Fred Smith from Television

[ForestThump]

Hello everyone,
Just wondering if anyone knows about the basses and amps he used on Television's albums as well as his current live set-up.
I think that he is a very cool understated yet groove-oriented player.
Any other views, opinions, info?

 

[page]

I dont know anything about his gear, but his playing on Marquee Moon is nothing short of genius! I love that album.

 

[iamthebassman]

I dont know anything about his gear, but his playing on Marquee Moon is nothing short of genius! I love that album.

+1

 

[ForestThump]

His style is so stripped down that I can't tell where the influences come from.
Any ideas?

 

[page]

Im gonna go out on a limb and say jazz or old soul influenced him a lot. Those heavy grooves ............

 

[ForestThump]

Im gonna go out on a limb and say jazz or old soul influenced him a lot. Those heavy grooves ............

I don't really hear a jazz thing - no walking bass lines etc.
Old soul is so vast! I listen to Booker T and the MG's which I love.
Anything else that I should listen to that is stripped down minimalist yet groove oriented.
I really don't care for reggae at all.

 

[page]

I don't really hear a jazz thing - no walking bass lines etc.
Old soul is so vast! I listen to Booker T and the MG's which I love.
Anything else that I should listen to that is stripped down minimalist yet groove oriented.
I really don't care for reggae at all.

Check out Paul Chambers from early Miles Davis albums...........he is simple yet genius and grooves well.

 

[ForestThump]

Anyone out there know what type of gear he used on the Television albums or what his current rig consists of?

 

[RD]

I believe Fred "sonic" Smith of the MC5, Television and husband of Patti Smith has passed.
RD

 

[P. Aaron]

I believe Fred "sonic" Smith of the MC5, Television and husband of Patti Smith has passed.
RD

Sonic's Rendezvous Band...they were the greatest. The first live act I ever saw. They were so loud, you could lean on it.

http://www.oceanstar.com/patti/bio/fred.htm
http://www.sonicsrendezvous.com/Sonic/remembering.html

 

[David Wilson]

I believe Fred "sonic" Smith of the MC5, Television and husband of Patti Smith has passed.
RD

Different Fred Smith.

Fred is very much alive, last I heard. I know Billy Ficca, drummer with TV, and jam with him and a mutual guitarist friend once in a while.

 

[ForestThump]

Fred Smith from Television and Fred "Sonic" Smith from the MC5 and sadly departed husband of Patti Smith are TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

 

[RD]

I stand corrected.
My first search of Fred "sonic" Smith came up with Television, the MC5 and the Sonic Rendevous Band, and the Patti Smith connection.
Fred "sonic" Smith played a Mosrite guitar, not a Bass. Is there a connection with Johnny Ramone?
Fred Smith of Television is indeed with the living.
Sorry for any confusion.
RD

 

[The Mock Turtle Regulator]

it says here Fred Smith used an Ampeg SSB short-scale;
http://www.vintageguitar.com/brands/details.asp?ID=53


"The headstock on these small basses, favored by Television bassist Fred Smith"


a page on the Ampeg SSB-
http://www.xstrange.com/ssb1.html

 

[The Mock Turtle Regulator]

found this pic on a television tribute site from 2004-
http://www.marquee.demon.co.uk

what bass is that? looks like a Harmony?

through an aluminium-coned Hartke cab....interesting...

 

[ForestThump]

Looks like some kind of Kay that I've never seen before.
Thanks for the info.

 

[JPBass]

Marquee Moon...one of the greatest albums ever.

Hard to believe its almost 30 years ago.

I'm glad he is still going strong.

 

[page]

found this pic on a television tribute site from 2004-
http://www.marquee.demon.co.uk

what bass is that? looks like a Harmony?

through an aluminium-coned Hartke cab....interesting...

That would be a TrueTone I believe.

 

[Scott Thomas]

There was a time when I learned just about every bass part off of Marquee Moon. It's been a long time, but seeing this thread made me put it on the stereo again. OMG, all of you who have it, go to track two and que it up to 2:00 minutes into the song, just where the guitar solo starts. Just one of so many brilliant moments on the bass. The whole album is a gold mine of ideas!

 

[ForestThump]

I agree, Marquee Moon is full of great ideas. Do you think he was using flatwounds?
I love the sound he is getting.