If we're going to take our fashion cues from this video, then we all need suits and skinny ties, too.
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Identify This Bass, Please
- Thread starter selowitch
- Start date
If we're going to take our fashion cues from this video, then we all need suits and skinny ties, too.
I remember when I was a teenager in the mid 70s thinking everything by Teisco and that ilk was complete junk. Glad to be wrong, took years to get over that preconception (which was accurate enough for the guitars and basses I remember from that time). Who knew Teisco had a "high end" line? 
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,610
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Some of these '60s ss basses are better/worse than others. If you find one with a good neck (not bowed, ramped or twisted) they can be adjusted to be very playable and they have a unique character. It wouldn't be my #1 bass, but I have played mine live and it sounds really good through a nice rig.
I made this 34" scale Teiscobird from a '60s Del Rey body and Epi Goth T-bird neck. This is one of my #1 basses to play live and record with.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,610
- 222,091
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
I remember when I was a teenager in the mid 70s thinking everything by Teisco and that ilk was complete junk. Glad to be wrong, took years to get over that preconception (which was accurate enough for the guitars and basses I remember from that time). Who knew Teisco had a "high end" line?
They were the guitars/basses on the wall that I could afford then. My 1st bass ($40 new-no case) was a solid body "Stadium" also badged St George and some St Georges were badged Teisco. It just depended on who was distributing them from Japan. (St George, a music store was out of NYC)
Oh yeah....lots of Nashville ( and Bakersfield) country stars started out on bass with older stars...
Mearle Haggard with Ferlin Husky and Buck Owens
Willy Nelson with Ray Price
Johnny Paycheck with George Jones
Mel Tillis with Ernest Tubb
It seemed to be a rite of passage in country circles!
Mearle Haggard with Ferlin Husky and Buck Owens
Willy Nelson with Ray Price
Johnny Paycheck with George Jones
Mel Tillis with Ernest Tubb
It seemed to be a rite of passage in country circles!
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,610
- 222,091
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,610
- 222,091
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Interesting thread. When I played in a trad/retro country band that did a mix of originals and covers pre-1969, I wanted to work some of my other basses into the mix besides the usual suspects (Fender standard and 50's style P). Band leader was against it until I showed him that video. He was a JP fan, and from then on I could play whatever I wanted. Ended up even using T-Birds and Ric 4003's once in awhile. True country fans get it; that was a period where country was crossing over and a big part of it was aesthetics, like matching rhinestone suits, which we also wore.
You had to enter the club through the dumpster area, but looking good was required.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,610
- 222,091
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,610
- 222,091
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
I played my '64 T-bird II (my only bass then) in a Mississippi Delta blues band in Chicago in the late '70s-early '80s. No one ever mentioned it other than saying they enjoyed the show.
I visited the bar we played at regularly about 9 years ago and the bass player was rocking a 5 string MTD.
You might be surprised how many struggling country artists played bass as a sideman to a star at some point in their career. Easy way to pay the bills! Add Willie Nelson (with Ray Price) and Waylon Jennings (with Buddy Holly) to the list.
We thought this was a cool look back in the early 70's. And yes that was my '65 Jazz Bass and my Standel amp is peeking out from behind the guitarist. And no the guitarist is not Rob Reiner. His name was Steve Bivins. Our shirts were quite colorful. I think I'm wearing my purple one there. It's definitely not my red lace shirt...
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,610
- 222,091
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
I also noticed the "twitching" to physically punctuate throughout. This was not by accident - such inflections were studied and rehearsed for maximum visual/audible cohesion - aka "show biz"!
