hey all,
Stew here on a drowsy Thursday morning to repeat
how happy and lucky I am to be out there with my
Conklin 8 and my AccuGroove El Whappo.
I got a last minute call to sub last night for the
bass player in my old power trio. the drummer had seen
my 8 but the guitarist had neither seen nor heard it
in action. we started into the first tune and the two
of them stared at me with jaws on the floor before we
reached the 3rd bar. when someone called out
"Superstition" and I got to slap a some, they went
pale.
I opened up the amp for some truly room filling
sound when I let everyone hear the low A, G, and F#.
the gig didn't pay much and I chose to leave it last
time, but it was incredibly gratifying to have the
position offered to me again. I can't see myself
taking it, but I'll gladly sub from time to time, if
only to spread the gospel of the extended range
instrument's capability.
as an addendum, one of the funniest moments of the
night came when a local pro showed up to check out the
bass. he walked up to my side of the stage and had to
count the strings 3 times to be sure he had it right.
when he sat in to play a tune, I don't know when the
last time was I saw someone concentrate so hard.
afterwards he came up to me and told me that it was
the most challenging bass he'd ever played, but he
didn't want to put it down!
all and all, a wacky and rewarding night...!

ever exploring the low frequencies,



subcontra-Stew

=====
'Be bold and powerful forces will come to your aid.'
-- Goethe
'Man, if you want to walk through a wall then you can walk through a
wall.'
-- Jaco Pastorius
'Basses are like women. Thumb action is acceptable, and no harm comes
of it. But yank the G-string too much and you're heading for
trouble...maybe!!!'
-- Nancy Elliott