The First 7 String Electric Bass

[pc]

Originally posted by Brad Johnson
I arguably was the first to think of the pneumatic bass with hydraulic preamp. [/B]

No sir! I thought about it before!!

 

[Brad Johnson]

Originally posted by Jared Morante
I'm sorta stupid that way.

But wait... there's more

 

[Brad Johnson]

Originally posted by pc
No sir! I thought about it before!!

But were you wearing pink Nikes when you thought of it?

Ah HA!!

 

[pc]

Originally posted by Brad Johnson
But were you wearing pink Nikes when you thought of it?

Ah HA!!

nope.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Originally posted by mcbassdude
I really think it is silly to argue semantics in this case. It seems from the recent posts that there may be no dispute as to Garry having the first 7 string and playing it the longest. Garry used the word "thought" and you all want to hang him from the highest rafter. Here's a guy that IMO clearly was the first 7 stringer and you all want to argue about did he "think" of it first.
Would you rake Larry Graham over the coals this hard if he stated he was the first to think of slapping? I hardly think you would.
Larry Graham is the Father of Slap and Garry Goodman is the Father of the 7 string.
I'm amazed at the lack of respect shown for this musical pioneer.
It's quite easy to understand Garry's frustration with this issue.
Here you have a briliant composer, pioneer and musician in your midst and you'll probably run him off this web site and miss out on all he has to offer.
Shame on you.

You would think it silly, as you continually ignore what's actually being said.

If Larry Graham said he was the first person to THINK of slapping a bass he would indeed get an earful... because some people know that slapping a stringed bass did not start with Larry so he couldn't be the first to THINK of it.

What I don't get is the apparent inability to see what's going on here. I have no idea what to chalk this up to, either it's some persecution complex that obviously has no basis in this thread (instead it's apparently TB baggage) or people just want to be victims and the drama that ensues. I honestly don't get it.

The ONLY reason anyone is talking about, let alone arguing about what Garry THOUGHT was because at first glance it's an incredibly ignorant statement... that Garry made, no one else.

Now you bring in Larry Graham and I guarantee he'd get the same reaction because even out of his mouth it would be no less hard to swallow, yet there's no way in heck you'll ever see that, right? No one has disputed the rest throughout this thread so you can't grab onto that as an issue. Garry MISPOKE and some can't seem to deal with the effects of what HE did.

"Garry used the word "thought" and you all want to hang him from the highest rafter".

Oh, the horror

 

[mcbassdude]

Originally posted by Brad Johnson
You would think it silly, as you continually ignore what's actually being said.

If Larry Graham said he was the first person to THINK of slapping a bass he would indeed get an earful... because some people know that slapping a stringed bass did not start with Larry so he couldn't be the first to THINK of it.

What I don't get is the apparent inability to see what's going on here. I have no idea what to chalk this up to, either it's some persecution complex that obviously has no basis in this thread (instead it's apparently TB baggage) or people just want to be victims and the drama that ensues. I honestly don't get it.

The ONLY reason anyone is talking about, let alone arguing about what Garry THOUGHT was because at first glance it's an incredibly ignorant statement... that Garry made, no one else.

Now you bring in Larry Graham and I guarantee he'd get the same reaction because even out of his mouth it would be no less hard to swallow, yet there's no way in heck you'll ever see that, right? No one has disputed the rest throughout this thread so you can't grab onto that as an issue. Garry MISPOKE and some can't seem to deal with the effects of what HE did.

"Garry used the word "thought" and you all want to hang him from the highest rafter".

Oh, the horror

As always, you could be wrong.

 

[tenebrae]

Ninestring: I don't mean to be disrespectful or take anything away from your accomplishments, commitment to the bass community, or contributions to the evolution of the electric bass, but why is it so important that everyone acknowledges that you were first?

You know it, you have plenty of supporters and no one has produced evidence to the contrary.
And there will always be dissention on any controversy no matter how much evidence exists.

There are still folks who actually believe the earth is flat, for ****'s sake. Who would bother to continue to debate with them?

I just don't get what the problem is here.

Edit: Oh yeah, I remember...people LOVE to argue!

Dennis Miller said it best:
"People will always find a way NOT to get along. Irish Protestants can't get along with Irish Catholics, circus clowns can't get along with birthday party clowns..."

 

[Brad Johnson]

Originally posted by Ninestring
I just thought I'd try to get a word ( or 500)in here.

I think Ken Smith is a master luthier. I still own and play a 4 string I purchased in Hawaii in 1984. He and I are in communication as he mentioned and we will resolve this issue.

I have a receipt dated 1987 from Michael Tobias for a 7 string bass. Show me any evidence of an existing 7 string bass being played back then. When I say no one was thinking 7 string bass back then is because there weren't any and getting one built was next to impossible. I don't mean the thought never crossed anyone's mind. But-why would it-there was no real reason for a 7 string ,it was considered an oddity and only I will know what it was like in "Summer 1989" that predates the winter 1989 photo , what it was like to be showing up to a gig with a 7 string. Let someone come forward and provide evidence to the contrary.

If someone had an idea and a real purpose for a 7 string ,why haven't they come forward ? I have been posting this fact since March of this year on TB and this is the best anyone has come up with. I also posted that I created Percussive Harmonics and after having an MP3 Page up most of this year ,nobody could come up with one recording that even sounds close to my technique.

I may appear arrogant ,and although I am not ,i think it odd that after appearing with a 7 string bass before "winter 1989" that all of a sudden 7 string basses started showing up. Why did the luthier make the string spacing so close? The string spacing looks like my Tobias 7 string.. Jamaaladeen didn't care for the spacing, and who ever built that bass didn't put thought into what a player would do with the bass. Jauqo tells me that Jamaaladeen only had the bass for about a month . The luthier didn't bother to ask Jamaaladeen for input before building the bass.

if you read my very first post 'Unique Technique" asking if anyone would be interested in a unique harmonic technique-an honest question, i was dumped on-no quarter given I was told by the Pro I asked that I indeed did not invent my own technique.

I just state facts I can back up and provide proof for. I don't like all this conflict but all of you need to know the true history of the bass.

if I seem arrogant it's because the garbage that has been dumped on me on Talk Bass is unreasonable. I can play. I called Jauqo up on the phone and played him 'Donna Lee" not like Jaco Pastorius did-I walked the left hand bass and comped chords and with my right hand played the melody like a piano player would. I have been working on that since 1991. I put in a lot of time since i got my first bass in 1964.

i get a little tired of guys who don't work as a full time bassist ,who can't read music and can't even provide a decent recording of their playing knocking me.

Maybe MC Bass dude wasn't there when I thought of a 7 string bass ,but he was there when I played one at the Troubadour in Los Angeles in 1978 when my fusion band "Jasmine" helped our friend, Doug Weston, re open his world famous club. I started playing 6 string and 5 string in the 1960's. What were most of you doing back then ?

I think if you have a double neck 7 string or ten 7 strings or a 30 string bass ,it's just great.Just be able to play the thing.

Guys used to sit around , get stoned and dream of crazy guitars. There was a guy in L.A.
years ago that had a double neck guitar . then left hand had a neck to play and his right hand had a neck to play ,so he had a left and right handed neck coming out of the body. I've never seen another guitar like that. He had a concept and he knew how to play the axe.

I have spent two decades developing my 7 string playing and if you have heard my tracks or seen me play ,you can tell I have put in those decades. That's not being arrogant ,it's a fact.

I never said I am better,or smarter or what ever than anyone on talk bass,but don't try to discredit me. Don't try to make me look stupid or make me out to be a liar. When someone alludes to being the guy behind the 7 string they had better been playing one longer than me. I thought of the Stick Touchboard in 1969-my own concept ,but Emmet Chapman built one and played one first. You guys don't get on his case-The 7 string was such an odd thing ,why would anyone think of it. it was born out of me playing a 6 string bass from 1964-77, and a Stick with that low B since 1975.

I have given Talk Bass since last March to come up with the evidence to prove me wrong. You can't prove me wrong because i was the one who followed through and had the 7 string built by an incredible luthier and went out playing before anyone else.. it's no "ego trip" or " attitude" and I only used it as publicity on the Mark and Brian show and countless other promotions over the years to call attention to my one of a kind bass playing style that no one else has yet to imitate. I have dozens of radio spots saying " Garry Goodman-the first 7 string bass player" No one ever showed up to the event or called up and disputed it. They couldn't.

I guess i could be really arrogant knowing that everyone made a 7 string bass after they saw mine ,but ,I don't care. I get ticked off when someone thinks they made the first or are the first 7 string player after summer of 1989. I have the documentation. If a guy in Spain had one made in 1965 , i would have no way of knowing ,and only on the internet can we now all connect on a site like this.

so if I didn't have the idea and act on it first and haven't been playing the longest........


Who has?

Would some of you be more comfortable if I said someone else had the first 7 string bass made ? Would it make you happy if someone was playing one in 1972 or 1935? What's the problem here,that i have the nerve to say I am the first 7 string bass player ? if so, I must have played the first 7 string bass. I would say the first 7 string bass guitar was started and completed by Michael Tobias. Whether I am arrogant or not is beside the point ,this would seem to be the logical answer to the question asked at the top of this thread.

Garry, how about for the sake of this thread we stick to what's actually going on in this thread?

Maybe you don't see the statement of knowing you had a thought first as arrogant. Cool. Others did. Is that somehow disrespectful? I guess that's up to you to decide. I don't see it in this thread.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Originally posted by mcbassdude
As always, you could be wrong.

And as always you can't

 

[mcbassdude]

Originally posted by Brad Johnson
And as always you can't

Really Brad, I've never said I'm always right. I just quoted YOUR sig. Your words not mine. They seemed quite apropos.

I'd pay to see you face to face with Larry Graham and give him that earful.

You have relentlessly focused on a minute detail without giving an ounce of credit or respect to Garry. Seems like petty bickering to me.

I was there in '78 and I saw with mine own eyes Garry on a 7 string bass. It was at least 10 years post before I saw anyone else with one.
Why is it such a big deal to give this talented pioneer his due?
Honestly where is the issue in that?
So for all the years he's put into bass, for all the time he put into developing and playing 7 string it all comes down to one word "thought"?
Let it go man, let it go.
GIVE THE MAN HIS DUE!
PEACE

 

[Garry Goodman]

Originally posted by john turner
are you talking to me? since i'm the only one around with a doubleneck or 10 7 string instruments, i guess you are. why are you bringing me into this?

No, John- i am not talking about you, it's making a point . If I was going to say something to you ,I'll put your name on it first. I don't think poorly of you ,I am never trying to insult you.



You may be the first person to have a double neck 7 string,and if that is the case, and someone posted the question '"Who made the first double neck 7 string ? '' , Why would anyone not believe it if you in fact had the first one made? I would say "John is the first double neck 7 string player, what's the problem? " I would take you at your word. If someone came on and posted I have a photo from a magazine cover with a pic of a double neck 7 from 1980 ,we all may have doubts.

if the guy posted the photo and the magazine date read Feb 2003, what would you say ?

Once again, John, I don't have any real isssues with you. You guys could perceive me as being arrogant ,but your Lamborghini comment could be perceived that way to some. I know you are proud of your basses.

 

[john turner]

Originally posted by Ninestring
No, John- i am not talking about you, it's making a point . If I was going to say something to you ,I'll put your name on it first. I don't think poorly of you ,I am never trying to insult you.



You may be the first person to have a double neck 7 string,and if that is the case, and someone posted the question '"Who made the first double neck 7 string ? '' , Why would anyone not believe it if you in fact had the first one made? I would say "John is the first double neck 7 string player, what's the problem? " I would take you at your word. If someone came on and posted I have a photo from a magazine cover with a pic of a double neck 7 from 1980 ,we all may have doubts.

if the guy posted the photo and the magazine date read Feb 2003, what would you say ?

Once again, John, I don't have any real isssues with you. You guys could perceive me as being arrogant ,but your Lamborghini comment could be perceived that way to some. I know you are proud of your basses.

ok, cool, just wanted to make sure. i'm not about to get in the middle of this argument. i'm glad that there's folks who came before - i wish i had heard of you when i got my first one, would've helped me out a lot to know someone else playing a 7 back then.

 

[ole Jason]

mcbassdude...

No one is disputing that ninestring had the first 7 string electric bass built and was the first to play it. Why do you keep posting all this crazy stuff? And if Larry Graham told me "I was the first to think of slapping" I would say "Go tell Milt Hinton that".

ninestring...

No one is disputing that you were the first to have a 7 string built and were the first to play one live on a regular basis. The only dispute was in the fact that you said you were the first to "think" of it. Perhaps you should have said you were the first to think of it through to it's conception? At any rate, scan the receipt if you get a chance.

 

[NJL]

Originally posted by Ninestring
I may appear arrogant ,and although I am not

Talk Bass is unreasonable. I can play.

i get a little tired of guys who don't work as a full time bassist ,who can't read music and can't even provide a decent recording of their playing knocking me.

I think if you have a double neck 7 string or ten 7 strings or a 30 string bass ,it's just great.Just be able to play the thing.

I thought of the Stick Touchboard in 1969-my own concept ,but Emmet Chapman built one and played one first.

you, sir, are extremely arrogant.

when you say talkbass is unreasonable - you are saying me and all of the other posters in talkbass are unreasonable. a lot of us see that you are "me, me, me...I, I, I...yada, yada, yada" and that turns off the most reasonable person. you should learned how to communicate with people. but then again who am i to tell you this.

in regards to you poking at JT - there have been times that i really don't see eye to eye with him, but he is a very nice person. he has worked very hard (along with others) to make this a truly great forum. when you say that he can't play, i'm book that also says that you are better than him - thus pointing out a contradiction from you.

along with the Stick, the 7 string what else did you invent? maybe Ronco (Ron Popeil) would see to you as major competition. maybe you can come up with a better "Automatic 5-Minute Pasta and Sausage Maker" mine sucks. how about an "Automatic 5-Minute Groove and Soul Maker"

i can say, just like any community - if you want people to respect you - better earn it, cause i ain't giving you squat, yet.

peace

 

[godoze]

Jauqo, look at all the negative karma you've unleashed on us po' folks...

 

[john turner]

let's just cut it out right here, ok?

mutual respect goes a long way, and it's not only a good idea, it's the rules.

that goes both ways, just stop it right now, or i'm going to have to close the thread.

thanks.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally posted by john turner
let's just cut it out right here,

that goes both ways, just stop it right now, or i'm going to have to close the thread.

thanks.

Well John I don't respect you or Don and when I do see Don Im going to kick his! wait a minute the engineer's calling me.hey Don I will deal with you later.


All jokes aside lets stop the chaos and get along.hey I have to go the engineer really is calling me gotta go.

 

[PhatBasstard]

Originally posted by ole Jason
ninestring...

The only dispute was in the fact that you said you were the first to "think" of it.

JEEEZ! He already addressed this statement (his meaning) and you people keep nitpicking and taking it so litteraly.

There's still a lot of posting by people that obviously haven't read the entire thread. Do us all a favor and do it before posting.

 

[PhatBasstard]

Originally posted by ole Jason
mcbassdude...
And if Larry Graham told me "I was the first to think of slapping" I would say "Go tell Milt Hinton that".

Apples and Oranges! Just ask any DB player if his instrument of choice is the same as an electric bass. Plus the two techniques are so different, one would hardly work on the other's instrument.

 

[mcbassdude]

Originally posted by ole Jason
mcbassdude...

No one is disputing that ninestring had the first 7 string electric bass built and was the first to play it. Why do you keep posting all this crazy stuff? And if Larry Graham told me "I was the first to think of slapping" I would say "Go tell Milt Hinton that".

ninestring...

No one is disputing that you were the first to have a 7 string built and were the first to play one live on a regular basis. The only dispute was in the fact that you said you were the first to "think" of it. Perhaps you should have said you were the first to think of it through to it's conception? At any rate, scan the receipt if you get a chance.

Please tell me what crazy stuff I've been saying.
All I have ever said is That I personally saw the man playing a 7 string in '78. I've said that Garry is a brilliant pioneer and musician and that he deserves respect. I've not been insulting or derogatory to any of you. I have not called any of you crazy. I have not questioned your abilities or intelligence. All I have done is implore you to show some respect for this musical pioneer.
I think EVERYONE deserves respect right off the bat until they prove otherwise. It's a rule in my life.
From the get go Garry received a trashing and I for one am offended by the complete lack of respect shown him.
Again I will say this, you are missing the boat here and an opportunity to pick the brain of a true master on the instrument rather than waste all this time arguing over his use of the word "thought".
If you met Garry you would see what a gracious gentleman void of arrogance he is.
As far as I can tell, it's starting to become crystal clear that he WAS the first to play one and develop it. IMHO DOING trumps thinking anytime. Does he not deserve kudos for that?
So call me crazy if you will, I'll wear that badge with pride.
Peace