Originally posted by RattleandHum1988Nothing will ever beat Adam's fender Jazz, the sunburst one with the tortoise pickguard. Is it the same one he's had since JT?
He doesn't have the bass you are talking about any longer... that one was auctioned at Icons of Music auction... more on that in a minute... he does have a 1961 that is similar...
Here's some information on Adam's P and Jazz bass useage...
He's had the tobacco (finish is now incredibly worn) 1972-73 (I've heard him call it by both vintages) PRECISION is probably more of the workhorse than his tobacco JAZZ.
From the Jan 2000 Bass Player magazine:
"BP: You've also played some odd custom basses over the years. What do you listen for in a bass?
AC: I like a clean top end that can cut through, but I also like a big, air-moving bottom. The Precision has always given me that, so the custom basses I've used have always been selected because they complement my Precision. That big yellow thing -- the banana bass -- that I played on the Pop tour is a great-sounding example. It was made by Auerswald, the German guy who makes Prince's guitars.
Recently I've actually been playing Jazz basses, though, because I've been using my fingers a lot more, and I've been after a bit more definition. I recorded the new album with two Jazz basses -- a '61 and a '72. I also used my old Gibson Les Paul Recording bass. It's a short-scale thing with this great, round bottom that just moves air. It's great in the studio."
He calls this same Precision a 1973 in the JAN 2006 Bass Player feature:
BP: Do you get emotionally attached to the instruments you play?
ADAM: Not really. I have a ’73 Precision Bass that I’ve used since day one. I used to think, This is the old work horse—old faithful. I loved it. I still love it, and I play it all the time, but I try to branch out and play different instruments. I’m not so attached to any of the others. I’ll play them for a bit and then move on. But there’s an amazing difference with vintage basses compared to regular stock instruments. I love finding instruments that have had a life before you got them. They bring something to you.


Notice that the POP era pick from Tibetan Freedom show, shows it with it's mirro poickguard... BOOM CHA!


The Precision's finish has worn and the stickers have come and gone... pickguards have changed over time... and he added a Fender Jazz Bass neck to it.
The 1972 Jazz bass was auction in this past years Icons of Music auction. The tobacco finish had been stripped and the tortoise pickguard swapped out for a white pearl.
More on that here:
http://u2-stage-and-studio.com/adam/id16.html
He does still have the 1961 tobacco Fender Jazz bass. Lovely instrument.
