Mel Bay-Roger Filiberto Mystery Bass

FatBack · July 3rd, 2008, 07:06 PM

Fellow Bassists,

If you're over 40, you probably know about THE bass instruction book, "Mel Bay's Electric Bass Method" by Roger Filiberto. You may have started out with this book, which was written in the early '60s because it was the only one available in the early days.

http://www.melbay.com/contents.asp?P...q=&r=&s=&next=

(I'm currently getting back into that book to brush up on reading music for bass).

Here's the nagging question that's bothered me for years: (And unfortunately, I don't have a photo to show you) What the heck kind of bass is shown in that Black & White photo on page 9??????

In all other photos, Roger (complete in coat and tie) is shown playing a sunburst Fender Jazz Bass. But what the flyin' heck is that thing on page 9???? Danelectro?....haven't found anything like it on the web, and boy have I tried...Silvertone?....It looks like it's got 4 switches and a tweed speaker cover between the pickups. Maybe an amp-in-bass model? The bridge looks like a Dano.

This timeless Bass mystery is up there with the purpose of the "thumbrest" on the bottom of the pickguard of the Jazz Bass...but I digress.

Any info is welcome. I'm sorry I don't have a photo to show what I'm talking about but I know some of you "old timers" have that book and know what I'm talking about.

If you solve that mystery for me, I'll be forever grateful and will be able to finally get some sleep ;)

Tim Armstrong · July 3rd, 2008, 08:55 PM

Perhaps a Hagstrom like this one?

Cheers, Tim

FatBack · July 3rd, 2008, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Armstrong

Perhaps a Hagstrom like this one?

Cheers, Tim

Man, that was FAST!!!! Thank you, Tim! Yes, that's it! A Hagstrom....why didn't I check that out, earlier? I was fixated on Silvertone/Danelectro.

Many thanks!!! I am amazed at the amount of knowledge & expertise here! Happy 4th, too!!!

FatBack · July 3rd, 2008, 09:42 PM

I've got to get one of those someday....just out of respect for THE Bass book, if for no other reason!!!

There's one on e-bay in sad shape that I'd like to adopt....too bad I just bought a bunch of stuff already (G.A.S. problem)

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Hagstrom...ayphotohosting

I always wondered what those switches said! I'd thought maybe they were tuners that produced E A D G when flipped or something & the tones came out of a speaker under that tweed grille. But, apparently not.

A very cool bass!....One day....

Tim Armstrong · July 3rd, 2008, 09:47 PM

Paul (in Colorado) Honeycutt has one just like those, it's a very nice little bass. The H and L switches are just pickup on/off, the "tone" switch is like a Gretsch mud switch (preset resisters to cut treble), and I think the mute switch is just that, although if you turn off both pickup selectors, you mute it anyway...

Surprisingly toneful, and a really cool skinny neck...

Cheers, Tim

Dave W · July 4th, 2008, 12:41 PM

I thought Hagstroms were cool back in the day but no longer. The neck's too skinny, the ability to intonate is iffy and the electronics were dodgy at best.

No doubt Roger Filiberto's book has helped some people get started but I don't know anyone who ever considered it THE bass instruction book.

Tim Armstrong · July 4th, 2008, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave W

I thought Hagstroms were cool back in the day but no longer. The neck's too skinny, the ability to intonate is iffy and the electronics were dodgy at best.

Yeah, but on the other hand, it has that cool little swimming pool between the pickups!!!

All kidding aside, Paul's Hagstrom (actually labeled Cromwell, but it's absolutely identical to the ones above) IS a little hinky, electronically. Good sounding pickups, though. I kinda like the skinny neck, but then again I have smaller hands. I didn't notice any significant intonation problems, but then again I didn't really check it very closely. They're definitely not heavy-duty instruments, don't age as well as, say, Fenders.

You'll notice that Paul got a good P-Bass for gigging purposes!

Cheers, Tim

bobbybigmac · July 4th, 2008, 07:34 PM

I was going to suggest Hagstrom yesterday when I read your reference to " 4 switches ". My mom bought me my first bass ( 1974 ??) and it was a used Hagstrom just like this red one except it was a baby blue colour, sorta like LPB, but lighter with the same plastic like black finish on the neck.
The 4 switches was the tip off for me. I remember it came with plastic wrapped black flat wounds.

The coolest thing about it was the back of the body was wrapped in a fabric material like blue suede.

Ahhh , there's been many but ya never forget your first one

........

If you're looking for a good bass book , I'd like to suggest
" The Complete Bass Player " series of books by Chuck Rainey.

Paul in Colorado · July 5th, 2008, 11:44 AM

Well, my "Cromwel" is not exactly like that. No "swimming pool." They are great basses for guys like me that are really guitar players. I love the sound of it with the wood bridge and D'Addario Half-Rounds. Does anyone know what value the volume pot is? I need to replace mine.

Hagstrom basses were used on lots of early reggae recordings.

To learn about all things Hagstrom, go here:
http://www.haskinshagstroms.com

bobbybigmac · July 5th, 2008, 01:33 PM

Paul,
Thanks for the great website link

Brings back some memories because my 1st bass was just like this one :

FatBack · July 6th, 2008, 03:45 PM

bobbybigmac, do you know what colors those came in? That's definitely it! What a beauty! So far, light blue, red...and I'm guessing black, probably as well?

I'm sort of interested in getting one of those Hagstrom Basses (That IS the one pictured in the book) and restoring it to a playable condition....a player bass or guitar, not a museum piece.

Of course, those instruments are dated...the pickups and electronics are probably a joke by todays standards...no way to adjust intonation with that wooden bridge....etc. But, it's still a classic. AND it looks COOL!!!

Same with the Roger Filiberto book....it's outdated and I'm sure there are better ones but it's still THE bass book....or I should say, THE ORIGINAL bass book!

Oh yeah, Roger (complete in coat and tie...gotta love that...was also playing a Precision Bass not a Jazz bass...my bad). The Hagstrom sure looked "space age"!!!!

Thanks for all the information, guys.

bobbybigmac · July 6th, 2008, 07:10 PM

Fatback,
Sorry I don't know all the colours. Check out the website link that Paul
has posted. Shows red, black, and blue colours. Really cool site.
Mine was blue like the picture but I remember the pickups were rounded on the ends.

My best friend has a Hagstrom Impala guitar. The guy he bought it from
back in the 70's painted it a purple metal flake. Nice guitar with those really
cool spring loaded 6 switches.

A few months ago someone locally was selling an original red Swede bass for $500. I thought about it but didn't have the available scratch.

Paul in Colorado · July 6th, 2008, 11:15 PM

I like the electronics on the Hag. I'd like to build a P-J clone with switches instead of tone knobs.

They came in black and white as well as blue and red. I have a '66 catalog that I recently was reunited with. My "Cromwel" has a matching neck, also red unlike the later basses with black necks. I think my bass is a '63.

I was watching the Festival Express DVD and Andy Kluberg of Seatrain was playing some kind of Hagstrom. It looked like it might have different pickups then the basses we've been talking about. Maybe it was a newer model. Weren't the Guild pickups the Dark Stars are modeled after made by Hagstrom?

EddieN · July 7th, 2008, 09:52 AM

Hah, a few months ago I walked into a shop that had a red one hanging on the wall. I busted out with a laugh, "It's the bass from the Mel Bay book I learned out of!" (about 1979). I too wondered what brand it was but found out prior to this. You know they STILL publish that book with the same photos & all but it may have a different cover. BTW, the bass was in insanely great condition but they wanted some equally insane $.

July 3rd, 2008, 07:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
FatBack Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 140	Mel Bay-Roger Filiberto Mystery Bass Fellow Bassists, If you're over 40, you probably know about THE bass instruction book, "Mel Bay's Electric Bass Method" by Roger Filiberto. You may have started out with this book, which was written in the early '60s because it was the only one available in the early days. http://www.melbay.com/contents.asp?P...q=&r=&s=&next= (I'm currently getting back into that book to brush up on reading music for bass). Here's the nagging question that's bothered me for years: (And unfortunately, I don't have a photo to show you) What the heck kind of bass is shown in that Black & White photo on page 9?????? In all other photos, Roger (complete in coat and tie) is shown playing a sunburst Fender Jazz Bass. But what the flyin' heck is that thing on page 9???? Danelectro?....haven't found anything like it on the web, and boy have I tried...Silvertone?....It looks like it's got 4 switches and a tweed speaker cover between the pickups. Maybe an amp-in-bass model? The bridge looks like a Dano. This timeless Bass mystery is up there with the purpose of the "thumbrest" on the *bottom* of the pickguard of the Jazz Bass...but I digress. Any info is welcome. I'm sorry I don't have a photo to show what I'm talking about but I know some of you "old timers" have that book and know what I'm talking about. If you solve that mystery for me, I'll be forever grateful and will be able to finally get some sleep ;)

July 3rd, 2008, 08:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Berlin, Maryland, USA Age: 49 Posts: 8,886	Perhaps a Hagstrom like this one? Cheers, Tim __________________ http://www.moodswingers.org

July 3rd, 2008, 09:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
FatBack Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 140	I've got to get one of those someday....just out of respect for THE Bass book, if for no other reason!!! There's one on e-bay in sad shape that I'd like to adopt....too bad I just bought a bunch of stuff already (G.A.S. problem) http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Hagstrom...ayphotohosting I always wondered what those switches said! I'd thought maybe they were tuners that produced E A D G when flipped or something & the tones came out of a speaker under that tweed grille. But, apparently not. A very cool bass!....One day.... Last edited by FatBack; July 3rd, 2008 at 09:43 PM. Reason: I've got ADD or something!

July 3rd, 2008, 09:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Berlin, Maryland, USA Age: 49 Posts: 8,886	Paul (in Colorado) Honeycutt has one just like those, it's a very nice little bass. The H and L switches are just pickup on/off, the "tone" switch is like a Gretsch mud switch (preset resisters to cut treble), and I think the mute switch is just that, although if you turn off both pickup selectors, you mute it anyway... Surprisingly toneful, and a really cool skinny neck... Cheers, Tim __________________ http://www.moodswingers.org

July 4th, 2008, 07:34 PM	#8 (permalink)
bobbybigmac TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada Age: 49 Posts: 75	I was going to suggest Hagstrom yesterday when I read your reference to " 4 switches ". My mom bought me my first bass ( 1974 ??) and it was a used Hagstrom just like this red one except it was a baby blue colour, sorta like LPB, but lighter with the same plastic like black finish on the neck. The 4 switches was the tip off for me. I remember it came with plastic wrapped black flat wounds. The coolest thing about it was the back of the body was wrapped in a fabric material like blue suede. Ahhh , there's been many but ya never forget your first one ........ If you're looking for a good bass book , I'd like to suggest " The Complete Bass Player " series of books by Chuck Rainey. __________________ "Ya need 220 Power ? What you boyz got in yer band ... A stove ??? "

July 4th, 2008, 12:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
Dave W Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2003 Location: Guadalupe County, TX Age: 61 Posts: 1,752	I thought Hagstroms were cool back in the day but no longer. The neck's too skinny, the ability to intonate is iffy and the electronics were dodgy at best. No doubt Roger Filiberto's book has helped some people get started but I don't know anyone who ever considered it THE bass instruction book.

July 5th, 2008, 11:44 AM	#9 (permalink)
Paul in Colorado Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 55 Posts: 4,213 3 Photos	Well, my "Cromwel" is not exactly like that. No "swimming pool." They are great basses for guys like me that are really guitar players. I love the sound of it with the wood bridge and D'Addario Half-Rounds. Does anyone know what value the volume pot is? I need to replace mine. Hagstrom basses were used on lots of early reggae recordings. To learn about all things Hagstrom, go here: http://www.haskinshagstroms.com __________________ www.tuatha.net Last edited by Paul in Colorado; July 6th, 2008 at 11:17 PM.

July 6th, 2008, 03:45 PM	#11 (permalink)
FatBack Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 140	bobbybigmac, do you know what colors those came in? That's definitely it! What a beauty! So far, light blue, red...and I'm guessing black, probably as well? I'm sort of interested in getting one of those Hagstrom Basses (That IS the one pictured in the book) and restoring it to a playable condition....a player bass or guitar, not a museum piece. Of course, those instruments are dated...the pickups and electronics are probably a joke by todays standards...no way to adjust intonation with that wooden bridge....etc. But, it's still a classic. AND it looks COOL!!! Same with the Roger Filiberto book....it's outdated and I'm sure there are better ones but it's still THE bass book....or I should say, THE ORIGINAL bass book! Oh yeah, Roger (complete in coat and tie...gotta love that...was also playing a Precision Bass not a Jazz bass...my bad). The Hagstrom sure looked "space age"!!!! Thanks for all the information, guys.

July 6th, 2008, 07:10 PM	#12 (permalink)
bobbybigmac TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada Age: 49 Posts: 75	Fatback, Sorry I don't know all the colours. Check out the website link that Paul has posted. Shows red, black, and blue colours. Really cool site. Mine was blue like the picture but I remember the pickups were rounded on the ends. My best friend has a Hagstrom Impala guitar. The guy he bought it from back in the 70's painted it a purple metal flake. Nice guitar with those really cool spring loaded 6 switches. A few months ago someone locally was selling an original red Swede bass for $500. I thought about it but didn't have the available scratch. __________________ "Ya need 220 Power ? What you boyz got in yer band ... A stove ??? "

July 6th, 2008, 11:15 PM	#13 (permalink)
Paul in Colorado Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 55 Posts: 4,213 3 Photos	I like the electronics on the Hag. I'd like to build a P-J clone with switches instead of tone knobs. They came in black and white as well as blue and red. I have a '66 catalog that I recently was reunited with. My "Cromwel" has a matching neck, also red unlike the later basses with black necks. I think my bass is a '63. I was watching the Festival Express DVD and Andy Kluberg of Seatrain was playing some kind of Hagstrom. It looked like it might have different pickups then the basses we've been talking about. Maybe it was a newer model. Weren't the Guild pickups the Dark Stars are modeled after made by Hagstrom? __________________ www.tuatha.net

July 7th, 2008, 09:52 AM	#14 (permalink)
EddieN Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tampa Posts: 115	Hah, a few months ago I walked into a shop that had a red one hanging on the wall. I busted out with a laugh, "It's the bass from the Mel Bay book I learned out of!" (about 1979). I too wondered what brand it was but found out prior to this. You know they STILL publish that book with the same photos & all but it may have a different cover. BTW, the bass was in insanely great condition but they wanted some equally insane $.