Growing up Bass Player

New Singer/Guitar Player

Having decided on a name we went to work learning new song and refining some of the old song we already new. We were in a hurry to get back to playing live. Jamming in the basement can only get you so far. We already had learned that playing live is the best way to refine you skills. Sort of the earn while you learn theory.

We decided to take on another guitar player/vocalist. We felt that with our new repertoire we needed a bigger sound. We picked up Gary, rhythm player and singer extraordinaire. He also came with a Shure PA system (2 columns and 100 watt head), so much better than our plywood boxes. We all invested in a Shure SM58 microphone.

I was playing an early sixties Fender Precision Bass and a Fender Bassman amp. My thinking at the time was that the fender equipment was too country and not enough Rock and Roll so (excuse me a minute while wipe the tears from my eyes) I sold the bass and the amp for $150.00 (more tears). I replaced the Precision with a Gibson Ripper. I bought it in Helena Montana from bass player who live with his wife and a small child in a tiny upstairs apartment and was hard up for cash. I did not even play it before I bought it. I just wrote him a check for $400.00 and left. As I was leaving I could hear him and his wife dancing around in joy. It made me feel good about the purchase and I later found that I had bought a dream of a bass. I played that bass for at least 10 years and enjoyed every minute of it.

For a new amp I went with Peavey. They were a new company at the time. I bought the amp in Billings Montana. I did try it out, but you don’t learn much about an amp by playing a few licks on it in a music store. It turned out to be great. I grew to love that amp and like the bass I played it for a number of years. (I am starting to feel better about selling the fender equipment.)

The Early Seventy's