You're the bass player in this video. What changes would you implement?

[Gibenbackerbass]

40 plus years later, you're the bass player, what would you do differently?

1). What bass would you use?
2). What amp are you going to play through?
3). Which speaker configuration would you select?
4). Who's strings are going to grace your bass?
5). Pick or no pick.
6). What other changes would you consider?

I'll go first!

1). 1964 Gibson Thunderbird IV; Inverness Green (two pick-up model); wired in stereo.
2). Ampeg SVT (for the bridge pickup). Acoustic 370 (for neck pickup).
3). Ampeg 8-10 bottom for bridge pickup and the big old 18" Acoustic folded horn for neck pickup.
4). Rotosound 66, rounds.
5). No pick, fingers all the way.
6). My hat of choice would be a Fedora.

 

[Bochafish]

I would probably keep everything the same, especially the clothes worn on stage, and Clapton's porn star mustache. They probably need to 'relax' a little more on stage too.

 

[CayceG]

Instead of that hat, I'd pick George Costanza's hat:

 

[MisterMagician]

You don't change Jack Bruce.

 

[Osprey]

There were a lot of odd fashion decisions by performers in the 60s, and before, and since. And now. But what is nothing to do with fashion is musicianship, innovation, skill..all the things those 3 guys specialised in. Choice of kit too in those days had lots of random factors..Jack played a lot on a short-scale Gibson because he hadn't read on TB that the pickups needed changing. He was still one of those who extended the range of what the bass might do. Leave them just as they are, I say.

 

[thejrace]

not a thing.

 

[Meddle]

I would keep all the equipment the same, perhaps get an atenuator on the amps and then mic them through a PA...

Oh and I would take the dead animal off Jack Bruce's head, you get diseases doing that kind of thing.

 

[mongo2]

Instead of that hat, I'd pick George Costanza's hat:

Or the Pappa John Phillips version:

 

[capnsandwich]

I'd lose the cigarette sticking in between the strings down by the tuning pegs. I wouldn't have started smoking in the first place. I'd also be playing a P Bass instead of that Gibson, and maybe an SVT, depending on what the P Bass would sound like through it. Other than that, the hat clothes, and Clapton's porn star mustache stays.

 

[Fealach]

Nothing. That is one of the iconic bass tones. It cannot be improved.

 

[Spleenface92]

1). 1966 Fender Slab Precision
2). Acoustic 360
3). Acoustic 361PP
4). Rotosound 66, rounds.
5). No pick, fingers all the way.
6). No hat.

 

[godofthunder59]

I used a Marshal Major for years, still have it and my EB3's never sounded like that (I don't mean that in a good way) I always use the minibucker, cuts right through. Check out the song Freedom on our myspace. Done with my '67 EB3 and '69 Major. Link Removed As for changes I would use a pick , RS 66 strings and dial in the minibucker

 

[majortoby]

1. Squier Pete Wentz signature P-bass
2. A wall of Bugera Nukes (t3h br00talz)
3. I'd wear Justthe hat.

 

[TC2112]

Or the Pappa John Phillips version:

I'm pretty sure I don't want the Papa John Phillips version of ANYTHING

and I let Jack be Jack. Jack Bruce and Tim Bogart made me want to hear everything heavy and fuzzy

EDIT- am I the only one that still has to look twice whenever Clapton ISN'T playing a strat?

 

[superbassman2000]

You don't change Jack Bruce.

+1

 

[scottice]

not a thing.

Amen!

Thanks for that link. Made my day!!!!!!!

 

[ben_the_bass]

1. Squier Pete Wentz signature P-bass (that I'd smash through the marshall stack during pornstar eric clapton's solo) and then pick up a real p-bass and continue playing.
2. Marshall stack (until destroyed), JPJ's Acoustic 360 (while we're taking a trip through fantasy land)
3. Keep everything else, since this fashion was a middle finger to everyone who wanted those dudes to wear matching suits and short comb-overs. So there.

 

[tplyons]

I'd leave it right as is. Jack Bruce was a man with a plan, and he did it just fine.

 

[thebasssponge]

would not change a thing - awesome band and great bass song

 

[BioDriver]

I'd remove the cigarette from the headstock and wear a bigger hat that was tie-dyed.