were BC Rich Eagle basses.

He also played Spectors at some point IIRC.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

He also played Spectors at some point IIRC.

He had a Sadowsky too.

 

[mikeswals]

If you dig around youtube enough, you can find the short video of John introducing the StingRay. Even though he's been using the Peavey's exclusively in concert, he says he warms up with a jam before every show using the StingRay.

I even have a DD concert saved on my DVR from around '02 and he's mostly playing the Ray on there, and occasionally the old Aria.