Cosmo Valdemar

Reading this makes me happy.

Congratulations! I've been after one of these for years but on the rare occasions they do pop up I don't have the money. I have played the magnificent Buzzard belonging to our very own @Wolverinebass and it is an astonishing instrument - despite the demented appearance it is a completely logical and comfortable bass to play. And, just like John's, the action is so low the strings are on the other side of the fretboard 😆

... specifically, THIS clip. Aged 6 or 7, this was the point I knew I was a bass player. Daltrey was yet to find himself but crikey, that rhythm section...

This clip - and some others of the same era - are the reason I'm on here now.

Utterly glorious. The final section is just ferocious. Puts the limp studio version to shame.

My Own Worst Enemy - Lit

I Am I - Queensryche

Shazam - Shadows

That G string looks like it's had enough.

I'd rather listen to Sapko over Berthoud any day!

Down The Dustpipe - Quo

I like Counterparts. It's a bit eccentric. Although Animate is one of my least favourite Rush songs 😄 I find Vapor Trails a bit of a dense mess - even remixed - but S&A was a real return to form, and what else is there to say about Clockwork Angels? A magnificent farewell.

On Parole - Motorhead

A New Level - Pantera

Too much!

Cans And Miss Brahms - Yes

Blowin' Free - Wishbone Ash

I know that now. The 13-year-old me was a lot more naive 😄

It's something I've seen him mention in a few interviews - I remember buying a copy of bassist magazine when I was 13 because he was on the cover - I didn't even own a bass yet 😄 Of course that sent me down a rabbit hole for many years trying to find out what was so special about the mythical Slab circuit 🤣

Slabs had ordinary pickups and circuits, honestly. JE was wrong on this one.

It's the maple cap neck. Aside from the slab body, that was the only difference. The pickup and circuit were standard. And as that tone was retained on Live At Leeds, where he was playing Frankenstein, logic points to the neck being responsible. I used to own a replica built by @Rick's Fine '52. Maple cap neck from a Roger Waters sig, if I remember correctly. Steve Harris pickup. It had that definite extra snap and grit to the top end, so I'm content to believe the secret sauce was in the neck.

I respectfully disagree. His tone changed massively over the years, depending on his bass and amps. And he played at least 50% of the time with a pick in the 60s and early 70s. His style and technique was entirely his own of course, but even that developed hugely. But, this is going to lead us down the "tone is in the fingers" abyss and we really don't want to go down there do we? 😄

Are these remixes/remasters? Presto would really benefit from one...

Indeed it was - but it used the neck from the Slab, hence the distinctive tone on that album.

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