NBD-Brian Wilson devalues basses

[bholder]

It seems some posters here think Mr Wilson's assistance may sign fir him and include the Parkinson's related squiggles.

Just let that sit for a moment: Parkinson's related instability included.

Yeah, sounds beyond the scope of reality and all that is good in the world, doesn't it?

As one of you mentioned, like Beach Boys or not, Brian was a genius up there with Les Paul, Martin and The Beatles, etc. Pet sounds should be given a listen to by every musician at least once.

Find out the charity and then contact mr Wilson's handlers for verification. If it's good, and provable, sell it to someone that values it for $300 and get one that doesn't have a sig.

...and like many geniuses, he was always a little "off" in some categories (being good buds with Charles Manson, for example)... My vote - if it's not provable / documented, probably little or no monetary value now, wipe it off... ...then again, running by eBay to see if anyone values it for the sig seems reasonable too.

 

[wagdog]

I would keep it as is. You got a good bass at a great price with a cool story. It's part of the mojo.

 

[96tbird]

...and like many geniuses, he was always a little "off" in some categories (being good buds with Charles Manson, for example)... My vote - if it's not provable / documented, probably little or no monetary value now, wipe it off... ...then again, running by eBay to see if anyone values it for the sig seems reasonable too.

Now now, Charlie was a master of insinuating himself into the in crowd. Dennis Wilson's house was invaded by Charlie et al and he let them stay. That didn't last that long but they did do some recording at Brian's. Dennis just vacated his own home and let Charlie stay to avoid conflict. Brian's involvement was at recording sessions.

I'm pretty sure that People picked up on Charlie quickly and the strong minded said whoa. The impressionable weak said yes master.

The only thing I have to add is that auto correct changed assistant to assistance in my post.

/derail.

 

[Smoove-Groove]

I can't comment on leaving or removing the autograph. I've always found the whole autograph thing weird. If someone I admire played or recorded with an instrument, then I'm all in. If someone was handed an instrument briefly so they could write their name on it to prove the instrument was once in their presence? Don't get it at all.

That said, I recently watched a documentary about the evolution of music recording in the studio, and Wilson featured prominently. He created or refined a lot of techniques in the recording of Pet Sounds that would later become standard practise, the most obvious one being looping. That record also broke ground for rock music, and pushed the limits of how seriously it was perceived. Fascinating stuff, and a fascinating guy.

Whats the name of the documentary if you don't mind me asking? I'm really into the recording stuff, especially the older tape based stuff. And yes, pet sounds is a genius album. It inspired SGT. Pepper.
I'd keep the autograph and do a little research to see if it is legit.

 

[jamro217]

Why not claim it was Jaco's, too, that way if the signature turns out to be bogus, you've got a backup plan.

 

[SteveV74]

Lol, true story, Im reading this lying in bed, just like Brian Wilson did.

 

[Joedog]

Great score either way!

 

[M.R. Ogle]

I agree with previous posts.
1) Try to authenticate the signature
2) If it is authentic, sell the bass to someone who is a BB/BW fan for a bit more than what YOU got it for.

Understand that Brian IS a musical legend, and if that sig is real, it's going to be worth more than the bass's value to SOMEBODY, someday. Maybe a LOT more.

 

[warrplayer]

Here is a little video some friends of Brian put together recently. (That's Brian with the tiger)

 

[godofthunder59]

Me I'd leave it. But................. naptha will take that right off! It should not harm the finish. As always test in a inconspicuous spot like under the pg.

 

[GrafZeppelin]

The signature looks totally legit to me, Brians autographs vary quite a bit depending on the occasion, or rather how stressful the occasion is, but they're always more or less squiggly (therefore the 8x10 is most definitely fake). Here's how he signed my Good Vibrations box when I met him some years back while he was in a very good and relaxed mood.

And no, I couldn't muster a single word. I can count the times I've been starstruck on one finger and this was the one time.

 

[Matthew_84]

I've never listened to much of the Beach Boys, but I've always loved this song - this version especially:

 

[Doc Mojo]

I've signed lots of names on retirement cards at work just to see people react when they find out that Cher, The Pope, George Bush, Adam West, Tim Burton, Alice Cooper, Brian Wilson, etc...............had signed their retirement cards. "I didn't know George Clooney worked here!"

 

[ZenG]

Having assistants sign documents on behalf of the person, using a faked signature is absolutely not new at all and has been done right up to the presidency over many many years and decades back.

In the case of Brian Wilson, I read on an artifact site that at one time he had an assistant named Jeff who would sign Brian's name on guitars and basses that might be left around unsecured on tour at venues......not sure what the motive was other than to fool thieves into thinking that they'd stole the real deal....

Unless there's accurate provenance and authenticity there's no way of knowing..

And I have seen cases on documentaries where even the certificate of authenticity was faked.

 

[s2bs2]

The chip is only paint loss no wood so I am just going to seal it with some touch up paint...

that chip is sweet freakin' mojo! certainly more than the sig

 

[Millsbass5ive]

Here's one that matches the signature on the bass..........

http://www.smileysmile.net/uncanny/media/users/djm/brian_wilson_1st_signed_1.jpg

I think I'd maybe try to somehow preserve it. Because, man, he really is one hell of a songwriter, and his compositions are absolutely amazing. I think today's music would be different had that dude never came along.

 

[electracoyote]

Well, the following comment is wholly dependent upon that signature being verified as legitimately Brian Wilson:

If that were true, I would go to Rondo Music and buy one of those $79.00 display cases, get an old vinyl Beach Boys hit single and paint the vinyl gold, get a nice picture of Brian Wilson, perhaps a printed bio of his and The Beach Boys legacy, put it all nicely and neatly in the case, and flip it for a tidy profit on the investment.

Here's an example [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Barring that, I would break out the Meguire's No. 7 and start rubbing.

 

[moody]

Unfortunately I haven't listened to much early / live beach boys with a critical ear.

Does Brian have a decent reputation as a singing bass player? All I ever see is genius song writer. (I know any later bass stuff isn't him).

It seems a signed bass has a little more relevance for the fact that he is a bass player.

 

[ptensioned]

Whats the name of the documentary if you don't mind me asking? I'm really into the recording stuff, especially the older tape based stuff.

It's called The Sound of Song, on the BBC. Here's the website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04yk00k

Looks like you're in Canada (as am I), so watching it could get complicated. I won't suggest illegal or quasi-legal methods to find it, such as Torrents, YouTube or a DNS service that spoofs your region, allowing you to watch the fantastic BBC iPlayer. Instead, you should wait for BBC Canada to fit it in between reruns of Top Gear, Holmes on Homes and Midsomer Murders. Ahem.

If you like documentaries about studio stuff, make sure you find the Classic Albums series. They're absolutely fantastic, even if you don't like the record in question. Comparing Motorhead's approach to Steely Dan is pretty illuminating. Totally different ways to make a record, but neither more successful than the other...

 

[A-Step-Towards]

If its legit I wouldn't remove the sig I would just cover it. I imagine if the sig is in good shape it wouldn't matter if I used the bass and put some wear to it, if anything that may make it look cooler if it was displayed in the future.

Link

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231462120801?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

This was on the auction page

Q: hello, If its real I would be willing to put in a high bid but there is more fakes of brian wilson then anybody due to him being easy to fake, can you give info about the charity and approximate date so I can look into it, thanks, Daniel.

A: It is real. This was won at the charity auction for the Joe Carter Golf Tourney that was held on June 26th, 2014. Here are some of the pics from the silent auction and the awards ceremony... Invalid Link Removed