Bobby Vega talks Fender P Bass and Ampeg B-15 on EMGtv
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- Опубликовано: 3 окт 2024
- Bobby Vega's resume is as impressive as his knowledge and collection of gear. Showcasing two of his vintage Fender Precision Basses and a classic Ampeg B-15, Bobby demonstrates the sound of a generation in this episode of Bobby's Garage (episode 2).
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6 years on and I still can't get enough of this video! Vega's the man!!
I bought our bass player's '66 P-bass back in the 90's. I was trying to keep him from trading it to his dealer for smack. Jim wanted $400 for it so I gave it to him with the understanding that I would keep it and he would buy it back from me for $400 when he could. He never did. Jim died. The best musician I ever played with. He was 47. Every bass has a story....
Heroin kills.
Timothy J. Horan :(
Timmy the spirit of your friend in his BEST days are in the bass. I'm glad you have it.
I outlived my whole band by 17 years. I'm 74 now! You either love your band or you hated them. I loved mine. knew 2 of them since I was 13.
I was always taking my gtr player's gtrs outta hock & then letting him pay me before I gave it back. He had a habit, too.
I have watched and/or listened to this video more often than I can count. It is the most satisfying and soothing thing to hear Bobby Vega just talking about the electric bass. He just seems so pleased to be sharing these great stories, and we're all the richer for that. Whenever I need to just get away for a few minutes and shut the outside world away, this and John Paul Jones's isolated bass track from "Ramble On." And then, everything's back in line.
Bobby Vega is a super great guy, a gear liver and monster bassist. More peeps need to know his name. Legend.
I watched that video 6 times and its like having him around for a beer right!
Bobby is as cool as they come.
I had the good fortune to meet Bobby Vega in person a couple of years ago. He's just as down-to-Earth and friendly in person as he comes across in this video. What a wonderful player and person!
That second P bass is hideously gorgeous!!
I really like the first one. That classic sunburst with tortoise pickguard is so cool. You can play anywhere and get away with it.
@@oteiri78 absolutely agree! I've got a cheapo sunburst with tortoise pguard and I'm trying to find a maple jazz bass neck for it.
That funky bass picking at the end was wicked. Bobby Vega is a beast!
what a delight to hear those instruments and the stories. I been playing bass 57 years. Sat in for every UK band of the 60's when they were playing pubs right at the start. If they needed a shag or the bathroom I sat in. I still have my 1955 single coil P Bass. I bought from John Wetton. He said he hated it but then tried to buy it back when the King Crimnson took off! When I worked with Harry Nilsonn he knocked it over then trod on the neck and smashed it. I had to find another neck on. As it happens a famous band desperate to out do the Jimi Hendrix had set lite to the bass on stage and the neck was all that is left. It still has singed marks today, but plays great. I have a 1966 jazz Bass I bought new but sent back because the finish was terrible. Fender then sent me the ugliest 3 tone body you ever saw. When I worked with the Chicago crew and Stevie Windwood my bass was the point of so much abuse!, I have a dozen of sheet of lyrics they wrote filled with abuse about my bass playing and the ugliest M....er F..... bass in the world! Every bass has a story!
+ziggybass ziggybass Wow Dude. Nilsson? Love him! John Wetton, Entwhistle, Winwood! Jesus, man, what a career! Did you play on any Harry Nilsson tracks?
Well this is Bobby's page brother. He is a lovely guy and has so much to tell the world. It's real weired when I look back and see how he interacted from the states side campared to how I (somehwat older) engaged with some of the same musicians this side of the pond and US side for a while. I would love to do a joint video with Bobby and just talk about who we knew and worked with and share stories. I bet it would cover 50 hours of video time. I just love listening to him don't you? I wanna hear more so if you find me some place else I will drop you a line! On the 4!
Great story you Limey Bloke
It is so good to hear somebody who REALLY knows their stuff!
Those "parts basses" (we used to call 'em) are usually the "special" ones that feel magical.
There is no other living bass player that I aspire to emulate as much as Bobby Vega.
Yes, a great bassist. Bobby also has the best voice for history telling.
“Your bass is at Elderly”. My hometown music store, I love that it’s popular with professionals the world over.
What I love about this man's video is "no acting". Just plain talking.
Im enjoying hearing all the knowledge this guy has to offer
This guy is playing a bass like no other.
Except Jaco.
Ironic that he's covering others basslines.. Lol
I just love hearing the stories of different instruments. I have a good one: In 1988, I was 21 yrs. old. And, by that time, I'd already been gigging bars/clubs every weekend since my 10th grade year in school. Back then, all the big rage was heavy metal, played on mainly B.C.Rich, and Jackson guitars, and basses. If it had a weird shape & a pointy headstock, it was cool. And, I was into it as much as anybody. But, I still had a soft spot for the older Fenders. Because that's what I started on at 9 years-old. Anyway, I had a guy that was maybe 12-15 years older than me move into the apartment next to mine. Come to find out, he was a bass player, also. Long story short, I traded him an import B.C.Rich Warlock bass that I'd jerked the frets out of, and a 1/2 oz. of weed for his all-original 1961 Fender J-Bass. Still to this day, it's the best I've ever came out in a trade in my 49 years on this earth. And, I still play that bass every weekend.
I love hearing stories like this. I bet the dude hates himself for doing that.
He's passed away now. Another thing I need to mention. He had moved from the Detroit area, to where I lived, here in WV. I remember him also showed me a bunch of pictures of his old band when he wa a teen, in high school. The singer/guitar player? Bob Seger. Pretty cool, huh?
I remember the BC Rich craze back in the 80s. I played briefly with a metal band in Jersey then, I like you love the Fender basses, I played in that group with a 73 Sunburst Jazz bass which was my go to bass. Still have it today and I will either be buried with it one day, or pass it on to one of my three kids if the want my basses. None of them play but I'm hoping one day someone will give me a grandkid and that kid will take up the torch. That particular grandchild will inherit 9 basses all Fender except one!
What a score! I remember all of the old 60s Fenders that were in mint or almost mint condition that were around in the mid to late 80s. Most of them were going for roughly $2000 in my area back then, which was too much for me as a young teenager just starting out on the bass. I really wish I had saved every cent that I got my hands on and grabbed one though because the vintage prices are ridiculous these days. I've been really lucky with a couple of Custom Shop basses that play and sound great though.
That is a beautiful story. I worked in a music store back in the late '70s and the manager had a concentric knob '60 Jazz Bass. Heard him play it through an Ampeg SVT and holy crap. Don't ever get rid of yours, there is no better bass to be had .Trust me, I've been around and worked on this stuff for 50 years.
Bobby Vega is such a unique and extremely talented bass player. I love how even when he demo's a song or technique he really gives you the meat of the tune. Instead a quick 2 or 3 bars he plays through the tune. Like a follow through in tennis or baseball. I haven't seen anyone else do it like he does. He can play any style or genre with no sweat. I saw him recently do a wicked version of Manic Depression that was mind blowing. Also it is fun to watch as he plays almost anything he has to dance along, doesn't matter if he is seated or standing. So in a sense he uses his whole body to play. He is also a musicologist who loves music and bass. he seems like such a nice down to earth fellow as well.
He's OK...I wouldn't call him one of the best, but to each their own...to me, that 58' sounds like shxt
Around the 1:45 he started getting the gorgeous "Motown Sound" with the flatwound strings, oh yeah!
The '58 P-Bass was to die for...
I've used one of those B-15's, THE bass tone!
Vega is joyous, ain't he? Wonderfully vibrant and inventive and no shortage of chops, imagination, great time in music, understanding of sounds of electric bass and brings out the correct sounds of these vintage Fender Precision basses through, naturally, his vintage B-15.
I absolutely love that 1st P with the jazz bass neck. I've always wanted to do that. One day I hope to acquire a bass like that. A real dream bass for me.
Bobby couldn't be any cooler. This shit is BEAUTIFUL!!!
Bobby is a groove machine and a great guy. I love his passion ❤️
Fantastic vid! More people should talk about basses like this!
I agree with you in 100%
So much fun to listen to. Bobby Vega has groove to burn.
I really Like Bobby's stories and the Jams he plays at the end of EACH story
Lucky to have played on the same stage with Bobby. He's an awesome guy and such an OG Bass Player. Blessings.
Great video! Bobby seems like such a chill, laid-back, down-to-Earth, super nice guy. And a stellar player as well!
like butter!
Here's a guy who loves his gear... he has classic stuff indeed. Loved the "Popcorn" quote at the end when he plucked his teeth. His pick skills on bass are amazing.
Always enjoyed his pick playing.
Funny - Bobby says "Every Bass has a Story" HA! My bass story is I never had a nice P bass. I wanted one. Order one on ZZsounds. It cam FEDEX a few days later. And that's how I got my 2014 American Standard P Bass. Not sending it back ... They sent a good one. Kinda cool that I am the one to "Make it have stories" though. SO far 2 gigs on it and hours of practice I love watching Bobby Vega Videos, I am a Big fan!
Few years ago I got to have a nice phone conversation with Bobby. I was interested in taking a bass lesson with him and someone passed his contact info along to me. I was also curious if he had played with my dad, because they'd both played in Cold Blood. He was very, very nice. Turned out he hadn't played with my dad, but I remember I told him "I've been trying to learn upright bass" and he said "yeah, I've been trying to learn horizontal bass." Funny. Really cool guy. The lesson didn't end up happening but the conversation will always stay with me.
A perfect dedication to my favorite bassist James Jamerson (P Bass) Larry Graham (Jazz Bass)
Loved this , very nostalgic . Bought an ampeg 15” flip top with a solid state head back in 1968 with a Gibson eb 3 guitar. Still have the guitar no longer have the amp.
That very last tone you play is the cream on top of a chocolate cake. MAGIC!!! Thanks a lot for this video. Best regards from Andreas, Berlin, Germany
There is a Joe Bonamassa ‘collection’ video from Gibson’s RUclips channel.
He shows a Les Paul that was stolen away from that same German concert when Grace Slick said those things that Bobby mentions here.
I accidentally clicked on this video, but man, am I glad I did!
What entertaining and insightful information....given by a very talented and genuine man. Thanks Mr.Vega!
Love it!! Wish I had an Ampeg and an original body for my 1963 Precision. Thank you for the video. Used to see "Booker T and the MG's buss about twice a month in Rochester,NY.
that 58' is the quintessential P-bass sound, what a beauty
Bobby is an ultimate bass player! Love this guy and his playing!
Bobby's one of the all-time greats and also a very cool dude.
This tone is PERFECT
Oh, my God. Would you look at the neck on that '58 ... that is just perfect.
I got a P bass copy from a junk store, then found old stock chrome covers and original old stock flats at a store opposite the junk store..put a sponge mute in the bridge cover and finished off with a tug bar I already had..I left the action high like I got it..sounds great and makes me closer to my hero Carol Kaye..
Bobby is an awesome bassist! I never could wrap my head around using old bass strings!
Mr. V. Love your stories. Thank you for sharing. :)
Bobby Vega - You are great! You and I are on the same wave length. Thank you for making this great video!
Bobby is a national treasure!
bobby you rock.. lovein the 71 P bass
Great bass player and seems an all round great guy, could listen to him talk and play all day 👌🎸
Motown bass were often recorded DI not in the Ampeg
live stuff were though b15s tho
ampeg's tone is almost DI
that 58 P bass.. man...
For 2500 too!!! Damn, I've been looking at a '66 for 5500... I know that he got the '58 a bit ago so I'm sure the price reflects that, but still
You make those vintage basses sing!
What a positively awesome guy Bobby is! Thanks for making these videos for us to enjoy. And thanks for the GZR Pickups too - LOVE mine!
It's not only the gear; Bobby Vega is a Jedi Master too!!!!!
Enjoyed this video so much! Great stories and always a treat to watch Bobby play!
Loved listening to this! Brilliant!
Been looking for this ! This guys stories are great 😃
Oh yeah! Funky pick player!
Did he actually play "Popcorn" with his mouth and a pick at the end or was that just me?
That's his thing, he does it very often on videos xD
Incredible tones and playing
I just built a P bass with a Jazz neck and Geezer Butler PJ set. It turns out the Geezer Butler P is based on Bobby’s P, so I’ve unknowingly built a copy of Bobby’s bass!
Great Great Video ... love the vintage gear and story behind each piece!
Beautiful bass guitars, great sound and style. Simple and I love those harmonics.
That man could make anybody to start playing bass!) really enjoyed watching
Bet he does a great Chris Walken imperssionation!
Nice sound out of that 58, I don't think I can even play with a pick anymore.
I read Jamerson almost always plugged straight in with no amp on his Motown work? I know I never used an amp in the studio because the engineer was going to mix it like he wanted anyway as long as he could EQ my return I did not care... I was doing mostly demos so...NBD
You're right, Jamerson recorded straight to the desk using a custom made valve DI. He did use a B15, but only on the early Motown tours; Berry Gordy didn't let him go on the later tours because it held up the studio schedule.
Bobby killin it as always!!
Just incredible.
Greatest bass player in the world.
I very rarely played with a pick until I read his last bassplayer column a few months ago, he suggested to use the long flat side of the pick instead of the point, I tried it and added a new technique to my playing, he's a great player.
love it ♥ Frankenstein Bass :)
great Ampeg♥
Good advertisement for Fender stock pickups... 😃 Thanks for sharing this video anyway.
I currently have a 1977 Fender Precision that I love. Quick story: I was looking into buying a vintage Fender without paying 2k (I was dreaming) however my dream came true when my father stopped at a pawn shop and found a 1977 Fender Precision Bass. He called me and I was skeptical because it seemed too good to be true. I tell him to check to see if it had a serial number and it did on the head stock. I quickly check the internet and it shows that it is a 77-78. He said it looked old and that it didn't look it was a fake. I said I would go see it after work to make sure and he told me to get it otherwise someone was going to buy it soon. I put down 80 dollars to put it on layaway and after work I went to see it. Lo and behold it was an original Fender. I ended up paying 799 for it! Ironically, that same day I got it, the salesman told me someone had bought it but never gave the first payment so it was placed back on the shelf. Well, their loss was my gain :)
I started playing an old P-Bass with an old Ampeg Fliptop almost 15 years ago (I'm now 34) and it is so amazingly baffling to me that instead of getting easier to find new gear that sounds more like this stuff, it is just getting harder and harder and therefore the prices are going up up up. I don't have a problem with collectors/investors buying up all of this gear that's out there as it is cool and will increase in value (I recently saw a bass very similar to the one I bought for $1200 in ~2001 going for $10,000 on eBay, and I paid through the nose for my fliptop because it was just in such good shape and brought up to spec by Jess Oliver) but why is it so hard to find new instruments and amps that possess some of the old/"vintage" sound A LOT of Fender P-Bass players are looking for? Is a new bass going to sound as wonderful as a 60's-era original Precision Bass that was built with very high quality wood that has slowly "curing" (for lack of a better term) to come close to the sound one can get with a vintage instrument? NO. An EMPHATIC NO. But why doesn't Fender work their magic and focus some of the attention they use to construct a contemporary sound with modern playability... but couldn't Fender just come up with some brand new bass from the factory that is built to sound like a 60's P-Bass at a nice price for up and coming electric basses who then decide to buy shitty, overthought "modern" basses like the Ibanezes, Warwicks, Ernie Balls and on and on, when an affordable old sounding P-Bass that sounds warm, growly and wonderful through decent tube amps (as not young/weekend warrior has access to a 1965 B-15 fliptop with original tubes or just authentic new old stock tubes. Fuck. Not every new kid needs to try to sound like limp bizkit or 311 or whatever most guitar stores are trying to sell them as a "contemporary" sound.
Even Mark Kelley, who plays with The Roots on The Tonight Show, recently switched from some fancy custom-looking 5 String Bass with active pickups and a preamp to a good old 4-String Fender Precision bass, and although I am biased towards the Fender sound, objectively he sounds SO much better as his sound has to project through TV speakers across the nation. In my home with my decent Plasma 42" flatscreen with decent speakers, all bias aside, he objectively sounds better as the warmth and depth of the Fender Bass vibrates enough or the frequencies that it sounds warm and wonderful at home. With his old active funky 5-string bass, A LOT of his sounds just got muddled and washed out through my average TV speakers.
There is a reason why old mono recordings from bands during the 50's and 60's made with just good old Fender Precision basses were still audible and enjoyable over AM radio through dinky old car speakers, which was never known for audio fidelity. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If an old P-Bass was good enough for James Jamerson, the Funk Brothers, the whole Motown label, and hundreds of hit, classic singles, it's good enough for me and I wish the young kids coming up could get access to that sound without spending $1000's on vintage gear.
I remember a Guitar Player magazine advertisement from the mid-70's featuring Bobby & Jeff Berlin saying "We took a good bass and made it a great one by installing a Badass Bridge" . . . I know Jeff swore by them for most of his playing career.
Bobby...dig your tone. Love the two Precision's in video. The 58 sounds great through the B15. Keep it Low...
Love that 58. Stella. I dig how Bobby keeps raising his left leg when he grooves.
Once seen, can't be unseen!
Appears to be a really nice guy 👏👏
An old friend from years ago was in Germany (in the army) and happened to be at that show when that happened. He filmed footage of it on that day and believe it or not he showed us the footage he took that day on reel to reel tape. We saw the footage of the unsettled crowd setting the stage on fire. Looked like total chaos, turned into quite a bummer for everyone. I haven't thought about that in such a long time. I was only 20. Seems strange to think back that we saw this footage from a friends experience that happened to be there. It was around 1980 that he showed us the minutes of footage he captured. He said it became so violent, he was really concerned for his own safety.
Awesome video!!! Love the story about your, "Frankenstein," bass!!! Priceless!!!
Big love for Bobby V. He is the master of taste and for all you finger playing snobs, Bobby is primarily a pick player : )
+James Ramsey Pretty handy with his fingers too, though, ain't he? Great player and a natural raconteur. That 58 P is a beauty.
I wish I could be as cool as this dude.
One of my fave bassist!
I could listen to him play all day!
Great video. Great bassist/bass! What a story!
I could listen to him talk gear for hours...
Man if they made a Pbass with that block inlay USA made, it would sell like crazy!!! I’d buy it!!
that 2 tone p bass has THAT p bass tone, the grunt and low end, not a lot of p basses you find today have that
On the first bass, not sure if it was intentional, the spacing of the E string should be corrected. Too close to the A string, perhaps the foam added is pushing the string down?
I used and Ampeg B-15N as part of my guitar rig for ages. It makes a Strat sound HUUUUGE. Gotta love the flip top too.
There's a RUclips video on Jimi Hendrix, on the Dick Cavett show, playing an Ampeg B-15. You have to look closely to catch it.
So just got a 50 s American original second hand and I thought it was a copy for some reason. This confirms that it’s not. It has those raised poles he’s talking about. Cool!!!
Thnx Bobby
Fantastic video ! Thanks a lot. Good images, good sound and good man.
Love my Ampeg BA15v2 just brutal :)
Downright Awesome
i'm guessing....that's jack cassidy's jazz bass neck! just check out "high flying bird" performance from monterey '67. just a guess i think?
He never said what model pickups were in the Frankenstein bass. I think, they were EMG's, but really hard to tell.
what EMG has to do with the authentic sound of a late 50's stock PB ?
EMG TV was just music content sponsored by EMG they are just paying for the interview
Bobby is wearing an emg t shirt that's why.