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 EBO Bass Guitar 1967 solid wood cherry finish made in the US with case
Lebanon, New Jersey, 088**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2100
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
Vintage Gibson EB2 Bass pots Wiring Harness
Asheboro, North Carolina, 272**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$350
Gibson EB-O Electric Bass Guitar 1972 Walnut Kalamazoo Short Scale Humbucker
New Brunswick, New Jersey, 089**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1700
Gibson 1972 EB-O Mahogany Body(Walnut Finish), 3 Piece Maple Neck w / 22?? Short Scale 21 ... more
Original 1962 Gibson EB-O Electric Bass Guitar Cherry Wood Finish SN: 55442
East Palatka, Florida, 321**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1950
The cherry finish guitar is in nice original condition includes a soft Fender case. Overall measures 41-1 / 2" long x 13" wide.
SN: 55442
You will receive the item shown in the pictures
Very nice piece!
Check out my shop for other unique and precious items!
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1963 Gibson EB-0 Cherry Vintage Short Scale SG Bass, 100% Original w / Case
Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3600
Featuring solid Honduran mahogany construction and a rosewood fretboard, this EB-0 weighs 7lbs 13oz. The famous ??Mudbucker?? pickup ... 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
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
Gibson Victory Artist Bass 81'
Blackfoot, Idaho, 832**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3800
Gibson Ripper (L9-S) Bass Guitar with Seymour Duncan
New Florence, Pennsylvania, 159**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3500
This bass is in very good condition. There are a few small marks located in the pictures. Feel free to ask questions, can send more pictures. Must have at least 10 positive comments to purchase. For sale in the United States Only
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1977 Gibson L-9S Ripper Natural
Nazareth, Pennsylvania, 180**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2799
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
1969 Gibson EB3 Bass Guitar- 100% Original with Original Case
Glastonbury, Connecticut, 060**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3700
1951 Gibson ES 350
Sunnyvale, California, 940**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$6950
Vintage 1976 Gibson G3 Grabber Electric Bass with original hard Gibson Case
East Amherst, New York, 140**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3200
1959 1960 GIBSON EB-0 Slab Body BASS PICKGUARD USA
Houston, Texas, 770**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$250
Gibson Les Paul Bass 90??s Black Upgrades W / case
Buffalo, New York, 142**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1950
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Gibson EB-0 Circa 1964 Electric Bass Guitar
Georgetown, Ohio, 451**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1600
Sounds and plays so good! Has all the vintage tone and good mojo. Straight neck. Fully functional. Someone has refinished the headstock while leaving the logo. Some cosmetic flaws from its age. This is a classic thumping bass that can take your playing to the next level
Don't miss your chance to own!
Items only come with case or accessories if pictured or listed in the listing
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Gibson Truss Rod Cover / Epiphon Thunderbird Bass Guitar
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1959 Gibson EB-2 Bass
Loveland, Ohio, 451**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
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1966-68 GIBSON CARE+SETUP GUIDE GUITAR & BASS 20 PAGES GREAT ILLUSTRATIONS RARE
Berlin, New Hampshire, 035**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$279
In 50 years of playing and over 30 years of selling I have never seen another one of these! This piece is way cool with its understated design, interesting layout and beautiful 2-color illustrations. It looks like they commissioned a famous illustrator to do the work! It's got 20 pages and is packed with information on setting up, caring for, handling, making adjustments and just appreciating your Gibson instrument in general. 60's Gibson... more
Gibson EB-2 Bass Guitar
Anderson, Indiana, 460**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$5790

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




















