The ShadowMusic Web Community

My apologies for yet another photo of our band's bass guitar, but our old photos were left in the previous Shadowmusic site. So, for posterity, here's a variation on the theme, never before posted! It's a Fender Customshop "recreation" of a guitar that never existed - a 1959/60 Precision Bass in Fiesta Red, with gold hardware and flamed maple neck - a "Hank Marvin" PBass! We've strung it with flatwounds and usually play it through an Ampeg all-tube head and cabinet. We ordered and received it this year, just in time for our 1st show. Incidentally, it is the lightest of the 3 Fender bass guitars we've used.

Andy

Dear all,

After some time riding on my colleague Andy's membership, I have finally registered on my own. I have been playing bass for the Shadows cover band "Walking Shadow," which is part of the "Madeleine Cookie Company." I play bass for the company repertoire, using a Hofner '62 re-issue violin bass for the vocals, as noted in Andy's other post in this forum. For the Shadows' pieces in the company act, I use the Fiesta Red customshop Pbass pictured above.

We're now planning our shows for 2010, most likely 4 successive daily shows every four months or so (an easier schedule for us non-professional musicians with day jobs!). I am posting this picture, taken a two weeks ago, during practice. The sunburst is a 60th anniversary Pbass, also with flat-wounds. It's a bit more punchy than the customshop Pbass, which is to 1959-60 spec, mellower and, I think, sweeter. Andy tells me a sunburst is actually corect for "Apache" but the red customashop matches the lead guitar and so looks better on stage.

Not too many women on the forum, so I hope I am not intruding!

My best regards and a happy new year to all.

Anna
Manila

Welcome to the site Anna. It´s nice to have a new bassist here. Happy New Year for you and the band.

BTW my grandmother was from Philippines.

Best regards,
Pancho

Hi Anna,
Welcome to the site,hope you enjoy it. Do you keep the "ash-trays" on the red Precision when you play?
Des.

Hi Pancho!

It's good to be able to chat with other bassists through this site. What a coinicidence, my grandfather is from Spain (Murcia and Toledo).

Regards!
Anna

Hi Des!

Yes, I do keep the "ashtray" on when I play. I contemplated removing it but decided it was just too pretty. It also makes the guitar look more vintage.

But it does take some getting used to. I hadn't played with a pick for a long time, and of course had to relearn for the Shadows pieces. I find that resting my hand on the cover makes it a bit easier for me.

I know that removing the "ashtray" is the current practice. Do you think I should remove it?

I'm sure I'll enjoy the site and learn a lot.

Regards!
Anna

Hi Anna,
I play with the "ash-trays" still on my basses,that's the way I learnt a long time ago and still mostly use a plectrum. However,it takes all sorts and whatever suits you best,- I personally like the vintage look of the guitar,- I do however use flatwound strings.
Cheers,
Des.

Too bad Jet's hand in the period photo Alan posted in "Apache Speculation (viewtopic.php?t=1020) covers the pick-up. I wonder whether in the early days Jet kept the "ashtray" on as well.

Andy

Hi Des!

Thank you. I am encouraged by the fact that you keep the "ashtray" on your guitar, and so I will do the same. In fact, I will check if the sunburst Pbass came with a cover, and if so I might attach it too.

Regards!
Anna

abstamaria wrote:Too bad Jet's hand in the period photo Alan posted in "Apache Speculation (viewtopic.php?t=1020) covers the pick-up. I wonder whether in the early days Jet kept the "ashtray" on as well.

Andy

Hi Andy,
Jet certainly did keep the "ash-tray" on when he played with the Shads. In fact I was lucky enough to back Jet at a gig last year and he played my bass,"ash-trays" and all.
Des.