spectoremg Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 It's the 1980's and it's some kind of challenge quiz show on ITV. There's a chap on it who states that whilst blindfolded he can tell one bass from another. Enter Herbie Flowers to an array of about a dozen basses. The challenge commences and Herbie promptly picks his first instrument and cracks on. Around 5 basses in the blindfolded guy has crashed and burned - hasn't given one correct answer and the challenge is abandoned amidst some embarrassment. Honest, I'm not bonkers, I didn't dream it, it really happened. My doc says if someone else can back this up they'll let me out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 There's a clip on youtube of a dutch guy doing something very similar. I can't find it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectoremg Posted January 26, 2015 Author Share Posted January 26, 2015 YEEEEES, I'M FREE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerstodge Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 That does ring a bell, I'm sure i saw this years ago, i don't think they should let you out just yet tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The fasting showman Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 Yes, I remember it well; Bruce Forsyth's 'You bet'. I also thought I'd dreamt it until I encountered another bassist that recalled it, a real cringe. I'm a big fan of Herbie Flowers, one of my favourite players, but it was really odd hearing him on contemporary late '80s bass gear; it didn't suit his playing at all, unlike the Jazz bass he has used all his career that sounds great to my ears. It proved that some basses and amps just don't work for some players, don't chop and change gear too much. A parable I've only started following sadly too late! Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILL POSTERS Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 (edited) I saw it, I even posted the same question on here once. It was a Saturday nightmid 80s and the program was the one where contestants had to complete some sort of challenge i think, it wasnt Bruce Forsythe. The guy worked in a music shop somewhere in London iirc Dont remember Herbie Flowers being in it though. Edited January 26, 2015 by BILL POSTERS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scalpy Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 I saw it too! Wonder if a clip exists and we'd all fare! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILL POSTERS Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 Might have a chance if we knew what the show was called. Wasnt the sort of thing I'd watch usually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scalpy Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 The show was called 'you bet'. It's up there somewhere! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drTStingray Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 (edited) It was called You Bet and I think the host I'm told was Matthew Kelly (though I thought it was Brucie also). The guy bet he could tell a number of basses blind fold as he worked in a music shop where people were forever trying out basses. I remember Herbie Flowers' played a bit of fingerstyle and then a bit of pop and slap (with his fingers). Poor chap thought every one was a Steinburger - I recall I hadn't heard of any of the makes used either and didn't really blame him for getting them wrong - the playing was also ...... well a little strange. Altogether quite bizarre but then again so were quite a lot of the challenges. I recall the guy doing a different challenge he was pitted against got all of his guesses R ight so the bass guesser was defeated after two or three efforts! Shame as Herbie had about ten basses to play!! I mentioned this matter on here once before and someone named the guy and the shop he worked in!!! Edited January 26, 2015 by drTStingray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 It was one of the guys from the Bass centre in Wapping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
police squad Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 I thought it was just amazing. It was the owner of Allbang & Strummit IIRC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectoremg Posted January 27, 2015 Author Share Posted January 27, 2015 (edited) There was also a guy who could name a classical piece by looking at the vinyl - he was amazing! And I'm sure it was Herbie in the bass challenge. Edited January 27, 2015 by spectoremg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urban Bassman Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Yes I remember seeing this too. Red faces all round I recall! Not one of TVs finest moments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rushbo Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 I can't remember the bass challenge, but I was amazed when a guy could name any Pet Shop Boys tune just by looking at the flickering of the LEDs on the HiFi amp.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pineweasel Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Yes, it was the bearded guy from Allbang and Strummit. He'd sold me my first bass a few months before this appearance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 This is going to be like the 90s Bass Player pic thread isn't it. Time to do some detective work. We need to find the guy with a beard from Allbang and Strummit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
police squad Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 That'll be Mr Strummit then. Google time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
police squad Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 just done a quick google, John Gold used to run the shop. Works for Fender Europe now (So it says on the forum I've just found this info) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombatboter Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 (edited) [quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1422305525' post='2671008'] There's a clip on youtube of a dutch guy doing something very similar. I can't find it though. [/quote] [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNJkDrj0bTw"]http://www.youtube....h?v=dNJkDrj0bTw[/url] Edited January 28, 2015 by wombatboter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drTStingray Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 [quote name='police squad' timestamp='1422442738' post='2672621'] just done a quick google, John Gold used to run the shop. Works for Fender Europe now (So it says on the forum I've just found this info) [/quote] I believe it was him! One of the members here put him in the frame last time this subject was discussed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subbeh Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 Caught a few repeats of You Bet on a quiet Sunday afternoon not so long ago, they had a fella identifying the brand/model of mattress by lying on them blindfolded and a kid identifying car wheel trims. As far as I recall they both did very badly. What really troubles me is thinking about how bored I must have been to lie their and watch two whole episodes of it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectoremg Posted January 29, 2015 Author Share Posted January 29, 2015 Mark King's hair - what was he thinking?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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