Nice Billy Sheehan Playing

[caligula]

Saw this a couple of months ago and was really surprised that B. Sheehan - being the fantastic rocker he is - manages to pull it off.
Don't want to sound snobbish, but I thought Sheehan wouldn't feel very comfortable playing straight ahead jazz standards like this one; especially since he often mentiones his lack of theory and chord knowledge. Learned something new.
Not sure about his tone here and the speeding up. Not really my cup of tea I guess.

 

[OldDirtyBassist]

I think he has the theory part down. He just can't sight read. I've never seen a rocker reading sheet music onstage anyhow.

 

[Doc Mojo]

I dont do anything like what he plays but I respect him. If I'm ever in a circle of bass players trading solos, I don't want him going before me. I guess I could just start tap dancing.

 

[dannoman]

I was there when it was filmed. He was playing thru a GK 1001 RBII and an ampeg 6x10. with his EBS Sig Pedal and a MXR Compressor. He met that guy 5 minutes before they played that. I have an alternate shot of that as well as my entire time spent there with him on video.

 

[Doc Mojo]

I was there when it was filmed. He was playing thru a GK 1001 RBII and an ampeg 6x10. with his EBS Sig Pedal and a MXR Compressor. He met that guy 5 minutes before they played that. I have an alternate shot of that as well as my entire time spent there with him on video.

Thats cool. Is that you playing the Yamaha? If so, how was the balance?

 

[stuntbass77]

Bass day jam with a few favorites including Mr. Sheehan.

That's a two part video and on the second video (down the line) jimmy Johnson also sounding so good on his alembic (he has the only alembic tone I like). Alex Al also tearing it up, he's the man. Great link for anyone who hasn't seen it (check out the second half video).

 

[dannoman]

Yeah, that's his Yamaha, i walked in and he handed it to me (hence the look on my face). With his strap, it doesn't dive at all. I have one and it is neck heavy, but depending on the strap you use, it balances pretty good. His sits where you set it.

 

[Doc Mojo]

Yeah, that's his Yamaha, i walked in and he handed it to me (hence the look on my face). With his strap, it doesn't dive at all. I have one and it is neck heavy, but depending on the strap you use, it balances pretty good. His sits where you set it.

I've been eyeing one of those for years. I had a 5 string Yamaha years ago and I swear it was a modeled on the Sheehan but its been so long I can't remember.

 

[OldDirtyBassist]

Yeah, that's his Yamaha, i walked in and he handed it to me (hence the look on my face). With his strap, it doesn't dive at all. I have one and it is neck heavy, but depending on the strap you use, it balances pretty good. His sits where you set it.

I played an Attitude II a few years ago for about a half hour. Best P bass I ever played.

 

[two fingers]

Check him out with Niacin!

This. This. And more this. Melodic JAMS!

 

[Doc Mojo]

I played an Attitude II a few years ago for about a half hour. Best P bass I ever played.

I want to try one out but I don't want to flat out buy one without first trying it. I'd like to try a Stu Hamm bass too.

 

[Haji]

If you haven't checked him out with Winery Dogs, you're missing out. Besides being great players (Mike Portnoy on drums and Ritchie Kotzen on guitar), they have great songs. there's shredding on their to be sure, but within the context of the song.

 

[PJ Muzikmansky]

Being a bit of a jazzer myself, I think Billy's treatment of this is VERY refreshing. Quite different from what one would normally expect to hear when a standard like 'favourite things' is played on electric bass, and therein lies the appeal. I have nothing but admiration for this guy.

 

[toddsterbassist]

Yeah, that's his Yamaha, i walked in and he handed it to me (hence the look on my face). With his strap, it doesn't dive at all. I have one and it is neck heavy, but depending on the strap you use, it balances pretty good. His sits where you set it.

How high was the action?

 

[DWBass]

Yeah, would love to hear him using a clean tone and maybe even a boutique bass or a nice Fender Jazz.

 

[Gluvhand]

Yeah, would love to hear him using a clean tone and maybe even a boutique bass or a nice Fender Jazz.

To hear Billy with a nicer, cleaner tone check him out on Tony MacAlpine's first cd Edge Of Insanity. He's partnered up with Steve Smith of Journey and they do a great job backing up MacAlpine. Sheehan grooves nicely, finds the pocket, and nails it.