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Two D'As, a bunch of Gibsons- both amps and guitars, and tons of rock gear.
Press Releases
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09-22-2019 05:23 PM
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After the first 500 pages of the catalog, I'm starting to think he was a "serious" collector. I'm surprised at how many "replica" guitars and amps, in addition to the pristine originals.
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Wasn't it WB who coined the term "Gear Acquisition Syndrome" (GAS)? I believe that the first time I heard it was in a Steely Dan interview.
Originally Posted by MarkRhodes
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Yes he did. Originally Posted by starjasmine
Here's an academic bit of research based on the idea.
‘Gear Acquisition Syndrome’ – A Survey of Electric Guitar Players | SpringerLink
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So that is where all the amps went.
Here is Becker's GAS article for Guitar Player.
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In general I hate to see these auctions and guitars. It really makes them nothing but material items bought and sold like antiques roadshow mentality.
Wes picked an L5 because he had something to say. Johnny Smith was looking for elegance and was loyal to John D. Joe Pass and his trusty 175 he needed little else to draw attention to great sounds.
Gosh it is Sunday the deacon is preaching.....
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While some of this stuff will undoubtedly wind up hoarded by collectors with no real musical motivation, I'm sure some of it will wind up in the hands of musicians who will be inspired by having something that their hero touched, played, loved. Originally Posted by deacon Mark
I found it interesting that celebrity ownership did not raise the price on many of these items. OTOH, stage-played or featured on a recording (with provenance of same) is worth more to some, and should be.
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The catalogue is proof that you can't take it with you.
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As much as I appreciate Walter Becker' s writing contributions to Steely Dan. He was an average guitarist really taking space away from their other guitarist. I totally get that it was his band along with Donald Fagan, but please let Drew Zing, or Jon Herrington play the solo.
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Agreed. We saw Jon Herington with Steely Dan last Saturday night in Santa Rosa and wow, was he terrific! As was, of course, the entire band. Donald Fagen did, however, apologize that Walter Becker "couldn't be here tonight."
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He had all that kit, and yet they still had to bring in session men to do the solos.
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Simply unbelievable...
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Yeah, and what is that Fagen doing singing?? Why didn’t they get a real singer instead, yesh... Originally Posted by jads57
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WB had the worst case of GAS in the history of mankind. I guess it was better than shooting junk.
I'd like to buy that Sadowsky he played on the "Plush Jazz-Rock Party" video they made, and set fire to it, so I'd never have to hear it again. I couldn't stand the sound he got out of that thing.
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What writing contributions? On the day WB died, DF said he'd give his finished songs to WB, and he said WB would at most change one little, tiny thing on them. Originally Posted by jads57
I think his contributions were mainly at the board in the studio, and on bass on some tunes.
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Curious, got a link to that interview? Originally Posted by sgcim
This article quotes Fagen on the subject as follows
“I usually come up with germinal musical idea, and then we will arrange to meet,” says Fagen. “Usually one or both of us won’t show up, but I think we generally come to make something out of it. So it is really a collaboration. Its not one of us writing the music, the other lyrics. And its not like Lennon and McCartney, who as I understand it usually just wrote a song by themselves and then put both their names on it. It is a collaboration: we think very much the same musically. I can start songs and Walter can finish them. He’s a very good editor also. He’ll suggest improvements on my original idea, and then we’ll work on lyrics together.”
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That was from 1977, and I think df was just being nice to his closest friend. I heard the interview on the radio, but I'm sure it's available if you search for DF's comments on his friend's passing. Originally Posted by starjasmine
Becker's solo albums are pretty sad, songwriting-wise.
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I have 14 guitars and 6 amps. At times I think that I am hoarding. Reading the catalogue for this auction shows me what a real hoarders collection looks like.
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Walter was one of my all time favorite rock guitarists. Sure they hired some great players to track some legendary solos, that was part of their genius, just like Miles.
Here is exhibit A and B to make my case for Walter as a great player. These solos are him playing some mighty tasty stuff......how can anyone say he was average?
The outro is one of my all time favorite rock solos....
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Between Black Friday, Josie, Bad Sneakers, Pretzel Logic, Cousin Dupree, Jack of Speed, etc Becker showed he could play and hold his own. It's true though, that in latter years he regressed to noodling all over the songs. His solo albums also showed that he could write well.
That collection is not the sign of a person in a happy place I think
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So much stuff.. where did he keep all this??
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Becker was a collector who liked nice toys and could afford to indulge himself.
Nothing wrong with that IMO. He bought what he liked and supported various independent builders.
I also think he was a fine guitar player with an original voice.
I'll be bidding on a few items for my own collection.
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A lot of smack talk about Becker.
Becker wasn't Larry Carlton but he could play well enough. The guitar and bass on "FM" is all Walter.
And why would Fagan lie about Becker's contributions and keep him around for 45 years if he was dead weight? Fagan isn't exactly known as a person with a lot of forbearance.
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Two great choices! Always loved the guitar on "Black Friday." Becker's great on "Josie" too. Originally Posted by cosmic gumbo
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