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Double Bass Ray Brown's bass

#41
I've just started looking at TalkBass over the last few days, but reading this thread prompted me to register and post...

I was living in LA about 5 years ago and stopped in for something at an instrument shop in Hollywood (the traumatic incident relayed here caused me to suppress my memory of the shop's name, but I'm sure anyone in LA would know it). They asked me if I wanted to try out one of the basses, and pulled it off of one end of a rack of several basses. They also pointed out Ray Brown's bass, which was at the other end of the rack--and they even said what it was, although I don't remember now, just that it was an old Italian. After playing the bass I set it back on the rack, making sure it was stable (or so I thought), since there was no notch on the rack to hold the neck. I turned around for a few seconds, and when I turned back I witnessed a slow-motion train wreck as the bass I just put back fell forward into the one in front of it, which did the same to the next one, which slammed into Ray's bass. None of the other basses were damaged, but Ray's had a fairly deep scratch in the back. I was about to have a stroke, of course, and the visibly upset shop owners or workers rushed over to inspect the damage. After inspecting it they told me that I ridiculously lucky--Ray had brought the bass in to have it refinished, and they hadn't done it yet. Sensing I had worn out my welcome, I made a quick exit and never went back.

Ahhh, my soul feels lighter already...

-Jeff Lehmberg
 
#43
jlehmberg said:
I've just started looking at TalkBass over the last few days, but reading this thread prompted me to register and post...

I was living in LA about 5 years ago and stopped in for something at an instrument shop in Hollywood (the traumatic incident relayed here caused me to suppress my memory of the shop's name, but I'm sure anyone in LA would know it). They asked me if I wanted to try out one of the basses, and pulled it off of one end of a rack of several basses. They also pointed out Ray Brown's bass, which was at the other end of the rack--and they even said what it was, although I don't remember now, just that it was an old Italian. After playing the bass I set it back on the rack, making sure it was stable (or so I thought), since there was no notch on the rack to hold the neck. I turned around for a few seconds, and when I turned back I witnessed a slow-motion train wreck as the bass I just put back fell forward into the one in front of it, which did the same to the next one, which slammed into Ray's bass. None of the other basses were damaged, but Ray's had a fairly deep scratch in the back. I was about to have a stroke, of course, and the visibly upset shop owners or workers rushed over to inspect the damage. After inspecting it they told me that I ridiculously lucky--Ray had brought the bass in to have it refinished, and they hadn't done it yet. Sensing I had worn out my welcome, I made a quick exit and never went back.

Ahhh, my soul feels lighter already...

-Jeff Lehmberg
Click to expand...


:eek:

That's why I always, always, have a person that works in a shop, whether it's Guitar Center or David Gage, get and put back an instrument for me. If they drop it or whatever, then it's their problem.
 
#44
musicman5string said:
:eek:

That's why I always, always, have a person that works in a shop, whether it's Guitar Center or David Gage, get and put back an instrument for me. If they drop it or whatever, then it's their problem.
Click to expand...

I have now learned that lesson. And, uh, sorry about the double-post...Not sure how that happened. I guess it's not on-topic, but I'm more curious about the Ross Perot story.
 
#45
Dear TB members,

I currently own that bass - the "holey pegged" bass that he played on all the Oscar Peterson trio recordings, and was bought for him by Ella. (What a history, what a bass player, what a bass!)

Have no fear, I'm taking great care of the instrument, and it sounds MAGNIFICENT! It does get the occasional buzzes, as do all old italian instruments.

If you would like an opportunity to play . . .

Oh, . . . by the way, . . . the Toronto Symphony, where I play, did a concert with Oscar Peterson recently. I saw this as an opportunity to talk to one of the greatest jazz pianists ever. I approached him with the bass and said, "Mr. Peterson, I would like to reintroduce you to an old friend..." He looked up at the "holey pegs" and said, "Ahh, yes, I remember this bass! I've got GREAT memories of this bass.", he said as he patted the bass as if seeing an old friend. (Actually, patted it a bit hard for my liking, but who can complain? - it's Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown's bass, - what a fantastic combination!)
I mentioned that it is intimidating having this bass - hearing it played on all those incredible recordings. Oscar Peterson said, "No, I'm just so glad to see that the bass has got a good home, that it is being played and well looked after."

I really appreciated that - from the great Oscar Peterson!

By the way, if any of you would like to play this bass, just let me know and we can arrange some time for you to play it. You'll have to come to Toronto, though.

Just leave a message for me here.

All the best,

Dave
 
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#46
I'd just like to add a little coda here. I recently passed through Toronto and got in touch with Dave, who very kindly invited me to come down to the hall after his rehearsal and play the bass as long as I wanted. We had a great visit, he showed me around a bit backstage and the hall itself, and introduced me to some of the other TSO members who passed by. He's a terrific, generous guy, and if you'd like to experience a piece of jazz bass history for yourself, give him a call and head up to Toronto.

Thanks Dave.

Brent
 
#48
One more thing ....I believe there is a twin to Ray Brown's bass in Nashville.
Bob Moore kept it in a studio there and used it on all of the old Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, Marty Robbins, Roy Orbison recordings among many.
He used all-gut strings back then.....and still does.
Kent (Superman) Blanton or maybe Ike Harris can probably chime in with more details.
 
#49
I'm an old guy and a relatively new bass player (6 yrs.) and recently had the privilege of meeting John Clayton in a workshop. He too, was playing on one of Ray's basses. Not sure what the make was..but it sure sounded wonderful. He let all of us play on it so that was a special and historic moment for me.
 
#53
Brent Nussey said:
I'd just like to add a little coda here. I recently passed through Toronto and got in touch with Dave, who very kindly invited me to come down to the hall after his rehearsal and play the bass as long as I wanted. We had a great visit, he showed me around a bit backstage and the hall itself, and introduced me to some of the other TSO members who passed by. He's a terrific, generous guy, and if you'd like to experience a piece of jazz bass history for yourself, give him a call and head up to Toronto.

Thanks Dave.

Brent
Click to expand...

Hi Brent,

Thanks for the kind words.

It sure was great to hear you play Ray's bass, Brent - you really NAILED his style! Your playing looks the same and sounds the same as RAY!

And, I sure enjoyed the hang!

All the best, Brent.

Dave
 
#54
Hi Dave:
Murray and I used to play together in the ballet pit. The first time I met him, he absently plucked the open G string. My head quickly turned left and my jaw dropped. Murray, a man of few words, simply said, "Ray's bass!".
Dave, why don't you tell us how much the bass weighs - is it 48 pounds?
And, by the way, the Sartory is still for sale.

Jack McFadden
 
#55
nikijack said:
Hi Dave:
Murray and I used to play together in the ballet pit. The first time I met him, he absently plucked the open G string. My head quickly turned left and my jaw dropped. Murray, a man of few words, simply said, "Ray's bass!".
Dave, why don't you tell us how much the bass weighs - is it 48 pounds?
And, by the way, the Sartory is still for sale.

Jack McFadden
Click to expand...

Hi Jack!

Glad to hear from you again, I hope you're doing well!

Your right - that bass is darn heavy! I think it's probably the thickness of the wood - and I'm sure it also has a LOT to do with the great tone of that bass.

Good luck with the Sartory sale - I remember that bow - I loved the sound, and playability.

Cheeers!
 
#56
Hi,

Today I took some pictures of Ray Brown's old bass - he called it his "holey-pegged" bass. I thought it might be interesting to see it today.

You'll see that it has an 'extension' on it now. Happily, there was no cutting into the scroll when this was done.

The wire you see in the picture is the David Gage "Realist" pickup on the bass.

Here's the bass:



RaysBass01.jpg


RaysBass02.jpg


RaysBass03.jpg


RaysBass04.jpg


RaysBass05.jpg


RaysBass06.jpg


rayjpeg.jpg


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#58
Nice. Thanks.
I forgot somebody put a Horst mechanical extension on it. Ugh....
That first shot is the one they put on Ray's special Lycon string set. I got to play it (kinda) once when Ray was here in Denver with OP. I was about 18 I think. He'd put it in the coat room back against the corner while he was visiting with some fans after the last set. I snuck up behind him and whispered in his ear "Ray, can I just go in and play a few notes on it?". He smiled sweetly and said...."Sure, man, have at it." I'm thinking about his greatness on it all those years on my records and the people it had supported all those years....Bird, Diz, Prez, Bean, Ella....it played like butter and, granted, it was in that coat room but that sound is still in my head. He never took his eye off of the bass while he talked though.
I think I hada go home and wash my pants, paying close attention the the crotch.
Nice job putting the pics together.....thanks again!
 

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