Can We Put This To Rest? Did Mike Lay Down Tracks Post 1984

**NDL** · 08.14.21, 01:40 PM

I know that EVH laid most bass tracks down on III, but there's a persistent rumor which says that EVH laid down the majority of bass tracks on their albums, 1984 and onward.

I don't play, unfortunately; can someone tell me what they're hearing on the albums? Are the bass tracks coming from a guitarist who plays bass, or is what we're hearing a bass player who plays bass?

**Jedi McFly** · 08.14.21, 02:02 PM

I don’t think we’ll ever know for sure. I do think Mike played on the vast majority up till VH3.

But for example, I’m fairly certain that’s Ed playing bass on Right Now. It’d make sense as he would know how to navigate the bass notes from his left hand of the piano parts. The tone and mix of the bass is a bit more forward compared to the other tunes on the record as well.

**billy007** · 08.14.21, 02:41 PM

I'm still wondering if there even is bass on tracks like "Jump" and "I'll Wait", or is what i'm hearing as bass coming from the keyboards?

**NDL** · 08.14.21, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by Jedi McFly

I don’t think we’ll ever know for sure.

Appreciate the reply; I am surprised to hear you say that.

If you can't distinguish a vast difference in playing styles, I doubt that others can/will.

**Jedi McFly** · 08.14.21, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by NDL

Appreciate the reply; I am surprised to hear you say that.

If you can't distinguish a vast difference in playing styles, I doubt that others can/will.

Well here’s the thing - beginning around 1984 the bass becomes increasingly simpler on VH albums. Early on Mike absolutely tears it up live and you can hear his distinctive style on the first few albums for sure.

But when the bass parts gets simplified it becomes increasingly more difficult to determine who’s playing as the parts are less distinctive.

I just want to reiterate that Mike is a badass and under appreciated bassist. Love his playing on the early VH boots and wish we saw more of that later in VH’s career.

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**Little Dreamer** · 08.14.21, 04:51 PM

This shouldn't even be a thread. The 16th note fingerstyle bass part of Poundcake could only have been played by Mike. 1984 - 1996 = all Mike.

**Rokgtar** · 08.14.21, 05:46 PM

I think it’s worthy of discussion. No one is attacking Mike or his bass playing, which we all know is awesome. Knowing what a hermit/night owl musician Ed was, it’s possible and probable that some tunes have Ed on bass.

**JUNGLE DRUMMER** · 08.14.21, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by Jedi McFly

I don’t think we’ll ever know for sure. I do think Mike played on the vast majority up till VH3.

But for example, I’m fairly certain that’s Ed playing bass on Right Now. It’d make sense as he would know how to navigate the bass notes from his left hand of the piano parts. The tone and mix of the bass is a bit more forward compared to the other tunes on the record as well.

That is an interesting hypothesis about the bass in Right Now and something I had honestly never thought about.

**I Coulda Hada VH** · 08.14.21, 07:00 PM

Check out the bass on these two tracks and compare them to the bass on much of 1984 and beyond ...

**MF5150** · 08.14.21, 07:25 PM

Am I unique in saying that at this point in my tenure of being a VH fan, I really couldn’t give two shits who played bass on any of their albums?

Interesting discussion? Absolutely.
Cool to dissect certain parts in certain songs? Very much so.

Do I actually care? Like if I found out tomorrow that Mike played on nothing after 1984? Would I care and be shocked?

No.

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**VH1986** · 08.14.21, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by I Coulda Hada VH

Check out the bass on these two tracks and compare them to the bass on much of 1984 and beyond ...

Your timeline indicates that the bass playing on Van Halen albums changed when Ed built 5150. HMMM???

**Dave's Dreidel** · 08.15.21, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by Jedi McFly

Well here’s the thing - beginning around 1984 the bass becomes increasingly simpler on VH albums. Early on Mike absolutely tears it up live and you can hear his distinctive style on the first few albums for sure.

But when the bass parts gets simplified it becomes increasingly more difficult to determine who’s playing as the parts are less distinctive.

I just want to reiterate that Mike is a badass and under appreciated bassist. Love his playing on the early VH boots and wish we saw more of that later in VH’s career.

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One clue to if it is a Mike bassline (to me) is are there any extended fingerings in the bass line. He likes to do those, I think as a hidden way of saying "yeah, I can really play, I'm just not allowed to".

**I Coulda Hada VH** · 08.15.21, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by Dave's Dreidel

One clue to if it is a Mike bassline (to me) is are there any extended fingerings in the bass line. He likes to do those, I think as a hidden way of saying "yeah, I can really play, I'm just not allowed to".

Are there any songs before VH III that don't sound like Mike is playing the bass to your ears?

**dart93** · 08.15.21, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by billy007

I'm still wondering if there even is bass on tracks like "Jump" and "I'll Wait", or is what i'm hearing as bass coming from the keyboards?

I've never thought there's any bass guitar on the studio recordings of "Jump" and "I'll Wait." There is some sophisticated bass in the Hagar era. "Poundcake" has been mentioned. How about the fretless bass on "Not Enough?" Definitely Mike.

**MF5150** · 08.15.21, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by dart93

I've never thought there's any bass guitar on the studio recordings of "Jump" and "I'll Wait." There is some sophisticated bass in the Hagar era. "Poundcake" has been mentioned. How about the fretless bass on "Not Enough?" Definitely Mike.

Pretty sure Ed had a standup bass (and/or cello). They’re fretless.

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