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Does anyone own a famous Bass?

#141
My band did two shows with "The Spiral Starecase" (I Love You More Today Than Yesterday) back in the 70s when I was in college. They were still a pretty hot act at the time, but apparently didn't own any equipment of their own.
They borrowed our whole setup for their shows, from mics to guitars and amps. The only thing they had that was their own was the saxophone player's horn.
So that was a case of a famous band using a non-famous band's gear.
The bass player did two shows with my Fender Jazz and Kustom 400 amp. I have since sold them, but I know where they are.
The band "Steam" (Na-Na-Hey-Hey Goodbye) did a show on campus on the day I had to go for a selective service physical. The were trying to scrounge equipment for their show. Somebody put them on to my band, but the manager wouldnt release my amp to them without my clearance. So it just missed being played by another major act.
Does that make me almost famous? :hyper:
 
#142
When I bought my Mesa rig used back in 91, I was told by them that it belonged to Chocolate Perry, who played and toured with Joe Walsh, and used it from 88-91 with Joe. This guy also played with Bee Gees, and CS&N.
I was 18 at that time and never heard of the guy.

7 or 8 years ago, my band was given a well worn 63 Fender Concert Amp by a local pro player from way back in the day. His guitar riff played through this amp was sampled for the Young MC hit song "Bust A Move". Killer amp, it mostly sits at the practice studio though. I'll use it for some recording and acoustic set stuff.
 
#147
I own a Les Paul deluxe 5 once owned by John Taylor of Duran Duran. That's not why I bought it, although I thought that was cool. I was in Phoenix and stopped by the Guitar Center on Peoria (around 40th). I was there on business and just stopped by cuz they occasionally had some interesting used basses. I saw this beautiful LP high on the wall and asked to look at/play it since I had never seen one and it was the same color as my then guitar players axe. It had some major mojo and sounded and felt great. It was up there sitting next to a blue sparkle LP 4 (at least I think it was a 4 since this as 3-5 years ago). The salesman said it belonged to John Tayor, who's equipment guy lived in Phoenix and came in and traded them for some other gear. The blue sparkle was immediately bought by a store employee but the LP5 was still for sale. Again, I thought is was a great sounding bass, but a little heavy for my then troublesome shoulder (around 10-10.5 lbs). I mentioned it to a co-worker who wanted to see it, so we went back that evening. Long story short, I bought it.

I later went on John Taylor's web site and saw a picture of both basses there. I've recently been planning to sell it (I want another Roscoe) but can no longer find the web site, so I really don't know how to prove it was his, which may not be that big a deal since I don't know that really adds any value since it will probably sell on it's own merits.

I once owned a Benevente PJ5 owned by the bass player for Bon Jovi, but it was heavy (and even worse sounded vanilla) so I got rid of it. I also have a cheap bass and guitar signed by Paul McCartney which may be worth something someday if the economy ever recovers (also guitars signed by the Eagles, Stones, Pink Floyd, Led Zepplin, and AC/DC).
 
#149
well, I own a 1979 MusicMan Sabre, which appears on the first google page after typing 'Musicman Sabre'
Does that count :D ?

Oh and a Modulus Quantum 5 signed by Victor Wooten..
No?
Okay, I'm out :D :hiding:

Seriously, I think it's a bit lame paying a fortune on a 'famous' bass, which happens to be just like the others. But if we got the money, why not.. :rollno:
 
#152
jazzbo58 said:
I own one of John Paul Jones' Manson 8 string basses. He used it to tour with Diamanda Galas in 1994.

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I like the shirt better :hyper:
 
#153
I purchased a Sadowsky MS5 from Owen Biddle in 2005 before he was with the Roots. I saw it on eBay, won the auction and agreed to meet him in a parking lot in Maryland to do the sale. Nice guy. He didn't really want to part with the bass but apparently needed money at the time. Cheers, Owen if you're out there.

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#154
I have a friend who used to do a lot of traveling as an organist in various bands in the 60s and 70s. He has a Baldwin/Burns bass that was given to him by Willie Nelson.
 
#156
libanass said:
Seriously, I think it's a bit lame paying a fortune on a 'famous' bass, which happens to be just like the others. But if we got the money, why not.. :rollno:
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Why is it lame? It's a helluva lot less lame than say forking out ridiculous cash for a signed sports card, or foot/basket/baseball or jersey, etc.. Basses/amps you can actually still use and have tons of mojo built in are >>> than a "Signature" instrument that's 2-5x more expensive just because it has their stamped signature under the logo or on the headstock.
I only got mine b/c it happens to be the style of bass I play anyway. If it were just some random Fender or Ibanez from his collection that was never played and just given through some promo or whatnot, then what's the point.
 
#159
WoodyJ said:
Not exactly famous, but this '57 Precision belonged to Paul Goddard of the Atlanta Rhythm Section. In addition to using it to record the first 3 ARS albums before switching to a Ric, Paul also used it for studio and stage work with Roy Orbison's Candymen, Joe South and the Classics IV. I've been fortunate to own it for nearly 30 years.

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famous enough for me...I just came into an ARS double live album and although it was the Rick I really love this guy's playing and tone.
 

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