Tobacco Road, Nashville Teens

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 4:46 am

Was that a hofner bass? I always loved the sound of the bass in that song, does anyone know anything about them? I only remember them having that one big hit here in the States and never really knew anyhting about them.

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 5:58 am

http://www.nashville-teens.com/indfb3.htm

RAY PHILLIPS WAS LEAD SINGER AND HE STILL FRONTS A VERSION OF THE BAND TODAY. ABOVE LINK HAS HIM DOING A VERSION OF RISING SUN

mgauction · Post by **mgauction** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 4:05 pm

I believe Jimmy Page plays the opening guitar licks on that record. Also I remember the video (oops film) from that song and there were two lead singers, at least from that song.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 6:14 pm

What kind of bass was played? It sounds like a Hofner or maybe even a Gibson to me. Very dirty great sound so it may have been a Gibson.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 2:51 am

Neither teens nor from Nashville, here is a photo of what I believe to be the Tobacco Road bass Bob.

bill_yantz · Post by **bill_yantz** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 3:21 am

Oh, good one Peter! Its either a Gibson or an Epiphone. I bought the Epi version in NYC, 1966, I've still got it.

The main difference between the two is the neck width at the nut (similar to ES330 vs. Casino). The Gibson is wider and the Epiphone is slimmer. I never knew the actual measurement, but back then no one cared anyway.

Looks like the 6-string guitar is either a Gibson Trini Lopez or Barney Kessel model?

iamthebassman · Post by **iamthebassman** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 3:26 am

The CD shows a Rivoli as does the "Shindig" video.

bill_yantz · Post by **bill_yantz** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 3:54 am

Good call Ronn. That's what I have a Rivoli. That bass sound in tobacco Road was similar to quite a few other "bass" parts in British Invasion music, that's why I got it. The other big one, of course was the Hofner.

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 4:38 am

Mike you are correct about two lead singers the other one was Arthur Sharp, he left towards the end of the sixties

octagon · Post by **octagon** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 5:29 am

Do you have Hullaballo DVDs? Vol 9-12 has Nashville Teens doing "Tobacco Road".It is a B&W kinescope because NBC "taped over" almost all the original color videotapes of Hullaballoo.Still it is pretty cool and the whole series is a must have if you dig the 64-65 music scene.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 5:33 am

Very nice detective work Ronn. Thanks for the information with regard to the Hullaballo DVDs Mitch.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 6:20 am

That's the best sounding Rivoli I've ever heard, thanks everyone. Had to have been recorded with a slightly dirty sounding mic'ed tube amp.
The Trini Lopez model had a Fender looking headstock on it.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 6:30 am

Bob: There are some who say that you can really get some edge out of round wounds too.

iamthebassman · Post by **iamthebassman** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 7:13 am

Don't have a better photo of it but I bought this Rivoli(and my EB-2)just because I love those old Brit Invasion bass sounds.

And yes, speaking of the British Invasion, that's Peter"Herman"Noone signing it.
Here's the Gibson.

iamthebassman · Post by **iamthebassman** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 7:18 am

I have the "Hullabaloo" video box set and the "Shindig" videos too. Way too much fun, especially the "This week's Hullabaloo is brought to you by..." commercials.