• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass Would you let anyone sign your upright?

#21
The bass maybe not, unless I would have an opportunity to be with 10 or 20 great bassists/musicians, or more.

One signature would look off. If I did it, I would make sure to take a picture of the artist signing the bass.


Maybe I would bring a cheap bridge and have him sign it. Or better yet, a songbook, if the artist has one.
 
#22
J_Bass said:
Maybe I would bring a cheap bridge and have him sign it. Or better yet, a songbook, if the artist has one.
Click to expand...

At a banjo camp, I saw one guy who had a new banjo head, and he was collecting a ton of impressive sigs from the faculty. Looked like it would make a neat wall hanger.

Yeah, probably better to purchase and have him sign any merch available.
 
#25
I feel fine about an icon like Reggie signing it. One of the more obscure free improvisors I admire might not make sense. As far value - the value of someone not wanting a bass signed & played by Reggie Workman not buying my bass is priceless. I'd imagine it adds to value of my bass instead of detracts. It is a great sounding carved factory bass, the sort of bass favored by jazz players and improvisors, not a classical players.
There a just a few left where that is case. Ron Carter and few other would up the value of a bass to most people.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: sean_on_bass
#31
damonsmith said:
I wish! I just did a workshop and lent him my bass to play in Trio 3!
Click to expand...
He’s on the faculty at my school and whenever I see him in the hallway or on the elevator I sort of jump out of my skin a little bit. I’ve never studied with him or been in one of his ensembles. But when I see him I feel like I’m looking into a Blue Note album cover. And I think to myself “that dude played with Coltrane”. He’s over 90 now. And a real sweetheart. Hopefully I get to work with him in my final two semesters starting in September.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Carl Hillman, Joshua, AGCurry and 2 others
#32
No, I would not. But then, I have no interest in any autograph. If I buy a CD or book, and the artist offers to sign, I decline. I tell them their work is signature enough.

Who is teaching at the workshop you are attending? I would hope they would refuse on the basis of not defacing someone else’s work, regardless of value.
 
#33
I remember playing some old bass in the local shop that had spent some period of its life in a school, and thus was etched with all manner of initials from various students. I don't think that brought down the resale value much as I don't recall it being a cheap bass. The shop owner also said it was a favored rental by some prominent touring jazz bassists.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ejnachtrab
#34
First off, no.

When I lived in Cincinnati, Ed Felson had a German bass that had names and dates of, I assume, ownership/possession of the instrument, etched on the lower bout. At the top was the name and rank of a US soldier who has brought it back after the war. Ed said that eventually he was going to etch his name on it too. I thought that was pretty cool.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back