_Sweet Willie_ Posted July 10, 2003 Share Posted July 10, 2003 I don't think any of the other fellahs started a thread on this yet, so here goes! I am in Calif. on vacation, and spent a great day yesterday hanging out with Whappo, JeremyC, and Wally. (Bumpcity was supposed to join us, but at the last second he took a paying gig up in his neck of the woods , instead of coming down to hang with the bass brothers! Bump-dawg, we're all expecting a cut from your gig pay as penance for dissing!) OK, so first I drive up from where I'm currently chillin' in balmy Carmel to Cupertino to pick up Whappo (Mark) at AccuGroove. I show up in my kickin' rental car, ring the bell, and am immediately set-up in front of an array of AccuGroove cabs, a "no-name" 1000W power amp, and an Avalon preamp. While Whappo conducts some business on the phone, he thrusts a tasty 5-string Bee bass in my hands and plugs me in -- I proceed to play a Tri-110, a Tri-112, a Whappo Jr., and then an El Whappo! Egads, lads, these cabinets are the most kickin' cabs I have played...ever. Then Whappo finishes his phone call and rolls out the 21" Whappo Grande subwoofer. Okay, wanna hear some bass? Try a low B thru an El Whappo and a Whappo Grande, both run full-range. Not only is it sonically nirvanic, but you could rearrange internal organs . I could've gone home then, BUT it was just the start of the day. Whappo and I hop in the car and cart a Demeter preamp, the same power amp and a Tri-112 up to San Fran to catch Wally's free noon gig at a public park with Lady Bo. Wally hooks into this rig and adds his own Tri-112. He and Lady Bo (and a slammin' drummer) blow the joint up with some wicked blues, R&B, and funk -- in particular I liked the James Brown medley...mmmm. Y'all, Wally can lay it down! JeremyC met us at the gig. He took some digital pictures, so some links may be forthcoming at some point. We helped Wally and Lady Bo pack up their gear, and all headed to lunch -- some dim sum at Yank Sing. Jeremy picked the restaurant, and it was killer. Totally tasty grub (the mango pudding for dessert was a great finish). Good time hangin' out. Then, (yes, ladies and gents, there's more!) we headed to a music shop just outside San Fran in Redwood City. We hooked an Aguilar DB750 into the AccuGroove Tri-112 and proceeded to sample a Lull 5-string, a Smith 6-string, a MTD 6-string (my favorite of the bunch), and a fretless Zon 5-string. I was promptly humbled by the mad bass skillz that all 3 of these brothers posess -- Wally, Jeremy, and Whappo can all bring it on the low end tip! I think all three have been playing bass as long as I've been alive ( ), so maybe in another decade or so, with a whole lotta practice, I can catch up a little bit. Lady Bo hung with us the whole afternoon, so mad props to her for chillin' with the bass brethren and tolerating unending bass "solos" at the music shop. I then took Whappo home to Cupertino, and sadly unloaded the Tri-112 from my car into his homebase . I had a great day with these guys. They are most excellent gentlemen, and exceptional bassists. Having spent so much time with Whappo in particular (much of it in the car), I must give him a special commendation for being a sincere, genuine, and friendly guy. Also having overheard a couple of business calls with clients, I have to give him props for the way he interacts as a speaker cab manufacturer with the artists who use his products -- he really cares about their satisfaction with the sound they get from an AccuGroove cab (or cabs!). Gotta run, but the others can add and embelish. At some point I'll try to get some pics posted. Peace. spreadluv Fanboy? Why, yes! Nordstrand Pickups and Guitars. Messiaen knew how to parlay the funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenLoy Posted July 10, 2003 Share Posted July 10, 2003 Then, (yes, ladies and gents, there's more!) we headed to a music shop just outside San Fran in Redwood City. Gelb Music rules. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted July 10, 2003 Share Posted July 10, 2003 Here's a picture of the gang: Pretty lousy photo, but what do you expect from a trumpet player? http://home.comcast.net/~escjhs/5bass.jpg We all had a great time. It's amazing, people who are nice on the forum are nice in person too(I kept the cranky side of my persona well hidden Bumpcity couldn't make it but I had breakfast with him in Seattle last Sunday. We joked and jived and had an all-around good time. http://home.comcast.net/~escjhs/jeremyandbump.jpg A few more pictures: http://home.comcast.net/~escjhs/wally.jpg http://home.comcast.net/~escjhs/willieandjeremy.jpg http://home.comcast.net/~escjhs/whappo.jpg http://home.comcast.net/~escjhs/ladyboband.jpg Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Capasso Posted July 11, 2003 Share Posted July 11, 2003 Sounds like a great day all around!!! Equipment and a performance - I'm soooo jealous. Yes, it's really cool to meet forumites. Jeremy - nice job hiding your thorny side ( ). It was probably not an issue with these fine gentleman (and one famously fine lady). Thanks for sharing. Tom www.stoneflyrocks.com Acoustic Color Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars and keep your feet on the ground. - Theodore Roosevelt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
... Posted July 11, 2003 Share Posted July 11, 2003 I'm a bad and awful person. I really really wanted to be in SF with the rest of you hip cats. Got another gig tonight with this insane band that I'll have to tell y'all about later... very, very goofy. JeremyC and I had a great time at breakfast last Sunday (at least I know I did!). Took him to the infamous '13 Coins' here in Seattle, which is kinda the place to go after a gig; 24 hour dining and it's actually really good food! Another time my friends, another time. Sounds like eveyone had plenty o' fun without me! A gigging I will go, a gigging I will go... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wally Malone Posted July 11, 2003 Share Posted July 11, 2003 It was extremely great spending time with Willie, Jeremy and Mark yesterday. Although they were all aware of a family problem I have been experiencing this is the first that I'm mentioning it here on the forum. I lost one of my younger brothers today. He's been in the hospital for the last two weeks and the decision had been made a couple of days ago to take away the life support yesterday. I just got home from the gig I did today to find out that he passed away at 3 p.m. today, shortly after I left for my gig. During the set yesterday I dedicated that set to my brother right before playing his favorite song that we do. It was tough on my wife since she's the one that sings it. The company of the Lowdowners at lunch and at the music store made for a nice distraction of what was to come down. My brother Wade is now resting in peace and his pain is gone. Oh, Willie is a great guy and he can play the bass too, as we all got to hear him at Gelb. Wally I have basses to play, places to be and good music to make! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basshappi Posted July 11, 2003 Share Posted July 11, 2003 My deepest condolences Wally, God be with you and your family. Regards, Dan Nothing is as it seems but everything is exactly what it is - B. Banzai Life is what happens while you are busy playing in bands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whappo Posted July 11, 2003 Share Posted July 11, 2003 Willie, Jeremy & Wally said what I wanted to say only better. Hat's off to Willie for contacting us & putting a bug in our ear a couple of months ago from Chicago. (Good man) The head was nodding in disbelief, but the smile was pure satisfaction as Willie grooved with my cabs. For some strange reason, he seemed to like the 21" Whappo Grande with the El Whappo. I don't get it? (By the way, the preamp is a Millennium Origin, not a Avalon.) As Wally stated, Willie can play that thang; don't let him fool you. Our drive to the city & back was spent listening to Jake Kot tear it up on his CD & us doin da bass talk. (Plus, there was an occasional businesses call on the cell. Willie was very gracious. Thanks bro!) It was a great outdoor gig. There's no way that they sounded like a three piece, I mean NO WAY. They flat tore it up. They have a super drummer that swings steady while Wally did a great job, laying down a thick & saucy groove. And here's a surprise; Wally sings great to. (I can't even play bass & chew gum at the same time) Peggy (Lady Bo) is nothin but class! Talk about a singing voice. Talk about guitar playing...wow, she is amazing. Plus she put up with 3 bass players all afternoon; what a gal. Jeremy nailed lunch big time. If he ever recommends a place to chow; just do it because he's da man. It was an excellent time of gluttony, errr...I mean bass fellowship. Gelb was a blast. We basically took over the joint & Ed was very nice at allowing us to play what ever & forever. It was my fault, I should have never taken down that 6 string MTD. I knew in the back of my mind what I was doing, but I couldn't resist. I haven't experienced this much GAS since Blazing Saddles. The MTD was so incredible; you wanted to take your shoes off as if on holy ground. To sum up things; you couldnt for a better time with nicer people. Wally & Peg, our prayers are with you at the loss of your brother. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie Z Posted July 11, 2003 Share Posted July 11, 2003 Wally, Please accept my deepest condolences for the loss of your brother. I have one sibling, and I can't even imagine what it would be like to lose her. I am not aware of your belief system, but in mine, I am positive that your brother remains aware of you and your affection from the other side. So sorry about this tragedy. ... connie z "Change comes from within." - Jeremy Cohen The definition of LUCK: When Preparation meets Opportunity! http://www.cybergumbo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Sweet Willie_ Posted July 12, 2003 Author Share Posted July 12, 2003 Originally posted by Bumpcity: I'm a bad and awful person. ...Yes -- yes you are. But all will be forgiven in time. Definitely it was a great day. Also my rookie voyage on a bass with more than 5 strings. Yes, that MTD was a surprise in terms of how nice it felt. Slapping? Tricky, but Wally showed me the key -- double octaves! Whappo's right -- Wally can sing too! And dance. The man was shakin' his groove thang during the whole set -- while singing and playing. Thanks, Jeremy, for posting the pics. Honestly, if any of y'all make it out this way sometime, it's worth looking up these 3 guys and trying to spend a little time. And if you know that guy who played with those other guys on that album that came out you-know-when, after they'd all been schooled in what's-his-name's band back in the day... (sorry, a little inside joke from our lunch). Peace. (PS: Despite the nice comments from the other fellahs, I was humbled to be in the presence of such fine musicians , and honestly a bit nervous to play in front of them!) spreadluv Fanboy? Why, yes! Nordstrand Pickups and Guitars. Messiaen knew how to parlay the funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wally Malone Posted July 12, 2003 Share Posted July 12, 2003 Thanks to all for your support during this difficult time. Connie, I'm the oldest of seven kids and my parents are still with us. In fact my dad is still a gigging drummer at age 77. In all it's amazing that this is the first loss with an immediate family of nine all over forty. Wade will be missed but he left a lot of good memories. Wally I have basses to play, places to be and good music to make! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Bland Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 Hi Wally. My condolences to you & your family. Know that you have a huge support system in the fellowship of your fellow bassists & music will soothe your soul. It was great hanging with you in Vegas last month, I wish I got to see you more often. I signed up for this forum because of talking with you & look forward to checking out what's going on as often as I can. Thinking of you in the Mile High City & sending you peace, Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wally Malone Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 Hi Ron, great to see you made it to the Lowdown. For the regular Lowdowners Ron is a great all around bass player. No tags for Ron, he does it all. Ron is one of the delegates from Denver to the AFM Convention. We've know each other for a number of years now but a couple of years ago is the first time I heard Ron play. He sat in with a group that was playing for our Western Conference Saturday night dinner. He picked up the URB belonging to the guy with the gig and just plain wailed. We're all fortunate to have another pro join our Lowdown family. Wally I have basses to play, places to be and good music to make! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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