Precision Virtuosos

[4 Strings]

The likes of Victor Wooten, Manring etc use bespoke basses, others, like Stanley, use basses we can all buy, albeit from the elite, top end.

There's something gratifying about a virtuoso player using (pretty much) standard basses.

We have virtuosos on;
Jazz (Jaco, Geddy, Miller etc);
Ric (well, Squire),
even (the dreadful in my opinion) Gibson EBO type (Jack Bruce and Andy Fraser - okay maybe not virtuoso but what a great sound he got from his!)

But what about the good ol' Precision?

Plenty of great Precision bass players, the recently lost Donald Dunn, Jamerson himself and countless others with fabulous feel and groove we envy but I can't think of any virtuoso players, apart from early Entwhistle.

Who plays solos on a Precision? Which virtuosos get their fluid hands around the long frets of a Precision?

[Len_derby]

The man who really got me fired-up for bassplaying was Colin Hodgkinson, who I first saw with Back Door back in about '75.
Precision + solos + lead vocals.

Edited May 19, 2012 by Len_derby

[jdizzle]

Stephen 'Thundercat' Bruner likes to bust out a p on occasion. Saw him recently in London and it was very, very good.

[media]http://youtu.be/jxhMI8Y3Pyg[/media]

[4 Strings]

Heh, was hoping someone would mention him (Colin Hodgkinson), I couldn't think of his name. Virtuoso indeed! Would love to see him play.

Edited May 19, 2012 by 4 Strings

[Roland Rock]

Francis Rocco Prestia! Maybe not a soloist, but virtuoso imo

Edited May 19, 2012 by Roland Rock

[steve-bbb]

[url="http://youtu.be/EaIZjqQHPAk"]http://youtu.be/EaIZjqQHPAk[/url]

[4 Strings]

[quote name='jdizzle' timestamp='1337421345' post='1659602'] Stephen 'Thundercat' Bruner likes to bust out a p on occasion. Saw him recently in London and it was very, very good. [media]http://youtu.be/jxhMI8Y3Pyg[/media] [/quote]

Good one, not come across him before. Great sound, flats? Sounds detuned too.

[Doctor J]

[quote name='Len_derby' timestamp='1337420847' post='1659592']
The man who really got me fired-up for bassplaying was Colin Hodgkinson, who I first saw with Back Door back in about '75.
Precision + solos + lead vocals.
[/quote]Hodgkinson is the man.


Paul Jackson, who played for Herbie Hancock, is quite swish, if not quite the lead player you're probably looking for.

[4 Strings]

[quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1337421725' post='1659609'] [url="http://youtu.be/EaIZjqQHPAk"]http://youtu.be/EaIZjqQHPAk[/url] [/quote]

And that's the Precision sound! Very funky, great ad to go out and buy a P!

Was this his main instrument?

Certainly justifies pick playing, if it needed it.

[4 Strings]

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1337421463' post='1659604'] Francis Rocco Prestia! Maybe not a soloist, but virtuoso imo [/quote]

We're liking the Tower on here!

[Hutton]

My nomination for a master on the good ol' P bass would be Willie Weeks. I heard him soloing on a Donny Hathaway album ( somebody here may be able to produce details) and was absolutely blown away. This was virtuosity at its finest! Every time I hear Willie playing with whoever it is I'm always hugely impressed.

Another nomination would have to be Pino Palladino. His vistuosity is not in doubt.

[mike f]

Bobby Vega is fantastic.

I'd like to add, Scott Thunes.

[AttitudeCastle]

Billy Sheehan?

Like his style or not, he really is a virtuoso player!

And his main bass was a Precision which toured the world with him for 20+ years

[OliverBlackman]

george porter jr? incredible funk!

[Clarky]

In a rock vein, Steve Harris isn't too shabby

[4 Strings]

[quote name='AttitudeCastle' timestamp='1337423695' post='1659656']
Billy Sheehan?

Like his style or not, he really is a virtuoso player!

And his main bass was a Precision which toured the world with him for 20+ years
[/quote]

See, I didn't know that.

[attachment=108276:BillySheehansFenderPrecisionBass.jpg]

[visog]

Jeff Berlin in the 'pre-chorus' years? Heavily mod'ed admittedly

[AttitudeCastle]

[quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1337425599' post='1659686']
See, I didn't know that.

[attachment=108276:BillySheehansFenderPrecisionBass.jpg]
[/quote]

Haha you learn something new everyday! (And I am a huge fanboy...)

In fact Billy just placed an order for a replica, 2nd of 10 to be made. Truely takes road worn to a new level!

[funkypenguin]

I'm surprised no one has said Pino Palladino yet!

[Roland Rock]

[quote name='Hutton' timestamp='1337422867' post='1659639']
My nomination for a master on the good ol' P bass would be Willie Weeks. I heard him soloing on a Donny Hathaway album ( somebody here may be able to produce details) and was absolutely blown away. This was virtuosity at its finest! Every time I hear Willie playing with whoever it is I'm always hugely impressed.


[/quote]

Sounds like the solo on Voices Inside/everything is everything from the album Donny Hathaway Live. Great solo.

[Clarky]

[quote name='funkypenguin' timestamp='1337428248' post='1659756']
I'm surprised no one has said Pino Palladino yet!
[/quote]
They did (post 11)

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='Hutton' timestamp='1337422867' post='1659639']
Another nomination would have to be Pino Palladino. His vistuosity is not in doubt.
[/quote]

[quote name='funkypenguin' timestamp='1337428248' post='1659756']
I'm surprised no one has said Pino Palladino yet!
[/quote]


Although I'm unsure what 'vistuosity' is.

[BluRay]

[quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1337422166' post='1659622']

Certainly justifies pick playing, if it needed it.
[/quote]

Surely its the only real way to play a bass.

(runs for cover)

[Hutton]

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1337428438' post='1659760']
Sounds like the solo on Voices Inside/everything is everything from the album Donny Hathaway Live. Great solo.
[/quote]

That's the one. Thanks RR.

[Hutton]

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1337429284' post='1659769']


Although I'm unsure what 'vistuosity' is.
[/quote]

I think it means 'awfy good'.