Motown Bassist James Jamerson's German Upright Bass....

Description

Motown Bassist James Jamerson's German Upright Bass.

"As time went on, James Jamerson became my hero..." - Paul McCartney

No bassist has done more for and with popular music than James Jamerson. While his name may not always be known by the countless millions of fans of his playing, his sound and style have influenced every player to pick up the instrument since Motown's first hit record. For years Jamerson was the only bassist at Motown, and the studio was known to plan sessions around his schedule.

This instrument was James Jamerson's only upright bass, and the only instrument not stolen from him. He purchased it in 1957 and used it in Detroit's jazz clubs while honing his style, on tour with Smokey Robinson, and on classic Motown recordings that are playing somewhere in the world every second of every day. Enduring hits by Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Martha Reeves, Mary Wells, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Marvin Gaye, and others were created using this instrument. My Guy, The One Who Really Loves You, Where Did Our Love Go, Baby Love, Heat Wave, Jimmy Mack, Can I Get A Witness, It Takes Two, Mickey's Monkey, Too Many Fish In The Sea, Fingertips (Part 2), A Place In The Sun, and many, many others feature James Jamerson on this bass.

James Jamerson passed away in 1983. That year James gave the bass to his son, James Jamerson, III (known professionally as James Jamerson, Jr.,) who continued to use it with Tina Marie, Chaka Khan and Natalie Cole. It was last used in the film documentary 'Standing in the Shadows of Motown.' The bass is in the same condition as when James Jamerson last used it, including the same set of strings. The bass comes with the gig bag Jamerson got with the bass, and a letter of authenticity from James Jamerson, Jr.

James Jamerson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, the first year they honored session players. In February 2004, he received the Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award along with his fellow members of Motown's house band, known as The Funk Brothers.

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