Smelly and Cool. Warning: Bass Content.

Dodgy rythym and thick strings here...

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Smelly and Cool. Warning: Bass Content.

Post by Slowy »

I stared at the strangely shaped case while the owner, eyes glittering, dared me to guess the contents. I failed.

It's completely original except for the Gibson speed knobs. It has a headstock repair.

What is known:
It was purchased in person from Ben Shepherd of Soundgarden.
During the transaction, Shepherd mentioned he'd bought it with a broken headstock 'from McCartney.'

Hell, I don't know.....
What I do know is this isn't your usual under the bed find. It's been tweaked, fettled and cherished. It plays perfectly. It's a working tool you could gig with complete confidence.
It has almost no sustain. What it does have is the most satisfying warm thump that makes every note individual. If you can shred a bass, you would love this.

So, for your visual pleasure:
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Beyond a critical point within a finite space, freedom diminishes as numbers increase. This is as true of humans as it is of gas molecules in a sealed flask. The human question is not how many can possibly survive within the system, but what kind of existence is possible for those who so survive.

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Re: Smelly and Cool. Warning: Bass Content.

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Re: Smelly and Cool. Warning: Bass Content.

Post by Slowy »

That's interesting. The control plate looks similar; same tarnishing and apparent speed knobs. Same bass?
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Re: Smelly and Cool. Warning: Bass Content.

Post by NippleWrestler »

Slowy wrote: Sun Mar 26, 2023 9:55 am
That's interesting. The control plate looks similar; same tarnishing and apparent speed knobs. Same bass?
That was my thought. You could always DM the guy on socials and see if he recalls.

I doubt the McCartney thing because he was a lefty but you never know.

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Re: Smelly and Cool. Warning: Bass Content.

Post by Lyle »

That's awesome! I'm pretty sure Ben plays it in the music video for Pretty Noose.

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Re: Smelly and Cool. Warning: Bass Content.

Post by Slowy »

NippleWrestler wrote: Sun Mar 26, 2023 9:56 am
Slowy wrote: Sun Mar 26, 2023 9:55 am
That's interesting. The control plate looks similar; same tarnishing and apparent speed knobs. Same bass?
That was my thought. You could always DM the guy on socials and see if he recalls.

I doubt the McCartney thing because he was a lefty but you never know.
That's a fair point. I don't know either.
Beyond a critical point within a finite space, freedom diminishes as numbers increase. This is as true of humans as it is of gas molecules in a sealed flask. The human question is not how many can possibly survive within the system, but what kind of existence is possible for those who so survive.

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Re: Smelly and Cool. Warning: Bass Content.

Post by NippleWrestler »

Slowy wrote: Sun Mar 26, 2023 10:01 am
NippleWrestler wrote: Sun Mar 26, 2023 9:56 am
Slowy wrote: Sun Mar 26, 2023 9:55 am

That's interesting. The control plate looks similar; same tarnishing and apparent speed knobs. Same bass?
That was my thought. You could always DM the guy on socials and see if he recalls.

I doubt the McCartney thing because he was a lefty but you never know.
That's a fair point. I don't know either.
Well here's something:

https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/the-st ... iolin-bass

He did have a righty which he flipped to play lefty. The marks etc are different to yours but it sets a precedent for flipped righties.

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Re: Smelly and Cool. Warning: Bass Content.

Post by Slowy »

NippleWrestler wrote: Sun Mar 26, 2023 10:07 am
Slowy wrote: Sun Mar 26, 2023 10:01 am
NippleWrestler wrote: Sun Mar 26, 2023 9:56 am

That was my thought. You could always DM the guy on socials and see if he recalls.

I doubt the McCartney thing because he was a lefty but you never know.
That's a fair point. I don't know either.
Well here's something:

https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/the-st ... iolin-bass

He did have a righty which he flipped to play lefty. The marks etc are different to yours but it sets a precedent for flipped righties.
This one definitely doesn't have a setlist taped on. :lol:
And that photo is a lefty.
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Re: Smelly and Cool. Warning: Bass Content.

Post by jeremyb »

Super cool provenance!
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Re: Smelly and Cool. Warning: Bass Content.

Post by TmcB »

That’s epic! I love the pedigree
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Post by Lyle »



Here's the video with Ben playing a Hofner with Gibson Speed Knobs that I'm assuming is the same guitar.

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Re: Smelly and Cool. Warning: Bass Content.

Post by Slowy »

Lyle wrote: Sun Mar 26, 2023 11:20 am

Here's the video with Ben playing a Hofner with Gibson Speed Knobs that I'm assuming is the same guitar.
That's cool!
Beyond a critical point within a finite space, freedom diminishes as numbers increase. This is as true of humans as it is of gas molecules in a sealed flask. The human question is not how many can possibly survive within the system, but what kind of existence is possible for those who so survive.

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Re: Smelly and Cool. Warning: Bass Content.

Post by GrantB »

very cool. I'm intrigued; how does one buy a bass from a very high profile rock dude? As in what set of circumstances?
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Re: Smelly and Cool. Warning: Bass Content.

Post by robthemac »

GrantB wrote: Sun Mar 26, 2023 11:54 am very cool. I'm intrigued; how does one buy a bass from a very high profile rock dude? As in what set of circumstances?
And is it now Bruce's?
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Re: Smelly and Cool. Warning: Bass Content.

Post by Lyle »

GrantB wrote: Sun Mar 26, 2023 11:54 am very cool. I'm intrigued; how does one buy a bass from a very high profile rock dude? As in what set of circumstances?
He's spoken publicly about having substance abuse issues and was broke for a while (sounds like he's back on track now), so maybe it was sold out of necessity?

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