I played the same bass since 1994 and only recently bought another one. But if it was destroyed that badly i would probably just replace it. that's all. Jeez.
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" Jaco's bass of doom"
- Thread starter descendent22
- Start date
I had a great oppurtunity to hang out with Felix the week before he delivered the bass back to Robert Trujillo at the winter NAMM show. Felix played a show with Jeff Coffin and absolutely killed it on his Fodera 6 string. He had used the "bass of doom " on a recent Yellowjackets recording. After the show when we were hanging out, he told me he had the "bass of doom" and was about to take it back to Mr Trujillo at the NAMM show. As much as I would have loved to have the oppurtunity to personally see this legendary bass, it wouldn't do me any good as I'm not one of those legends. At the end of the day, the player made the bass, not the bass making the player. Felix killed it that night on his Fodera. I'm sure he would have been just as good if he had an Elrick or a Stingray. He's pretty badass. I really appreciate that Mr Trujillo has provided the oppurtunity for the family to still have access to such a legendary bass to be available Jaco's family. I don't think he provides this because he loves the bass as much as I think he realizes the importance of Jaco in our lives as bass players.
PS. If you get a chance to see Felix play live, please do. He's a great player and really cool to hang out with
PS. If you get a chance to see Felix play live, please do. He's a great player and really cool to hang out with
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,636
- 222,260
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,636
- 222,260
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Sorry to pull that card but honestly to you, yah - a bass is just a bass, a thing with strings.., (and may you prosper in your development with any assortment of instruments) but that bass is special whether any outsider believes it is or not. It was a constant physical partner to JP when history was made by him. It's a simple fact and with his passing it has achieved a sort of reverence. So be it - this is the stuff icons are made of.
I don't think it has magical powers, but I think it's pretty darned cool.
I like history, and old stuff. I like being in a historical town and seeing a restored schoolhouse w/150 year old desks. I like civil war sites with weapons, journals, clothing, an eyeglass case, whatever.
I like looking at the craftsmanship of yesteryear. I like looking at someething worn to get some insight as to how it was used.
I just like that stuff. So be it Jacos bass, or just some local dudes old fender he has played for 40 years, I dig checking that stuff out.
I like history, and old stuff. I like being in a historical town and seeing a restored schoolhouse w/150 year old desks. I like civil war sites with weapons, journals, clothing, an eyeglass case, whatever.
I like looking at the craftsmanship of yesteryear. I like looking at someething worn to get some insight as to how it was used.
I just like that stuff. So be it Jacos bass, or just some local dudes old fender he has played for 40 years, I dig checking that stuff out.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,636
- 222,260
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Magical powers… I'd have to know you better to best reply to that. "on-line" it's hard to discern seriousness. Any time the term "mojo" is used it is usually (as I did) defined between "---" marks. It's because even those who are inclined to support such know the term is 1) overused, 2) used too mock, and 3) used inapproapriately. So having stated that - from what I've read by players who would know (Will Lee, Robert Trullio et al) this iconic bass that Jaco expressed himself to the world on - has mojo/magical powers/whatever you are open to believe-accept. If you don't accept that - it doesn't change anything. If you embrace it - it is a sacred (non-religious) object in the truest form. As Jaco would say - "write it down"
Really? So you could differentiate that bass from every other jazz bass?
I don't think anyone doubts that some instruments just work better than others, as a random collection of parts collectively becoming a guitar. When it comes to naysaying on the emotive topic of 'mojo', however, it's usually scepticism that it is to be found in every old Fender with an inflated price tag.
Do you think it helped that they were playing their most Jaco-esque chops on it?
What I mean is that I got a little thrill of excitement when I heard them play it, like there was something to the sound that made me think "wow that's really it!"
Yeah that might have helped because it gives you a familiar context to hear a familiar tone.
Something like a sense-memory induced flashback caused by it's unique sound, yes?
To give it a bit of context for everyone else, imagine you're standing next to Al Czervik's (Rodney Dangerfield) 1963 Rolls Royce used in "Caddyshack" put on display. All of a sudden, you get to hear that unique horn-blare, right there in front of you and "in the flesh". How many of us wouldn't, for a split-second, be transported back to 1980 (or whenever you first saw it)?
I can see where you're coming from, but if I may impose a little bit of perspective?
Think about what he did for the bass-playing, by elevating the instrument to "Lead Status" and showing future generations that they don't have to be lost in the shadows of their bandmates. Add to that the "Rock n' Rolla" story…his rise, fall and the tragedy that makes it all the more poignant, much like many other legends who also snuffed-it early on in life. Then there's the whole mystery surrounding the disappearance, and subsequent reemergence, of his rather-unique instrument.
Bear all this in mind, then imagine you and I are standing a few feet away from the Bass of Doom itself. I'd turn to you and utter a quote from one of my all-time favorite movies;
"…you and I are merely passing through history. This…this IS history!"
…and SCENE! CURTAINS!!
I agree. This is like viewing SRV's "Number One"; it's not so much a worship of the instument as it is an appreciation of it because of its role in the great music it played in the hands of a great musician.
No, I do not. See below.
Again, I agree. The "magic" or "mojo" assigned to something like this is solely open to interpretation by the one viewing or handling the instrument.
All of the above is just my humble opinion and worth exactly what you paid for it.
On this topic of "the one"...I'm sure that this particular Jazz just had that tone that no others had. A good example is a recent thread of one of our members A-B-C'ing three 70's Jazz basses...they all had their own unique sound characteristics (I personally liked the '75 over the others).
I have also experienced the same issue myself, so I get it...
I have also experienced the same issue myself, so I get it...
There is a youtube vid of Jaco throwing the BOD wayyyy up in the air on stage. You never see it hit the stage and explode but this is allegedly where it actually happened.
As far as the bass itself I believe there are basses that are better than others coming off the assembly line. Fender made them a bit different then and with the customization Jaco did to the neck (purposely) and the wear etc, I would bet that bass is special. Hard to say, even if you got to hold it because of the history behind it. If it was handed to me, I would certainly breathe a little harder so it would be at least partially mental.
Yesterday I just listened to Trio Of Doom album. If you get a chance listen to Continuum (studio) and Para Oriente (Live). Pay attention to the tone and playing of the bass. If you are a fan or not, I think you will be blown out by Jaco and that Bass Of Doom. "all in the hands"? Probably mostly.
Honestly I do not favor Jaco's tone but there are a few gems out there. It is what he has done for us bass players that makes him great IMO. It just was not happening for bass until Jaco showed the world what 'the guitarist with only 4 strings' could be capable of. I don't listen to Jaco that often but understand why he was an inovator and a one of a kind.
All of course, in my humble opinion.
As far as the bass itself I believe there are basses that are better than others coming off the assembly line. Fender made them a bit different then and with the customization Jaco did to the neck (purposely) and the wear etc, I would bet that bass is special. Hard to say, even if you got to hold it because of the history behind it. If it was handed to me, I would certainly breathe a little harder so it would be at least partially mental.
Yesterday I just listened to Trio Of Doom album. If you get a chance listen to Continuum (studio) and Para Oriente (Live). Pay attention to the tone and playing of the bass. If you are a fan or not, I think you will be blown out by Jaco and that Bass Of Doom. "all in the hands"? Probably mostly.
Honestly I do not favor Jaco's tone but there are a few gems out there. It is what he has done for us bass players that makes him great IMO. It just was not happening for bass until Jaco showed the world what 'the guitarist with only 4 strings' could be capable of. I don't listen to Jaco that often but understand why he was an inovator and a one of a kind.
All of course, in my humble opinion.
Last edited:
Chef
In Memoriam
"is it special or magic or whatever"
Well. Either you liked the dude, and his music, or not. I did.
Care. Don't care. Whatever. Your call.
I've heard Jaco "sound like himself" on other basses.
But, that's the one he was playing when I saw him. So. Kinda cool they put it back together.
Well. Either you liked the dude, and his music, or not. I did.
Care. Don't care. Whatever. Your call.
I've heard Jaco "sound like himself" on other basses.
But, that's the one he was playing when I saw him. So. Kinda cool they put it back together.
I experienced that bass first hand and even noodled on it pre-explosion - it wasn't significantly different than other Js of the period - in that video the notes do just jump off that bass - lots and lots of punch
but, I'm with Will Lee in the video when he repeatedly emphasized how many seriously strong hours were put in on it. JP practiced continually. I remember having lunch with him outside in FTL and the bass laid across his lap while he ate and then he went right back at it. We're talking 12 - 15 hrs of intense time every day before substances took over.
but, I'm with Will Lee in the video when he repeatedly emphasized how many seriously strong hours were put in on it. JP practiced continually. I remember having lunch with him outside in FTL and the bass laid across his lap while he ate and then he went right back at it. We're talking 12 - 15 hrs of intense time every day before substances took over.
