| Author | Message | ||
| echo008
Junior Username: echo008 Post Number: 17 Registered: 2-2003 |
There are a bunch of cool photos as well as some info of Jason Newstead and more importantly his Alembic collection here. http://www.freewebs.com/bigmuffstudios/metallicagear.htm  (Message edited by davehouck on August 11, 2005) | ||
| kungfusheriff
New Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 7 Registered: 8-2003 |
Hey, lad Nice site...pretty basses. But:the green bass on the pre-Metallica page is a $4,000 French Vigier Arpege, not a MIK cheapie. | ||
| echo008
Junior Username: echo008 Post Number: 18 Registered: 2-2003 |
nice catch, This isint my site though, I just stumbled on it, and thought i would share. | ||
| dnburgess
Intermediate Member Username: dnburgess Post Number: 104 Registered: 1-2003 |
I was interested in why he switched from Alembic to Sadowsky as his main live instruments: 1. weight; and 2. (refering to the sadowsky's tone as compared to the Alembic's) "It's radically different, which I discovered as I listened to bass players on soul records. You've got to have that pumpin' low end rather than a lead bass sound." Does this mean the Sadowskys have more of a classic vintage P-Bass type sound? Can anyone with experience of Sadowskys shed light on this? | ||
| davehouck
Intermediate Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 146 Registered: 5-2002 |
David; I have never owned or played a Sadowsky, but I've read a lot of reviews and testimonials and I think it's safe to say that if you are looking for an ultimate Fender you can't go wrong with a Sadowsky. Even the names of the different models suggest that ultimate Fender is their goal; they even all look like Fenders. Part of that wonderful tone Marcus Miller gets is due the preamp installed in his Fender Jazz by Roger Sadowsky. So check out Sadowsky's site: http://www.sadowsky.com/pages/framesets/fs_basses.html And if it's a "classic vintage P-Bass" sound you are after, check this one out: http://www.sadowsky.com/pages/pop_up/high_res/basses/4_string/uvp_59.html | ||
| dannobasso
Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 89 Registered: 7-2002 |
This could or could not be true. I heard that the other boys in the band gave him a hard time and told him to switch to a fender type, bolt on bass. It could also be that Alembic doesn't pay anyone to use their gear. cha ching! | ||
| dnburgess
Intermediate Member Username: dnburgess Post Number: 105 Registered: 1-2003 |
There's a comment on the site that Newstead pays for all his basses and doesn't do endorsements. | ||
| jorge_s
Junior Username: jorge_s Post Number: 13 Registered: 8-2002 |
I've been blessed to own both a Sadowsky and an Alembic. I assure you that each instrument is a master in their own domain. My Sadowsky 4 string is nearing its 10th year of hard work with me. It is a very light instrument made out of swamp ash and a rock-hard Maple neck. When the strings are plucked it has a verly loud "accoustic" sound. When you plug it in, it is ((all sound)). Very tight, responsive, and defined. The Sadowsky pre-amp provides loads of extra bottom and top end. I guess it could be described as an ultimate Fender except much better-looking and slightly more comfortable with the body being a little smaller. My Alembic fills in the gap where the Sadowsky ends. With all the tonal possibilities and the neck-thru construction, I consider it more like a Swiss Army knife. The Alembic is always there, expecting a challenge and waiting to deliver. Any sound you want is in there somewhere. Sometimes, depending on your fingers, filters, q's volumes, and the position of the moon, the Alembic will surprise you with totally new sound that was not expected. | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 609 Registered: 9-2002 |
I follow Jorge perfectly (being a collaegue of mine on Alembic 5 string S2). 99% of the sounds available for bass (any brand) can be produced on a S2 (that's what Jason had in the end). Although ...it's YOUR skill, YOUR fingers, YOUR feeling, YOUR touch that make that happen. An Alembic is a Swiss Army knife or better an unwritten piece of paper, waiting what you're gonna do with it ...it's up to you! I truly believe that Sadowsky makes extremely good guitars but it "specialises" in a specific sound, a sound that seems to be very popular with bassplayers but most of the time with people who have to play WITH those bass-players (which is something completely different). I believe than that Sadowske is a very comfortable guitar in ALL MEANINGS of that concept: tonal, construction, weight ... A Sadowski however will not surpise you with an undiscovered-yet facet of it's possible sound range, an Alembic WILL. Just my idea's. Paul the bad one PS: something else. I dunno if you brorthers noticed but Sadowsky is different BECAUSE OF THE ELECTRONICS! I said it already and I will keep saying it: Alembic is different (and outstanding) because of the electronics. I can find builders with extremely good taste on woods (In France for instance), I can find companies with the same heartly welcoming people and eager to serve in US and EU, there are craftsman with the same "golden hands" in inlaywork, the concept of electronics (PU's, filters, Q's etc...) and how they work is -after 30 years- still new and second to none! | ||
| dean_m
Intermediate Member Username: dean_m Post Number: 184 Registered: 7-2002 |
This was from a Bass Player interview Jason does pay for all of his basses. When he first bought 7 Sadowskys, Roger had stated in a Bass Player interview that Jason was not given any special treatment or discounts. He paid what you or I would pay. Roger did give him an eighth bass for free, but this was Roger's doing, not Jason's asking. I applaud Jason's sincerity for not being an equipment !@#$%$. He plays what he wants to because he wants too. I too endorse a few other companies one of them being another bass builder(gasp!!!)as most of you know, but it's because I've been playing their gear long before I even thought about being an endorser for anyone. And, it's more of a relationship than an endorsement. Don't worry, they know about my long standing love affair with Alembic and that my Alembic is always with me. The point I'm making is this. There are a lot of name players out there that will try to score an endorsement because 1: they do have to have some liking for the equipment, 2: they will always try to get it (them) for free, 3: They want to be paid by the manufacturer for the use of their name!?!?!? I don't know about you but, as much as I like getting free stuff from time to time, my #1 priority has to be a genuine love and use for the gear whether I pay for it or not. This is and always will be the reason my Alembic is the first bass in the gig bag. As much as I do love my other basses, my Alembics as well as all of my gear is mine because of my choice, not a business decision. Endorsements can be a double edge sword if you're not careful!!! Someone with Jason's credentials could have as many "signature" basses as he wants. He plays what he wants though. All the more power to him!!! Peace, Dino | ||
| hup
Junior Username: hup Post Number: 28 Registered: 1-2003 |
I spoke with Jason back in '96 i think it was for there Re-Load tour and he said the main reason for the change was wieght issues. He still has nearlly all his Alembics in his collection of many basses in his studio. cheers Hup ALEMBICISE THE WORLD | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 489 Registered: 5-2006 |
Could this Persuader:  Be the same bass as this "Series 2 Spoiler":  ? The back of the headstock looks similar and I have read somewhere that the "Series 2 Spoiler" has had a refinish and the electronics were upgraded to series 2 then. The truss rod cover looks like a early 80s on the S2, but there's also a pickguard. Maybe jason requested the neck pickup to be placed more towards the neck... (losing the half round persuader TR cover...? The Elan has 3 pickups.  Jazz/Precision/Jazz  | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 691 Registered: 5-2006 |
Here's a pretty good picture of the 3 pickups on his Elan 5:  | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 872 Registered: 5-2006 |
Here's the back of the Elan:  | ||
| alembicfan
Junior Username: alembicfan Post Number: 29 Registered: 10-2007 |
Cool pic. Got the same | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 873 Registered: 5-2006 |
Bass and/or pic? :-) Really looking forward to your showcase entry ;-) | ||
| tmoney61092
Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 92 Registered: 9-2008 |
what kind of wood is his persuader? | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 874 Registered: 5-2006 |
I think it's Zebrawood... Also I think this might be the same bass:  On the vids you can see something like Zebrawood Veneers on the back of the headstock on one of the Series II Spoilers The SII Spoiler I posted in Post number 489 is a different one, the body shape is different (Distillate like "bottom") and you can see the tailpiece is much more towards the edge of the body. Maybe that one was made as a Series II bass? Pic:  | ||
| blackelan
Member Username: blackelan Post Number: 91 Registered: 7-2007 |
Hey Flip, One thing I noticed but am not a 100% on. His newly made series basses had inlay style logos. His converted basses had the gold logos. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 880 Registered: 5-2006 |
I Don't think so... All his basses seem to have the logo + Script and I've never seen that inlayed (only logo's) I wonder if they ever did an inlayed logo + script... Here are some more pics:   and his 10 string (if I'm not mistaken)  | ||
| blackelan
Member Username: blackelan Post Number: 92 Registered: 7-2007 |
Sorry, I meant to say new had silver logos not inlayed my mistake. His older converted Alembics should had the tuning heads changed to black but the original logos were left. | ||
| blackelan
Member Username: blackelan Post Number: 93 Registered: 7-2007 |
One more thing I forgot to add. I used to have those Graffix stickers that Newsted had on all his basses. In the early to mid 90's Graffix was the biggest company that was known for making bongs here in California. I wonder if they are still around? I remember seeing those stickers on Newsted's basses (including everyones cars at highschool back in the 90s) and it was like a secret knod to let the people that know what the Graffix sticker is that he "smokes" That would be really cool to get the Graffix skull logo inlayed on a body on a future CS order. (Message edited by BlackElan on May 10, 2009) (Message edited by BlackElan on May 10, 2009) | ||
| blackelan
Member Username: blackelan Post Number: 94 Registered: 7-2007 |
 | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 882 Registered: 5-2006 |
Their website is still online: www.graffix.com On your custom: I forgot to mention earlier, be sure to have the folks @ Alembic align the tuners with the headstock, not with the neck (see picture with the Elan and the fretless HERE) Maybe its standard alignment for the Elan headstock, but you'll never know ;-) | ||
| alembic83
Junior Username: alembic83 Post Number: 39 Registered: 9-2004 |
I wonder, did Jason ever use an Alembic with Flotsam & Jetsam (his pre-Metallica band)? I have seen a couple of pics of him with the Exploiter looking bass pictured above, and indeed he is wearing a F&J shirt in the pic. The pics looked either pre-Metallica or very early on his Metallica career. It seems unlikely he would've been able to afford an Alembic before Metallica, but who knows...He did have some good gear with F&J, and he was probably putting all of his money back into the band at that point, gear before food even, I'd guess. haha. Also, I wonder why, when he joined Metallica in late '86, he chose (or was he forced?) to play the very plain looking Warmoth P/J bass when in F&J he was playing some very interesting basses such as a BC Rich, an old G&L SB and possibly the Exploiter above? I can definitely see Lars and James telling him "hey, you can't be playing a flashy bass like that - just get a Fender. Don't try and hog the spotlight" if he had tried to play the BC Rich or Exploiter. Of course, soon he would be playing higher end stuff like ESP (no surprise given the band's relationship with them), Wal, and Alembic. There was that period from '87-88 or so, where he kind of rotated between those before settling on the Alembics through the Black album tour. As for his Sadowskys, they're OK but I prefer the look and sound of pretty much all of his other basses (especially the Wal and Alembics). The Spector era (like '94-'95) was shortlived, due to electronics cutting out because of his profuse sweating, I believe, hence the infamous bass-in-the-bathtub-filled-with-salt-water-tests.  | ||
| eligilam
Intermediate Member Username: eligilam Post Number: 173 Registered: 2-2006 |
According to Wolf Marshall in the intro to the ...And Justice For All bass book (came out in sometime around '90, I think), Newsted recorded bass tracks on Justice with a Steinberger. Of course, lots of folks insist that there's no bass on there at all! | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 883 Registered: 5-2006 |
Have you heard the "Guitar Hero" separate bass tracks? And have you seen mr. Wolfs tabs? (in the official $$$ books) I will never ever listen to Mr Wolf again   My Guess is on most parts it's his Wal 5 string. | ||
| tmoney61092
Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 98 Registered: 9-2008 |
You can find the bass tracks on YouTube if you search metallica enhanced bass , it's incredible ~ Taylor Watterson | ||
| blackelan
Member Username: blackelan Post Number: 96 Registered: 7-2007 |
Thanks for pointing out the tuner alignment Flip I just sent Susan an E-mail making sure they were aligned with the headstock not the neck. One other thing was Newsted did not receive his Wals till Justice was finished recording and right before Ian Waller died. There is some Alembic on the Justice Album may have been his JJ Persuader along with the Exploiter and as far as I know there is no 5 string anywhere on Justice. Its all 4 string. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 899 Registered: 5-2006 |
Nice trivia: I just checked my "Year and a half" DVD and the Elan is standing in the studio (recordings for the black album) Definitely pre series II conversion state, check part one @ 44:14 | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 686 Registered: 1-2005 |
Unfortunately it's no longer for sale, but there was a "JNLSB-4 ST JASON NEWSTED-4 ST LTD" listed in Japan with a couple of pictures, I thought of you guys! | ||
| blackelan
Intermediate Member Username: blackelan Post Number: 117 Registered: 7-2007 |
Hi everyone, Been a busy year for me so I have not been around the club in a while, I finally tracked down the current owner of this bass. I will post more details as I get them with the owners permission but this bass does have a solid black finish only his Europas had the transparent black finish. I am trying to get pics and a serial to post here but I cant promise anything till I hear back from the owner. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1107 Registered: 5-2006 |
Here are better pics of the 10 string from the Alembic catalogue:      | ||
| tmoney61092
Advanced Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 358 Registered: 9-2008 |
anyone know anything that he used the 10 string for? ~Taylor | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1110 Registered: 5-2006 |
No idea here.... He used a 12 string (only for some accents) on "Wherever I may roam" check this out: click here BTW: The back of that catalogue: 
So Jason was into the Series II in ’89 and there could be more than one JPJ Elan? Interesting, Mica?  ...and sorry for the copyright violation | ||
| tmoney61092
Advanced Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 359 Registered: 9-2008 |
that'd be insane to think of there being multiple JPJ Elans, thanks for the info Flip, very interesting! ~Taylor | ||
| tmoney61092
Senior Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 560 Registered: 9-2008 |
so to all the non-believers of there being NO bass on the ...And Justice For All album, i found these videos on youtube where someone took the songs and EQ'd them so that the bass can be easily heard, i love the tone, did he use an Alembic or a Wal to record? because i remember reading that he ordered his Elans for the tour but couldn't remember if he had them in the studio http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAvwod7BBK0&feature=related ~Taylor | ||
| alembicfan
Member Username: alembicfan Post Number: 67 Registered: 10-2007 |
I think i was reading that he didn't get his Elans before the tour.Think we need to ask jason himself ;-). I will never understand why Metallica released this great Album with such a shitty sound. In my opinion Jason is the best bassist Metallica ever had(i'm a cliff fan to,but like Jasons early playing more),and i will never ever understand why they took Trujillo. | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1540 Registered: 9-2002 |
While I'll readily admit that Metallica in its various incarnations vis-a-vis the bass chair is not generally on my radar, I've got to admit that I was spellbound the first time I watched "Some Kind of Monster". It's VERY rare to be allowed that kind of filming access, and for a band at any level to air that much laundry in public, my hat's off to them. It deals with several things that ARE on my radar. I have great sympatico with James Hetfield inasmuch as finding that spot where you're not that hotheaded, hard-partying kid anymore: You're a grownup with a marriage, children, and responsibility to that and your job. Can I still rock? The scene with Lars and Mustaine was just wrenching. I too would say I preferred Jason's playing, but he made the fatal mistake of getting in a pissing contest with Hetfield and Ulrich as the 'new guy', a phrase they repeated ad nauseum. Robert's a great dude, though, really jazzed to do this (what a sign-on bonus!), but it was VERY big of them to cut him in from the start as a full member and NOT a hired sideman, they certainly did NOT have to do that. Lots of bands shrink ownership-wise as members depart, and not a lot of bands allow a new guy to walk in and be given the former share, especially a still-headlining act like Metallica. Audition hounds take note: Most all those guys could play the gig, but Robert's attitude revved up the three of them: Chops are a given, but what can you add to the vibe? If Jason really did pitch his Alembics for Sadowskys, well, who's to say . . . if he really did decide that Sadowskys were it after submerging one in the bathtub, I'm just glad the Alembics weren't up to that sort of test ! It's certainly obvious that James IS that band. I'll unfortunately probably never change my mind that Lars is probably the most soulless, wooden, square drummer I ever heard, and that's saying a lot in the field of metal drummers. Plus, what a dweeb ! I wish them the greatest success, and I sincerely hope James has continued the process in his sobriety and renewal. I like him. J o e y | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 2769 Registered: 10-2002 |
Joey... "Plus, what a dweeb ! " You're not kidding. Watching that video, I thought his dad was way cooler then him ;-) Graeme | ||
| tmoney61092
Senior Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 565 Registered: 9-2008 |
I have to agree that Jason is my favorite Metallica bassist, his tone is just amazing, especially at Seattle in '89 solo, it gets me so pumped when I hear it. Very well said Joey and completely agree with you, Graeme, you have to love his dad's hair also :-p ~Taylor | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 2773 Registered: 10-2002 |
I've only seen metallica once, at the Monsters of rock festival in 1987 when jason had only recently joined the band. graeme | ||
| tmoney61092
Senior Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 566 Registered: 9-2008 |
Sadly, I saw them once and that was Charlotte '09 with Trujillo, damn you parents for not conceiving me earlier!!! ~Taylor | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1171 Registered: 5-2006 |
Not to rub it in, but I went to my first Metallica concert in '91 with my dad (!) :-) I was 15 years old and not allowed to go alone so my dad bought 2 tickets for my birthday. (he kinda "likes" AC/DC, they were headlining that (Monsters of rock) tour. Short but great show, I recently got hold of a DVD of that actual show :-) No Elan there (show was on September 1 1991) At 17 I was allowed to go alone (with lots of friends) and saw the best show ever, Suicidal Tendencies (with Trujillo) Megadeth (with Mustaine) :-) and Metallica on the "nowhere else to roam" tour in '93 (huge stage with "Sad but true" skull on either side of the stage) Jason used the Elan in this show (I also have this complete show on DVD) In '96 I got backstage and had a brief meeting with Kirk (brief because my girlfriend was bleeding bad, hence the reason we got backstage) The girl got some stitches in her forehead (!) and would not even consider missing the show, one tough woman. That was the "poor touring me" tour, no Alembic content :-( Great show though with the collapsing stage and burning roadie. Metallica started playing one step down (tuning) from then on and I think the music lost some of its "magical power" In '98 they played on the "Dynamo open air" festival, short show with lots of covers (Garage Inc. era) Last show I saw with Jason :-( I saw them 3 times with Trujillo in '03 and '04 and kinda lost interest since then... Trujillo is a great player and does have his moments in Metallica, his sound is solid and he plays with almost supernatural accuracy. I don't like his "fuzz wah" sound though, "for whom the bell tolls" sounds awful nowadays (imho) Jason is also very, very much missed for his voice, his back up (and sometimes lead) vocals were a brilliant addition to James' voice. Check this and you'll know what I’m talkin’ about. (there might be some naughty language in that clip) 'tallica will never be the same again... (unless they hire me of course) :-) | ||
| jazzboy621
Junior Username: jazzboy621 Post Number: 33 Registered: 7-2011 |
Awesome Thread!!! | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1318 Registered: 5-2006 |
Jason foolin'around with his Europa 5, starting from 3:40 : Youtube link | ||
| eligilam
Advanced Member Username: eligilam Post Number: 341 Registered: 2-2006 |
Ahhhhh, the good ole days. | ||
| jim_vaughn
New Username: jim_vaughn Post Number: 8 Registered: 12-2004 |
I ran into Jason several years ago & he told me that he still has all his Alembics, but he doesn't tour with them because of the weight. He still loves them! He got his first custom Elan the week of the 9/15/89 show at Shoreline. | ||
| robertodiazj
Junior Username: robertodiazj Post Number: 17 Registered: 3-2006 |
I found this pic in FB, just wanted to share it with you guys  (Message edited by robertodiazj on December 04, 2013) | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 3466 Registered: 10-2002 |
Cool pic Roberto. Thanks for sharing. Looks like a trace elliot amp righ tin the middle of his rack . Graeme | ||
| jcdlc72
Advanced Member Username: jcdlc72 Post Number: 275 Registered: 11-2009 |
There also seems to be an ART Nightbass (oh, the memories!) and at least one (or two?) Crown power amps. Makes me remember the time when Darryl Jones was in magazine ads for Crown amps... back then I wanted badly a rig like that! | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1499 Registered: 5-2006 |
Extremely cool! Where on FB did you find this? First time I've seen him with two Elans on a picture, never seen the Persuader and 20th Anniversary bass. (and gold tuners on the Spoiler) I think they used the Trace Elliot together with the Ampegs on the Black album, The Trace for the click and Ampeg for the grit. Can't make out the Nightbass... I had one, but found it too noisy. Thanx for posting! | ||
| robertodiazj
Junior Username: robertodiazj Post Number: 18 Registered: 3-2006 |
I found it here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=482788305176206&set=a.292453397543032.71623.292443527544019&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-frc3%2F1454691_482788305176206_1794695147_n.jpg&size=693%2C720 | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 1553 Registered: 6-2002 |
In this recent history request: http://alembic.com/club/messages/394/205077.html?1423537107 Mica mentions a possible Newstead connection to bassfingers' 20th anniversary bass. I see a similar instrument in roberto's photo above. (Message edited by elwoodblue on February 09, 2015) |
