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
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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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Gibson SG Short Scale Bass 120th Anniversary Sunburst w Original Case and VIDEO

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

$1295

Here's a 2014 Gibson SG 120th Anniversary 4 string bass guitar in a factory original Sunburst finish.
It is in good condition with lots of playwear - see pics and video
She hhas no breaks or repairs and is all original
She has a fresh set up with Ernie Ball 45 / 105's and actually plays quite beautifully.
She's 7 4 lbs on the scale
Here's the specs - please correct us if we've missed anything
As part of their 120th Anniversary, Gibson USA has reconceived several ... 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 1960 EB-0 Bass Guitar Cherry

Rochester, New York, 146**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5999

Here we have a very historic bass guitar from Gibson, an EB-0 from 1960.
This is a double cut solid body guitar, featuring banjo-style tuners and a one pickup design. Condition-wise this piece is in great playing and sounding condition, and bears typical signs of wear and tear. Small dings, checking, and scratches can be seen on the surface, as well as more checking and wear up the neck (as seen). This will include a non original case.... more

Gibson "The Ripper" L-9s Original Bass Guitar 1970's

Marquette, Wisconsin, 539**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1550

Very good condition, made from 1973-1983. A favorite of rock musicians of the era. Serial number scratched out indicating minor imperfections that made it a factory second quality. Great playing bass guitar with incredible sound
... 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

1964 Gibson Thunderbird IV Bass 1 of the best originals it's 1 of a kind & Minty

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

$27495

These early production Reverse?? Thunderbird??s & Firebird??s were so far ahead of time & very few were ever made comparatively to Fender??s P & J Basses. This particular example was ordered in Gibson??s most popular color of a Dark 2-tone Sunburst finish all over its neck & body. Very little yellowing appears yet she has slight playtime all over. These tend to get funky from playing in bars & clubs & get nicotine stained. Its rosewood fingerboard is straight as an arrow ... more

1960 Gibson EBO a stunning rare all original example from Gibson's best era !

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

$6495

This is a very rare late production 1960 Gibson EB-0 Bass the original slab-bodied EB-0 bass weighs just 9 lbs. 6oz. and has a nice, fat nut width of just under 1 11 / 16 inches and a scale length of 30 1 / 2 inches. Solid mahogany body, one-piece mahogany neck, and unbound Brazil rosewood fretboard with 20 original jumbo frets and inlaid pearl dot position markers. Headstock with inlaid pearl ??Gibson?? logo and pearl crown inlay. Two-layer black over white plastic ?bell-shaped?? truss-rod ... 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

1993 Gibson LP-3 Les Paul Standard 5-String Bass | Extremely Rare 5-String | Fla

Salt Lake City, Utah, 841**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3499

For Sale: 1993 Gibson LP-3 Les Paul Standard 5-String Bass | Rare 5-String | Heritage Cherry Sunburst | Flamey Top | Bartolini Preamp | Original Case
Up for sale is an extremely rare 1993 Gibson LP-3 Les Paul Standard 5-String Bass in a gorgeous Heritage Cherry Sunburst finish, complete with its original hard-shell case. This particular bass is a true standout??not only is it one of the rare 5-string versions of the Les Paul Standard bass, but it also features a highly figured, flamey top ... more

VINTAGE GIBSON BASS GUITAR 1970 EB-0 SLOTTED HEADSTOCK RESTOMOD ONE OF A KIND!

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

$1349

Extremely RARE model 1970 Gibson EB-0 that has been restored with premium parts, not generic junk. YOU WILL NEVER SEE ANOTHER ONE LIKE THIS. SEE ALL PICTURES FOR COMPLETE DESCRIPTION!! FIRST of all the split headstock is already extremely rare (only for 69 / 70) but this one has a VOLUTE (bump on back of headstock), which according to my research shouldn't even exist on a split headstock as it was added to strengthen after they did away with the breakage prone split headstock. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ... more

Vintage 1992 Gibson LPB-1 Les Paul Special Electric Bass Guitar w / Case! RARE!!!

Santee, California, 920**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1599

At Top 40 Guitars, customer satisfaction is our first concern All of our items have a 14 day return policy If after 14 days you are not completely satisfiedwith your purchase, please return it for a refund .Peace be with you
all returned items must be in the same condition theywere at the time of sale. All original packing must be included
#
Up for Sale is a
Vintage 1992 Gibson LPB-1 Les Paul Special Electric Bass Guitar!
Heritage Cherry "Relic" Finish!
This is really ... more

Epiphone by Gibson Power Bass guitar With Case

San Tan Valley, Arizona, 851**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$350

In good condition with minor wear. Please view all photos for condition. It includes the case and cords. The case has the carrying strap
... more

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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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

1970s Vintage Gibson Les Paul Recording / Triumph Bass Knob Clean

Kingston, Michigan, 487**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5000

The product is a vintage Gibson Les Paul Recording / Triumph Bass Knob from the 1970s. This knob would have been used on the bass guitar of a Gibson Les Paul Recording / Triumph model from that era. Made by Gibson, known for their high-quality instruments, this knob is likely to be a rare and sought after collectible for vintage guitar enthusiasts.... more

1959 Gibson EB-2 Bass

Loveland, Ohio, 451**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$8695

1959 Gibson EB-2 Bass, Sunburst finish, Booming Humbucking pickup withBlack Plastic cover, Nickel parts, Full feeling neck, Fine bass! Hang tag, VG++, Original hard case... 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

1959 1960 GIBSON EB-0 Slab Body BASS PICKGUARD USA

Houston, Texas, 770**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$250

Early slab body pick guard . Cut a little to fit replace pickup. Just a shave off it
... more

Bass guitar string mute From 1966 Gibson Thunderbird

Cumming, Georgia, 300**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$400

This bass guitar string mute is a must-have for any Gibson Thunderbird owner. Made in 1966, this mute is a rare find for collectors and musicians alike. It is designed to fit perfectly on your bass guitar and provides a unique sound that is sure to impress
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

1967 Gibson EB2-C Bass Guitar Cherry Finish Original Hardware

Hackettstown, New Jersey, 078**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5500

Made in 1967 at the Kalamazoo plant this is a Gibson
EB2-C bass in very good condition. Everything original except for strings and brand new truss rod. Very little finish cracking
Works perfectly! Baritone pushbutton switch works!
We minor cosmetic damages shown. There was a chip on the left side of the head when I bought it and when the truss rod was fixed there was some bubbling on the neck and damage to the head stock
Feel free to reach out for any questions!... more

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