What Bass is This?

[cpsmusic]

Hi All,

I've recently been looking into simpler recording techniques such as using one mic and everyone playing live, etc. (as opposed to overdubbing). I came across this clip and was wondering what bass is being used?



Cheers!

 

[ahbass2500]

Kay bass. Think that model is the 162.

Appears to be plugged in for the video (noting since you mention using one mic).

 

[cdef]

 

[ahbass2500]

Good photos of a reissue one here.

2010s Kay K162 Vintage Reissue Hollowbody Electric Bass Guitar

Rochester, Vermont-based guitar, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, and general vintage and antique fretted instrument repair. Also history, how-tos, and slice of life.

jakewildwood.blogspot.com

 

[biobass]

Nice. I remember Kay basses as not being very desirable, at least not to a young kid enamored with Fenders, in the early 60s. To me they seemed old fashioned, not like the new fangled ones from Fender, Mosrite, Gretsch, Vox… How time changes perceptions!

That $150 price tag in, let’s say 1960, translates to about $1600 in today’s dollars.

 

[Michedelic]

Hi All,

I've recently been looking into simpler recording techniques such as using one mic and everyone playing live, etc. (as opposed to overdubbing). I came across this clip and was wondering what bass is being used?



Cheers!

Kay was a ‘working class’ brand, and that model was made iconic for blues by Howlin’ Wolf’s bass player, Andrew McMahon…

The one mic technique?
Basically what was done on this album, Trinity Sessions…


But it goes back to the beginnings of recording over a hundred years ago; here’s a recreation(with a Kay rhythm guitar)…

 

[GretschWretch]

I would love to know how McMahon straps his bass to get it to hang at that high, Wymanesqe angle.

 

[Ostie]

Singing and playing into one mic, usually a condenser type, has been used for Bluegrass, both live and in the studio, for many years. I know that the Del McCoury band, among others, performs live with a condenser mic. Each player steps up to the mic for their respective solos.
Unfortunately I have never used it so I can’t give any tech advice.

 

[Michedelic]

I would love to know how McMahon straps his bass to get it to hang at that high, Wymanesqe angle.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Wyman took his positioning from McMahon. Here’s another shot from that gig, albeit slightly colorized…

He did eventually move to a Gibson EB-0 and Fender P, slung a little lower…

 

[GretschWretch]

I wouldn’t be surprised if Wyman took his positioning from McMahon. Here’s another shot from that gig, albeit slightly colorized…
View attachment 7405533

He did eventually move to a Gibson EB-0 and Fender P, slung a little lower…
View attachment 7405535View attachment 7405536

I read in Wyman's memoir that he angled the bass like that so the headstock would block out the floodlight glare in his eyes and he could check out the teeny-boppers in the audience.

 

[Michedelic]

I read in Wyman's memoir that he angled the bass like that so the headstock would block out the floodlight glare in his eyes and he could check out the teeny-boppers in the audience.

Oh yes, he really liked the young ones.

 

[Guitalia]

I don't remember the details (I read about the album in an interview with a still-bemused ex-band member many years ago), but I think this was recorded, deliberately amateurishly per Jonathan's whim, with one mic and the guitarist playing an unamplified Gibson archtop, as pictured on the album cover.

Not the Ice Cream Man covered by Van Halen.