Introduction
After false rumours of his death, Andy Fraser, former Bluesbreaker, Shark, and bassist for the rock group Free has recently returned to the studio for his first album in several years. Naked, and Finally Free is available at the Andy Fraser website.
Graham Fieldhouse finds out about the new album, and gets the low-down on his bass guitars over the years.
FlyGuitars Was Naked, and Finally Free something you had been working on for some time, that you suddenly felt pressured to get released?
Andy Fraser In general terms that is true. I had basically retired, in my mind, and was making music for my own pleasure, and need for self-expression. In the back of my mind, there was gonna be a time when I would release something, but have been given the luxury of that being sometime later. When all the rumors started flying around, I had no choice but to respond. It's one thing to say hey 'I'm alive... and kicking,' but it seemed necessary to show exactly how. So I pulled a bunch of songs together which seemed to work as a whole, nipped and tucked here and there, so lyrically it was all on the same page, and regarded the whole situation as a sign. It's 'now or never'
FlyGuitars You were playing bass in bands from the age of 13, which is quite remarkable, can you remember what your first bass was that you owned?
Andy Fraser The first bass - that is difficult. I remember the the first guitar was an "Airstream Lucky 7" where I tuned the strings down an octave, 'cos no one else wanted to be the bass player. I was the diplomat - they wanted to be the guitarist, or drummer, or singer. Bass players weren't cool!
FlyGuitars You have cited a jazz player Binky Mackenzie who was a boyfriend of your sister as a strong influence on your bass playing but were there other players that influenced you?
Andy Fraser I listen to everyone. Paul McCartney was very influential in the way he used the bass to orchestrate the songs. He got better and better at it, and by Sgt. Peppers, it was like the song, bass, and everything else. At a very early age, I was quite taken by the Stones version of I Wanna Be Your Man (a Beatles song), where Bill Wyman really moves it right along - check it out. And then John Entwistle's little bass break in 'My Generation' was really original and opened up a lot of possibilities for me. Jack Bruce played a big part in the early days, as Free started off with Cream as one of it's models. Then getting into Stax and Motown, James Jamerson, Carol Kaye - listen to some of the bass playing on Marvin Gaye's What's Going On, and early Stevie Wonder stuff. Totally cool!
John Mayall's Bluesbreakers
FlyGuitars You became a member of the John Mayall's Bluesbreakers at the age of 15 and when you joined you went out and brought a new bass - was this when you got your Gibson EB3 or did you get that later with Free?
Andy Fraser I did a Saturday jam with Mayall at his house, got the gig. Had Sunday to wrap my head around it. Monday we went out and he got me a decent bass and stereo system, Tuesday I had to go before a Magistrate, and swear I would be in bed by 8 PM or something stupid - with a big smile and "Yes your honor", agreed that I would chaperoned in the workplace, as it were, and by Thurs. we were touring Europe 6, 7 nights a week, burning spliffs with Mick Taylor when Mayall wasn't looking. It wasn't the EB3 which I got at the beginning of FREE, but it was a decent bass, tho' I can't remember what it was. I do recall Mick Taylor had a beautiful Les Paul, which he played constantly - he is one good guitar player!
FlyGuitars Did you do any recording or writing with John Mayall?
Andy Fraser Recording - not in the studio. Some radio shows [1] and I have learnt there have been some live recordings released, and as far as I know Mayall doesn't write with anyone. His material is basic Blues based, where before each song he would call out the key, count off the tempo, and we would play - end of story. We would collect our 50 pounds at the end of the week - a fortune for a 15 year old at the time, and yeah, forget record royalties...
[1] 5 tracks were recorded for BBC Top gear 26-4-1968, at least two of which have been released on several bootleg and import albums- Beano's Boys, The First Five Years, and In the Beginning. Tracks were: Picture On The Wall, Knockers Step Forward, The Last Time, Rock Me Baby, Oh, Pretty Woman
Thanks to Graham Fieldhouse and Andy Fraser
Gibson bass guitars for sale
1969 Gibson Bass Guitar EB-0
Arlington, Indiana, 461**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1500
Ibanez miKros Left Handed Bass Guitar, Rosewood Fretboard, Black + Gibson case
Nutley, New Jersey, 071**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$250
Excellent condition with a few very minor paint chips
Gibson soft carrying case has slight rips to internal lining at the edges only
plays great!
Recently Tuned and intonation adjusted!
NO RETURNS!
... more
Gibson EB2-C Bass Cherry Finish OHSC Very Good Condition
Sikeston, Missouri, 638**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3000
The EB-2C has a 30 5" scale neck with a rosewood fretboard, adorned with dot inlays, ... more
Epiphone By Gibson Bass Guitar Hockey Stick Headstock
Torrance, California, 905**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$250
Used in working order and decent cosmetic condition .Some nicks , scratches and small dings on the body ( see pictures ) .
Comes as shown on pictures .Nothing else included Shipping cost shown is only to the lower 48 states , others please inquire before bidding .... more
1964 Gibson EB-2 Bass Guitar with Hard Shell Vintage Flight Case
Chantilly, Virginia, 201**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$5700
The Gibson comes with a stellar silver and gold very early flight case you could ship it overseas in that thing and I wouldn't be afraid. It came from a very high end Collection and is in extremely good condition and will not find one in better shape. Plays and sounds amazing, has the stock bass boost switch that gets super deep tones and a very very cool bass!!!!  It is so clean you can eat off of it!!! Jimmy page... more
Gibson Victory Artist Active 4- string Bass -1981
Fernandina Beach, Florida, 320**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3800
ORIGINAL VINTAGE 1970s Gibson Les Paul Triumph Recording Bass Walnut Orig. Case
West Islip, New York, 117**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3580
HAS AMAZING TONE AND SOUND WITH A REAL NICE SMOOTH FEEL AND ACTION ALL TUNERS, ELECTRONICS, GIBSON PICK UPS, SWITCHES, VOL , TONE. WORK REAL WELL ALSO AS SHOWN HAS A TINY HAIRLINE ON GUARD BY INPUT JACK CONSIDERING THIS GEM IS APPROX. 50 YEARS OLD AS SHOWN IN REAL NICE ORIGINAL CONDITION BUT TO BE EXPECTED TO HAVE SOME SCUFFS, SCRATCHES AND NORMAL USAGE WEAR .PLEASE ... more
1968 Gibson EB-0 Bass Rare Slotted Head w / Original Case (EXC ) Stunning!!
Racine, Wisconsin, 534**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3995
... more
1969 Gibson EB-0 one owner bass with original custom hard sided case.
Patchogue, New York, 117**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2000
1972 Gibson L6-S Bass Prototype (Ripper, Grabber) Singlecut Sunburst
Syracuse, New York, 132**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$9000
This bass guitar is the prototype for the L6-S bass, a model that was never manufactured by Gibson. Although it is the prototype for an instrument that was not produced, it also seems to be a prototype of the Ripper and Grabber models introduced later that are constructed with the same materials (maple neck and body) and similar dimensions. The look of this one does foreshadow those later models
SETUP & ... more
Vintage Gibson 6 String Thunderbird Bass Electric Sunburst Guitar with Gig Bag
North Hills, California, 913**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2200
1965 Gibson EB-2 Bass a very special ordered EB-2 in a factory Argentine Gray !
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$8995
Epiphone By Gibson Rock Bass Ebony Jazz Bass Hockey Stick Headstock Very Rare
Flower Mound, Texas, 750**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$400
These were made from 1986-93 according to the internet. The serial number sticker has been peeled of, but I believe this is an earlier one
Very nice looking bass
Sealed tuners, new strings, brass saddles, black on black with matching headstock, all original
The body has a few light nicks and scratches, in the clear coat. None major
No apparent fret wear or groves
The bass has just had a ... more
Gibson EB-0 BASS with Slotted Headstock 1969 - Cherry
Jackson, Michigan, 492**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2795
We offer a RARE Slotted Headstock Gibson EB-0 Bass Guitar "Short Scale" S / N: 928316 which I believe makes this a 1969These had what they called "Mudbucker" pickups which sound much fuller and deeper than your standard pickups. They sound really cool!I understand that these short scale basses are easier for guitar player to pick and play. I have to agree It all works as it should This Bass has seen to use but is just honest playing and not abused. Check out the pics and ... more
Gibson Victory Artist Bass 81'
Blackfoot, Idaho, 832**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3800
Gibson Ripper (L9-S) Bass Guitar with Seymour Duncan
New Florence, Pennsylvania, 159**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3500
This bass is in very good condition. There are a few small marks located in the pictures. Feel free to ask questions, can send more pictures. Must have at least 10 positive comments to purchase. For sale in the United States Only
... more
Gibson / Epiphone Newport Bass Guitar 65-66 Vintage USA
Beach City, Ohio, 446**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1979
1968 Gibson EB2D Bass with Hard Shell Case
Bridgeport, West Virginia, 263**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3700
1980 Gibson RD Artist Bass Sunburst
Antioch, Tennessee, 370**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3999
Gibson 1960s EB Bass Tuner Small Plate Nickel Chrome Left Side Rivoli Rick 3000
Cass City, Michigan, 487**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$75
Please refer to all photos for more details as they are the best part of the description. Photos are of the actual item that you will receive. Gibson 1960s EB Bass Tuner Small Plate Nickel Chrome Left Side Rivoli Rick 3000
Description
Our SKU: 10485026
Item Brand: Gibson
Item MPN:
This listing is for Gibson 1960s EB Bass Tuner Small Plate Nickel ... more