Gov't Mule

Fender Precision. Image courtesy of 3800K Photography

FlyGuitars So you joined Gov't Mule as a member in September 2003, how did you get that job?

Andy Hess In a way it was through Audley (Freed), cause he and Warren had been friends for a long time. When Warren and Matt were doing the revolving door thing and had various bass players after they did those deep end records, they started going on tour and I think they got to the point where they wanted to be a band again. I think they grew tired of having the revolving door thing and they got to the point where Danny (Louis) was in the mix as a keyboard player and I think they just wanted to have a solid unit. Audley suggested to Warren that he should check me out because Warren didn't really know about me or have any idea of how I played and he contacted me I think on Audley's recommendation. Then I started doing some one off gigs with them and there was one particular gig that we did where the chemistry just clicked. In the interim though I had gotten a gig with John Schofield the guitarist for a year and had committed to him. When Warren approached me about maybe doing some more like "hey can you do this tour" I was like "well I'm really busy with John and not really available right now" but we stayed in touch for almost a year. Then Warren finally came out and said hey you know we wanna be a band again and we decided that we want you to be part of this. That's kinda how that all happened and then I joined up with them in 2003.

FlyGuitars I certainly think you're like a breath of fresh air to the band because they could have perhaps been expected to go and find someone similar to Woody?

Andy Hess They just didn't want to do that. They wanted it to be something different and I think someone that played exactly like Woody would have not really been a step forward. Also it wasn't a power trio anymore with the keyboards becoming a significant and important part, it became a different band and that's why I fit. I can get very busy and play all the real busy stuff but I'm more of a rhythm section groove player. Not that Woody wasn't, he was too. He had a tremendous groove but it's just a different, it's just gone in to a different direction and I think that's why I fit in and I think maybe Warren had that vision.

FlyGuitars Was it daunting with the legacy that Woody had created?

Andy Hess I felt a lot of pressure as you can well imagine, I was like Oh My God, all these bass players and now there's all these expectations and no one knows who the hell I am. The reason I was able to put it aside was because Warren was like hey man we picked you cause we wanted you. That was good enough for me I was like well I'm here cause they want me to be here you know. That was enough for me to just go well I'm just going to be myself and make this my own and the bands really grown tremendously since I've joined. I've gotten a lot better in the three years within this band than I was in the beginning cause in the beginning it was pressure and there was a lot of music to learn. They have a huge repertoire and memorising all that stuff and then going out and playing it was very demanding and kind of challenging.

FlyGuitars There is all the bands own material and then the covers you do.

Andy Hess Warren will just pull something out of the hat like last minute and go hey let's try this. Then all of sudden your performing it for 2,000 people and you barely know the song but it's exciting and keeps things fresh.

FlyGuitars When I spoke to Warren back in April, he said that he thought High & Mighty, your second record with Gov't Mule really captures the spirit of the new band and that you and Danny (Louis) were coming more in to your own?

Andy Hess I agree, yes that's definitely true. I think that's because of all the live playing and touring we've done and things we've been able to work out on stage just by playing together. I'm much more comfortable than I was even like a year and a half ago. It really took a while to get comfortable. It was in spurts, it was a slow growing thing but you know Warren really had a great vision, in a way he just kind of let that happen. We all still to this day will make mistakes cause we're a band that take chances and goes out on a limb. Music that's very improvisational can be hit or miss so some nights everything comes together, some nights just some things come together and some don't as well. We've really grown because of that process and because of listening to each other. Matt (Abts) I think has changed a lot and I've really grown and learnt from those guys and I think everyone's learnt from everyone in the band. Danny's brought in some incredible textures and sounds and really has a good sense of the music and I think is the perfect keyboard player. I think you hear that in the record which is kind of the result, you can just hear how we play together. It's just completely different from Deja Voodoo where Danny and I were still pretty new, not to say that that record isn't good. I think there's some really great moments but this record is much more solid.

FlyGuitars I think High & Mighty to me sounds dynamically brighter and all of the instruments sound less distant, everything's there in the mix. How did the recording and mixing of the two differ?

The 2004 Gov't Mule album, Deja Voodoo was the first to feature Andy Hess on bass

Andy Hess They differ to a huge extent because we had a different producer, You know we had Michael Barbiero who did all the previous Mule stuff including Deja Voodoo and then we got this guy Geordie Johnson who was in a Canadian band by the name of Big Sugar. A super talented guy, a really cool person and just amazing. He really challenged us and kicked our arses in the studio and was really I think a big part of that record sounding the way it does. He engineered it and produced it so I think that's the biggest difference right there, a different approach.

FlyGuitars Do you think Deja Voodoo was a case of it's a new band coming together and the songs are there but you're all still finding your feet with each other?

Andy Hess Yeah totally, I was still walking on shaky ground but I don't think you hear that on the record. There's a huge difference between those two records and you hear it just coming to a show, coming to see us live it's different now than it was three years ago when I first started. Like how my playing influenced Matt maybe or Warren plays differently because now there's keyboards. There's so many elements you know that come in to play I think.

FlyGuitars I agree and going back to what you were saying about the band taking chances I think that's something that I find very exciting about the band. Was there any particular reason you didn't use Michael Barbiero for this record?

Andy Hess I think it just came to the point where Warren was feeling like we owe it to ourselves to try a different approach with a different producer to see what happens. Even Michael was very supportive and said we should go do it with someone else just to try something different. There was that hunger to do something, to try someone else and Michael's part of the family we all love him, he's great. I definitely foresee we'll probably end up doing something with him again down the line.

Gibson bass guitars for sale

Flyguitars.com is funded by its visitors. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission. For more info see terms and conditions.

1969 Gibson EB-0 one owner bass with original custom hard sided case.

Patchogue, New York, 117**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2000

1969 Gibson EB-0 one owner bass with original custom hard sided case. See pic of original owner with the bass in the early ?70s ! Both the bass and case show wear from decades of use. There are scuffs, scratches, dings, and dents as you would expect. There is a split in the headstock that extends for approximately 7 inches, see photo. Electronics appear to be untouched all original. As shown in pic, date code on pot reads 6833, so bass was built in late 1968 or possibly early 1969. Serial number... more

Tobias Pre-Gibson 5 String Bass - Early Stacked Knob Version -- Serial #571

San Diego, California, 921**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3995

* Scroll down to see 44 more HP Images *
Here's a pretty early Tobias Pre-Gibson 5 String bass in a factory original finish
This bass is in good condition and has average playwear.
The top, back and sides have various scratches, finish wear and small indents
She has 2 repaired cracks at the fretboard / nut area - see pics
The frets show some common leveling, but she plays without buzzing or dead spots.
The neck is straight and she'll have a fresh set up with 45 / 130s, ... more

Gibson Kalamazoo KB bass 1960s

Salem, New Hampshire, 030**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1200

1960s Kalamazoo KB Shortscale bass made by Gibson. Few small chips / dings on body and headstock.
... more

Ibanez miKros Left Handed Bass Guitar, Rosewood Fretboard, Black + Gibson case

Nutley, New Jersey, 071**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$250

Ibanez miKros  Left Handed Bass Guitar, Rosewood Fretboard, Black + Gibson soft carrying case
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

1968 Gibson EB-2 hollowbody Bass Cherry

Carbondale, Illinois, 629**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2490

Add Me to Your Favorite Sellers
Olivia's Vintage would like to present this 1968 Gibson EB-2 hollowbody bass in its original Cherry finish. It has a great playing neck with good frets. It's all original with the exception of the added thumbrest and is 100% complete with the exception of the bridge cover. A nice non-original vintage hardshell case is also included and is a good fit for this bass. There are minor nicks + dings, finish checking and other cosmetic wear. The bass itself ... more

Gibson Victory Artist Active 4- string Bass -1981 Candy Apple Red w / Non OHSC

Huntington Station, New York, 117**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1499

Here we have a vintage Gibson Victory Artist Active 4- String bass. Made in the USA in 1981. The Victory Artist bass features a 34" scale bolt- on body design. Candy Apple Red finish. Maple body with a Maple neck and a 24- fret Rosewood fingerboard. Brass nut and Schaller tuning machines. The Victory bass has 2-Active VIIIB humbucker pickups and an Active preamp. The electronics allow you to choose Active or Passive operation. The preamp allows for a wide range of tones. From deep and ... more

1969 Gibson EB-1 Bass

Carbondale, Illinois, 629**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4190

Add Me to Your Favorite Sellers
Olivia's Vintage would like to present this 1969 Gibson EB-1 bass in its original finish. It has a great playing neck with great frets. It's all original and 100% complete with the exception of the extendable peg for the bottom. I period correct Gibson hardshell case for a different model, but fits well, is included. This bass looks great with some nicks + dings, light finish checking, some belt buckle wear, a small crack in the upper corner of the plastic... more

Gibson EB-1 Violin Bass Electric Bass w / Original Case SN: 810964

Lafayette, Indiana, 479**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4899

HH139 Vintage Gibson EB-1 Violin Bass Electric Bass w / Original Case SN: 810964. Please be aware that the guitar has some spots where there's extra holes in the body crazing crackling on the Finish and some of the Gibson and the crown have come off over time. Guitar may need some work handle on case one side has popped off also exterior case has some peel up of the black around the edging as well as one strip down the neck. Please see pictures ask any questions you may have before buying. If ... more

1969 Gibson EB3 Bass Guitar- 100% Original with Original Case

Glastonbury, Connecticut, 060**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3700

One owner, bought new in 1969 from Quigly Music in Kansas City with original Gibson Case. One small strap rub on back with minor finish scratches on back as seen in photos.... more

Vintage 1970's Gibson EB-L Bass

Harvey, Illinois, 604**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2500

Used Vintage 70 " s Gibson EB-L Bass Needs work and can be considered as a project. Missing knobs and has dings. Hard case is in poor condition.... more

Gibson Nikki Sixx Signature Blackbird Thunderbird Electric Bass w / OHSC

Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2499

Used but not abused. Everything works exactly how it should. Ships in its hard case
Will provide more photos soon. Has a D tuner added
... more

1968 Gibson EB-0 Bass Rare Slotted Head w / Original Case (EXC ) Stunning!!

Racine, Wisconsin, 534**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3995

1968 Gibson EB-0 Bass w / Original Case (EXC ) Stunning!!. Slotted headstock with original Gibson tuners!! Perfect for the collector!! This bass is in exceptional condition and so is the original case!! You will not find one in better condition!! Simply amazing!! Has new strings and comes with a beautiful vintage ??Made in Mexico?? leather strap!! Everything 100% original!! Thanks for looking!!
... more

Gibson Victory Artist Bass 81'

Blackfoot, Idaho, 832**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3800

This a killer bass and a total P bass killer. Gibson released these to compete with the p bass and they are far, far, better quality. Mahogany body, Mable neck, brass nut, active and passive humbuckers with MOOG electronics! All original with the original case. The original case is pretty beat up with a buckle replaced but still road Worthy. Original paperwork still with it. The guitar is set up to play easy with a low action and great sound. One bridge saddle is missing the riser but works ... more

Gibson Triumph Bass Guitar

Birmingham, Alabama, 352**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2995

Gibson Les Paul Triumph Model Solid Body Electric Bass Guitar (1974), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 302569, natural mahogany finish, laminated mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, original black tolex hard shell case. I purchased this from Retrofret in Brooklyn, NYC. It sounds amazing and is such a classic instrument. Here are some additional details on this model
The Les Paul Triumph Bass was the Gibson's first attempt at a completely new 4-string since the original 1963 ... more

Gibson EB-3 Cherry Mod 1969 Electric Bass Guitar Original Case Slotted Head Art

El Segundo, California, 902**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3500

Beautiful stunning EB three Gibson guitar Bass original case, one lady owner, left as found 1970s i??ll let the Pictures do the talking or the playing ! Enjoy laurence & sally of StorageWars and baggage battles currently www roundthebend tv
... more

"1973" Vintage Cherry "GIBSON EB-3" with OHSC Serial #056076 in Great Condition

Riverside, California, 925**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3795

Here we a have a Pre-Owned Excellent Condition 1973 VINTAGE GIBSON EB-3 BASS. I Just put it through the Shop to make sure everything is up to snuff. I am very meticulous when it comes to my gear, I baby my stuff. Everything is in perfect working order. I just had it completely set up with brand New FENDER FLATOUND 45-100'S so it plays wonderful. Truss Rod is in good working condition Neck is Straight action is perfect. (I like the action low) so it set perfect and plays like a dream. All the ... more

Vintage Early 1960's Gibson EB-0 / EB-2 Bass Bridge Mute

Brooklyn, New York, 112**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$175

Vintage Early 1960's Gibson EB-0 / EB-2 Bass Bridge Mute
Very Good Condition Sold by a mom & pop music store in Brooklyn NY
... more

1967 Gibson eb-0 bass. lots of patina and finish checking. has hard case cm23ess

Albany, Georgia, 317**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2500

has been tested and checked over. plays great and looks very vintage. has a decent amount of belt buckle wear and dings. please see pics for condition... more

USA GIBSON EB BASS Guitar Bridge Tailpiece STUD Post Set Vintage Parts

Plano, Texas, 750**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$149

Steel construction, Chrome finish, Normal vintage wear with patina, some driver marks, threads are Good,   ORIGINAL GIBSON PARTs, See pics for dimensions. THANKS for looking!
... more

Gibson Victory Artist Active 4- string Bass -1981

Fernandina Beach, Florida, 320**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3800

Gibson Victory Artist Active 4- string Bass -1981 . Condition is Used. Local pickup only.... more

Find more vintage guitars for sale at vintageguitarsforsale.co