Bobby Vega talks Fender P Bass and Ampeg B-15 on EMGtv

Bobby Vega's resume is as impressive as his knowledge and collection of gear. Showcasing two of his vintage Fender Precision Basses and a classic Ampeg B-15, Bobby demonstrates the sound of a generation in this episode of Bobby's Garage (episode 2).
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[@Nazzz65]

I bought our bass player's '66 P-bass back in the 90's. I was trying to keep him from trading it to his dealer for smack. Jim wanted $400 for it so I gave it to him with the understanding that I would keep it and he would buy it back from me for $400 when he could. He never did. Jim died. The best musician I ever played with. He was 47. Every bass has a story....

[@G8GT364CI]

Heroin kills.

[@Capitan_Chaos]

Timothy J. Horan :(

[@davidtidwell6688]

Timmy the spirit of your friend in his BEST days are in the bass. I'm glad you have it.

[@ziggybass8592]

I outlived my whole band by 17 years. I'm 74 now! You either love your band or you hated them. I loved mine. knew 2 of them since I was 13.

[@adozensparrows]

I was always taking my gtr player's gtrs outta hock & then letting him pay me before I gave it back. He had a habit, too.

[@JersonAnthony]

6 years on and I still can't get enough of this video! Vega's the man!!

[@duhg599]

I had the good fortune to meet Bobby Vega in person a couple of years ago. He's just as down-to-Earth and friendly in person as he comes across in this video. What a wonderful player and person!

[@markinthemix6055]

Bobby Vega is a super great guy, a gear liver and monster bassist. More peeps need to know his name. Legend.

[@ziggybass8592]

I watched that video 6 times and its like having him around for a beer right!

[@teddownum7428]

Bobby is as cool as they come.

[@rosewoodfretboard]

I have watched and/or listened to this video more often than I can count. It is the most satisfying and soothing thing to hear Bobby Vega just talking about the electric bass. He just seems so pleased to be sharing these great stories, and we're all the richer for that. Whenever I need to just get away for a few minutes and shut the outside world away, this and John Paul Jones's isolated bass track from "Ramble On." And then, everything's back in line.

[@robertnesta4434]

That funky bass picking at the end was wicked. Bobby Vega is a beast!

[@customtheatres]

That second P bass is hideously gorgeous!!

[@bs-ql9ts]

its disgusting

[@oteiri78]

I really like the first one. That classic sunburst with tortoise pickguard is so cool. You can play anywhere and get away with it.

[@girmonsproductions]

@@oteiri78 absolutely agree! I've got a cheapo sunburst with tortoise pguard and I'm trying to find a maple jazz bass neck for it.

[@flagemdown66]

It is so good to hear somebody who REALLY knows their stuff! Those "parts basses" (we used to call 'em) are usually the "special" ones that feel magical.

[@joeplanet]

There is no other living bass player that I aspire to emulate as much as Bobby Vega.

[@tonym2513]

“Your bass is at Elderly”. My hometown music store, I love that it’s popular with professionals the world over.

[@SpncrHrrs]

Great video! Bobby seems like such a chill, laid-back, down-to-Earth, super nice guy. And a stellar player as well!

[@bassmentality]

what a delight to hear those instruments and the stories. I been playing bass 57 years. Sat in for every UK band of the 60's when they were playing pubs right at the start. If they needed a shag or the bathroom I sat in. I still have my 1955 single coil P Bass. I bought from John Wetton. He said he hated it but then tried to buy it back when the King Crimnson took off! When I worked with Harry Nilsonn he knocked it over then trod on the neck and smashed it. I had to find another neck on. As it happens a famous band desperate to out do the Jimi Hendrix had set lite to the bass on stage and the neck was all that is left. It still has singed marks today, but plays great. I have a 1966 jazz Bass I bought new but sent back because the finish was terrible. Fender then sent me the ugliest 3 tone body you ever saw. When I worked with the Chicago crew and Stevie Windwood my bass was the point of so much abuse!, I have a dozen of sheet of lyrics they wrote filled with abuse about my bass playing and the ugliest M....er F..... bass in the world! Every bass has a story!

[@winkydee]

+ziggybass ziggybass Wow Dude. Nilsson? Love him! John Wetton, Entwhistle, Winwood! Jesus, man, what a career! Did you play on any Harry Nilsson tracks?

[@bassmentality]

Well this is Bobby's page brother. He is a lovely guy and has so much to tell the world. It's real weired when I look back and see how he interacted from the states side campared to how I (somehwat older) engaged with some of the same musicians this side of the pond and US side for a while. I would love to do a joint video with Bobby and just talk about who we knew and worked with and share stories. I bet it would cover 50 hours of video time. I just love listening to him don't you? I wanna hear more so if you find me some place else I will drop you a line! On the 4!

[@jeffreyjohn2037]

Great story you Limey Bloke

[@LucaLindemann]

Bobby is a groove machine and a great guy. I love his passion ❤️

[@lincolncalvin5876]

Im enjoying hearing all the knowledge this guy has to offer

[@bak1386]

I absolutely love that 1st P with the jazz bass neck. I've always wanted to do that. One day I hope to acquire a bass like that. A real dream bass for me.

[@michaelhorozko2347]

I really Like Bobby's stories and the Jams he plays at the end of EACH story

[@paulsimmons5726]

Around the 1:45 he started getting the gorgeous "Motown Sound" with the flatwound strings, oh yeah! The '58 P-Bass was to die for... I've used one of those B-15's, THE bass tone!

[@Draigar22]

Fantastic vid! More people should talk about basses like this!

[@kondeth]

I agree with you in 100%

[@GravyHucker]

What a positively awesome guy Bobby is! Thanks for making these videos for us to enjoy. And thanks for the GZR Pickups too - LOVE mine!

[@jjones7837]

Lucky to have played on the same stage with Bobby. He's an awesome guy and such an OG Bass Player. Blessings.

[@telecasterbear]

Yes, a great bassist. Bobby also has the best voice for history telling.

[@bwilliams28bw]

A perfect dedication to my favorite bassist James Jamerson (P Bass) Larry Graham (Jazz Bass)

[@Losbass]

Enjoyed this video so much! Great stories and always a treat to watch Bobby play!

[@C1etus]

This guy is playing a bass like no other.

[@raybassman7536]

Except Jaco.

[@aidenn0de0evil01]

Ironic that he's covering others basslines.. Lol

[@chimainwere7306]

What I love about this man's video is "no acting". Just plain talking.

[@ronalddavidleindecker3358]

What entertaining and insightful information....given by a very talented and genuine man. Thanks Mr.Vega!

[@winfordlewis2596]

Love it!! Wish I had an Ampeg and an original body for my 1963 Precision. Thank you for the video. Used to see "Booker T and the MG's buss about twice a month in Rochester,NY.

[@billkarmetsky4003]

Vega is joyous, ain't he? Wonderfully vibrant and inventive and no shortage of chops, imagination, great time in music, understanding of sounds of electric bass and brings out the correct sounds of these vintage Fender Precision basses through, naturally, his vintage B-15.

[@ArthurSadowsky]

Bobby is an ultimate bass player! Love this guy and his playing!

[@gravityalwayswins1434]

Bobby couldn't be any cooler. This shit is BEAUTIFUL!!!

[@theantiantihero]

Bobby's one of the all-time greats and also a very cool dude.

[@dominicbarbucci9349]

Loved this , very nostalgic . Bought an ampeg 15” flip top with a solid state head back in 1968 with a Gibson eb 3 guitar. Still have the guitar no longer have the amp.

[@JoeHuntHawaii]

Bobby Vega - You are great! You and I are on the same wave length. Thank you for making this great video!

[@donut_lyfe]

I can listen to him about basses and tell stories all day long!

[@jimatyeo]

Bobby Vega is such a unique and extremely talented bass player. I love how even when he demo's a song or technique he really gives you the meat of the tune. Instead a quick 2 or 3 bars he plays through the tune. Like a follow through in tennis or baseball. I haven't seen anyone else do it like he does. He can play any style or genre with no sweat. I saw him recently do a wicked version of Manic Depression that was mind blowing. Also it is fun to watch as he plays almost anything he has to dance along, doesn't matter if he is seated or standing. So in a sense he uses his whole body to play. He is also a musicologist who loves music and bass. he seems like such a nice down to earth fellow as well.

[@shuruff904]

He's OK...I wouldn't call him one of the best, but to each their own...to me, that 58' sounds like shxt

[@CaryH27]

Always enjoyed his pick playing.

[@bassiclogic]

Bobby is an awesome bassist! I never could wrap my head around using old bass strings!

[@MrTimdcarroll]

Great Great Video ... love the vintage gear and story behind each piece!

[@abxyz9346]

Loved listening to this! Brilliant!

[@thriftdig]

Here's a guy who loves his gear... he has classic stuff indeed. Loved the "Popcorn" quote at the end when he plucked his teeth. His pick skills on bass are amazing.

[@frankieblack1969]

Beautiful bass guitars, great sound and style. Simple and I love those harmonics.

[@brucelee3853]

Been looking for this ! This guys stories are great 😃

[@andreasbuss6957]

That very last tone you play is the cream on top of a chocolate cake. MAGIC!!! Thanks a lot for this video. Best regards from Andreas, Berlin, Germany

[@anthonyleblanc3102]

So much fun to listen to. Bobby Vega has groove to burn.

[@Sandman-ne1gz]

Great bass player and seems an all round great guy, could listen to him talk and play all day 👌🎸

[@sylart57]

Awesome video!!! Love the story about your, "Frankenstein," bass!!! Priceless!!!

[@brunile3]

Fantastic video ! Thanks a lot. Good images, good sound and good man.

[@peterdavyduck93]

Bobby killin it as always!!

[@samuelfuentes9908]

Mr. V. Love your stories. Thank you for sharing. :)

[@cherylmuradas7711]

Great video. Great bassist/bass! What a story!

[@constructivecritique4049]

I just love hearing the stories of different instruments. I have a good one: In 1988, I was 21 yrs. old. And, by that time, I'd already been gigging bars/clubs every weekend since my 10th grade year in school. Back then, all the big rage was heavy metal, played on mainly B.C.Rich, and Jackson guitars, and basses. If it had a weird shape & a pointy headstock, it was cool. And, I was into it as much as anybody. But, I still had a soft spot for the older Fenders. Because that's what I started on at 9 years-old. Anyway, I had a guy that was maybe 12-15 years older than me move into the apartment next to mine. Come to find out, he was a bass player, also. Long story short, I traded him an import B.C.Rich Warlock bass that I'd jerked the frets out of, and a 1/2 oz. of weed for his all-original 1961 Fender J-Bass. Still to this day, it's the best I've ever came out in a trade in my 49 years on this earth. And, I still play that bass every weekend.

[@J8D2]

I love hearing stories like this. I bet the dude hates himself for doing that.

[@constructivecritique4049]

He's passed away now. Another thing I need to mention. He had moved from the Detroit area, to where I lived, here in WV. I remember him also showed me a bunch of pictures of his old band when he wa a teen, in high school. The singer/guitar player? Bob Seger. Pretty cool, huh?

[@kman-mi7su]

I remember the BC Rich craze back in the 80s. I played briefly with a metal band in Jersey then, I like you love the Fender basses, I played in that group with a 73 Sunburst Jazz bass which was my go to bass. Still have it today and I will either be buried with it one day, or pass it on to one of my three kids if the want my basses. None of them play but I'm hoping one day someone will give me a grandkid and that kid will take up the torch. That particular grandchild will inherit 9 basses all Fender except one!

[@doingittodeath3858]

What a score! I remember all of the old 60s Fenders that were in mint or almost mint condition that were around in the mid to late 80s. Most of them were going for roughly $2000 in my area back then, which was too much for me as a young teenager just starting out on the bass. I really wish I had saved every cent that I got my hands on and grabbed one though because the vintage prices are ridiculous these days. I've been really lucky with a couple of Custom Shop basses that play and sound great though.

[@curbmassa]

That is a beautiful story. I worked in a music store back in the late '70s and the manager had a concentric knob '60 Jazz Bass. Heard him play it through an Ampeg SVT and holy crap. Don't ever get rid of yours, there is no better bass to be had .Trust me, I've been around and worked on this stuff for 50 years.

[@ChrisCollinsGuitar]

Incredible tones and playing

[@smythe555]

Few years ago I got to have a nice phone conversation with Bobby. I was interested in taking a bass lesson with him and someone passed his contact info along to me. I was also curious if he had played with my dad, because they'd both played in Cold Blood. He was very, very nice. Turned out he hadn't played with my dad, but I remember I told him "I've been trying to learn upright bass" and he said "yeah, I've been trying to learn horizontal bass." Funny. Really cool guy. The lesson didn't end up happening but the conversation will always stay with me.

[@S2NMoonshine]

bobby you rock.. lovein the 71 P bass

[@pdodo388]

Funny - Bobby says "Every Bass has a Story" HA! My bass story is I never had a nice P bass. I wanted one. Order one on ZZsounds. It cam FEDEX a few days later. And that's how I got my 2014 American Standard P Bass. Not sending it back ... They sent a good one. Kinda cool that I am the one to "Make it have stories" though. SO far 2 gigs on it and hours of practice I love watching Bobby Vega Videos, I am a Big fan!

[@G8GT364CI]

I very rarely played with a pick until I read his last bassplayer column a few months ago, he suggested to use the long flat side of the pick instead of the point, I tried it and added a new technique to my playing, he's a great player.

[@i.shadrin]

That man could make anybody to start playing bass!) really enjoyed watching

[@adrian5b]

that 58' is the quintessential P-bass sound, what a beauty

[@Jcaburianhimself]

One of my fave bassist!

[@RhysticStudies]

like butter!

[@Ben_Mdws]

Great video - loved it

[@garybeazley8071]

Bobby...dig your tone. Love the two Precision's in video. The 58 sounds great through the B15. Keep it Low...

[@imadmob]

This tone is PERFECT

[@simiouno6125]

I got a P bass copy from a junk store, then found old stock chrome covers and original old stock flats at a store opposite the junk store..put a sponge mute in the bridge cover and finished off with a tug bar I already had..I left the action high like I got it..sounds great and makes me closer to my hero Carol Kaye..

[@vincentm3890]

You make those vintage basses sing!

[@amoblahblah]

Love this!

[@KeithCamplin]

Just incredible.

[@KarlKarsnark]

I used and Ampeg B-15N as part of my guitar rig for ages. It makes a Strat sound HUUUUGE. Gotta love the flip top too.

[@richardtharris]

There's a KZbin video on Jimi Hendrix, on the Dick Cavett show, playing an Ampeg B-15. You have to look closely to catch it.

[@basstilldeath]

love it ♥ Frankenstein Bass :) great Ampeg♥

[@leoray1234]

Love that first bass!

[@ireneruthfox]

Love that 58. Stella. I dig how Bobby keeps raising his left leg when he grooves.

[@iancoulter4203]

Once seen, can't be unseen!

[@juliopadilla8602]

Bobby is a national treasure!

[@pablofr74]

This is amazing...

[@68caribou]

It's not only the gear; Bobby Vega is a Jedi Master too!!!!!

[@jimlejajde9776]

Thnx Bobby

[@AKLowEnd]

That was awesome! World class tones. Now I'd like to hear him play a Dingwall through some Darkglass, for comparison, lol.

[@TheBrassLungs]

I accidentally clicked on this video, but man, am I glad I did!

[@aussiecoastie72]

What a cool guy ! Great player too 👍

[@paolozak3014]

Downright Awesome

[@rosewoodfretboard]

Oh, my God. Would you look at the neck on that '58 ... that is just perfect.

[@peepsieD]

that 58 P bass.. man...

[@matrodmedia]

For 2500 too!!! Damn, I've been looking at a '66 for 5500... I know that he got the '58 a bit ago so I'm sure the price reflects that, but still

[@peterg.bassist]

Sounds good!

[@TheZekeification]

I could listen to him talk gear for hours...

[@jzbassguitar]

Oh yeah! Funky pick player!

[@danielstein5290]

had to go 2 and half hours got my 02 51 RI P bass.....badass with tapewounds...but I might throw some labella 1954 on it (string thru set that is!)

[@Funkyskunk01]

Does anyone know what model of EMG pickups Bobby Vega is using?

[@DynamicRockers]

Motown bass were often recorded DI not in the Ampeg

[@borgesguerardi]

live stuff were though b15s tho

[@andreaperelli5323]

ampeg's tone is almost DI

[@0Reilly08]

@2:15 As long as he's name dropping p-bass greats, he might include David Hood, since he opened the segment by playing an uber-cool David Hood bass line.

[@DavideDondiMusic]

Classic and Classy!

[@MoPower2112]

Bet he does a great Chris Walken imperssionation!

[@neoworks160]

Técnica exquisita, un gusto fenomenal .. 👍

[@bassimprovjams3772]

Awesome bass bobby!!!!

[@Bass.Player]

Nice sound out of that 58, I don't think I can even play with a pick anymore. I read Jamerson almost always plugged straight in with no amp on his Motown work? I know I never used an amp in the studio because the engineer was going to mix it like he wanted anyway as long as he could EQ my return I did not care... I was doing mostly demos so...NBD

[@robclifford7599]

You're right, Jamerson recorded straight to the desk using a custom made valve DI. He did use a B15, but only on the early Motown tours; Berry Gordy didn't let him go on the later tours because it held up the studio schedule.

[@markschimmoller3402]

This is fn great!

[@rrdlr2]

Did he actually play "Popcorn" with his mouth and a pick at the end or was that just me?

[@user-yb1dg8oj6x]

That's his thing, he does it very often on videos xD

[@bastaudio]

He's pretty great

[@raybassman7536]

I think David Hood at Muscle Shoals played that staples singers bassline that he came up with, cool.

[@micolao]

Greatest bass player in the world.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

There is a Joe Bonamassa ‘collection’ video from Gibson’s KZbin channel. He shows a Les Paul that was stolen away from that same German concert when Grace Slick said those things that Bobby mentions here.

[@maladjusted8349]

i'm guessing....that's jack cassidy's jazz bass neck! just check out "high flying bird" performance from monterey '67. just a guess i think?