Guitars of the Shadows: bass

[abstamaria]

Dear all,

I understand the Shadows started to use a Fiesta Red Precision bass when the UK Fender distributor (?) gave them matching guitars. These had rosewood fretboards, so the band must have acquired those guitars in 1960 (when I think Fender started to use rosewood fretboards) or perhaps 1961.

I wonder which bass they used before the fiesta red PBass? Which bass guitar was used for Apache and the early hits, when Our Hero was still using his first Stratocaster - the gold-hardware, maple neck/fretboard Strat? A helpful reader in another chat list has suggested it was a Sunburst, rosewood board Pbass. Very interesting. Perhaps someone can confirm?

Warm regards (from a very warm Manila 35degreesC)

Andy

[Charlie Hall]

Hi Andy,
The original Precision bass of 1951 was based on the Telecaster and then changed to the shape we know in 1957. The rosewood board came out in 1959.
Jet Harris originally played a double bass, and then a Framus bass before the Precision Bass.
I do not know whether Jet had a Precision Bass when Apache was recorded, I think probably not.
Regards,
Charlie

[didier]

When I saw the Shadows at the Paris Olympia in 1961, Jet had a sunburst PB, Hank had the first Strat, and Bruce had, guess what : a white Tele !...

Didier

[abstamaria]

Very interesting, Didier. I never knew about that sunburst Pbass, and probably many didn't either.