Classico upright bass

[u14steelgtr]

To the best of my knowledge I have never heard much less seen anyone play a ?Classico? upright bass.  
 
Who on this list or elsewhere plays one of these basses?  
 
Are there any specific LP's or CD's on which I could hear a particularly note-worthy sample of one of these basses being played?  
 
Regards
-- Eugene

[darkstar01]

I'm currently having a 4 string classico with a coco bolo top built.  They're definitely not very common instruments, and the only one I've ever heard was used for studio work, but I couldn't tell you where to get any recordings.  
I know the specs are based on Stanley's string bass, but I'm not sure if he ever played a classico.
Austin

[worldfamousandy]

Hank Futch, bassist for the Blue Dogs, Has used one for years.  There is some great audio/video of him on their site:  
 
www.bluedogs.com
 
Andy Calder
www.andycalderbass.com

[u14steelgtr]

Thanks Andy; I will take a look at the Blue Dogs web page.  
 
Austin; The specs and write-up at http://alembic.com/prod/classico.html provide little detail about the specs and since they are all custom that makes sense to me. Even the scale lenth is specified simply as insert. BTW: who is Stanley and is he a Forum member? Perhaps I should contact him directly.  
 
Regards
-- Eugene

[lbpesq]

I think Stanley is Stanley Clarke.  Maybe you've heard of him?  LOL
 
Bill, tgo

[darkstar01]

Stanley as in Stanley Clarke.

[u14steelgtr]

Stanley Clarke is a name that I know only from this Forum.  Is he a Forum member?  
 
I will Google him and see if I can find his contact information.  
 
-- Eugene
 
(Message edited by u14steelgtr on June 18, 2006)

[olieoliver]

You might as well ask who Jimmy Hendrix is.
Forgive them Stanley for they know not what they ask!

[lidon2001]

Here's his website:
 
Stanley Clarke

[bob]

Be gentle, guys.
 
In my case, I was listening to Clarke before he likely knew about Alembic (certainly before he played one). On the other hand, when I first started talking to my local dealer about a custom bass, I asked him Who is this Mark King guy? You know, Level 42 What, is that a band or something?
 
It's easy to forget what a diverse group of people we have, even here in our elite little world.
-Bob

[u14steelgtr]

Thanks Bob.  For what it is worth I am unfamiliar with ?Level 42? and I only know the name ?Mark King? from this forum.  But that will no doubt also change.
 
I guess it will be a long time before I live this down.  
 
Bass players seldom get or possess the name recognition that guitarists, violinists, pianists, and Sax players tend to cultivate.  
 
The name ?Jimi? is unusual. ?Stanley? is not an uncommon name in musical circles:  Stanley Jordan, Paul Stanley, Stan Getz, Stanley Turrentine, and Ralph Stanley all come to mind very quickly.  
 
The reference standard for Bass players here in the DC area was (and for many still is) Keeter Betts (who died last summer).  Keeter was and remains legendary for his playing. Down in Texas where Olie resides Roy Huskey Sr. was the legendary bass player (Roy Jr. is pretty good too). California has Freebo (though he is not known for playing upright bass). Other locales had ?Mingus?, Willie Dixon, and Mark Schatz.  
 
For the record:
* Stanley does not appear to be a member of this forum.  
* Google listed a link to stanleyclarke.com and I have read his bio there.
* Stanley?s  Gear Page does not currently list his Classico.
* I am familiar with most of the band leaders that hired S.C. when he moved to New York in 1971.
* I did listen to the Superband (with Larry Coryell) in the early 90?s.  So I have heard him play some ?wow-worthy? music.  
* I have not seen any of the films that Stanley Clarke scored.  
* I have never seen him play Live.
* I may have heard him play with Chick Corea.
 
Ironically my buddy David (a bass player) called me about making plans for tonight while I was starting to read Stanley?s  Bio Page on stanleclarke.com.  I asked David if he had heard of a bass player named Stanley Clarke. David said ?no but I have read a lot of Arthur C. Clark.? So I am not the only person for whom ?Stanley? was not a familiar name.  
 
So let us get back on topic.  My questions are:
1. Other than Hank Futch, who plays a Classico?
2. Where can I hear (on LP, CD, or online) a Classico?
 
Regards
-- Eugene
 
(Message edited by u14steelgtr on June 19, 2006)

[lbpesq]

Eugene:
 
In a sense you are very lucky.  If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Clarke's work, you are in for a VERY pleasant surprise.  The guy's playing is insanely good.  I'm a guitar player - all bassists sound the same to me ...  except a select few that are so good that even I can appreciate them.  No one stands above Stanley in this category.  As for the reaction of the denizens of this forum, you must understand that this is not unlike someone asking who is this Eric Clapton guy?  Is he a member of this forum?  Does anyone have his email address?
 
Bill, the guitar one

[olieoliver]

Eugene, I was just having a litle fun, meant nothing by it. In fact I am surprised I wasn't pounced on for miss spelling Jimi's name.
But now Bill, ...all bassist sound the same... , thats just plain mean.

[lbpesq]

Olie:
 
It was meant more as a knock on me than on you low enders.  Truthfully, I notice bad bassists and drummers much more quickly than good ones.  If it's happening, it's happening, that's the bottom line.  Then there are the ones that stand out.  
 
Bill, tgo

[bigredbass]

Eugene:
 
Not to worry.  There's probably lots of people who don't know who Loyd Green, Weldon Myrick, Paul Franklin, Buddy Emmons, or Doug Jernigan are, either.
 
It just depends on your frame of reference.
 
J o e y