After downloading the magnificent Hampton 81 show, and also having the entire Handsome Girls set, I gotta give Bill an A+ for his impeccable playing on these tours.

The man was never any better than during this time, and his sound was punchy but clear, never boomy. Very strong in the midrange, which comes across well on the bootlegs.

Anyone have info on the basses and amp rigs that Bill used during this time?

bassplayer617 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> After downloading the magnificent Hampton 81 show,
> and also having the entire Handsome Girls set, I
> gotta give Bill an A+ for his impeccable playing
> on these tours.
>
> The man was never any better than during this
> time, and his sound was punchy but clear, never
> boomy. Very strong in the midrange, which comes
> across well on the bootlegs.
>
> Anyone have info on the basses and amp rigs that
> Bill used during this time?
>
>


basslplayer617........and the Wyman punchy tone was perfect for listening to his great bass lines......imo he added alot to the live songs

... those were Bill's Travis Bean years, no?
[iorr.org]

with sssoul Wrote:
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> ... those were Bill's Travis Bean years, no?

The '78 tour was done with the brown Dan Armstrong with sliding pickup
(as used on the '75 and'76 tours).
Funny he used that one as he recorded all of Some Girls with
the Travis Bean.
From what I remember, those Dan Armstronb basses were pretty heavy.
BTW, anybody know af any other bassist that used that kind of bass?

Bill is quite possibly the best rock bass player ever ... not as fancy as Entwistle or Jack Cassady or many others ... but BEST GROOVE EVER. And the man knew how to hold that bass and get groupie's numbers ... much respect from me for that

I'm with you on this one bassplayer. Bill was more out front in the mix during those tours and the way he played with Charlie in a very large way made the Rolling Stones sound as great as they did. He and Charlie are my favroute rhythm section!

ohnonotyouagain Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Bill is quite possibly the best rock bass player
> ever ... not as fancy as Entwistle or Jack Cassady
> or many others ... but BEST GROOVE EVER.

I agree, totally. Listen to Hot Stuff, the studio version if nothing else. Dunno what it is but he's always there thumoing at the right moment on every song he plays on.

Bill is mixed way up on the Emotional Rescue Album so you can really appreciate his groove ability.

bassplayer617 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> After downloading the magnificent Hampton 81 show,
> and also having the entire Handsome Girls set, I
> gotta give Bill an A+ for his impeccable playing
> on these tours.

Yes, common knowledge.

Chas,

FYI - It is Ron Wood that played Bass on the Song "Emotional Rescue" and a couple others on the album.

I am personally not a fan of the mix on Emotional Rescue...it is very thin and not "bassy" at all...I think think it sounds like an AM Radio...just listen to the new "Rarities" CD and when Dance Part II hits...the sound drops out...

I think Emotional Rescue and Dirty Work (except for ONE HIT and Harlem) have the worst mixes of any Stones album I have ever heard).

PECMAN

Yes, Bill´s groove is incredible. And I also miss his "coolness" while playing, and the way he holded the bass! That was part of The Rolling Stones greatness, in my opinion.

I think Darryl is doing a great job with the band nowdays, but you can´t help but imagine how it would be if Bill was still there.

Well on my copy of ER the bass guitar is loud and clear--I think due to the guitars being turned down. I did notice that the version of Dance prt II on Rarities is weak for some reason.