From a 1993 issue of Bass Player.
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Berry Oakley's rig?
- Thread starter Stubb
- Start date
I saw the A-Bros twice, both times around 1971 with Duane. The first time Duane had long hair, the second time he had short hair. Both times every member of the band except for the drummers played through a Marshall stack (amp with two 4x12 cabs). Four Marshall stacks and two drum sets.
I can't be specific, but I've seen many pics of Berry using using other stuff, maybe Sunn with a Fender cab (D-140F speakers) here and there. Four Marshall stacks looked nice, but better bass sound could be found elsewhere.
Dropped by this great thread to see what would be offered researching the purchase of the new Origin Effects BASSRIG '64 Black Panel Preamp based on the Blackface Showman with 2 x 15" cab sim.
I'll bet this would be what Berry Oakley would be playing these days!
I'll bet this would be what Berry Oakley would be playing these days!
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For some really sweet Berry Oakley, check this out if you can find it
Macon City Auditorium 2/11/72 – Allman Brothers Band
The 5-man band period. Duane has passed and Berry steps up his playing to fill the void. This stuff is spiritual.
Macon City Auditorium 2/11/72 – Allman Brothers Band
The 5-man band period. Duane has passed and Berry steps up his playing to fill the void. This stuff is spiritual.
It was for SURE the 400 PS. I saw them on tour after Duane died. Berry O was def playing through one of these monsters. I was a high schooler playing bass then, and coveted the 400 PS. Never got one. But my solution was to buy an old Showman head, and play it through a cabinet with 2 x 15s (the Kustom black naugahyde, lol). The Showman turned out to be an awesome bass amp. I like high range for bass, and it delivered all the high end I need...plus some good rumble.
The Most Powerful Tube Amp of All Time: Behind the Fender 400 PS
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Yeah I'd love the chance to play through a 400PS. If I recall (and I read that posted article a while back) the 400 PS have three 4 ohm taps which each limit power output to 125 watts or so per tap. (Could have been 8ohms each can't remember). And the amp was required to sit on a stand so the vibrations from the cabs didn't damage it. The only thing I wouldn't want to do is MOVE any or all of that rig. Load in and load out would be daunting.
So strange to read posts I did 17 years ago and 9 years ago in this thread. Still just as big of an ABB fan.
Pic from reverb:
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I have 2, one was purchased just for its GE 6550A tubes. Haven't played mine since the band collapsed when the world ended, no room now. I wouldn't want to move it alone. After much experimentation I found 3 portable cabs that worked with it, still a lot of work to set up.
Love it! Are you strong enough to move that head? Because I'm not. I suppose that's sad but I'm far closer to 60 than I am to 50.Pic from reverb:
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I have 2, one was purchased just for its GE 6550A tubes. Haven't played mine since the band collapsed when the world ended, no room now. I wouldn't want to move it alone. After much experimentation I found 3 portable cabs that worked with it, still a lot of work to set up.
edwinhurwitz
Supporting Member
I've never heard one with 3 of the matching cabs, or even 1.
I made sure the drummer, younger than the rest of the band by 20 years, would be on hand and willing to help move it beforehand.
With my 3 cabs, the "bass instrument" channel sounds to my ears like a typical 70's or older bass tone, thin and nasally to thick and boomy depending on the twiddling of a few knobs. The "normal" channel (bass is abnormal?) is more flexible, with more knobs to twiddle. I get a surprisingly clear, full range sound out of it.
Sadly Mr. Oakley is one of many on the list of artists I was never able to hear live in person.
I made sure the drummer, younger than the rest of the band by 20 years, would be on hand and willing to help move it beforehand.
With my 3 cabs, the "bass instrument" channel sounds to my ears like a typical 70's or older bass tone, thin and nasally to thick and boomy depending on the twiddling of a few knobs. The "normal" channel (bass is abnormal?) is more flexible, with more knobs to twiddle. I get a surprisingly clear, full range sound out of it.
Sadly Mr. Oakley is one of many on the list of artists I was never able to hear live in person.
One wild thing about this website is that you can make a thread, get a reply early in its existence, and then not look into it for 17 years, and finally do and find out who Jack Pearson is. Listened to him play and give a great hourlong interview today. He's an absolutely stunning player and the interview was inspiring well beyond the confines of music.
Agreed. I did see The Brothers live in Old Orchard Beach ME with a young Warren Haynes ripping it up on guitar and at one point Dickie threw an out of tune les Paul at his tech. Can't remember who was playing bass at that show I can kinda triangulate the era by how long my hair was at the time and the ex had gotten me very fat. Maybe 1990, 91...
edwinhurwitz
Supporting Member
Speaking of techs and artists, I love the fact that Bob Weir wrote the foreword to Big Steve Parrish's autobiography and the story he brings up is not of Steve's undying loyalty and competence, but the time he got on stage and found that his G and D strings were crossed in the middle of the fingerboard thanks to Big Steve! I guess that's one benefit of restringing your own instruments.
