White Knuckles Bass Cover

"White Knuckles" by Elvis Costello and The Attractions off of the 'Trust' album which came out in 1981 and featured, the one and only, Bruce Thomas on bass.
Bruce will be the first to tell you that many of his bass-lines were inspired by an assortment of Motown and R&B bass-lines. Some generally and some specifically. He said that this was one of his bass parts that is all-him... He said - "Here’s a rare bass part because it wasn’t modelled on another bass part. I think that, along with ‘Little Savage’ and ‘Pretty Words’, it’s one of the few tracks where I came up with the whole part. Having said that - they are all three very similar ‘8-notes-to-a bar’ parts with a few counterpoint harmonies and motifs. ‘White Knuckles’ has interesting notes that lead in to the verses that I still like."
I'm playing the Bruce Thomas Signature Profile bass through a Genzler Magellan preamp pedal.
I've covered enough Bruce Thomas bass-lines to garner them their own playlist - • Bruce Thomas
Here's a link to the page that I get most of the drum tracks I play along to from - / @frogbotbeats

[@amptechron]

Punchy P-bass goodness! Well done as always sir.

[@TJH3113]

Thank you kindly.

[@CindyDC]

Bruce Tomas, pump it up was also his right ? So cool that you have talked with some amazing people,. That bass sounds so good,.. perfection every time 😊❤️

[@TJH3113]

Yes, that's him. Thanks again Cindy!

[@MarsCapone]

Been enjoying your EC covers for a minute. I see that signature is really reasonable retail price. Recommend it? What strings on yours? Thanks

[@TJH3113]

Cool. I would very highly recommend the bass. I did a whole video on my buying experience, the bass, along with a cover... I think it's "The Loved Ones", if you're interested in more of what I think about it. The bass came with the Bass Centre brand stainless steel round wounds. When you order the bass, you can specify any of their strings to be put on the bass. The s/s were a bit too bright for me, so I put on my usual D'Addario Nickel-Wounds and that did the trick. These are EXL170's which are slightly heavier than the EXL220's that I usually use, but I love how the bass played when I got it so I put on the same gauge string.

[@BeatlesCentricUniverse]

@@TJH3113 I bought this bass also, mainly due to his review of it. I love the instrument!

[@toddwalker4301]

Love the tone of that P Bass. Beautifully played. Wow! You read my mind....I was thinking the same thing about the sound of that bass on Alien Shore! I can't recall the bass you used on that cover.

[@TJH3113]

I really like it as well. Thanks so much! I used a Geddy Lee Jazz bass on Alien Shore.

[@strikninestudios6885]

Awesome

[@TJH3113]

Thank you

[@iaminbetweendays]

Thanks for sharing your awesome talent. Great cut from a great album. Bruce was the perfect bass player for Elvis.

[@TJH3113]

Thanks so much. Bruce was the perfect bass player for everyone he played with.

[@Vineyardedge]

How did I know this wasn't going to be White Knuckles by Alter Bridge? 😂 Your bass sounds so good and as usual, perfect execution! Love it ❤

[@TJH3113]

Alter who? Thanks Valerie, I hope you're doing great!

[@oxouk]

Fantastic performance as always and that tone! Every time I hear a baseline that truly stands out I think “ Man, I wish Troy would play that”. Having said that, if you get a moment listen to the song “Drag My Body” by the band Hot Water Music. It’s one of the bands older songs but one where the bass is the star of the show.

[@TJH3113]

Thanks a lot! I'll check it out. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@Twobarpsi]

Great playing Troy 🤘😎🤘!!

[@TJH3113]

Thank you very much !!

[@artrogers3985]

Great job on a finger buster 🎸

[@TJH3113]

Thank you.

[@JustPlayingBass]

Top stuff as always Troy 👌

[@TJH3113]

Thanks 👍

[@BeatlesCentricUniverse]

SO GLAD you're doing more Bruce Thomas! He blows my mind! Great cover! (I have this bass too.)

[@TJH3113]

I've still got a few more on the ready line. Thanks! (this bass is one of my favorites)

[@costelloandsilke7321]

Thanks for keeping the Bruce Thomas flame alive, Troy. Trust was another Nick Lowe / Roger Bechirian production. The bass tone is certainly getting into Geddy territory but the phat low mid signature of a Precision will always separate it from a Riccy or Jazzz, I think - even when the treble is growly :))

[@TJH3113]

It's my pleasure (most of the time). Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment.

[@TheStuport]

First off Troy....Thanks so much for taking the time to put together the list of Bruce Thomas selections! I can't tell you how many times I have gone through your video library looking for a particular song to see if you might have played it and then I see another song that you did and I immediately click on that tune! It's a fun disruption to be sure! I like hearing how Bruce has just a few tunes where he uses his own "chosen pattern" of notes. @ 6:05 I absolutely appreciated your situation in struggling to hear Bruce's interpretation of notes and passing tones and then you simply said @ 6:26 " I kind of picked something that fit and I'm going with it"! Done & Done! Have a great weekend and as always MOO From COW-lumbus, Ohio

[@TJH3113]

Thanks Stu! I've done 136? Rush covers (not counting do-overs) and they have their own playlist, so I thought Bruce might be approaching a number worthy of their own spot. I think the only other band that might come close would be Kansas, but I'd have to go through and check. Take care.

[@bukowski20]

Fabulous work, good sir! My favorite song by EC!

[@TJH3113]

Many thanks!

[@bloodyscalp94]

Amazing bass cover! Love the punchy fingering style you have.

[@TJH3113]

Thanks a lot!

[@ultimatebasses]

Bruce Thomas should be on any aspiring bassist's list of must listens. Awesome cover Troy!

[@TJH3113]

Truth. Thanks!

[@CindyDC]

❤

[@TJH3113]

Thanks Cindy.

[@aaronhi50]

Excellent playing and tone!
Hmmm would you ever consider doing a Cardiacs song, maybe something from Sing to God?

[@micnorton9487]

Cardiacs,, never heard of them so I gotta check 'em out...🖖

[@aaronhi50]

@@micnorton9487 Weirdest stuff you will ever hear, but my favorite band of all time!

[@micnorton9487]

DAMN,, just sampling a few tunes from Sing To God they sound like a mix between Talking Heads and Pink Floyd and a bit of Zep,, gotta check these guys out further 💯👍...

[@aaronhi50]

@@micnorton9487 That makes me so HAPPY! Definitely a creative bunch, led by Tim Smith (rest in peace).

[@micnorton9487]

@@aaronhi50 YEAH creative but not nutty,, like Physical Graffiti with the instrumental scores,, I can't remember which tune but it reminded me of In The Light but without the heavy hallucinogenic overtone of the Zep style of PG...

[@Itsjustjess352]

Oh, this was one that wasn’t on my radar…but it looks fun!!

[@TJH3113]

I'm glad you liked it!!

[@tom_mc802]

Great cover! One of my favorite Elvis Costello songs. You really nail the Bruce Thomas vibe too.

[@TJH3113]

Wow, thank you!

[@marvinewilliams8281]

My computer is till brokem Troy

[@TJH3113]

I'M SORRY TO HEAR THAT. I HOPE YOU GET IT FIXED (OR GET A NEW ONE) SOON. TAKE CARE MARVINE.

[@jeanmarienoe]

Thanks for your play 👏👏👏

[@TJH3113]

It was my pleasure. Thanks for watching.

[@charlessouthworth8175]

Take that Bruce Thomas!

[@TJH3113]

Bruce can take anything he wants.

[@NickTann]

Again, genius! Thanks man

[@TJH3113]

Thanks again!

[@stevekahn3540]

Brilliant!!

[@TJH3113]

Thank!

[@samhelsel443]

Thanks for turning me on to this one Troy. Sounds great as usual

[@TJH3113]

Any time! Thanks Sam!

[@micnorton9487]

A#1 Troy 💯🖖

[@TJH3113]

Too kind.

[@alenstimec]

Excellent as always!

[@TJH3113]

Thank you very much!