Vox sidewinder users

[Knuckles2001]

Hi what bassists in the 60s beside the guy from the who and sly and the family stone used a red vox sidewinder bass thanks

 

[Michedelic]

Hi what bassists in the 60s beside the guy from the who and sly and the family stone used a red vox sidewinder bass thanks

That would be John Entwistle and Larry Graham; know their names, know their work, a pair of bass icons that advanced the instrument in two distinctly different ways. Now, about the Vox Sidewinder; not the best bass, but not the worst as long as it’s set up properly. I’m going to guess that you associate those two players with that model because of archival TV appearances(aka YouTube). The Vox company was very aggressive in the 60’s in placing their gear in the hands of any up and coming band that was going on TV(any band would love free equipment)but most of those stints were “lip synch” appearances, not live performance, meaning that the band would mime to a prerecorded backing track(it was just easier for the production staff). The instruments/amps/drums were mere props. The Who’s shot on the Smothers Brothers show of “I Can See For Miles” and “My Generation”(with the exploding drums)was one such gig, and the only time, as far as I know, that he was seen with a Sidewinder. While he was associated with many different models, during that time period his weapon of choice was a Fender Precision. While there is a photo of Larry Graham in the studio with a Sidewinder, and possible TV appearances with it, he is first and foremost associated with the Fender Jazz and Jazz style basses. He did have a brief fling with Rickenbacker. The Voxes were kinda medium quality instruments, bolt-on super thin necks, not unlike the failed Fender Coronado series; tonally similar to Hofner, Framus, Mosrite, Gibson/Epiphone hollowbody basses, and the cheaper knock-off of the 60’s garage rock era. Mostly seen in garage bands of that period and some punk and retro garage bands of the 70’s/80’s. If you’re looking to buy one, you could do better, unless you need that pencil thin neck, plus they’re all over-priced as ‘vintage’ instruments. If you already have one, if it works for you, then great, but it’s not necessarily what you’re hearing on the records.

 

[Michedelic]

If someone is offering you one for say, $200 or so, by all means grab it, flip it for all you can, and get something serious.

 

[Bob_Ross]

Larry Graham used a Vox Sidewinder?!?!

 

[Michedelic]

Larry Graham used a Vox Sidewinder?!?!