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Double Bass Willie Dixon's Bass on Ebay
- Thread starter mchildree
- Start date
I think you've done yourself credit by coming here and opening a dialogue about the bass. I'm sorry you find yourself in a situation that requires you to sell it. Had I received such a gift, I'd be very unhappy myself.
Some observations (only my opinions): I think you'd stand a much better chance of realizing your asking price if you contacted a respected dealer and consign it. Of course, they'd need to verify it's lineage somehow before they'd stake their rep on the Willie Dixon claim, but once you had that backup, you'd probably sell it easily. Your replies to various questions on Ebay seem a little evasive, although they could very well reflect all the info you have on the bass and you are honestly supplying requested info. In that case, a dealer might also have some means of helping you verify the bass' history that you aren't aware of.
You must be aware, also, that Ebay is a haven for fraud and theft. You only have one positive feedback entry, so there's not even a real track record to go on there. See where I'm going with this? There are many things here to make a potential buyer suspicious. These are NOT accusations...they are observations to give you another viewpoint. I myself would love to see the bass verified as authentic and given a good home. In fact, I'd probably seriously consider driving up to SC and looking it over myself.
Some observations (only my opinions): I think you'd stand a much better chance of realizing your asking price if you contacted a respected dealer and consign it. Of course, they'd need to verify it's lineage somehow before they'd stake their rep on the Willie Dixon claim, but once you had that backup, you'd probably sell it easily. Your replies to various questions on Ebay seem a little evasive, although they could very well reflect all the info you have on the bass and you are honestly supplying requested info. In that case, a dealer might also have some means of helping you verify the bass' history that you aren't aware of.
You must be aware, also, that Ebay is a haven for fraud and theft. You only have one positive feedback entry, so there's not even a real track record to go on there. See where I'm going with this? There are many things here to make a potential buyer suspicious. These are NOT accusations...they are observations to give you another viewpoint. I myself would love to see the bass verified as authentic and given a good home. In fact, I'd probably seriously consider driving up to SC and looking it over myself.
mchildree said:
mchildtree, that's a really nice response and observation to this can of worms that's been opened here. You have got alot of class!
thumperdan, if the story of the bass is a fact, you shouldn't have a hard time selling the bass. It shouldn't really matter what anyone says or thinks, because you know in your heart that it's the real deal. I know that Taj Mahal would probably want to look at it for instance. I've talked to him, and he is a major fan of Willie's, and one heckuva bassist himself too. You will have to seek a guy like that out yourself, though. Have you tried contacting The Living Blues Foundation (Living Blues Magazine) about finding a home for the bass? They might print an article or something. I wouldn't think that anyone is going to ask you to give the instrument away to charity, once you establish the legitimacy of your story, and your need for monetary compensation.
In any case, good luck with the sale!
That is the exact phrase (can of worms...) I would use to describe this "gom" where I find myself. I knew in advance that putting the bass on the E-bay site would cause some controversy, but it has certainly stirred-up a lot of both positive and negative responces. My yahoo e-mail box has had numerous inquiries and comments about the bass and my questionable honesty.
I would never have asked Mr. Dixon for a letter or something to verify that he gave me the bass. First of all, it would have been rude in the face of his generosity, and secondly, I have had no intention of selling the darn thing. Entertaining the idea that there might be a real value for the bass is a relatively recent idea.
Have any of you tried to get a phone number for the Blues Heaven Foundation? I have and I still don't have it. You should know that contacting anyone, like Taj Mahal, is next to impossible. Why? Cause they don't know me from "Adam" and I don't think that they even look at their e-mail. They have their publicist or somebody like that do it for them. I did get a response from Tim Bogert via e-mail, and Rick Derringer gave me his opinion when we spoke at a guitar show in Spartanburg, SC. They both said: "...put it on e-bay."
(I'm sorry for writing so much here. It's like a freakin' book.) L8ER
I would never have asked Mr. Dixon for a letter or something to verify that he gave me the bass. First of all, it would have been rude in the face of his generosity, and secondly, I have had no intention of selling the darn thing. Entertaining the idea that there might be a real value for the bass is a relatively recent idea.
Have any of you tried to get a phone number for the Blues Heaven Foundation? I have and I still don't have it. You should know that contacting anyone, like Taj Mahal, is next to impossible. Why? Cause they don't know me from "Adam" and I don't think that they even look at their e-mail. They have their publicist or somebody like that do it for them. I did get a response from Tim Bogert via e-mail, and Rick Derringer gave me his opinion when we spoke at a guitar show in Spartanburg, SC. They both said: "...put it on e-bay."
(I'm sorry for writing so much here. It's like a freakin' book.) L8ER
tsolo... thanks for that link. That's a great picture of Willie playin. I really liked the comment about the gas nozzle, too. 
Back in the late '60s there were a couple of bands I played in and one where I was the only white dude in a 14 piece Soul Band. In 1968 I played South Carolina State College, in Orangeburg with William Bell, the day Dr. MLK was assinated. We played what was called the "chitlin circuit" which were clubs in the South East predominantly patronized by black folks. (you should have heard Ronnie Milsap back then) The point is: everybody knew who Willie Dixon was; that is if you were a musician.
In '72 the band I was with had signed a record deal with King Records (James Brown's old label) and we were in NY meeting with a couple of the "big-wheels." My stuff (and everyone elses) had recently been destroyed in a night club fire (my '69 Jazz
) so when Willie said he had a bass he would give to me, I really had no idea it was going to be a bass fiddle. I mean; like c'mon, who gives away an upright bass? I figured it was a "Zimgar" electric that he had tried and didn't like, so he gave it to his brother-in-law to hold for him before he took it to the dump. 
I'll bet you guys wish that I would shut-up. I just haven't thought about this stuff in many years and I guess it's just puke-ing out.
Anyway, I have posted some new pictures on the e-bay page which shows the wood-grain of the neck very well. Compared to the picture at tsolo's link, I beleive there is a striking resemblance. Looks identical to me.
Oh yeah!!!
L8er
Back in the late '60s there were a couple of bands I played in and one where I was the only white dude in a 14 piece Soul Band. In 1968 I played South Carolina State College, in Orangeburg with William Bell, the day Dr. MLK was assinated. We played what was called the "chitlin circuit" which were clubs in the South East predominantly patronized by black folks. (you should have heard Ronnie Milsap back then) The point is: everybody knew who Willie Dixon was; that is if you were a musician.
In '72 the band I was with had signed a record deal with King Records (James Brown's old label) and we were in NY meeting with a couple of the "big-wheels." My stuff (and everyone elses) had recently been destroyed in a night club fire (my '69 Jazz
) so when Willie said he had a bass he would give to me, I really had no idea it was going to be a bass fiddle. I mean; like c'mon, who gives away an upright bass? I figured it was a "Zimgar" electric that he had tried and didn't like, so he gave it to his brother-in-law to hold for him before he took it to the dump. I'll bet you guys wish that I would shut-up. I just haven't thought about this stuff in many years and I guess it's just puke-ing out.
Anyway, I have posted some new pictures on the e-bay page which shows the wood-grain of the neck very well. Compared to the picture at tsolo's link, I beleive there is a striking resemblance. Looks identical to me.
Oh yeah!!!L8er
Being the investigator that I am, couldn't help but do a little archive and google searching. There are plenty of photos of Willie Dixon out there, but this one is really compelling when you compare it to the photo of the neck posted by Mr. Thumper.
Note the three bands of greater contrast in the flame almost midway down the neck in the ebay photos, and take a look at this picture. Those same bands appear to be in the same place.
Flame in wood is pretty much like a fingerprint. Every one is unique. After seeing this, I'd bet my money that this bass is legit.
In the attached file I isolated the point I was speaking of, adjusted the exposure to better illustrate it and combined it with the ebay photo for easier view.
Note the three bands of greater contrast in the flame almost midway down the neck in the ebay photos, and take a look at this picture. Those same bands appear to be in the same place.
Flame in wood is pretty much like a fingerprint. Every one is unique. After seeing this, I'd bet my money that this bass is legit.
In the attached file I isolated the point I was speaking of, adjusted the exposure to better illustrate it and combined it with the ebay photo for easier view.
Attachments
DUMPERTHAN, you should take a full photo of the flame on the neck so you can match with multiple photos. CHASLEGS is providing more concrete proof.
I was pretty skeptical at first but after viewing the flaming on the neck and the scruff on the C bout, it very well could be.
Speaking of flaming . . . .
Reading posts here and on the other forums, Thumper has been accused of everything except being a member of Al Qaeda. It would have been very easy to lash out at his accusers but he has been extremely cordial in his explanations and comments. Regardless of the authenticity of the bass, I commend him for his gracious handling of the situation.
Speaking of flaming . . . .
Reading posts here and on the other forums, Thumper has been accused of everything except being a member of Al Qaeda. It would have been very easy to lash out at his accusers but he has been extremely cordial in his explanations and comments. Regardless of the authenticity of the bass, I commend him for his gracious handling of the situation.
- Aug 25, 2000
- 1,836
- 28
- 66
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Sadowsky Guitars
thumperdan said:
You'd lose that bet with me, my friend.
I'm not claiming to be someone who can necessarily spot a scam from a mile away, but the first look I had of your listing on eBay Dan and two words came to mind...real deal.
I feel your pain for having to part with that piece of history...and what a marvelous experience you had! Please feel free to share more! What band were you with? What was the 14 piece soul band you were in? Don't be shy man...please share. And if anyone complains PM me.
And if I had the disposable scratch, I'd buy that bass from you in a heartbeat...and let you use it and/or visit anytime you'd like. Great story and great bass.
Thank you to Steve and Craig. You have both been very gracious.
http://www.bluesheaven.com/ is the link to the Foundation's web site. I will call them tomorrow.
http://www.bluesheaven.com/ is the link to the Foundation's web site. I will call them tomorrow.
Steve, speaking of flaming, here's on of Willie's more famous lyrics. I think you will like it if you've never heard it before!
I'm drinkin' TNT
Smokin' dynamite
I hope some screwball starts a fight
'cause I'm ready
Ready as anybody can be
I'm 'a ready for you,
and I hope you're ready for me
---Wille Dixon
I'm drinkin' TNT
Smokin' dynamite
I hope some screwball starts a fight
'cause I'm ready
Ready as anybody can be
I'm 'a ready for you,
and I hope you're ready for me
---Wille Dixon
This is a little off topic, but while we are on the subject of Willie Dixon, I found this picture of his grave stone while I was investingating the bass. Kinda neat...
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Well I contacted the Blues Heaven Foundation in Chicago and spoke with a man there who answered the phone. He gave me a e-mail address to send my contact info. He also "said" that he would contact Mrs. Dixon and get back with me. But, so far, nada; nothing. I would really love to speak with her.
Answering the question about the Soul Band. It was just a big cover band. Three female singers, a "stand-up" singer who didn't play an instrument, per se, although he was a good bass player and taught me some great walking bass lines. We had a five-piece horn section (three saxes [one a baritone], two trumpets) and a five piece rhythm section. I was about 17 at that time and had only been playing bass for a couple of years, and these older guys were teaching me "jazz." So a walking line through a 3, 6, 2, 5, turn-around played against a descending chromatic dom7-chord from the minor-third, was just so cool. They also taught me to "leave the hole" and not to fill every space. (George Porter, Pops Popwell, Bernard Odom) We covered the hits of the day and went to the studio several times to record originals, but they didn't go anywhere.
Some of my old friends and I are contemplating writing a book about all the krap we did and saw back in the day. We already have a title: "Bar Wars" whadya think?
Gotta go. C ya.
Answering the question about the Soul Band. It was just a big cover band. Three female singers, a "stand-up" singer who didn't play an instrument, per se, although he was a good bass player and taught me some great walking bass lines. We had a five-piece horn section (three saxes [one a baritone], two trumpets) and a five piece rhythm section. I was about 17 at that time and had only been playing bass for a couple of years, and these older guys were teaching me "jazz." So a walking line through a 3, 6, 2, 5, turn-around played against a descending chromatic dom7-chord from the minor-third, was just so cool. They also taught me to "leave the hole" and not to fill every space. (George Porter, Pops Popwell, Bernard Odom) We covered the hits of the day and went to the studio several times to record originals, but they didn't go anywhere.
Some of my old friends and I are contemplating writing a book about all the krap we did and saw back in the day. We already have a title: "Bar Wars" whadya think?
Gotta go. C ya.
hello all,
mrpc: you're correct about the attention and I will keep you (et. al.) posted. This is the first forum I have ever joined and it has been, and is, thoroughly enjoyable.
mchildree: I had no set price for the bass because the reserve was so outlandish no one would have hit it. If some one had bid $20K-$30K I would have let it go; maybe. You see, I do think a lot about this bass. I have never been deceitful about its origin, but maybe a little about selling it. I think it's worth a million-bucks, because of where it came from and the respect I have for it. BUT; you and I (and all of us) know that no one's gonna pony-up that kind-o dough. One thing's for sure: I ain't about to let it go for a measley $5K. Why , it would be an insult to the memory of Mr. Dixon.
For me it's not about the bass, but the Man what played it...
mrpc: you're correct about the attention and I will keep you (et. al.) posted. This is the first forum I have ever joined and it has been, and is, thoroughly enjoyable.
mchildree: I had no set price for the bass because the reserve was so outlandish no one would have hit it. If some one had bid $20K-$30K I would have let it go; maybe. You see, I do think a lot about this bass. I have never been deceitful about its origin, but maybe a little about selling it. I think it's worth a million-bucks, because of where it came from and the respect I have for it. BUT; you and I (and all of us) know that no one's gonna pony-up that kind-o dough. One thing's for sure: I ain't about to let it go for a measley $5K. Why , it would be an insult to the memory of Mr. Dixon.
For me it's not about the bass, but the Man what played it...
