Author Topic: Stanley Clarke at Yoshi's Oakland this weekend! (April 5-7) (Read 1021 times)

hieronymous · « **on:** April 05, 2013, 02:12:04 PM »

I got tickets to tonight's sold-out first show. Want to take my custom 5-string SC Signature Standard to get it signed - considering the control plate route, but would prefer to get the headstock signed! Thought about taking off the strings to have him sign between the tuning posts where they used to put the decal, but I think it would just be easier to have him sign the back of the headstock.

Fortunately I work near Yoshi's so I'm trying to figure out a way to do this - don't really want to bring the bass into the club for the whole time.

I also went by after lunch, hoping maybe he would magically appear - there was a hotel shuttle bus (foolishly didn't think to notice the hotel name!) and someone got out with a bass in a case - not Stanley. I kept walking back and forth, trying to decide what to do. The guy had a little bit of gear - cymbals, a couple of road cases - should have offered to help! Anyway, the door was still open so I went to my car, got the bass out (I brought it with me) and walked over - I am just too shy - asked if Stanley Clarke was there - no - does he sign stuff? - yes - thanks - no problem. I should have said something about being a 5-string, etc., but my brain froze!

Anyway, wish me luck!

mario_farufyno · « **Reply #1 on:** April 05, 2013, 03:05:19 PM »

Hope not shy enough to take some pics, please (good luck!)

mica · « **Reply #2 on:** April 05, 2013, 04:17:29 PM »

I was going to the Sunday show, but I injured my leg a couple of days ago and I just can't even think about going out until it feels better. If I have a miraculous recovery, I'll be at the 6:00 Sunday show.

Take at least your backplate, and don't be shy! Stan is super nice.

sonicus · « **Reply #3 on:** April 05, 2013, 09:45:24 PM »

Mica ,I wish for you a fast recovery from your leg injury.

hieronymous · « **Reply #4 on:** April 05, 2013, 11:04:26 PM »

Thanks for the encouragement Mica! I hope you feel better! I did make it backstage between sets due to the benevolence of certain people - my first time backstage at Yoshi's! Mr. Clarke asked me to wait until he finished his dinner so I just stood there and soaked up the atmosphere. His drummer, Ronald Bruner, Jr., was like "are you sure you want it defaced like that?!!" and I just replied "it's being anointed." I then took my leave - no pictures, no albums signed - this was more than I could have asked for.

I have to tell you, I don't think it really hit me until I was driving home - I had "School Days" (the song) on and halfway home, partway through the solo, I just turned my car stereo ALL the way up and started screaming! (fortunately I was on the highway!) When I was a 16 year old kid in Tokyo listening to it on vinyl I had no idea that I would finally meet him in person, let alone have him sign an actual Alembic Stanley Clarke bass!

hieronymous · « **Reply #5 on:** April 05, 2013, 11:54:59 PM »

Couple more things - I did get to ask Stanley what he thought of his 5-string - will post the answer later, I don't have the energy right now.

Also - GO SEE THIS BAND if you get the chance! His new band is SMOKIN'!!!

sonicus · « **Reply #6 on:** April 06, 2013, 12:46:46 AM »

Congratulations Harry !

oddmetersam · « **Reply #7 on:** April 06, 2013, 03:14:06 AM »

What a fabulous story, Harry! And it couldn't have happened to a nicer, more deserving guy. On a technical note, what type of marker or indelible ink pen did you take with you?

And sending healing vibes towards your leg, Mica and in time to see Stan the Man....

charles_holmes · « **Reply #8 on:** April 06, 2013, 03:51:06 AM »

You have that Little child that saw Santa Claus and got his dream toy for Christmas look holding your axe! Hee Hee! Kudos to you my bass brother! PS ...Mica, I'm sending lots of healing vibrations to ya girl!

pauldo · « **Reply #9 on:** April 06, 2013, 05:00:37 AM »

Mica - you know we got your back with positive, healing thoughts and prayers.

Harry - that is awesome that you got to hang with the gang!
Ronald is a killer drummer and a shinning soul.

mario_farufyno · « **Reply #10 on:** April 06, 2013, 05:38:44 AM »

Cool!

hieronymous · « **Reply #11 on:** April 06, 2013, 12:13:29 PM »

So I was hoping to be able to post in the thread about Stanley Clarke's 5-string Alembic but it is closed, so I will say it here:

I asked him about it! He said that he just needs to practice on it - for a year! But he didn't say anything negative. I said it was the best of both worlds and he kind of agreed. Last night I believe he was playing the buckeye bass - the one pictured here? - tuned tenor. He only used it on one song - the bass/drum duo was so intense he broke something on the bass! At the very end he kept flipping it up - I thought he was looking at the filter control settings but someone who was sitting closer said something happened at the bridge - maybe a string flipped out of the saddle? So he played upright the rest of the show. But when he was using the Alembic (with LEDs I might add), sometimes it seemed like he was using an octave pedal for some of the low notes.

Maybe seeing mine will convince him to give it a try again!

hieronymous · « **Reply #12 on:** April 06, 2013, 12:16:59 PM »

Very crappy picture, but here is the bass ready for second set - you can just see the bird inlays:

hieronymous · « **Reply #13 on:** April 06, 2013, 12:19:31 PM »

And here's the bass drum jam where he busted the bass!

David Houck · « **Reply #14 on:** April 06, 2013, 07:39:42 PM »

Great picture of you holding the bass with the sig! I'm guessing you might want to get a clear coat finish on top of it to preserve it.

Hmmm ... wondering if Mica was in the shop today fixing Stan's bass.