Basses
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.
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.
Image mule.net
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.
Thanks to Andy Hess and Graham Fieldhouse for the interview, Jim Walsh of Big Hassle Publicity, Hard Head Management and Brian Shupe of 3800K Photography for providing the images
Further reading: Warren Haynes on Allen Woody | Other FlyGuitars interviews
Andy Hess website | Gov't Mule website
Gibson bass guitars for sale
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
1980'S SCHALLER ROLLER BASS BRIDGE CHROME W / SCREWS GUILD KRAMER ARIA GIBSON
Berlin, New Hampshire, 035**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$129
This is one of the all-time great bass bridge designs! It's massive yet low-profile and you can adjust string height as well as string spacing quite easily. The roller saddle design places a lot less strain on string windings and this adds to sustain. Made in Germany with the DBP patent # so you know it's an early one, Some minor oxidation but no rust or pitting and all the adjustment screws turn freely. Includes the (3) original mounting screws.
FREE ... more
USA GIBSON EB BASS Guitar Bridge Tailpiece STUD Post Set Vintage Parts
Plano, Texas, 750**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$149
... more
Vintage Early 1960's Gibson EB-0 / EB-2 Bass Bridge Mute
Brooklyn, New York, 112**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$175
Very Good Condition Sold by a mom & pop music store in Brooklyn NY
... more
EPIPHONE Bass By GIBSON BAT WING Power BASS GUITAR Vintage
West Palm Beach, Florida, 334**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$189
Please review ALL pictures questions always welcome prior to purchase thanks for looking all vintage sales final
... more
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
1959 1960 GIBSON EB-0 Slab Body BASS PICKGUARD USA
Houston, Texas, 770**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$250
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
1960??s GIBSON Bass EB-3 EB-2 EB-0 Hand Rest Cover
Houston, Texas, 770**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$250
The cover features the iconic Gibson logo and is a great addition to any vintage musical instrument collection. Whether you are a seasoned musician or a collector, this hand rest cover is a unique and... more
GIBSON 1968-7O SLOT-HEAD EB-O EB-3 BASS CASE BLACK TOLEX RED LINING VERY CLEAN!
Berlin, New Hampshire, 035**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$349
FREE USA SHIPPING!
(for a limited time)
This month The Bass Palace will be listing 15 to 20 vintage cases from The Swami's own personal collection. Most of these are in primo condition and some are actually NOS. There are even some seldom-seen ones to be offered. These are the cream-of-the-crop if you are looking for a case worthy of your own special instrument. As an intro I am offering FREE shipping to the lower 48 thru 11 / 15 (a $40-60 savings)! But make no mistake, once the sale ... more
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
Bass guitar string mute From 1966 Gibson Thunderbird
Cumming, Georgia, 300**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$400
Crafted with precision and care, this mute is made to last. It is made from high-quality materials and is built to withstand the wear and tear of regular use. Whether you are a seasoned musician or just starting out, this bass guitar ... more
Replica Gibson EB-2 Style Semi-Hollow 5-String Bass | Sire Marcus Miller Pickups
Brookings, South Dakota, 570**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$449
It is in the style of a Gibson EB-2 type bass or generally the recognizable semi-hollow basses of the 60's from leading brands like Gibson, Epiphone, Guild, Hagstrom & Hofner. As far as I'm aware, there were no semi-hollow 5-string basses like this that existed back then and very few that exist even now.... more
VINTAGE 1970'S GIBSON SB 450 BASS GUITAR PICKUP
Richmond, Virginia, 232**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$499
... more
gibson sg bass with case
Luke, Maryland, 215**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$895
Gibson SG 4 String Made In USA Electric Bass Guitar (Blemished)
Onset, Massachusetts, 025**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1000
Gibson USA SG Short Scale Bass Excellent Condition With OHSC -Free US Shipping
Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, 076**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1000
I believe it was manufactured in 2007
There??s some normal signs of use, such as a few scuffs, minor buckle rash and small nicks to the finish, but nothing major.
Easy to play short scale neck with Grover tuners
Stays in tune and sounds great
The case has some scuffs and a couple of small tears in the tolex, but is in good overall condition.
Please reference the pictures and let me know... more
Vintage 1968 Gibson EB-0 Bass Guitar 5 String
Dayton, Ohio, 454**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1200
The brand speaks for itself, with a reputation for quality that Gibson has built over the years. This electric bass guitar is perfect for any music style and is sure to make a statement in any band. Whether you're a ... more
Gibson Kalamazoo KB bass 1960s
Salem, New Hampshire, 030**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1200
... more
1971 Gibson EB-0 Bass Walnut w / OHSC
San Diego, California, 921**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1395
This Bass Is Located At IVG Sherman Oaks
In Good Overall Condition (Please See Photos)
Repaired Headstock As Shown
Finish Shows Some Cosmetic Playwear Including Small Dings, Marks, And Scratches Throughout
Original Hardware And Electronics
Made In Kalamazoo, MI
Mahogany Body And Neck With Rosewood Fingerboard And Dot Inlays
Original Humbucker Pickup In Neck Position
Original Frets Low But Playable
30 5" Scale Length
1 ... more