How y’all doin out there in the internets… had a pretty good AM at the F.M., having a George Crumb marathon on the ole’ 1500 right now, man is my wife ever patient. Anyhow, managed to find a pile of old 70’s musician mags that I was lacking, here are some weird+wild highlights of those that faded, those who never made the grade…
Starting out with: the TMB “Wells floor bass.” Holy shit this is cool. Unlike a Moog Taurus or the dozens of other ‘bass pedal synths’ out there, this unit was made with gtr-player-logic in mind. fkkn hell. Want it. Read more here!
20 replies on “The Wells Floor Bass by TMB Canada (1977)”
I’ve owned two sets of these. I have one left, and while I was on stage tonight, someone looked up this page.
Mine has been converted to midi. (A 1976 edition) with something from Ottawa called a “UMB 4”.
These were played famously in Ontario by Ronnie Fray, Bill Cayley, Johnny Jackson, and Paul Sharpe. On the east coast, A. Frank Willis had a couple of sets on stage. A true one man band.
These were also produced by GBX, Traynor, and a company called Jason. They are the invention of Frank Arsenault for Wells electronics.
thanks for this little article.
gary mcgill
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Qs8CcKssGI
Hi Gerry – I played all Ont. from 1975 to 1996 as a Single Act.Saw a guy in Barrie On. playing the GBX 36 pedal Bass Pedals in `70`s & said i have to get these.Johnstones Musicland in Midland Ont. had a set but only 32 pedal.Got them,then later i got the 36 pedal.It was a real pain cleaning them connections with emery cloth & one at a time.Later i saw a set at the same place.They were the Jason 40 pedal with sustain.Also when tuning them, switch to one key & ALL would be in key.These were Fantastic pedals,& played them for years.Not sure when i saw Paul Sharpe in Barrie if he had them or the GBX,Think he had Jasons to.Dont think there were many made.Anyway I`ve been looking for a set of either for years now & cant find any anywhere on the net.66 now but onto songwrighting.Have home recording studio & putting down tracks.Dont play Bass but, have PK5 Bass Pedals.Cant play notes you want tho unless preprogram now & the cross pedals are in my opinion Useless.Why Cant someone come up with something like the GBX & Jason,I`ll never know.I guess skill is`nt needed anymore.Get a Bass Guitarist I guess.lol > Take Care Garry > Terry Craig..
Hi Garry-I;m still playing mine in a 5 peice country/blues band
I have a set of Wells Floor Bass pedals……played them for 15 years or so. Just dug them out again and use them to get fit….quite a work out when you play for 1-2 hours. Now they will not stay in tune…….does anyone know some one who might be able to repair them. I tried cleaning and then tuning but it keeps “slipping”…..maybe 42 year old capacitors. thx to anyone who can help. It is the 1976 model. There is a picture of me playing them on our website from the70’s.
Hello – Did you ever find someone to work on your bass pedals? Mine need some work as well.
I am trying to connect with people that have the GBX units, but not much luck.I knew three people that played these: Chuck Gatsby, Mike Arsenault and Frank Arsenault. I do not know whether they would astill be alive.
Thank You
Murray Francis
Have 2 of these if anyone is interested.
Hi Robert > Long time now BUT, do you still have a set of the Wells Floor Bass Pedals? > Thanks Terry Craig South River Ont.
I would be interested in buying your pedals.
Just wondering if you still have either of the 2 sets u have I am interested in buying another set if I can find one I have had a set that I use yet I have had them for over 24 years and I bought them used.Looking for a back up set
Hello – I am interested if you still have them.
I played one of these for 10 years on my One Man Band, it was great but a pain to carry around. I wish I stil had it. Now I’m using a Dr. Rhythum Boss 880 that has programmed bass for each drum pattern, but it runs out of memory after 38 user patterns.
Hello – Which Pedal do you have – I would be looking for the wells or the Jason as I have the GBX.
Thank you,
Murray Francis
For Murray Francis or anyone with the knowledge–I have a GBX in excellent shape but no tuning instructions.Wondering if anyone has those instructions please.I too was a one man band in the 70’s throuout Ontario as was Lenny Gravelle, Vic Helewen, Bill Cayley etc.Please get back to me
Hello – I have a manual and I will look for the instructions tomorrow. Sorry that I did not get back to you. I am not that good with computers. I have not usded my pedals for a long time, but I am thinking about it again.
Murray Francis
Hi Bob – I have found the tuning instructions and I can send them to you or anyone else that would be interested.
Murray,
I just bought the GBX. Can you email me the tuning instructions? Also, might you have schematics? I can give you my email address. Thanks
-Rick
Hi Rick – The schematic that I have does not match either of the boards that I have. I tokk mine to an older fellow in Kingston, Ontario and he tuned them & got them working perfectly. I wish to sell mine if you know of any takers.
Murray
Hi I have a set of the Wells Floor Bass pedals I would like to sell.
Please send me an email with your name and number so I can contact you.
I am interested in buying the Wells floor bass pedals. My email is
Paul.bongiovanni@yahoo.com
Thanks