Cosmo Valdemar Posted July 31, 2015 Posted July 31, 2015 A little Friday challenge for you all. I've had this concert on CD for ages and have always loved the bass sound, but had no idea as to what was making it (Not Dave Pegg's fingers). I've just stumbled upon some Youtube footage from that very concert and there it is! Sadly I don't recognise the shape at all, hopefully it's not some mystery custom job. So, does anybody recognise it, or know what Peggy was playing around this time? It's a pretty murky clip but there are a couple of moments that clearly show the body shape and control layout at the 3 minute mark: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th80xJbWAIg Quote
Joebethell Posted July 31, 2015 Posted July 31, 2015 It's really hard to make out but could it be something like an Alembic? As the head stock seems to be this shape? http://alembic.com/club/messages/394/51907.jpg Quote
White Cloud Posted July 31, 2015 Posted July 31, 2015 [quote name='Joebethell' timestamp='1438340765' post='2833677'] It's really hard to make out but could it be something like an Alembic? As the head stock seems to be this shape? [url="http://alembic.com/club/messages/394/51907.jpg"]http://alembic.com/c...s/394/51907.jpg[/url] [/quote] I'm not quite sure what it is but it is absolutely not an Alembic. Quote
ikay Posted July 31, 2015 Posted July 31, 2015 Hard to see. Is this pic (below) as good as it gets? Quote
Cosmo Valdemar Posted July 31, 2015 Author Posted July 31, 2015 [quote name='ikay' timestamp='1438346942' post='2833759'] Hard to see. Is this pic (below) as good as it gets? [/quote][quote name='ikay' timestamp='1438346942' post='2833759'] Hard to see. Is this pic (below) as good as it gets? [/quote] Cheers ikay! Quote
Cosmo Valdemar Posted July 31, 2015 Author Posted July 31, 2015 [quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1438345441' post='2833741'] I'm not quite sure what it is but it is absolutely not an Alembic. [/quote] Yeah, definitely not Alembic. The tone isn't that clear on the clip but it sounds like a Precision but sharper and growlier. Quote
RhysP Posted July 31, 2015 Posted July 31, 2015 (edited) I'm not 100% sure but I'm pretty certain that is one of Peggy's Rob Armstrong basses. He was definitely playing Rob Armstrong basses around this time. He's holding it in the back cover photo on Richard Thompsons "Hand of Kindness" album. Edited July 31, 2015 by RhysP Quote
JapanAxe Posted July 31, 2015 Posted July 31, 2015 [quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1438351177' post='2833816'] I'm not 100% sure but I'm pretty certain that is one of Peggy's Rob Armstrong basses. He was definitely playing Rob Armstrong basses around this time. He's holding it in the back cover photo on Richard Thompsons "Hand of Kindness" album. [/quote] But not on the back of the CD apparently! Quote
RhysP Posted July 31, 2015 Posted July 31, 2015 [quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1438351507' post='2833818'] But not on the back of the CD apparently! [/quote] It's inside the booklet, but it's a very small picture & you can't make out the bass very well. Quote
Cosmo Valdemar Posted July 31, 2015 Author Posted July 31, 2015 [quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1438351177' post='2833816'] I'm not 100% sure but I'm pretty certain that is one of Peggy's Rob Armstrong basses. He was definitely playing Rob Armstrong basses around this time. He's holding it in the back cover photo on Richard Thompsons "Hand of Kindness" album. [/quote] We have a lead! I've just googled Rob Armstrong guitars and his acoustics have a distinctive curve to the upper body that looks similar to the Pegg bass above! Quote
pfretrock Posted August 1, 2015 Posted August 1, 2015 (edited) Does not help much.... (one listed has photo of back cover) [url="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Richard-Thompson-Hand-of-Kindness-vinyl-LP-promo-copy-/331598202734?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d34cb076e&nma=true&si=H3m6MT4axzuZBKfwEKggfBr2olg%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557"]http://www.ebay.com/...=p2047675.l2557[/url] edit: headstock looks similar to the acoustics Edited August 1, 2015 by pfretrock Quote
Cosmo Valdemar Posted August 1, 2015 Author Posted August 1, 2015 [quote name='pfretrock' timestamp='1438455019' post='2834668'] Does not help much.... (one listed has photo of back cover) [url="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Richard-Thompson-Hand-of-Kindness-vinyl-LP-promo-copy-/331598202734?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d34cb076e&nma=true&si=H3m6MT4axzuZBKfwEKggfBr2olg%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557"]http://www.ebay.com/...=p2047675.l2557[/url] edit: headstock looks similar to the acoustics [/quote] That looks like the one! Quote
HazBeen Posted August 4, 2015 Posted August 4, 2015 I am pretty sure it is a Rob Armstrong, during this time he did not play much else as far as I am aware. Quote
pfretrock Posted August 4, 2015 Posted August 4, 2015 (edited) Looks like Maart Allcock had something similar built around that time. [url="http://www.maartinallcock.com/"]http://www.maartinallcock.com/[/url] (Click the GEAR tab) (there is a man who deserves to have that many instruments) Edited August 4, 2015 by pfretrock Quote
TrevorR Posted August 7, 2015 Posted August 7, 2015 (edited) It is definitely a Rob Armstrong bass. The shape of the headstock is a giveaway... He used that shape on a load of Gordon Giltrap's 6 strings with the mother of pearl A logo check out hte pics on this website for a clearer view - [url="http://www.mikechant.co.uk/instruments.html"]http://www.mikechant.co.uk/instruments.html[/url] Edited August 7, 2015 by TrevorR Quote
hubrad Posted September 23, 2018 Posted September 23, 2018 Interestingly enough to revive this thread.. https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F223035306112 Quote
visog Posted September 23, 2018 Posted September 23, 2018 Might be a Rob Armstrong but not the model in the link above. Has almost a reverse firebird body shape in this screen grab: Quote
Cosmo Valdemar Posted September 23, 2018 Author Posted September 23, 2018 I saw that on eBay the other day! I'm still fascinated by this bass. Quote
Cosmo Valdemar Posted November 30, 2019 Author Posted November 30, 2019 Whilst looking through the rather marvellous new Stormwatch reissue, I came across this picture - Barriemore Barlow playing this very bass! According to the text, he played the bass on Peggy's Pub while Dave had a turn on the mandolin. Quote
Stub Mandrel Posted November 30, 2019 Posted November 30, 2019 I have no idea what it is, but it led me to this, which showcases Mr Pegg's penchant for a good jig: 1 Quote
TrevorR Posted November 30, 2019 Posted November 30, 2019 3 hours ago, Cosmo Valdemar said: Whilst looking through the rather marvellous new Stormwatch reissue, I came across this picture - Barriemore Barlow playing this very bass! According to the text, he played the bass on Peggy's Pub while Dave had a turn on the mandolin. That headstock is characteristically Rob Armstrong, the Armstrong A is visible... Compare with this photo of Gordon Giltrap playing an Armstrong 6 string... 1 Quote
Stub Mandrel Posted December 1, 2019 Posted December 1, 2019 12 hours ago, Meddle said: Dave Pegg apparently taught Fairport how to drink! I've recently ordered his biography. I'm surprised he didn't call it 'Dirty Linen' 🙂 Quote
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