The Clash's Paul Simonon rocking a Ric

[08 Ric 4003]

I was watching Westway To The World last night and there were two or three clips of Paul rocking a 4001. He painted some stripes on it. I think one clip was B&W and one was color. It think it was JG. The rest of the time he is on a P bass.

[godber]

Mr. Positive himself, top man.

[iamthebassman]

I remember it was kind of a "Pollock" thang.

[08 Ric 4003]

Saw them in 82 with The Who. I was 16 at the time and was not into The Clash yet and tried hard at the concert not to enjoy them, but they were great live and swayed me.

[jdogric12]

That would make a great signature edition!

[jps]

That would make a great signature edition!

+1!

[spongebob]

From what I have read, the bass was given to him by Patti Smith.

[08 Ric 4003]

I read that too, and "he didn't quite like the sound of it as it sounded too thin, and he also thought it was too lightweight (he's stated that he prefers heavy basses, as they seem more resonant and robust". H mostly played P Basses live with the Clash. The one he smashed on the cover of London Calling was in his words "It was his best sounding bass" and he regretted it. He played a Wal JG Custom Bass during the recording session for Give 'Em Enough Rope in 1978, because the producer Sandy Pearlman suggested it, but Paul disliked it because it had too many switches.

[rickboy88]

I just pulled the trigger on ordering "The Clash - Westway to the World" which I believe is the Clash documentary I've been looking for. I'd seen a great documentary (on the Documentary Channel of all things) on them, and after seeing this post decided to find it and buy it. It is one of the best documentaries I've ever seen on a band. I believe it was done shortly before Joe Strummer's death.

I'd recorded it on my old DVR, but lost it when switched satellite TV services here in the U.S. Every time it was shown, I'd watch it again. Strummer lamented that with one of them gone the chemistry just wasn't the same. You could see had he had some regrets about how things went down at the end. Very honest stuff.

[08 Ric 4003]

Yep, it is a good doc. I saw The Clash in '82 at The Day On The Green in Oakland, CA when they supported The Who on The Who's first Farewell Tour. There have been many since.

[Kopfjaeger]

Wow, I' would have never guessed Paul played a Ric! In every foto I've ever seen, I think he was holding a Fender P. I know that is what he was playing when I saw them during the London Calling Tour.

Sepp

[08 Ric 4003]

He didn't use the Ric too long. I was to far away to see what bass he used when I saw them in '82.

[wim]

That bass looks better in b&w IMHO

[electrofaro]

Whose picture is on it?

[sloop_john_b]

That is Patti Smith.