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Flea followed through.

A

ausf

Jun 24, 2008
579
6
New York
#1
At least in the footage I saw of the NYC shows of Atoms For Peace.

He played a P (unusual) and yes, true to his word, a Flea Bass. No Modulus, no EBMM to be seen.

I guess a pass is in order for the P when needing that tone, but he stood by promise when active.

I know there was a Jazz in the mix before they went official, but now that it's a tour, I haven't seen it yet.

I'd love to know if it's truly un-modded.
 
#6
It goes without saying, his basses are probably setup hourly if necessary. And sure I bet his tech goes through 20, to find one he'll want to play, but I bet that happens with any bass at that level.

You think Ernie Ball or Modulus aren't hand picking what they send him?
 
#7
Well, the way he plays his basses so aggressively, I wouldn't be surprised if his bass is setup constantly. It'd be the same as any of his other basses I'm sure. The only people who know for sure are Flea and his bass tech. I too wonder if he keeps the Fleabass stock. I have kept mine stock since I bought it back in November...but lately I've been itching to mod it like hell (New pickup, new bridge, a preamp, and possibly a Status graphite neck).

Which makes me wonder, would he stick to using basses with wooden necks after playing a Modulus for the bigger part of the last 13 years?
 
#9
I know he says he wants to play completely stock models but I wouldn't be surprised if they kept a special stock just for him.

Massive +1 to A-Step's suggestion of him picking up a random one at GC before each gig.
 
#10
Ummm.... I was at the Chicago show of this and already posted a thread.

Flea played what appeared to be either a vintage or Road Worn sunburst P-bass the whole time, except for on Harrowdown Hill and one other song where he played the Flea Bass and Atoms for Peace where he played a violin bass.

The Flea Bass's tone was awful. It was sooooooooooo bad...
 
#16
I do this with my Lakland 5501 - and it hasn't come off in 3 or more years of use... I didn't want to drill into the bass just to change the look (natural maple non deluxe), I like the look with the Jeanies white pearl...

I'm kinda surprised more companies don't use this approach to pick guard fastening...

Then again, after this many years, I don't know what the tape may have done to the finish...:rollno:
 
#19
CapnSev said:
People use double sided tape to attach finger ramps to their boutique basses all the time. I don't see what the big deal is.
Click to expand...

That's what I don't see either. Personally, I see the Fleabass as a very nice instrument. I really do wonder if Flea is gonna continue to use a Fleabass stock for whenever the next time the RHCP go on tour...That's what I'm really looking forward to.
 

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