Bill's Gear

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Bill Fox

I grew up in the Cleveland area. While my parents were still living, I used to visit as often as possible. My best friend, (who has since moved away from the area) and I were at Sodja Music on Wilson Mills Road in Richmond Heights. Like all musicians, we love to check out the toy shops! For years, I was playing a Gibson bass, the one that has the acorn and leaf carving on it. Dave pointed out to me a bass he had seen on a recent visit to Sodja's. He thought it was a work of art the way it had a uniquely sculpted shape to it. I agreed and to top it off, the beastie played and sounded fantastic. This was between Thanksgiving and Christmas and the bass was on consignment. I made an offer just a little lower than was marked on the tag since I figured it was owned by a musician who needed some holiday cash, i.e. a motivated seller. I also promised to take care of the beauty and give it a good and loving home. He accepted immediately so obviously my offer wasn't an insult. That's how I acquired the Warwick. This is circa 1992 or 1993.

Getting the Ibanez was a little less romantic. Fast forward to 2002. Having retired from engineering in 2001, I must now watch my pennies. However, I find myself in a band where the guitarist (Karl) works in a music store. <Robot Voice> Danger Will Robinson! Danger!!! <Robot Voice> As Pinnacle was finding its rehearsal legs, I came to the conclusion that I needed a five string bass in order to be most effective on certain songs. Reluctant to let go of the Warwick, I asked Karl for some help. Well, he helped me right into the Ibanez.

Getting into the Fender amp was a similar story. By now (2003), Karl, his wife and I had formed a side project... a Country band of all things!! I was finding that my Ampeg B15 tube amp (with the flip top) wasn't cutting the mustard volume wise. Man, I loved that little amp, especially in the studio. But with Karl's help, I sold it to one of his coworkers and put the money towards the Fender amp. It really puts out a nice tone at a good volume. It's a good thing that Dave Phillips Music and Sound has a "band member discount" for people in a band with a DP employee. Let's see... At the time I bought the Fender amp, I was in two bands with Karl and two bands with Moe, who is another DP employee. (Never mind that one of those bands has Karl, Moe and me in it!) Too bad the discount isn't a cumulative thing! Oh yeah. I've formed yet another band with Moe where we do a skewed quasi-Celtic, quasi-pop, eclectic sorta thing that can only be described as taking pop, rock, folk, classical, jazz, blues, film, and world music influences and running them through a Celtic blender set to frappé. The band is called Emerald City. Bill has since left the band.

Well, Karl did it again. I was innocently sitting at home when Karl called to tell me that a Warwick five string bass just came into the store on consignment. Well, I literally hopped in the car and came right down. I put the Ibanez on consignment and bought the Warwick on the spot. Of course, I ultimately didn't get as much for the Ibanez as I paid for the Warwick, but then a Streamer Standard is a better bass than an Ergodyne. And now I have two Warwicks! Woo HOO!!

Despite using good basses, I was still looking for a larger palette of sounds. <standing with chest out, chin slightly up, legs apart and fists on hips> "This is a job for..." EFFECTS!!! </standing with chest out, chin slightly up, legs apart and fists on hips> Once again, Karl called me from the store. Only this time, I didn't jump right in the car. (Karl's costing me too much.) But I eventually made it in to the store and picked up a used Line6 Bass Pod with carrying case for $100 from one of Karl's coworkers. Great deal. And leave it to Karl to dial in THE SOUND while I was wanking away on the bass.

Warwick
Streamer Studio II

Warwick
Streamer Standard

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