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
Image mule.net

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
Image mule.net

Andy with his early seventies Fender Telecaster bass
Image mule.net

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"
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.

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.

Used Gibson 1977 RD Artist Bass Moog - Black w / Case

Maricopa, Arizona, 851**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2500

Up for auction is a Gibson RD Artist bass owned by a friend of mine, but being stored at my home. The bass and case are heavy and aren't the greatest for shipping (mainly storing), so this auction is is specifically set up for local pickup. Shipping can be arranged but that cost is 100% the buyers cost (not factored into the final ebay price or offers)
This particular bass was used without the Moog portion engaged when I was in the band with the bass player back in 2006. He no longer plays... 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

more

1968 Gibson EB-2D Bass a very original example ready to enjoy for 58 more years.

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

$3995

The Gibson EB-2 Bass guitar was invented in 1958 & made famous by many players. Its beautiful unfaded original Sunburst finish is what this is all about. Its 1 piece mahogany neck feel great. No volute nor Made in the USA stamp. Its pickgard is missing. Its powerful 2 pickups along w / its original push-button switch make really fabulous tones. She has a set of witch hat knobs to finish her off nice. Its orange label is clean & intact. Its chrome hardware is clean. It??s still sporting ... more

1979 Gibson Ripper Fretless Ebony Black OHSC Rare

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

$2999

For Sale: 1979 Gibson Ripper Fretless ?? Ebony Black w / OHSC
Up for sale is a 1979 Gibson Ripper Fretless in Ebony Black, complete with its original hard-shell case
This is a very cool and very rare original fretless Gibson bass from the late ??70s. Original fretless Rippers do not come up often, and this one has all the bold visual presence and unmistakable feel that make these basses so appealing. With its long-scale Gibson design, ebony fingerboard, and classic Ebony Black finish, it... 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

1975 Gibson Grabber Bass Body ,With 1991 Music Man Stingray Neck

Lummi Island, Washington, 982**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2700

This has been a difficult decision to part with
75 gibson grabber bass with 91 musicman stingray neck
This bass has seen some action   See photos.
I bought bass this way. With different neck
Body of bass has lots of dings, scratches,   worn out gouge. Been played hard
Still sounds sweet in my opinion.
Pickup slides, volume and tone work ( could use cleaning on pots). Has new strings
Neck is beautiful back is pretty smooth.
Please ask any questions, I can ... more

Gibson SB-450 1973 Electric Bass Guitar Natural Finish w / Curtis Novak Pickups

Manhasset, New York, 110**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2000

Gibson SB-450 1973 Electric Bass Guitar Natural Finish w / Curtis Novak Pickups
This 1973 Gibson SB-450 electric bass is a classic early-??70s American-built instrument featuring a natural finish and period-correct construction, enhanced with modern performance upgrades for improved playability and tone
Originally built with a lightweight alder body, this long-scale bass delivers the open, resonant feel typical of Gibson??s bass designs from the era. It has been upgraded with a set of ... 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

1968 Gibson EB-2D 2 Color Sunburst Electric Bass Guitar

Hollywood, Florida, 330**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5865

Near mint condition, still have an original hard case, this guitar means a lot to me, so please serious inquiries only

Feel free to ask me any questions
... more

1980s Gibson Victory Bass Neck ONLY

Statesville, North Carolina, 286**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$500

80s model Gibson victory, Bass neck, fresh frets truss rod works great has imperfections ready for a body needs hardware take note when these basses were made thesenecks was fit to a specific body so if you buy this, and for some reason, it doesn??t fit right don??t tell me it??s messed up or there??s something wrong with it because these are all custom fit to a body when they??re built thank you for looking

... more

1961 Epiphone Newport Vintage Gibson-Made Bass w / DeArmond Coronado Pickup

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

$2200

Up for sale, a 1961 Epiphone Newport bass in excellent condition and in perfect working order. This extremely early Newport was produced by Gibson USA in their Kalamazoo, MI factory in the very first year of the model??s run. Thoughtfully modified and offering an expanded tonal range, this bass features a vintage (1967) DeArmond single coil pickup taken from a Fender Coronado bass in the bridge position and a rewired control configuration with a four-position rotary pickup selector
This ... 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 Bass Hand Rest

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

$200

Gibson bass handrest. Good chrome finish. Mounting holes 3 8" center to center. Note, this is not a bridge cover.... more

Vintage 1965 Gibson EB-0 Electric Bass Short Scale SG Shape w / HSC GREAT PLAYER!

Berkeley, California, 947**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1800

Subway guitars in Berkeley California has been the bay area's premier guitar chop shop since 1968. Our staff of highly trained trolls have been building and rebuilding all manner of instruments for as long as they can remember.
We recently got in a vintage Gibson bass that is an excellent player. We have set it up and dressed the frets and are happy to certify it as ready to be exposed to the candor of the public
serial number 341297
The bass is in very good condition with a number of ... 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

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 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

Find more vintage guitars for sale at vintageguitarsforsale.co