The Wells Floor Bass by TMB Canada (1977)

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• I've owned two sets of these. I have one left, and while I was on stage tonight, someone looked up this page.
  Mine has been converted to midi. (A 1976 edition) with something from Ottawa called a "UMB 4".
  These were played famously in Ontario by Ronnie Fray, Bill Cayley, Johnny Jackson, and Paul Sharpe. On the east coast, A. Frank Willis had a couple of sets on stage. A true one man band.
  These were also produced by GBX, Traynor, and a company called Jason. They are the invention of Frank Arsenault for Wells electronics.
  thanks for this little article.
  gary mcgill

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Qs8CcKssGI

  • Hi Gerry - I played all Ont. from 1975 to 1996 as a Single Act.Saw a guy in Barrie On. playing the GBX 36 pedal Bass Pedals in `70`s & said i have to get these.Johnstones Musicland in Midland Ont. had a set but only 32 pedal.Got them,then later i got the 36 pedal.It was a real pain cleaning them connections with emery cloth & one at a time.Later i saw a set at the same place.They were the Jason 40 pedal with sustain.Also when tuning them, switch to one key & ALL would be in key.These were Fantastic pedals,& played them for years.Not sure when i saw Paul Sharpe in Barrie if he had them or the GBX,Think he had Jasons to.Dont think there were many made.Anyway I`ve been looking for a set of either for years now & cant find any anywhere on the net.66 now but onto songwrighting.Have home recording studio & putting down tracks.Dont play Bass but, have PK5 Bass Pedals.Cant play notes you want tho unless preprogram now & the cross pedals are in my opinion Useless.Why Cant someone come up with something like the GBX & Jason,I`ll never know.I guess skill is`nt needed anymore.Get a Bass Guitarist I guess.lol > Take Care Garry > Terry Craig..

  • Hi Garry-I;m still playing mine in a 5 peice country/blues band

• I have a set of Wells Floor Bass pedals......played them for 15 years or so. Just dug them out again and use them to get fit....quite a work out when you play for 1-2 hours. Now they will not stay in tune.......does anyone know some one who might be able to repair them. I tried cleaning and then tuning but it keeps "slipping".....maybe 42 year old capacitors. thx to anyone who can help. It is the 1976 model. There is a picture of me playing them on our website from the70's.

  • Hello - Did you ever find someone to work on your bass pedals? Mine need some work as well.
    I am trying to connect with people that have the GBX units, but not much luck.I knew three people that played these: Chuck Gatsby, Mike Arsenault and Frank Arsenault. I do not know whether they would astill be alive.
    Thank You
    Murray Francis

• Have 2 of these if anyone is interested.

  • Hi Robert > Long time now BUT, do you still have a set of the Wells Floor Bass Pedals? > Thanks Terry Craig South River Ont.

  • I would be interested in buying your pedals.

  • Just wondering if you still have either of the 2 sets u have I am interested in buying another set if I can find one I have had a set that I use yet I have had them for over 24 years and I bought them used.Looking for a back up set

  • Hello - I am interested if you still have them.

• I played one of these for 10 years on my One Man Band, it was great but a pain to carry around. I wish I stil had it. Now I'm using a Dr. Rhythum Boss 880 that has programmed bass for each drum pattern, but it runs out of memory after 38 user patterns.

• Hello - Which Pedal do you have - I would be looking for the wells or the Jason as I have the GBX.

  Thank you,

  Murray Francis

  • For Murray Francis or anyone with the knowledge--I have a GBX in excellent shape but no tuning instructions.Wondering if anyone has those instructions please.I too was a one man band in the 70's throuout Ontario as was Lenny Gravelle, Vic Helewen, Bill Cayley etc.Please get back to me

    • Hello - I have a manual and I will look for the instructions tomorrow. Sorry that I did not get back to you. I am not that good with computers. I have not usded my pedals for a long time, but I am thinking about it again.
      Murray Francis

    • Hi Bob - I have found the tuning instructions and I can send them to you or anyone else that would be interested.

      • Murray,
        I just bought the GBX. Can you email me the tuning instructions? Also, might you have schematics? I can give you my email address. Thanks

        -Rick

        • Hi Rick - The schematic that I have does not match either of the boards that I have. I tokk mine to an older fellow in Kingston, Ontario and he tuned them & got them working perfectly. I wish to sell mine if you know of any takers.
          Murray

• Hi I have a set of the Wells Floor Bass pedals I would like to sell.
  Please send me an email with your name and number so I can contact you.

  • I am interested in buying the Wells floor bass pedals. My email is
    Paul.bongiovanni@yahoo.com
    Thanks