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Chris Stillwell....why is he so addictive?

The Lowe Down

The Lowe Down

Feb 28, 2010
88
13
Dallas, TX
#1
I know most of us bassists focus on the guys out front like Victor, Stanley, Marcus and Jaco - I do love to listen to them. I am horribly addicted to listening to Chris Stillwell the last year or two. He has to be one of those unsung heros of the bass. I can't quite place why he is so fun to listen to though. It seems very few folks know of him anecdotally.

I got turned on to him years ago listening to Robert Walter (the only thing I love more than the bass is the B3 and they are rarely heard together). He played with Robert on the old 20th Congress albums and I was totally sucked in. He is SOOOOO groovy and I love the "thumpiness" of his bass lines. He has a litte bit of Rocco Prestia in his playing, lots of percolating lines. None of his lines are wicked difficult to play, but the pocket he lays down and the solid groove is amazing to listen to for hours.

When I am uninspired, I would rather sit and listen to him groove out, than Victor tear it up. I know Chris is not probably as technically proficient as many of the bassists out there, but he is fun to follow. His sense of rhythm is so darn spot on.

Anyone out there know his setup? His sound is so unique. I think he plays a Mustang right? That probably accounts for the thumpy sounds, but I can't quite get his sounds and I love it behind the band.

For anyone who hasn't heard him, he played with Robert Walter in the Greyboy Allstars. They have some great tracks, but I love his live stuff with Robert Walter's 20th Congress before then. They have shows for download at Invalid Link Removed

If you have to listen to a couple, check out a couple of Eddie Harris's tunes (Funkaroma and Movin' on Out) on this show. (http://www.archive.org/details/rwtc2001-01-18.flac16) He tears it up on Chick-a-Boom on the same show. I especially love the broken string right in the middle of his solo on Funkaroma - and the 3 string bass plug after.
 
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#3
Find one of the Freshman 10 tracks. It has a really cool groove to it. I prefer the Winston's live show. There is also a couple shows with Wil Bernard on guitar - The High Sierra show is the bomb. Check out Dump Truck or the Motherbug Theme. Quantico,VA tracks are pretty cool too. The bass doesn't pop out, but it is really neat in the background. I wish he toured more lately. I would love to see him live.
 
#4
I'm also a fan of Chris Stillwell (via Robert Walter and Greyboy Allstars). So thanks for those Archive.org links, downloading right now. There are a couple of videos on Youtube too, I think they're relatively easy to find.

On a bit of a mission to figure out his gear right now. He's known for using a mustang bass (check pretty much any GBA photo) and the mustang page on wikipedia says its a '71 competition (have a feeling I've seen him with a white one too, FWIW). Until recently I thought that was it but there are recent pics of him with GBA using both a white precision and mustang. Also ... check the credits on Robert Walter's Spirit of '70 'Vox Bass Guitar/Aoustic Bass' . Lovely tone on that album, I'd love to know more about it.

Mustang and Ampeg rig here -- http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7498237&postcount=43 (He's either got more than one mustang or he's moved the thumbrest)

If you search this site -- http://is.gd/aPZz7 -- you'll find more info. Apparently he uses flats (to me it sounds like tapewounds sometimes) and I've seen references to him using various Fender heads, including a Bassman 100.

That's enough gear geekery. I'm off to listen to to some grooves.

Andy
 
#5
I just saw Chris Stillwell play with KD2U and I am a believer as well...

I would rather listen to Chris than hot dog bass players that play too many solos and fills... he just does his job, very well.

I would love to know what else he uses to get his sound?
 
#6
Chris is on facebook and is a very approachable person. I posted this link and I imagine he will read it when he is home. Not sure if they are touring right now. You guys should just ask him. Kinda neat to see folks admiring my little brother.
edit: He is a member on these forums too, just found his username accidentally. Try and find him I say.
 
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#8
Thanks for starting a post about me. The last 2 entries are my sister & an old friend so I guess they count too! I am touring more than ever due to joining back with KDTU, and Greyboy does the usual month per year stuff. As for my gear, I've always used Fender basses mostly. A few cheapo ones along the way - Eko - Vox - Hagstrom etc. Ampeg rigs have always been in the mix, but my current one is a Fender bassman 135 w/ a Fender 2-15 cab from 1978. I've switched from the '71 Mustang to a '71 White P-bass. It is my dream rig as of late. The two are just made for each other. I've got 2 exact rigs. One goes on the road while the other one waits in the wings. Older tube amps are fragile things. I always use old flats. Studio I use flats & tapewounds. I'm a vintage snob when it comes to gear and players too. I like pretty much your Jamerson-Jemmott-Kaye-Rainey-Weeks school of players but like some newer guys as well Palladino-Reed Mathis-Neal Evans's left hand.
 
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#11
Thanks for the information, it is awesome that so many great players frequent the forums. Sitting in the car listening to you and Wil Bernard as I write this. (parked of course). Chris Stillwell and a cup of Caribou coffee is the recipe for a good day.

Based on your post, I would assume your earlier "tubbier" sound was with the old Mustang then? The flats on both those basses thump, but do you notice much difference between your two Fenders? Your older sound just has a different roundness than newer stuff I have heard.

Sorry if this makes no sense, it may be like asking a pro golfer why his putting is a little different after 5 years on the tour.

Keep up the great groovin', I am a huge fan.
 
#13
The Lowe Down said:
If you have to listen to a couple, check out a couple of Eddie Harris's tunes (Funkaroma and Movin' on Out) on this show. (http://www.archive.org/details/rwtc2001-01-18.flac16) He tears it up on Chick-a-Boom on the same show. I especially love the broken string right in the middle of his solo on Funkaroma - and the 3 string bass plug after.
Click to expand...

Orange Peel from this show is JB Groove School. Thanks, great playing!
 
#16
The Lowe Down said:
Thanks for the information, it is awesome that so many great players frequent the forums. Sitting in the car listening to you and Wil Bernard as I write this. (parked of course). Chris Stillwell and a cup of Caribou coffee is the recipe for a good day.

Based on your post, I would assume your earlier "tubbier" sound was with the old Mustang then? The flats on both those basses thump, but do you notice much difference between your two Fenders? Your older sound just has a different roundness than newer stuff I have heard.

Sorry if this makes no sense, it may be like asking a pro golfer why his putting is a little different after 5 years on the tour.

Keep up the great groovin', I am a huge fan.
Click to expand...

It's a legit question. I was going thru a Ampeg 8x10 with a fender bassman top back then. It wasn't the most optimal setup ohm wise. To me, the mustang is just a smaller version of a P-bass as far as tone goes. My '71 P-bass may have more woody mids to it, that coupled with the fact that I'm using a 2-15 Fender bottom w/ JBL's. I'd also like to think that my technique & articulation is better after 8 years too. Also, what your hearing is sometimes the result of what the front of house (soundman) thinks what my bass should sound like. Sometimes you get guys that are more used to brighter more contemporary basses with new roundwound strings and it stumps them.
 
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