Thunderbird Club

[Glenn Johnson]

I got to be the bass player for the Millrats, a local band of very talented individuals here in northern RI, for a couple years, and we did this number. It had the very same bright, hazy, wonderfully depressing vibe as Glen Campbell's version! Well it had some of it, anyway... but I still attribute the fact that we were able to retain some of those qualities to the songwriting- the changes and melody created a chemistry that I don't think DEVO could've gotten around, if they'd covered it. The song is just that kind of inspired genius.
Really, what a tune.

I was talking to my band's guitarist about the rhythm guitar and how it is strummed in a way that gives the song a sort of hollow, empty feeling, which adds to the vibe of a lonely lineman, missing his gal!

 

[Glenn Johnson]

Absolutely. I didn't realize until recently that James Taylor wrote that. But Glen totally owned it.

Jimmy Webb wrote Wichita Lineman.

 

[Count Bassie]

Jimmy Webb wrote Wichita Lineman.

That's it...

 

[JIO]

Jimmy Webb wrote Wichita Lineman.

Yep - thought so

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Thurs..

 

[GonePlaid]

Over/under. Probably no difference in tone. Though using tape IS unusual. Hmmmm?

BTW, I tried this but now I just have a piece of felt(laying loose)between the bridge cover and the strings.

 

[Glenn Johnson]

Yep - Dano's were the sound in that song. The recorded version was played on a Dano longhorn bari borrowed from Carol Kaye if I remember correctly. And yes, the black & white guitar is a Silvertone (Dano) baritone.

But having said that.., this vid shows Glen playing a Fender VI (baritone)

I am confused. Dano's were "the sound" in Wichita Lineman. I thought Carol Kaye played a Precision and Glen Campbell certainly played the solo on a Fender Bass VI. Am I missing something?

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I am confused. Dano's were "the sound" in Wichita Lineman. I thought Carol Kaye played a Precision and Glen Campbell certainly played the solo on a Fender Bass VI. Am I missing something?

ok enough on "Wichita Lineman"?.....i mean....it's a great tune but........

 

[JIO]

I was talking to my band's guitarist about the rhythm guitar and how it is strummed in a way that gives the song a sort of hollow, empty feeling, which adds to the vibe of a lonely lineman, missing his gal!

Glen Campbell was a top-flight guitarist, one of the best. The longing in his phrasing both singing and on his lead guitar was also what delivers that feeling - he was so gifted.

 

[Glenn Johnson]

BTW, I tried this but now I just have a piece of felt(laying loose)between the bridge cover and the strings.

Why not just use screws?

 

[Glenn Johnson]

ok enough on "Wichita Lineman"?.....i mean....it's a great tune but........

We COULD go back to McArthur's Park if you prefer.

 

[GonePlaid]

Why not just use screws?

'Cos tape-especially blue painters tape-doesn't f---* up the finish on yer axe.

*oul

 

[Gaolee]

^^^^^^^^^^^
Nope(see 132131)

I stand corrected.

 

[JIO]

I am confused. Dano's were "the sound" in Wichita Lineman. I thought Carol Kaye played a Precision and Glen Campbell certainly played the solo on a Fender Bass VI. Am I missing something?

I watched a doc which I can't recall now but Carol Kaye had a 6-string Dano Baritone because in the 50's they doubled it with an upright ("tick-tack bass") to give the deep double-bass some definition. Glen Campbell borrowed it for the song. Not saying CK wasn't on her P-bass on the song - saying that he played her Dano Bari for the recording. It might have been the more recent doc on GC - I'll look it up to confirm.

 

[Glenn Johnson]

We are going to be recording 4 songs in January and WL might be one after much work on it between now and then. If you do any sort of recording of your trio version I'd like to hear it.

I am technically challenged but I'll try.

 

[GonePlaid]

yeah, thought so. what year is it? seems like when Barts became popular (late 70s?) they were a direct swap for passive basses much like DiMarzios and unlike EMGs that always needed a battery. today, most Bart equipped basses seem to sport batteries. dunno if it's because they have active preamps or the newer pups themselves require them (like EMGs). i have a single 9 Volt batt in the Barts/preamp combo on my Gretsch but it can run on 18 Vdc (two batteries) as well. haven't tried that but the basses i do have running on two batts have enormous headroom and are VERY hot....not a big active guy but some basses' signature sound come from those active setups (MM, Steinbergers, Status, Alembic..)..

Oops! missed the question. It's a '95 according to the serial #.

 

[Gaolee]

BTW, I tried this but now I just have a piece of felt(laying loose)between the bridge cover and the strings.

Muting with a piece of foam is a reason I like ashtrays a lot. Especially on the P. I don't have an ashtray or cover on the P-Bird. That might have to change.

 

[GonePlaid]

Muting with a piece of foam is a reason I like ashtrays a lot. Especially on the P. I don't have an ashtray or cover on the P-Bird. That might have to change.

Yup. I also have a loose piece of felt under the ashtray on my Squire VM Jag SS.

 

[Kriegs]

I think the TB wins... but I might be biased

 

[GonePlaid]

she's Canadian...

Which explains a lot.