Basses

The main studio basses played by Andy Hess: shortscale Gibson EB0, Fender Telecaster bass, Precision, Hofner Violin bass, another Precision, and finally a longscale EB, the Gibson EB0L
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FlyGuitars Why did you choose to work with Geordie Johnson?

Andy Hess Warren had already been friends with Geordie and was a big fan of his and respected him tremendously. He knew that Geordie was in to producing and so he called him and Geordie was very excited to be part of it. We went down to Austen, Texas and recorded down there in a studio that Geordie works in a lot cause that's where he lives with his family. It was really a great experience working with him, it was very challenging and he brought in some great basses, I played a Gibson EB-OL on some of the session.

FlyGuitars I've always identified you as using Fender basses?

Andy Hess I'm mostly a Fender guy I'll be honest with you but Geordie bought in a nice Hofner Beatle bass that I played on a couple of tracks and I played Geordie's EB-O as well as the EB-OL that I had bought down in Austen in a guitar shop. I mixed it up on this record and I do also have a Thunderbird at home but I haven't really been using it except on Deja Voodoo on a couple of tracks; Bad Man Walking and on Mister Man.

Andy Hess, Fender Precision, Ampeg SVT with 8x10 cab
Image 3800K Photography

Andy Hess plays his Gibson EB0L bass
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Andy with his early seventies Fender Telecaster bass
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FlyGuitars What did you like about the different basses having been used to using your Fenders?

Andy Hess It was just a different tone, Gibson make great basses too. It just happened to be that I was always a Fender person and I fell in love with the Precision but it was also great to use a Hofner on a couple of songs. They all sound different they all bring a different tone.

FlyGuitars I think that adds to the album having the different tones on each track. When you were using the EB-O and the EB-OL how did you record the bass track in the studio?

Andy Hess It was definitely a weird concoction that Geordie came up with. He'd mic the cabs and then we also went direct through this weird effect and he definitely mixed it up a little bit. We also used various Fender amps including guitar amps, it wasn't the standard set up. There's a couple of tunes where later we went back to New Jersey and I had to do a couple of extra tracks and I went through an Ampeg B15 which is what I usually do. On the road I use the Ampeg SVT with the 8x10 cabinet. I'm an endorser of Ampeg and I love their amps, they're great, they just work for me.

FlyGuitars I think they work for a lot of people, they are well made amps and you get a great sound through them as well. From memory seeing you play in London, you tend to favour playing with your fingers rather than a pick?

Andy Hess Yes definitely I suppose it's just cause I'm used to it and that's how I learned. It just feels good to me and I have control over the stuff I play that way. On occasion I might play with a pick but pretty rarely. Sometimes I'll play with my thumb and I'll mute the strings near the bridge with my palm to get like a dubby thing going but mostly it's my two fingers, the standard. I love the warmth, I'm more into a warm round bubbly sound as opposed to clanky

FlyGuitars Warren's credited for writing the songs on High & Mighty but how do the band approach putting the songs together?

Andy Hess I didn't know any of the songs until I got to Texas. We kind of learned them, we rehearsed a couple of days and became familiar with them and we all worked together on the grooves and the arrangement, and how the song's supposed to feel. Warren presented us the songs, It's not like we knew them all that well before we went in to the studio which is good too. In a lot of ways you kind of get first impressions and often first impressions are very valuable. Although there's something to be said too for really knowing the music but that's just how we did it.

"Mule guitar tech Brain Farmer with the Hofner H500/1 Beatle Bass"
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FlyGuitars Brian (Farmer, left), the bands guitar tech seems to be a busy man and he's always there for you guys. Bearing in mind his workload, do you tend to use just the Fender basses on tour or are you taking out other basses?

Andy Hess He's the greatest in the world. He takes care of my basses and he sets them up beautifully for me and he's a good man to have on the team. I use the Fender and I've been using the Gibson EB-OL that I brought in Texas a lot but mostly I have to say I play my Fender P basses. I do have a Fender Telecaster bass in the arsenal.

FlyGuitars People tend to sit on one side of the fence or the other they'll be a Fender player or a Gibson player so it's interesting to speak to somebody who likes Fenders but who also likes picking up Gibsons.

Andy Hess I love my Fenders, I'm never going to not play my Fender basses. I think the Fender Precision bass is one of the greatest basses, that's just a classic. That's what I'm used to and I love them but I've definitely got to really love my EB-O too. It works for certain songs perfectly.

Gibson bass guitars for sale

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Vintage Gibson EB-2 Modified Bass EB2 ES bass Electric Bass 1960??s

Brisbane, California, 940**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1000

A really cool bass that was always in this shape. Owned for about 5 years and planned to redo it. Im more of a guitarist so Im thinning the heard. Looks great. I think the bridge is a dimarzio and there have been other pots once installed. The switches seem to be boosts for the pickups. And Volume for each pickup. No tone option. Another routes on the back. Gibson sticker gone. Some screws missing on the back and rusty input screws but everything stays together. Was also like that

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1972 FENDER PRECISION BASS pickguard with Vintage Gibson pickup.

New Hyde Park, New York, 110**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$300

1972 Fender P Bass Pickguard with Vintage Gibson Pickup. 28 6k... more

1968 Gibson EB2 Bass Cherry w / OHSC

Towson, Maryland, 212**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2100

[contenteditable]{ pointer-events: none; }1968 Gibson EB2 Bass Cherry w / OHSC
1968 Gibson EB-2 Bass in Cherry with original hardshell case??a vintage semi-hollow thumper with unmistakable Gibson character. The double-cut hollow body design delivers a deep, woody low end with a warm, blooming response, while the neck-position humbucker provides that classic ??mudbucker?? fullness that sits perfectly in the mix and a bridge humbucker with a little more bite. Its short-scale feel makes it ... more

1971 Gibson Les Paul Triumph Bass Natural

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

$2890

Add Me to Your Favorite Sellers
Olivia's Vintage would like to present this 1971 Gibson Les Paul Triumph Bass in its original Natural Mahogany finish. It has a great playing neck with great frets. It's all original with the exception of the strap buttons and the switch tip. The original hardshell case is included and has a replaced handle. There are lots of nicks + dings, belt buckle wear, a cracked corner of the pickguard and other cosmetic wear. There are a couple of very short ... more

1964 Gibson EB-2 Bass Guitar with Hard Shell Vintage Flight Case

Chantilly, Virginia, 201**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5200

1964 Gibson EB-2 Bass with Hard Shell Vintage Flight Case.

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 Les Paul Bass 90??s Black Upgrades W / case

Buffalo, New York, 142**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1950

90s Les Paul Bass refurbished lace pick ups Tremelo bridge hip shot tuners with D tuner completely rebuilt from the ground up custom by Glenn Miller Ronna??s violin shop in Niagara Falls New York Glen has been mentioned in the Gibson hardcover book for his excellent reproduction of the V, the Explorer and the modern . you can Google him to read more about his excellent work ships with hardshell Case plays amazing more pictures available upon request .
... more

1977 Gibson L-9S Ripper Natural

Nazareth, Pennsylvania, 180**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2799

Just in is this beautiful 1977 Gibson L-9S ??The Ripper?? Bass in natural

Quick Details

Make ?? Gibson

Model ?? The Ripper

Year -1977

Color -Natural

Weight ?? 10 72lbs

Nut Width ?? 1 9 / 16ths??

Neck Depth at 1st fret ?? 0 83??

Neck Depth at 12th fret ?? 0 98??

Case ??Original hard case

Serial # 73047092

Description

Just in is this beautiful 1977 Gibson ??The Ripper?? bass. This bass is in ... more

1964 Gibson EB2 bass guitar w / original hard-shell case.

Clarkston, Washington, 994**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5500

The 1964 Gibson EB2 bass guitar is a vintage piece that comes in its original hard-shell case. This electric bass guitar is designed for professional performance, making it a high-quality option for musicians. With a classic semi-hollow body, rosewood fretboard, and maple neck, this right-handed guitar offers a rich sound that is perfect for bass players looking for a vintage feel and high-performance capabilities. The red body color adds a touch of style to this iconic Gibson model from 1964.... more

Gibson SG Short Scale Bass 120th Anniversary Sunburst w Case HIPSHOT Bridge

Los Angeles, California, 900**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1200

2014 Gibson SG 120th Anniversary (Right Handed):
Im not a professional guitar inspector but I will do my best to present the instrument.
Excellent short scale bass with a massive low tone. I have played this on numerous gigs and have owned it for a few years so it does have some cosmetic wear
I tried to capture some of the playing scratches close to the neck pickup. Accumulated from playing towards the neck with the thumb nail scratching the wood or using a pick. It also has some ... more

GIBSON VICTORY STANDARD BASS GUITAR - RARE

Saint Petersburg, Florida, 337**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1250

GIBSON VICTORY STANDARD BASS GUITAR - Serial # 81831614 - 1981 - Monday July 2nd - Nashville TN - Production # 614, beautiful guitar, professional players guitar, the case was made by Quest

... more

Gibson Truss Rod Cover / Epiphon Thunderbird Bass Guitar

Deer Park, Washington, 990**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$599

The Gibson-Epiphone Thunderbird Bass Guitar is a high-quality electric bass guitar designed for right-handed musicians. With its classic 4-string configuration and distinctive Tobacco Sunburst body color, this model is a stylish and reliable choice for bass players. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned musician, the Thunderbird offers a rich sound and smooth playability that is sure to impress. The Gibson brand ensures top-notch craftsmanship and durability, making it a trusted choice for any... more

1981 Gibson Flying V Bass Trans Blue Refinished With Upgrades and Extras

Perry Hall, Maryland, 211**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3699

I bought this many years ago and got it exactly how you see it now, please zoom into all pictures before buying to confirm condition
I touched up the re-paint a little bit and got it setup at Norman's Rare Guitars in Los Angeles where they replaced the original nut with a bone nut so it plays great
I understand a re-finished instrument has less value than the original but considering how rare these are and how they are selling for $5-6000 or more it could be a great deal if you are ... more

Gibson SB-400 Bass Guitar Body Neck Hull Carcass Project Vintage 1973 Walnut

Spring Hill, Florida, 346**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$900

Vintage 1973
Gibson SB-400 Bass Guitar Body Neck Hull Carcass Project
Original finish, Played Perfectly Upon Disassembly, No Repairs
Neck .895@1st, .990@12th
Nut Width 1 70 "
Scale Length: 34 "
Weight As Is 6 Pounds, 1 Ounce
Very Clean Overall
This is a Vintage 1973 Gibson SB-400 Bass Guitar Body Neck Hull Carcass Project as pictured. This guitar will show wear and flaws as pictured from use and age, but still a great part ready for reassembly with your choice of ... more

1968 Gibson EB-2DC Bass it's beautiful w / 2 pickups w / all the tones you need !

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3750

The Gibson EB-2 Bass was invented in 1958 & made famous by many players. Its beautiful slightly faded original Cherry Red finish is what this is all about. Its 1 piece mahogany neck feel delicious. No volute nor Made in the USA stamp. She's got a perfect orange label too. Its pickgard is intact. Its powerful 2 pickups along w / its original push-button switch make really fabulous tones on steroids. She has a set of witch hat knobs & chrome bridge cover to finish her off nice. Its orange ... more

Vintage Gibson EB-3 bass guitar with slotted headstock 1969-1972, walnut

Danville, Pennsylvania, 178**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1500

This vintage Gibson EB-3 (1969-1972) was used on stage in a touring band as a primary instrument between 1974 and 1982. There have been some customizations, pictured. Slotted headstock, mahogany body with walnut finish. Some costmetic dings consistent with age and use; the headstock crack was repaired professionally years ago. Overall in good condition, and was last used on a recording in 2023. Comes with original case, stencilled with the name of the band.... more

Gibson EB-0 Electric Bass Guitar 1973 Walnut With Original Hard Case

Spring Hill, Florida, 346**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1500

Vintage Gibson USA
1973 Gibson EB-0 Electric Bass Guitar
Walnut
With Original Purple Lined, Gibson Branded Hard Case
Plays / Sounds Great!
Finish: 100% Original
Repairs: None To Note
Serial Number: Cant See Due To Thick Factory Finish (black lights perfectly)
Year: This Guitar Was Dated By The Pot Codes. Both Date 1973 With Original Solder Joints
Weight: 8 Pounds, 7 Ounces
Scale Length: 30 5 "
Nut Width: 1 63" (measured with my caliper)
Neck Specs: .860@1st ... more

Mike Watt??s 1969 Gibson Les Paul Bass

Cross Junction, Virginia, 226**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$6000

1969 Gibson Les Paul Bass: ESP Strat preamp with bypass mini-switch added. Badass bridge, headstock repaired. Mike Watt moved the output jack from the side to the front and added a big ol' washer to reinforce it you can see it in the picture. He also removed the side jack.
(bought from dirk vandenberg of guitar surfari. mike watts bass tech in San Pedro... more

1967 Gibson EB-2 Vintage Sunburst Semi-Hollow 4 String Right-Handed Bass Guitar

Winnsboro, Louisiana, 712**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3000

The 1967 Gibson EB-2 Vintage Sunburst Semi-Hollow 4 String Right-Handed Bass Guitar is a classic piece of musical history. Crafted by the renowned brand Gibson, this bass guitar is designed for right-handed players and features a semi-hollow body type. With its unique 4-string configuration, this model is perfect for bass enthusiasts looking for a vintage instrument with a timeless appeal. The sunburst finish adds to its retro charm, making it a standout choice for players seeking a vintage ... more

1972 Gibson EB-3 Mahogany Maple neck Bass Guitar first year 1972 has Gibson logo

Kokomo, Indiana, 469**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2500

The 1972 Gibson EB-3 The first Model Mahogany Bass Guitar is a vintage electric bass guitar that exudes classic style and timeless appeal. With a short scale body made of mahogany with a maple neck and a right-handed design, this 4-string bass guitar features a rosewood fretboard for a smooth and rich tone. This model, part of the Gibson series, comes with a hard case for added protection and easy transport. Whether you're a seasoned musician or a beginner looking to add a vintage touch to your ... more

Used Gibson 1978 RD Artist Bass - Natural w / Case

Winchester, Virginia, 226**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2430

ProAudioStar DJ GEAR INSTRUMENT GEAR LIVE SOUND RECORDING MICROPHONES HEADPHONES ACCESSORIES SOFTWARE LIGHTING BUNDLES Authorized Dealer - Full Warranty
Used Gibson 1978 RD Artist Bass... more

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