FlatEric Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 I wasn't sure which section to put this in - Could be Gear Porn Jaydee or could be in the Twin Neck section but as there is a bit of a story to it, perhaps here is best. This was made in 1978, by John Diggins, for Richard "Fez" Ferriday, who was in a successful midlands based rock band, "Cryer" He used it live and recorded with it - bit of a handful but if you get to hear some of the tracks they did, it's a very convincing Ric on one of them. I've had it for about three years and earlier this year, with the help of someone from Talkbass, I managed to track Richard down. They are doing a gig at The Asylum, in Birmingham, 16th December, so I have re-united the bass and it's original owner, who is rehearsing for the gig and will use it on the night. It is a BEAST!! Very powerful passive pick-ups, with a punchy Four and a sweet sounding Eight. More pics, details of Cryer and further description here [url="http://flatericbassandguitar.blogspot.com/2011/11/jaydee-gemini-twin-neck-bass.html"]http://flatericbassa...-neck-bass.html[/url] Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 That looks a beast! Interesting that two necks have different scales. What sizes are they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 That's badass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 That's a monster! What does it weigh? That's really cool that you've found the original owner & are letting him use it for the gig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 I approve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Stu Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 [quote name='FlatEric' timestamp='1323090381' post='1459063'] It is a BEAST!! Very powerful passive pick-ups, with a punchy Four and a sweet sounding Eight. [/quote] Dear God! THAT is a MANs' bass!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlatEric Posted December 7, 2011 Author Share Posted December 7, 2011 [quote name='Norris' timestamp='1323090978' post='1459075'] That looks a beast! Interesting that two necks have different scales. What sizes are they? [/quote] The Eight is a medium, from what I remember - Luvverly to play. [quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1323115859' post='1459542'] Dear God! THAT is a MANs' bass!!!! [/quote] It certainly is!!! Just over 20lbs!! But. . . . it's not as bad as it sounds. I took it to last years Bass Bash at Nottingham and with a nice soft suede strap, all who had a go were surprised how managable it was. Well balanced. Richard may by doing half the gig with it. . . . perhaps! Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommorichards Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 Still looks fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelk27 Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 [quote name='FlatEric' timestamp='1323265682' post='1461225']Just over 20lbs!! But. . . . it's not as bad as it sounds.[/quote] It sounds pretty heavy (to anyone with a bad back). That said, it's a beautiful chunk of wood(s). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 [quote name='FlatEric' timestamp='1323265682' post='1461225'] Richard may by doing half the gig with it. . . . perhaps! Cheers. [/quote] Before leaving on a stretcher! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezbass Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Wow I've not seen that bass for many years. Fez is an old old mate of mine and I bet he was really pleased to see that again. I've played it loads and the weight of it wasn't too bad at all, the balance was pretty good in fact. He used to play it through an old Cerwin Vega rig, 18" bottom with a 2x12 on top.The 8 string sounded massive through that. I'll be at the gig so will be looking forward to seeing it again . Jez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnFitzgerald Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 If I'm not mistaken, this or a very similar one was in Sound Control in Glasgow some years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schnozzalee Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 I nearly bought this off Ebay from somewhere in Scotland - far far too heavy though for a lil guy like me, I stuck to my stratocasters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeeCee Posted December 9, 2011 Share Posted December 9, 2011 [quote name='JohnFitzgerald' timestamp='1323382468' post='1462873'] If I'm not mistaken, this or a very similar one was in Sound Control in Glasgow some years ago. [/quote] It was in Musical Exchanges in Birmingham for a number of years too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlatEric Posted December 9, 2011 Author Share Posted December 9, 2011 [quote name='jezbass' timestamp='1323379899' post='1462830'] Wow I've not seen that bass for many years. Fez is an old old mate of mine and I bet he was really pleased to see that again. I've played it loads and the weight of it wasn't too bad at all, the balance was pretty good in fact. He used to play it through an old Cerwin Vega rig, 18" bottom with a 2x12 on top.The 8 string sounded massive through that. I'll be at the gig so will be looking forward to seeing it again . Jez [/quote] Jez, Hi. Yes, he was [i]very [/i]pleased to see it again - the look on his face when I opened the case was "Priceless". Like finding a member of the family again, almost 30 years later. He just looked at it for a couple of minutes - I had to lift it out of the case and hand it to him - sort of a "Handing over ceremony". He went straight to the eight and his face lit up! I'm really looking forward to seeing Cryer at the Asylum, from what I have found out and from what Fez has told me, they used to put on one hell of a performance. Pyro's in old oil drums to make the sound louder - exploding polystyrene heads, flames - everything! Ah, those heady days of 70's rock shows. See you there. Yes, it was in Birmingham for a while and then ended up in Scotland but it is back home now!! Anyone fancy seeing Cryer, they are at The Asylum, next week, supported by Quartz. [url="http://www.theasylumvenue.co.uk/gigs.php"]http://www.theasylumvenue.co.uk/gigs.php[/url] Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezbass Posted December 9, 2011 Share Posted December 9, 2011 Have a look on facebook at stu clarke RIP, its a tribute page to Stu Clarke one of the original guitarists. There's loads of old photo's of Cryer there, some with your bass and also some of Fez with his Thunderbird which he still uses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlatEric Posted December 9, 2011 Author Share Posted December 9, 2011 [quote name='jezbass' timestamp='1323446150' post='1463539'] Have a look on facebook at stu clarke RIP, its a tribute page to Stu Clarke one of the original guitarists. There's loads of old photo's of Cryer there, some with your bass and also some of Fez with his Thunderbird which he still uses. [/quote] Jez, Hi. Guess you didn't click on here [url="http://flatericbassandguitar.blogspot.com/2011/11/jaydee-gemini-twin-neck-bass.html"]http://flatericbassandguitar.blogspot.com/2011/11/jaydee-gemini-twin-neck-bass.html[/url] and get the story so far. Well worth a look. If I remember the conversation correctly - beer was involved - the Thunderbird was a swap for a Ric, from none other than . . . . . Mr Geezer Butler, himself. I'll have to double check with Fez but from what I understand, Geezer fancied Fez's Ric and Fez fancied Geezer's Gibson - sort of "'ere, you 'ave mine and I'll 'ave yours"!!!!! Not long to go now. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeeCee Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 [quote name='FlatEric' timestamp='1323417511' post='1463025'] Jez, Hi. Yes, he was [i]very [/i]pleased to see it again - the look on his face when I opened the case was "Priceless". Like finding a member of the family again, almost 30 years later. He just looked at it for a couple of minutes - I had to lift it out of the case and hand it to him - sort of a "Handing over ceremony". He went straight to the eight and his face lit up! [/quote] What are you going to do if he asks to buy it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlatEric Posted December 11, 2011 Author Share Posted December 11, 2011 [quote name='GeeCee' timestamp='1323480093' post='1463914'] What are you going to do if he asks to buy it? [/quote] Mmm, not sure, really - I'll sort of cross that bridge when I get to it. Part of me thinks it's a natural conclusion - the long lost etc, returned to the fold. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlatEric Posted December 12, 2011 Author Share Posted December 12, 2011 [quote name='jezbass' timestamp='1323446150' post='1463539'] Have a look on facebook at stu clarke RIP, its a tribute page to Stu Clarke one of the original guitarists. There's loads of old photo's of Cryer there, some with your bass and also some of Fez with his Thunderbird which he still uses. [/quote] I had seen these before but forgot where I found them, so thanks for the tip off. 70's Rock bands, eh? - Forget about elf & safety!!! Fez with the Thunderbird you mentioned. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezbass Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 Cryer gig was great last night. Was good seeing the double neck again, just a shame it was put through that awfull Marshall rig, it just didn't let the 8 string ring out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlatEric Posted December 21, 2011 Author Share Posted December 21, 2011 Hi. The gig was really great, Cryer were brilliant and Quartz were equally as so - a very good night. As Jez said, I could here tones of the "Eight" but not quite as hear them through my rig. That said, a great sound all round and visully, very effective. The bands enjoyed it and the punters enjoyed it - Result. [i]Some [/i]of the pics we took. More details of the night, Quartz and Cryer will be on my blog in the next few days. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyf Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 [quote name='GeeCee' timestamp='1323392356' post='1462977'] It was in Musical Exchanges in Birmingham for a number of years too. [/quote] Yeah, I remember it from when I worked there. Sooooooooo many hundreds of hands have been over that bass over the years because of the novelity value of a twin neck 4 and 8 string. Whilst on the subject of Ex-Sound Control....good to see Gaz Chapman getting it on with Cryer ;-) T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeeCee Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 (edited) [quote name='FlatEric' timestamp='1324472776' post='1474613'] Hi. The gig was really great, Cryer were brilliant and Quartz were equally as so - a very good night. As Jez said, I could here tones of the "Eight" but not quite as hear them through my rig. That said, a great sound all round and visully, very effective. The bands enjoyed it and the punters enjoyed it - Result. [i]Some [/i]of the pics we took. More details of the night, Quartz and Cryer will be on my blog in the next few days. Cheers. [/quote] Fez looks like he is positively straining under the weight in the close-ups. Good job he looks like a big lad. Edited December 21, 2011 by GeeCee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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