Info on John Stockfish (Bass - '67-68)

[raliegh]

I'm a multi-instrumentalist (meaning occasional bass player, among others) looking for info on John Stockfish, Gord's bass player on the UA sessions as well as some later cuts (e.g. "Sundown"). I'm particularly interested in equipment used (instruments, strings, amps, mike placement) and playing techniques (pick/fingers/thumb/combination), as I've been trying to nail that early UA sound for years with little success (I can, however, do a mean "Rosanna"...).
I know about the dressing-room photo from '67 where he's holding a Fender Precision, but his recorded lines don't sound like any P-Bass I ever heard (and I've played several dozen over the last 30+ years); the closest I've been able to come is with a Gibson EB-2D and an old single-cutaway Hofner, both set up with flatwound strings and played fingerstyle through a mid-'60s Ampeg B-15.
Anybody out there who can help...?

[Steve DeRosa]

I'm a multi-instrumentalist (meaning occasional bass player, among others) looking for info on John Stockfish, Gord's bass player on the UA sessions as well as some later cuts (e.g. "Sundown"). I'm particularly interested in equipment used (instruments, strings, amps, mike placement) and playing techniques (pick/fingers/thumb/combination), as I've been trying to nail that early UA sound for years with little success (I can, however, do a mean "Rosanna"...).
I know about the dressing-room photo from '67 where he's holding a Fender Precision, but his recorded lines don't sound like any P-Bass I ever heard (and I've played several dozen over the last 30+ years); the closest I've been able to come is with a Gibson EB-2D and an old single-cutaway Hofner, both set up with flatwound strings and played fingerstyle through a mid-'60s Ampeg B-15.
Anybody out there who can help...?

[Cathy]

Wow. That's a bunch of hard questions. I think the only person who might be able to help you out is Richard Harison, but he doesn't post here. You could try posting it on alt.music.lightfoot, where Richard hangs out. Maybe you'd get a response there.

Cathy

[james hill]

Sorry Steve, i can't help you with the technical stuff, but your topic gives me an opportunity to express my admiration for John Stockfish, an incredibly talented (self-taught) & underrated musician. Part of my love for Gord's music is based on the excellent musicians he works with. When one leaves, Stockfish for example, along comes Rick Haynes another great player. Another excellent bassist that Gord has worked with is a guy named Tom Szczesniak who played a lot on EAST OF MIDNIGHT & ENDLESS WIRE. This is one talented guy who practically lives in the recording studio.
Anyways, can't impart much else on the subject of John Stockfish, other than that he was Jim Croce's original bass player.
The last time i saw John was on a variety show done here in Toronto. He was the bassist for a singer named Suzanne Stevens & i'd tune in every week just to watch him play! Her material leaned more towards jazz & Stockfish would be playing some nice stuff behind her.
Anyhow, if i find out anything else about him, i'll let you know.

james