Crack The Sky

[Lefty4003S8]

Hi
I need some electronics and setup help with my 78 4001. Whoever owned it before me had done a pretty major hack job to the pot and pickup wiring and I'd like it checked-out (there's a loose wire so definitely somethings wrong).

Anyone able to recommend a superior Ric bass tech in Central London? (that's England !).

Cheers

Welcome Markus!!!!! I see by your Avatar that you like the band--"Crack the Sky"--
I am a HUGE fan of theirs and since they are rather obscure....it's nice to see another fan out there!!!!!!


Lefty4003s8

[ram]

Welcome to the forum Markus... CTS w/Palumbo = some great stuff!

some RIC content
http://www.crackthesky.com/photos.htm
pick the :
Bottom Line 1976:


John Palumbo

image 3 of 8

[markus44uk]

Well this may be off topic but...

I have personally involved with CTS for the past 5 years. I was Joe Macre's bass tech for all of their shows since 2007 and am good friends with the entire band. I am proud to have actually hosted a live unplugged show in my home in New Jersey the night before they headlined RosFest.

They just released a fantastic DVD of the RosFest set as well as another show in Pittsburgh. The entire original lineup (with Bobby Hird on second guitar) is on the DVD. Check their website to order. I assisted on the 5.1 mix last year and there are two easter eggs on the DVD from my basement show.

I also am in the process of mixing the unplugged show for a cd release later this year or early next year.

Theres some recent video of CTS shows on my youtube page. Check out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ANwoZ9-fuI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sfyvN9PQoc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZg5n1f5k1Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlsCA3tfYec
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8qqZUw_Dv8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf-omCGzMN4

Notice Palumbo playing his 1972 Ric guitar....talk about a mint axe!

cheers

Here's two pix - one from my basement show and the other when I jammed with Palumbo at a CTS gig in 2008 (one of the perks of being their bass tech was that I got to open all their shows along with guitar tech Paul Newman...)

CTS in my basement PRICELESS

[Lefty4003S8]

SWEET!!!!! Thanks for sharing such GREAT stuff!!!!!!!


Lefty4003s8

" Maybe I can fool everybody tonight.....Maybe I can make everybody believe in me......
Maybe I can fool everybody....and fool myself if I'm really lucky.....
Maybe I can fool everybody tonight. "

[markus44uk]

SWEET!!!!! Thanks for sharing such GREAT stuff!!!!!!!


Lefty4003s8

" Maybe I can fool everybody tonight.....Maybe I can make everybody believe in me......
Maybe I can fool everybody....and fool myself if I'm really lucky.....
Maybe I can fool everybody tonight. "

OK, here's two you should know...live in my basement

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Gg4LZbgFcc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjWOkKc3AZ0

[ram]

A quite nice basenment you have ther Markus... thanks!

[markus44uk]

Thanks for the kind words. It was run as a pro studio for 10 years under the name Granite Alps Recording. Here's a few more pictures from 2007

[woodyng]

one of my favorite bands-saw them in memphis once years ago,one of the best live groups i have ever witnessed,great musicians,all. "ice" live was a particular high for me,joe macre was excellent! thanks for posting!

[markus44uk]

one of my favorite bands-saw them in memphis once years ago,one of the best live groups i have ever witnessed,great musicians,all. "ice" live was a particular high for me,joe macre was excellent! thanks for posting!

Actually, Joe Macre is STILL excellent ! LOL

[woodyng]

i've always wondered if the studio recording of "ice" was done on a rickenbacker bass......it certainly sounds like one. when i saw them perform in memphis,joe was playing an alembic,though,and getting a similar sound.

[markus44uk]

Joe played a Ric for the first two CTS discs. I'll ask him the details and report back.

[cuppajoemusic]

Hey Guys, Markus told me there was some discussion of which basses I used on the early records. The first two was a 1972 Rick 4001 Maple with inlay around the bass. It sounded deeper than I wanted but the bass pickup's range goes down very lo in frequency. I also used a Hofner Club bass back then for percussive stuff (see "Animal Skins" from the 2nd Album). I purchased an Alembic in 1978 and used that on the 3rd LP and tour. It played great but once the guitars and keys were recorded, the bass dissappeared. Since then, I now have a 57 Precision and a Prec/Jazz that works well live. The 57 stays in my studio. I bi-amp with an Ampeg B2RE Head + 2 15" JBL for lo's and a G&K 600 with a Genz Benz 4 X 10 for hi's. Still use the Moog Taurus pedals as well. The latest Album THE SALE has the 57 on it and the new album MACHINE will be out in a few weeks has a custom KT bass on most of the songs.
Hope that helps,
Joe Macre
Btw, I have started a new progressive band with Carl Roa and Dave Miranda from Magic Elf, Phil Naro from D Drive and Oliver Wakeman from Yes. We are currently in the writing stage and hope to have the first album out next year.

[jdogric12]

Thanks for stopping by and giving us that info, Joe! Welcome, and please hang around!

[ajish4]

Joe Macre
Btw, I have started a new progressive band with Carl Roa and Dave Miranda from Magic Elf, Phil Naro from D Drive and Oliver Wakeman from Yes. We are currently in the writing stage and hope to have the first album out next year.

NOW that you have my full attention:

TOO COOL!

WELCOME to the fold!

Please keep us up to speed on this!

[markus44uk]

Isn't Joe Macre the COOLEST ? !

Great bass chops, personable and easygoing...and the creator of some of the BEST bass licks in music history. There's simply nothing like the Crack The Sky rhythm section. It's what got me hooked on the first album when it came out.