Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Bass Player
Bass Player
NO.1 FOR TUITION BRAND NEW 12-PAGE BASS TUITION SECTION INSIDE!
STEVE PHIL STUART
LAWSON MANN CLAYTON
NEW INTERVIEWS
LOOK! TRACY WORMWORTH
B-52S AND BEYOND
WORLD EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW JIM LEA, SLADE
STANLEY
GLAM-ROCK SURVIVOR!
MICHAEL RHODES,
JOE BONAMASSA
BLUES BASS MASTER
CLARKE
DARRYL ANDERS,
AGAPÉSOUL
ALL HAIL THE SOUL MAN
FLATTLEY
CONTENTS
W 48
elcome to the new,
ISSUE 375 NOVEMBER 2018 bigger and better
Bass Player! As the
editor of the UK’s Bass De Gier
Editor Joel McIver
[email protected]
Guitar Magazine, it’s an honor
for me to step up and edit BP,
$3360
Managing Editor Jacob Barlow
the world’s first, finest and
Technical Consultant Stuart Clayton
most prestigious publication
Senior Contributing Editor Chris Jisi
Web and Contributing Editor Jon D’Auria
devoted solely to the low end.
Contributing Editors My predecessor Chris Jisi and
Jonathan Herrera, Jim Roberts, Rod C. Taylor his team have done a fantastic job of serving the American
Contributors to this issue Silvia Bluejay, Mike Brooks, bass community and keeping Bass Player at the forefront of
Stuart Clayton, Hywel Davies, Rob Elrick, Daniel Firth, Ruth
Goller, Joe Hubbard, Kevin Johnson, Steve Lawson, Dave Ling, developments in our world, so it’s a pleasure to confirm that
Phil Mann, Michael McKeegan,
Ellen O’Reilly, Kev Sanders, Joe Shooman, Dave Swift, Ray Chris and many of his other writers are remaining on board as
Walker, Ben Whybrow
Graphic Designer Rosie Webber
contributors while we take this magazine to the next stage.
Cover image Raj Naik So is it a case of new editor, new magazine? Far from it. The
Studio Photography core values of Bass Player — laid down by its first editor Jim
Eckie, Olly Curtis and Stephen Kelly Roberts, who is also remaining with us, I’m delighted to say — are
Advertising Sales still key to its ethos. That said, we want to present our readers
US Chief Revenue Officer Luke Edson with as much bang for their buck as possible, so you’ll see several
[email protected]
innovations in this issue. You’ll still be reading state-of-the-art
Advertising Director Jonathan Brudner
[email protected], (917) 281-4721 interviews and gear reviews, but we’re adding a brand-new
Advertising Director Mari Deetz
[email protected], (650) 238-0344
12-page tuition section from three world-class tutors. Between
Advertising Director Jeff Donnenwerth them, Steve Lawson, Phil Mann and Stuart Clayton have spent
[email protected], (212) 378-0466
the last couple of decades as stars of stage and studio, and they’ve
Advertising Director Jason Perl
[email protected], (646) 723-5419 distilled that experience into practical columns at beginner,
Classic Albums
Advertising Director Scott Sciacca
[email protected], (646) 723-5478
intermediate and advanced level. Warm up your fingers…
As for our interviews this month, it’s a truly stunning 12David Bowie’s
Subscriber Customer Service
To subscribe, change your address, or check on your current account gathering of bass talent and experience. Where better to go incomparable The Rise And Fall Of
status, go to bassplayer.com and click on About Us, email contact@
myfavoritemagazines.com, call 800-234-1831, or write P.O. Box 2029, for advice than the incomparable Stanley Clarke, our cover Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders
Langhorne, PA 19047
star? After close to half a century down at the low end, there’s From Mars slips under Brooksy’s
Archives
This magazine is available for research and retrieval of select archived nothing he hasn’t seen and done — and nothing he can’t nostalgic microscope
articles from leading electronic database and search services,
play. Then we meet Tracy Wormworth, veteran of the B-52s,
Gear
including ProQuest. For microform availability, contact National
Archive Publishing Company, 800-521-0600, or search the Serials in
Microform listings at napubco.com. Back issues are available. For more Sting and NBC’s Rosie O’Donnell Show; Jim Lea of perhaps the
information, contact www.proquest.com
ultimate British glam-rock band, Slade; AgapéSoul maestro
Reprints/Permissions
Bass Player and its content are available for licensing. Contact the Darryl Anders; and the blues legend Michael Rhodes of Joe
International department to discuss partnership opportunities
Ibanez 2017 SRH500-DEF Bass
International Licensing Director Matt Ellis, [email protected]
All contents © 2018 Future Publishing Limited or published under
license. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used,
stored, transmitted or reproduced in any way without the prior written
Bonamassa’s band. Together, that’s quite a team.
As for bass reviews, we’ll be giving you even more of what 40 Workshop Electro-Acoustic $700
permission of the publisher. Future Publishing Limited (company you already love about Bass Player, from a $300 effects pedal Mike Brooks unplugs — then plugs
number 2008885) is registered in England and Wales. Registered
office: Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All information from Flattley, via a sub-$700 Ibanez bass, to a Schönitz Ellipsis in — then considers this electro
contained in this publication is for information only and is, as far as we
are aware, correct at the time of going to press. Future cannot accept that costs over $5000. Whatever you need, we cover it here. workhorse
any responsibility for errors or inaccuracies in such information. You are
advised to contact manufacturers and retailers directly with regard to Thanks for joining us. I’m looking forward to a rewarding
the price of products/services referred to in this publication. Apps and
Anaconda Ultra J4E Elite $2470
websites mentioned in this publication are not under our control. We
are not responsible for their contents or any other changes or updates
to them. If you submit unsolicited material to us, you warrant that
you own the material and/or have the necessary rights/permissions
journey with this venerable publication. Let’s make it loud!
Joel McIver, editor 44 Brooks practices hisssss
to supply the material and you automatically grant Future and its scales with this serpentine Elite
licensees a license to publish your submission in whole or in part in
any/all issues and/or editions of publications, in any format published
worldwide and on associated websites, social media channels and
De Gier Lowlander $3360
associated products. Any material you submit is sent at your own risk
and, although every care is taken, neither Future nor its employees,
agents, subcontractors or licensees shall be liable for loss or damage.
We assume all unsolicited material is for publication unless otherwise
48Can the Gibson T-Bird be
stated, and reserve the right to edit, amend, adapt all submissions. bettered? Brooks investigates
Managing Director Julian March
Chief Operations Officer Aaron Asadi Schönitz Ellipsis $5000
Group Content Director Paul Newman
Group Editor-in-Chief, Music Daniel Griffiths
52Unusually shaped, but
very comfortable to play; Hywel
Commercial Finance Director Dan Jotcham
Davies delivers the verdict
006
f/bassplayermag o/BassPlayerNow CONTENTS
Tuition
Frontline
62 Four touring and recording
bassists with decades of shared
experience report back from the
tourbus. Listen and learn!
BEGINNER
36
Michael Rhodes
66 Steve Lawson
Bass… the final frontier.
Begin your journey into a world
of endless sonic possibilities with
peerless voyager Steve Lawson
INTERMEDIATE
Phil Mann
70 Subtle sensei Phil Mann can
make a good bassist great, and a
great bassist legendary. Take your
next step up here
ADVANCED
Getty
Stu Clayton
76
18 24
Do you know no fear? Do
you seek mastery? If you think
you’ve got what it takes, then bass
StanleyTracy colossus Clayton has an advanced
Clarke Wormworth
workout to test your mettle
30
Jim Lea
with glam-rockers Slade looks
back on a unique career.
Interview: Dave Ling
physiotherapist Ben Whybrow
19 Rockschool
Joe Hubbard takes your
Darryl Anders
34Solid soul grooves under
theory to the next level
The Innovators
discussion; Rod C. Taylor puts the
questions 82 Bass Player’s founding
editor Jim Roberts salutes the
Michael Rhodes
36 The master of the blues
great Jeff Kiesel
34
a year, monthly plus a Holiday issue to follow the
December issue, by Future Publishing Limited, 28 East
28th Street, 12th floor, New York, NY 10016. Periodicals
Postage Paid at New York, NY and at additional
mailing offices. Canadian GST No. R13288078,
007
LOW CREAM RISING
THE
Announced back in the summer, The Music
Of Cream will tour in the USA and UK in
November. This much-heralded supergroup
features the late Jack Bruce’s son Malcolm
Bruce (bass, vocals), Cream drummer
Ginger Baker’s son Kofi Baker (drums)
and Eric Clapton’s nephew Will Johns
DOWN
(guitar, vocals) and will be just the thing for
anyone missing the original, short-lived
David Geraghty
but hugely acclaimed band. Malcolm gave
us an exclusive interview in the run-up to
the tour, telling us: “We’re very excited to certain amount of baggage, even a quest to
be getting out on the road with this project. define boundaries, creative and personal,
We’ll be playing a two-and-a-half-hour to some degree, because of the import of
set consisting of all the best-known Cream our predecessors’ achievements. Some
songs — and Kofi will play an epic drum people change their name and avoid the
solo, as would be expected! We’ll also be association, but for us it’s about embracing
working with video — some Cream footage this aspect of our heritage, facing it head on.
and also home video — and telling a few It is cathartic, transformational, and very
stories.” much a part of the fabric of ourselves. The
He continues: “The most exciting part more I progress with my own writing and
News and views from the bass for us is to be able to improvise and stretch
out the material, so fans should expect us
career, it makes sense to me to honor my
Dad’s achievements as a way to understand
world, collated by BP’’s team of to honor that aspect of the music and the
original band. The songs still have such
my own path as it unfolds. The trick is not
to be consumed by it, but still honor it and
intrepid newshounds a strong relevance and are vibrant with
possibilities, and each show becomes
enjoy the process.”
As for bass gear, what will he be
its own thing. It’s never going to be the playing? “I’m currently playing a Warwick
BOXING CLEVER
Two new amp systems hit the market
same twice, which is what made Cream’s
approach to their live shows so unique. This
is what we want to honor.”
Jazzman, which I’ve been using for a
while now. It has a beautiful full tone and
perfect intonation. It’s a more traditional
recently, the first from our favourite So what’s the mission behind the band, instrument compared to other Warwick
Great Danes, TC Electronic. Their new we ask? “We’re not simply replicating models, with a more solid feel than, say,
BQ250 and BQ500 bass amps head up a what they did — that would be pointless, a Thumb bass. I’ve also been chatting to
new, BQ-branded head line designed to as they as a band cannot be surpassed,” a consultant at Gibson, so I might play an
be lightweight and affordable while still says Malcolm, accurately. “So we take the EB-3 for some of the show — we’ll see! The
packing serious power. Supplying 250 spirit of their improvisatory approach and purists out there might prefer that, and
($199) and 500 ($249) watts respectively, create something which we feel honors there is such a strong association with my
the units feature a MOSFET preamp, a and respects the music, and this is certainly Dad playing Gibson during his tenure with
custom four-band EQ and a built-in Thrust guided by our collective heritage and Cream that it makes sense. I’ve been using
compressor circuit. Plus a headphone out, intimacy with the originators. It’s all in the a Hartke rig on the road for years now and
Aux in and a balanced DI. moment, so we’re looking forward to taking love their amps. Big thanks to Larry Hartke,
Meanwhile, Boom Bass Cabinets out of that journey with the fans.” who has always been very supportive.”
Virginia, Minnesota have launched the He adds: “It’s a strange situation when The Music Of Cream will be touring the USA until
1x15 BBC Matrix cab, as an alternative to you are the child of an iconic musician 17 November, and the UK from 23 to 26 November.
a larger stack. It comes with two Faital 10” — a blessing and a curse. There can be a Info: www.musicofcream.com
woofers, a Faital 15” woofer and a tweeter
capable of handling 300 watts, plus BBC’s
tilt back front baffle, retractable handle
and recessed corner castors. It’s not light,
weighing in at 56 pounds or 25 kilos, but
it handles up to 2200 watts so it’s built for
BROOKSY ON BASS
Mike Brooks brings us essential advice for bassists: Always be prepared!
seriously heavy duty applications. Wear a If something can go wrong, the chances are that it will — so always be prepared
back brace, or give your roadie a pay rise! for the unexpected to happen. Your equipment and instruments all have the
www.tcelectronic.com ability to trip you up, so I always take two basses with me to every gig. But
www.boombasscabinets.com what if two basses aren’t enough? I was at a pub covers gig, full of people enjoying the show.
Suddenly, the G-string on my bass snagged on a sharp edge on the string saddle and broke. Not
a problem; I simply grabbed my backup. Thirty seconds later, the battery powering the active
circuit of the second bass died, and the bass didn’t have a switchable passive option so I had to
return to the three-stringed bass. Not the end of the world, but very annoying...
Hot Tip! After you experience an instrument failure early in your playing career, that
sinking feeling never leaves you. Taking a second bass should be the norm.
008
BOOKED IN
The prolific American
writer Greg Prato has
announced a new book,
The 100 Greatest Rock
Bassists, and we asked
him to talk us through
it. “While there are a
handful of bassists that even casual
rock listeners could probably list as the
cream of the crop, there are a whole lot of
other talented players that brought their
own unique spin on the instrument but
may not be on the tip of many people’s
tongues. This led to a realization by
yours truly — who would the top 100
rock bassists of all time be, based on a
combination of how original their playing
was, their contribution to the instrument,
and their influence on other players?” To
add to the excitement, he performed 10
exclusive interviews with some of rock’s
top bassists.
In other book news, the UK’s renowned
Rockschool are publishing new Bass
Grade books. The series includes songs
of every genre and from a wide range
of classic and contemporary artists. The
arrangements have been written and
performed by top session musicians and
recorded at Peter Gabriel’s Real World
recording studios. Dire Straits’ bass
player John Illsley is featured on ‘Money
for Nothing’ (Bass Grade 3) and Peter
Gabriel’s guitarist David Rhodes performs
on ‘Sledgehammer’ (Bass Grade 6).
Info: https://bit.ly/2P3BRX5, www.rslawards.com
BASSWATCH
Every month, keen bass-
spotter Ray Walker brings us
an online bargain
Neuser Courage 5 $1,300
https://ebay.to/2v1nevR
009
the
Woodshed
The long and the short of scale, discussed in depth by top US luthier Rob Elrick
S
ince the advent of the electric Tensions for the same gauge string will thanks to the extreme mass of their bass
bass guitar, instrument scale has often vary from one brand to another, but strings, which help to produce the lowest
distinguished some brands and dictated this comparison shows the progressive nature fundamental frequencies. Without getting
the primary characteristics of others. of tension related to scale. It’s easy to see how too bogged down in the physics of acoustics,
Long, short, medium, and multi-scale, lengthening scale can help compensate for the fundamental is the lowest frequency of a
manufacturers have implemented them all in a ‘floppy’ B-string, as well as how that same harmonic series. The ear identifies this wave
an effort to present instruments with unique string achieves pitch at a much lower tension form as the pitch or note because the lowest
playability and performance characteristics. on shorter scales. perceived partial of a frequency happens to
But how does length of scale influence the The violin family is an excellent example be its loudest. Extending the scale of a bass
performance of a bass guitar? for visualizing the influence of scale. From guitar exploits the same physics that is at
The first extended-range basses were the violin and viola to the cello and bass play in a piano.
accurately described by Anthony Jackson as violin, the lower the frequency range of It should be easy to see how important it is
contrabass guitars. As they began populating a the instrument, the larger its size and to use strings that are manufactured to fit the
the market, pursuit of the best B-string became scale. While the size of the instrument does specific scale of an instrument. Today many
a paramount objective. To complement the correlate to its need for a larger soundbox standard string sets are manufactured in
extended range of five- and six-string bass to amplify the frequencies it produces (the lengths that interchangeably accommodate
guitars, along came extended scale. Most 34” and 35” scales. 36” scale instruments
were 35” scale, fewer 36”, some even offered
fractional scales such as 34.5”. Since the
tension of a string increases when its length is
“pursuit of the best typically require extra-long sets to ensure the
wraps on the bass strings don’t articulate or
taper short of the nut. Medium- and short-
extended, lengthening scale was a logical step
to accommodate the addition of a low B-string.
B-string became a scale sets are required for 32” and 30” scale
basses for the opposite reason, to ensure that
Conversely, shorter scale bass guitars,
which have recently enjoyed a resurgence paramount objective” the fully wrapped segments of their strings
are not too long. Selecting the right strings
in popularity, suffer the opposite problem. for your bass is the key to unlocking your
Too often players jump to the conclusion instrument’s hidden potential.
that shorter scale instruments require a lower the frequency, the longer their waves),
lighter gauge string set. The presumption that their scales are also related to the strings www.elrick.com
shorter scale equals a smaller gauge is false. required to produce those frequencies.
To achieve the best feel, performance, and Another way to think about the effects
tone, selecting the appropriate gauge string of scale is to consider a piano, the frame
for a short-scale bass is as important as it is of which mimics the physical shape of a
for a long- or extra-long-scale instrument. harp in order to accommodate a variety
Mass is a feature of a string’s engineering of string lengths. The lowest frequency
that contributes to its ability to reach pitch at range utilizes strings that are the longest
a determined tension. As scale changes, the and largest in diameter, while the highest
gauge of a string must change in proportion frequency strings are much shorter and
to its length to maintain a consistent tension. of a smaller gauge. Since it’s necessary to
For example, tuned to the same pitch, the same have a string with higher mass to reproduce
gauge string will reach pitch at a lower tension lower frequencies at a playable tension, this
on shorter scale, its tension rising progressively arrangement makes it possible to use strings
as the scale length increases. To illustrate this, that are optimal for producing notes of each
we have measured the tension of an Elrick desired frequency.
stainless steel .105” string: As with the bass violin, the bigger the
piano, the ‘bigger’ its sound. Even among
• 32” 32.3 lbs grand pianos there are a variety of sizes, with
• 33” 33.5 lbs the largest concert grand pianos delivering
• 34” 36.2 lbs the most dynamic performance
• 35” 38.9 lbs in their lowest range. This is
010
November 1971, before Hunky Dory’s release. and features a fine performance on piano
‘Moonage Daydream’ was written by Bowie in by Mick Ronson, a man of many talents and
early 1971 and released as a single in May that the perfect foil for Bowie at this time in his
year by the band Arnold Corns, a short-lived career. ‘Star’ combines several different feels,
Bowie spinoff project, before being revisited rhythms and tempos while ‘Hang On To
for this album. Both Woodmansey and Bolder Yourself’ has an almost punky feel, certainly
cite the track as their favorite on the album, from the bass performance.
as did producer Ken Scott. Bolder’s signature ‘Ziggy Stardust’ itself needs no
ascending and descending grace notes shift introduction. It’s one of Bowie’s signature
between each root note in the verses – and compositions, resplendent with a fine bass
his descending bass-line, in unison with performance from Bolder. It’s played with a
Bowie’s descending backing vocal, creates a pick, with slid notes and constantly moving,
memorable earworm. sometimes tasteful venturing into the upper
The lead single, ‘Starman’ was the last register for good measure. Before the album
Ziggy played guitar, notes Mike song written for the album. It climbed the
charts slowly, but after it was performed
ends on ‘Rock’n’Roll Suicide’, the band rock out
to ‘Suffragette City’, initially only the B-side
Brooks in tribute to a Bowie classic on Top Of The Pops in July 1972 it took off,
taking the album with it. Now everyone
to ‘Starman’, but issued in 1976 to promote the
Changesonebowie compilation.
knew who Bowie and his Ziggy creation It’s easy to wax lyrical about David Bowie
lthough it wasn’t the were, including the more traditional TV and his musical output, despite some of his
A
biggest-selling album of viewers of the day, some of whom were misfires. Still, Ziggy Stardust is a golden nugget
the late David Bowie’s appalled by Bowie’s affectionate embrace of among his catalog, and Bolder’s performance
career, The Rise And Fall Ronson. Such innocent times! reminds us that he was a highly influential
Of Ziggy Stardust And ‘Lady Stardust’ is believed to be about bassist. His later work with Uriah Heep adds
The Spiders From Mars Bowie’s fellow glam-rocker Marc Bolan, to his ongoing legacy. RIP.
is widely considered
the album that thrust him into the public’s
consciousness, broke him in America and
heralded the arrival of a new artistic force on
a global scale. Released in June 1972, Ziggy
Stardust reached number 5 in the UK and a
“Bowie adopted the Ziggy Stardust character and
lowly number 75 in the US, yet it has sold in
excess of 7.5 million copies. Its standing as one
in doing so created the ultimate concept album”
of the most significant rock albums of all time
is assured, sadly even more so since Bowie’s
passing in January 2016.
With his band, the Spiders From Mars
— Mick Ronson (guitar), Trevor Bolder (bass)
and Woody Woodmansey (drums) — Bowie
adopted the Ziggy Stardust character and in
doing so created the ultimate concept album.
That said, many of the songs on the LP were
recorded several months before any such ideas
were even suggested, shortly after Bowie’s
previous album Hunky Dory was finished.
Trevor Bolder, a phenomenally talented
and melodic bassist, could be seen with
Rickenbacker and Fender instruments at
the time — but for this album and its 1973
follow-up Aladdin Sane, he made the most of a
Gibson EB3 bass, either plugged direct or using
Marshall and Ampeg amplification. Judging
from the sound of the bass-lines, flatwound
strings were certainly the order of the day,
most likely courtesy of Rotosound.
The album opener ‘Five Years’ features a
picked bass-line that sits perfectly among the
drums and piano of the verses, with a low-mid
presence that fits the instrumentation of the
track. The song never breaks away from its
mid-tempo rhythm, and Bolder’s performance
reinforces its simplicity, sitting perfectly with
Woodmansey’s bass drum.
‘Soul Love’ features a constantly moving
bass part. Even when playing in the upper
register, Bolder’s bass tone is full, consistent
and smooth. The track was recorded in
012
Gear month
In which three renowned gear
experts nominate their bass, amp,
of the
and effects unit of the month.
Whether new or old, cheap or
expensive, simple or complex, this
gear has earned its place in our
affections through simply being
brilliant...
Bass
L
aunched in 1969 and produced until 1971, the Gibson Les Paul Bass featured low-impedance passive circuitry designed specifically for studio
recording, a mahogany body and a three-piece mahogany set-neck construction. With a 30.5” scale length and 24 frets, this was a bass built for
speed and comfort. The control set featured a phase switch, a three-position tone selector, a pair of volume controls and a master tone control.
Due to a lack of popularity, the bass was withdrawn and redesigned into the popular, and now collectable, Triumph bass. This was superseded
in the mid-70s by the long scale, chambered body and double cutaway Signature model. Reintroduced in the mid-90s and again in the Noughties,
the bass now features a carved top, twin volume and tone controls and a
three-way pickup selector. Doted on by rock and metal players, it offers
a different tone to the ever-popular Thunderbird, and instrument
weights can vary — so try before you buy. As the bass is naturally
raucous and throaty, fingerstyle playing sounds rounded and full,
while pick playing has plenty of punch and attack. Active models do
exist, but with so many variations of the Les Paul out there, do your
research before you start looking.
Mike Brooks
Amp
L
et’s assume for a moment that you want a practice amp — one that you can carry in your gig bag.
You don’t need anything as big as an 8” speaker, and five watts is way too much power for your
needs. Crazy? Not at all. You could just use a headphone amp or even a battery-powered preamp
pedal with a headphone output. But if like me, you like to hear your bass through an actual
speaker rather than your mobile phone’s earbuds, there’s a solution — the Blackstar Bass Fly bass amp.
Despite its microscopic dimensions it’s remarkably well equipped, with a dual clean/gain input, aux
in, EQ, line out for recording and a master volume. There’s even an adjustable compressor and a clever
sub function that adds low end harmonics to the signal, giving at least the impression of a slightly
extended low end. Of course, there’s only so much clean volume a three-watt amp with a 3” speaker
can deliver — and that’s really not very much! But at low levels, the little Bass Fly works brilliantly. I
take one on tour with me; for pre-gig warm-ups it’s perfect, and well worth the $75 ticket price.
Kev Sanders
FX Unit
T
he family tree of distortion pedals looks a whole lot like a wall chart of where dinosaurs came from: A massively diverse, beautiful range of
sounds and approaches to messing up your bass signal, all stemming from a fairly small number of ancestors, modified through a process of
adaptation and natural selection. One of the towering forefathers of the distortion world is the Pro Co Rat. It’s been emulated and copied in so
many ways, and the originals can change hands for silly money. The circuitry and sound have inspired any number of newer models, adding
their own spin on this classic blend of overdrive and distortion, and one of our favorites is the Fuzzrocious Cat Tail.
Taking the circuitry of the Rat as a start point, Fuzzrocious have done what they always do, modifying the basic
“The Cat Tail offers a huge range of overdriven sounds, from subtle break-up to ripped-speaker madness
but it also comes with a couple of mods that make it particularly great for bass”
design for versatility and ruggedness. The Cat Tail offers a huge range of overdriven sounds, from subtle break-up to ripped-
speaker madness, but it also comes with a couple of mods that make it particularly great for bass. The tone filter control
allows you to dial in a particular mid response without losing any low end, and having separate control over how the low
and high frequencies clip is a big help in keep the low end manageable. The range of tones is huge and inspiring. You can
buy it for its great emulation of the Rat sound we associate with players like Krist Novoselic and Justin Chancellor, or use it
to explore other dirty sounds and possible ways to annoy your guitar player. Always a good thing!
Steve Lawson
014
THE LOWDOWN Bass Fitness
POWER BASS
Tension in the traps, relieved by physio 800-545-8813
www.basscentral.com • [email protected]
and bassist Ben Whybrow From Alembic to Zon
And Everything In Between!
• Let the arm on the side you want to stretch hang down
• Using your other arm, gently pull your head towards your
opposite shoulder and look at the opposite leg
• Hold this position for no longer than 30 seconds
While it’s important for your traps to be flexible, it’s even more crucial
that they are strong. The following exercises are ways to strengthen
the upper and mid traps:
Two to three times per week, around five sets of eight to 12 repetitions
should help keep your upper and mid traps strong. Increase the weight
as it gets easier. This, plus regularly changing of your playing position,
maintaining neck mobility, getting good-quality sleep and controlling
stress, can help reduce the risk and frequency of trap tightness and pain.
Bear in mind that not every shoulder pain comes from your traps. If
it seems to be related to neck movement rather than shoulder use, or if
you get additional pain or other sensations down the arm, the issue is
more likely to be neck- and nerve-related, which is its own topic that
we will cover in the detail it deserves another time.
If you have persistent upper shoulder girdle pain that is not
improving after a few weeks, seek medical advice.
www.thejudophysio.com
@BWhybrowPhysio
Star Bass
Each month we celebrate the great — and rather less great! — work of an acclaimed bass player.
This month: Lee Sklar
Words: Joe Shooman Image: Getty
eland Bruce Sklar is instantly recognizable — a true benefited from his presence. Sklar also has plenty of TV and movies
L
wizard of the bass guitar — and you’ve heard him under his belt, including the soundtracks to Legally Blonde, Coyote
more often than you think. Over his five-decade Ugly, and The Postman. His famous Frankenstein bass has been used
career, which kicked off with his first major gig on most of his recordings since around 1973; it comprises a Fender
with James Taylor, he’s performed on at least 2,500 Precision body, a Jazz neck with mandolin-wire frets, two sets of
albums by artists ranging from the Bee Gees to P-Bass pickups, and first-generation EMG pickups. Add to that a Badass
Mike Oldfield, Sarah Brightman, to Glen Campbell, II bridge and Bass Xtender tuning keys — a prototype set, no less —
Cliff Richard and Bonnie Raitt. The list goes on; Neils Diamond and and you’ve got an instrument as unique as the player, who has also
Sedaka, the Doors, Donovan, Faith Hill, and Ricky Martin have also included signature Dingwall and Warwick basses among his arsenal.
016
star Bass
Must-Have Album Worthy Contender
Billy Cobham Phil Collins
Spectrum (1973) But Seriously (1989)
S I
pectrum, recorded when Sklar was just 25, is an astonishing t’s all about ‘Another Day In Paradise’ here; Sklar’s fretless-
jazz-fusion album that has lasted the decades. The virtuosity sounding legato phrasing on a fretted instrument shows the
of drummer Cobham is beautifully backed by Sklar and advantage of those unique mandolin frets and a high action.
future Deep Purple guitarist Tommy Bolin on four tracks. The sound is full, with swift higher-register fills in the post-chorus.
‘Quadrant 4’ is the sort of walking jazz bass that you’ll hear Amp-wise, his choice of Euphonic Audio iAmp800 combo, with
accompanying psychedelic Pink Panther car chases; the genius TubeWorks DI, is a studio favorite, keeping things simple with a
of a held-back, syncopated sixteenth at the outset of ‘Taurian Boss OC2 Octave Divider his main FX unit. The sustained root note
Matador’ throws it beautifully off-kilter in an insanely speedy work on ‘That’s Just The Way It Is’ and ‘Colors’ provides an object
run-heavy line. And then there’s ‘Stratus,’ a song that has lesson in stepping aside and letting the song develop, vital to the epic
lasted so well that his part was sampled by Massive Attack for material the erstwhile Genesis drummer croons about on top. As
‘Safe From Harm’ and appeared in Grand Theft Auto I V. Nine ‘Colours’ kicks in, Sklar provides a busy groove, working with and
minutes of busy, pulsating, anchoring bass has never sounded between the simple drum pattern to suitably kinetic effect. Earnest
so fine. Sklar’s fourth contribution is on the soulful ‘Red Baron,’ the album might be, but there’s a reason it sold so many units: Well-
a dramatic and delicious confection with some superior jams constructed songs, delivered by a superb set of musicians. Nathan
between guitar and bass, as well as some extraordinarily fast fills East and Pino Palladino appear on two tracks each, and other guests
up and down the blues scales. include David Crosby, Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood.
017
the lowdown
No Treble and Basschat
I
f you’re in a gigging band that
sets up and breaks down for itself,
how do you go about it? Basschat
members who are in bar and function
bands, without the luxury of roadies,
have been comparing notes on the forum,
looking for the best solution in terms of
No Treble’s Kevin Johnson reports on speed, functionality and efficiency.
Bands usually have to tackle an obstacle
tributes to the greats course, starting with narrow doorways and/
or steep staircases, while carrying heavy loads and dodging punters.
N
o Treble focused on articles about legends this month, starting Things don’t improve much when we reach the stage — often just a
with a clip of Marcus Miller and Snarky Puppy bassist Michael small, table-free area in a corner. We need to contend with all this,
League giving a talk at the North Sea Jazz Festival. Asked how keep to scheduled start times and avoid mishaps. Who carries what?
to develop a groove, League, although a funky fellow, wisely Who sets up what? In what order? We found that, where each band
deferred to Miller, who humbly offered a bit of advice. member only deals with their own equipment, bassists are often in
‘I have no idea how you do it, but whatever you do, you have to charge of installing the PA desk and speakers and plugging in cables,
commit to it,’ the jazz master shared. From there he let his bass do in addition to setting up their own rig. Surprised?
the talking, laying down a simple groove and talking the crowd Not really! However, maximum efficiency is achieved if the band
through his thought process. League jumped in and they laid on the works as a team, where each individual has clearly assigned tasks
same groove for four minutes, trading fills at the end of each four-bar and follows a tried-and-tested sequence. Before anything happens
section. As always with Miller’s demonstrations, it’s a real masterclass. on stage, a designated person checks out the position of the power
Next we shared a snippet from WWE and rock star Chris Jericho’s sockets, plugs in extension leads as needed, and runs the leads and
Talk Is Jericho podcast with bassist Ron McGovney, the original bassist cables from the PA desk to the approximate position of the backline
in Metallica. The episode had a good chunk on how Cliff Burton components. Most of us think that the latter, though, should stay off
came to the band. McGovney was at a concert in San Francisco with stage for the moment.
guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich when they first Meanwhile, the drummer assembles their kit, preferably off stage,
saw Burton play. “All of a sudden Cliff starts going into this solo. in preparation for the inevitable squabble about its exact on-stage
And they’re just looking at him and their eyes are wide open,” he placement, and that of the PA speakers. We bassists always seem to
explained. “I kind of knew right at that point: This is the guy that get squeezed into a few square inches of space between the PA and
they’re gonna go after. I can feel it’.’ the cymbals, which are the single biggest cause of trouble (not to
Tension with guitarist Dave Mustaine led McGovney to leave the mention deafness) for us. Meanwhile the guitarist somehow ends up
band and let Burton jump in, but it wasn’t the end of the world for with plenty of space on their side. Hmm…
him — he was more interested in being a motorcycle mechanic than It’s finally time for the backline components to go on stage,
in playing thrash metal. Burton always respected of McGovney’s time unless the band is in the habit of dumping them into place at arrival
in the band, giving him a backstage pass to a concert at the Palladium instead, possibly in order to persuade the drummer to position their
in 1984. All’s well that ends well. kit wisely. It really doesn’t matter, anyway, as the kit will always
Finally, Jeff Berlin spoke about the late, great Jaco Pastorius. He have to be shifted a few inches in a random direction, usually
was inspired after noodling between takes and hitting a chord with five minutes before the start — it’s the law. Then, out come the
harmonics reminiscent of Jaco’s style. ‘I come from an era, and Jaco microphones and pedalboards, which have to be put in place as late
was of an era, where we used our ears to tune our basses. In doing so, as possible, or risk being repeatedly knocked over or stomped on.
Jaco discovered that the harmonic notes we used to tune were actual Not all Basschatters carry their own stage lights, but those who do
musical pitches,’ Berlin said. ‘By figuring out the different harmonics on usually put them in place last, unless they have large stands, in which
the bass neck, he would create chords and put them into compositions.’ case they are best dealt with alongside the PA speakers, or even before
Although it took the bass world by storm, Berlin rarely uses the everything else. Oh damn! We were first meant to install the banners
technique in his playing. ‘I felt it would be harmful to me as a musician and logos on the walls behind the band, right? Most of us own up to
to enter into that area. That’s the genius of this guy — he was so periodically forgetting about them until the end of the setup, and then
original and so brilliant that for the most part I won’t play harmonics.’ having to clamber over cables, drumkit and backline to get them in
Until next time, be yourself! place. Don’t be afraid to join the club if you’ve done that too.
www.notreble.com www.basschat.co.uk
018
THE LOWDOWN Rockschool
Rockschool
Let’s walk through a minor blues, says the great Joe Hubbard
T
he moment arrives when you are suddenly equipped with chord Notice that I haven’t started the downbeat of every bar on the
knowledge, scales, arpeggios, upper extensions, and chromatic root of the chord. Moving the emphasis away from the root like
approach notes. All your hard work has paid off in the form of an this is a simple way to change the focus of the counter-melody,
arsenal of theories and techniques — but how, you might ask, can without making a radical departure from the notes in the chord
we take all this information and start to apply it to music? you’re playing over. Learn to play this as one constant musical
The answer lies in thinking about your options, and to flow, and listen to the way that the bass-line perfectly outlines the
understand the options that are available to us it’s a good idea chords. Also take note of the harmonic clarity this line provides
to understand melodic variations. Bass-lines provide a counter- when played over the minor blues. Make sure to write down all the
melody to whatever song you’re playing over. To illustrate this, different melodic permutations that are in this étude.
in this lesson we’re going to be applying melodic variations to a In the next lesson we’re going to reverse-engineer this bass-line
minor blues. I’ve written a walking bass-line over a C minor blues, so that you’ll be able to build your own ideas about creating lines
using variations of the melodic phrase ‘root, 2, 3, 5’ against each in this way. Our ultimate goal is to be able to improvise with this
of the chords in the progression. Your homework is to learn this kind of material. As I said, the secret lies in options — and working
line and analyze all the different variations of this melodic phrase. through this process will help you to understand just how many
By thinking about how the phrase is varied, you can gain an options there are. Until next time, practice smart, work hard, and
understanding of the paths available to you when you play. play creatively!
“the secret lies in options — and working through this process will help
you to understand just how many options there are”
example 1
019
“Whether it’s land,
power, money, religion,
we human beings can
sometimes get caught up
in that stuff”
Getty
020
bassists
Stanley Clarke
Messenger Man The mighty Stanley Clarke returns with a new album, The Message, loaded with bass to
die for and a theme that applies to us all. Listen up!
Interview: Joel McIver
here are good bassists, next to a beatboxed salute to the friends who peg. When you pull it, it’s a little looser, and
T
there are great bassists Clarke has lost in recent years, his frequent the sound is a little different. It’s a very cool
— and there’s Stanley collaborator George Duke among them? Let’s bass. Fender is considering the model name
Clarke, veteran of close hear what our man Stan has to say… right now, but we would like the world
to half a century as Strato in there somewhere.
bass player, composer, Congratulations on the new album, Stanley.
bandleader, band- Thanks! The kids did a great job and played What was the philosophy behind the
member and all-round guru to our low- well. It just came together — it’s actually a design?
frequency community and far beyond. Now European record in many ways, because we What I wanted to make clear with Fender
aged 67 and as focused as ever, the four- wrote it and recorded it over there. is that it isn’t a replacement bass; most guys
time-Grammy-winning pioneer is talking to that make basses say ‘Okay, you can take
us today about his new album, The Message, What’s that bass you’re holding on the this bass and get rid of your Warwick or
written and recorded in France and Belgium cover? your Fender or whatever’. This is an actual
with a young band of incredible talent. That’s a sneak preview of a bass that Fender addition, much like a guitar player has a
As with pretty much everything Clarke is going to release. I’ve been playing Alembic Strat and maybe a Les Paul and this and that.
has released since he first came to the all my life, but I’ve also been building With this bass you can play bass-lines and
public’s attention in the early Seventies, basses with a friend of mine in New York it sounds great, or you can really play solos
his new album isn’t just another collection with it.
021
That’s one of the things I love about your
new album. Whether we’re talking about
tone, sustain or note choices, there are tons of
different kinds of bass on there.
Yeah, yeah! It’s fun for me because the
universe has really expanded and exploded
since the days of the original guys who go all
the way back, like James Jamerson, up through
Jaco Pastorius and myself. I wish Jaco was still
around to check it out, he’d probably really
enjoy it. All the older guys too; Jeff Berlin,
Anthony Jackson, Chuck Rainey, and then
you’ve got the younger guys like Marcus Miller
and Victor Wooten — the turbo bass player!
A lot of young players appreciate the Did you use amps in the studio, or go straight to and DR strings, and for acoustic bass I go with
importance of that global approach to bass, the desk? Thomastik, out of Austria.
judging from the bassists we interview. It varies, but on this album I decided it was
You know, there really isn’t a book or a bible best just to go straight in. The song ‘The Are you still using amps for live shows?
that codifies all the various techniques that Message’ has a lot of sustain on it because it’s Yes, I use Ampeg. One of the great things
we do. It would be nice if a kid who was 13 really just solo bass with some synthesizers about that company is that they’re
or 14 years old could pick up a book that has thrown in. For years I’ve been using Fairchild everywhere. We play a lot of small venues
everything — how you slap, how you play limiters, and when I worked with [famed with backline, and everybody has Ampeg. I
chords, how you play ‘Giant Steps,’ how you play Beatles/Bowie producer] Ken Scott on my first like their cabs because they have a warmer,
in a country and western band... just everything three solo records, I used the old Fairchilds fatter sound, and the Alembic bass likes that.
together. That would be really something. going in and coming out. It’s a limiter that
can handle the dynamic range of the electric What else is in the chain?
Let’s talk gear. Has your signature Alembic bass bass, and for some reason, with that limiter I’ve been using EBS pedals for a long time, and
changed much over the years? you don’t hear the dramatic effects that I love them. I think they’re the best. They can
The only thing that the Alembic people did for you hear with some others. Even the plugin fall, or you can step on them; they’re really
me was put a boost there. The bass is pretty version of the Fairchild limiter sounds good, roadworthy and they sound great. These
much standard, but there’s a little switch that so that’s what we used. At the Village, the guys are a real class A company, they’ve been
they put in, real close to the five-pin input. studio I used for the mix, they had some old taking care of me for years. Their Microbass is
It gives it a quick boost of 5dB, I think. Other Fairchild limiters in there. They were pretty the best thing for acoustic bass; it’s the secret
than that, it’s pretty simple. clean, too. For electric bass I use Rotosound of my live acoustic bass sound. It handles
022
bassists Stanley Clarke
everything — it’s an EQ, a direct box, a use musicians who read traditional notation, small town all his life. There’s at least 50
preamp. There’s nothing you can’t do with it. as well as musicians who don’t read at all. skirmishes or battles going on all over the
The brilliance depends on the person I’m world; it’s amazing how much violence there
Do you have a lot of bass gear? dealing with. is. Whether it’s land, power, money, religion,
I have bass gear in a storage place, for sure, we human beings can sometimes get caught
but I got rid of a lot of the electric basses; at How did you assemble the songs for the new up in that stuff and forget who we really are.
one point I had over 100 of them. I thought album? Music reminds us who we are. Take three or
‘Why do I need all these? They’re just Usually I’ll just make a demo of the song, with four guys from different demographics, and if
collecting dust’ so I gave some to friends of all the parts, and hand it over to everyone, they’re all fans of Metallica, say, and they go
mine, and got rid of others, and I’m planning or maybe there’ll be a chart and I’ll give that to a Metallica concert and they’ve all got their
to get rid of even more. I also have many, to them. This time, it was really interesting; fists raised in the air, at that moment there’s
many amplification systems, and I don’t know it was the first album I’d been involved with brotherhood between those people. That’s
what to do with that stuff. Warwick sent for a long time, that had my name on the one of the beautiful things about music, and
all these cabinets over, and I was so happy, cover, where I really got into working with it’s a form of love.
because I loved them — but you know what, I the guys. We were in Paris for a week and
travel a lot, so the only chance I ever have to everybody wrote music and recorded it in In what way?
use them is when I’m in Los Angeles. Logic. Later we went over to Brussels in I like the definition of love as degrees of
Belgium and recorded in a studio, so it came affinity, where people get closer. It’s just
You’re extremely prolific. Does songwriting together without a lot of music being written people being together in brotherhood. So
inspiration just flow into you, or is it a craft down on paper. if someone listens to a song on my album
that you work on? and feels a little peace in their heart for that
Well, actually both answers are true. It does So what is the message of The Message? moment, and a little humanity in their world,
flow, and I do have to put it down. Some The message is one that people have been then my job is done. It’ll take a long, long time
guys, like Chick Corea for example, have the trying to disseminate since the beginning to get the job done, but someone might as
ability to write music down on the page as it’s of time. It’s real simple; just a message of well start it!
flowing. For me, there’s a little gap there. Not love. As musicians, we have the luxury
much, but the process of getting it down is a of globetrotting and seeing the planet as The Stanley Clarke Band’s album The Message is out now on Mack
little slower for me. The good thing is that I smaller than a guy would who’s lived in a Avenue. Info: www.stanleyclarke.com.
023
Fretboard Peace and Harmony
Chris Jisi breaks down Stanley Clarke’s chordal composition, ‘The Message’
G
iven the current charged political climate about warm feelings between two people — third; the wide, third-root-fifth voicings in the
and the fact that much of The Message that high affinity, which is love.” first ending (Bb and Bbm); the dense, almost
was written in Paris on a tour delay due Example 1 contains the A- and B-section dissonant fifth-root-#11 shape of the B7#11
to terrorism in Tunisia, Stanley Clarke melodies of the track (Clarke plays the chord in the second ending; the broad A7#9
reports that the record naturally swung repeated A section melody slightly differently, in measure 7 and G13 in bar 9, supported,
towards a message of peace and love. Perhaps not shown here). He uses some interesting respectively, by an open A and a tapped G on
no song crystalizes that as well as the title open chord voicings throughout, enabling the A string; and the final F6/9 chord, utilizing
track, Clarke’s heartfelt chordal ballad, played the listener to imagine what the piece would harmonics for the third, sixth, and ninth.
fingerstyle on his Alembic tenor bass, strung sound like if orchestrated for a symphony. Practice the piece rubato and freely, as Clarke
A-D-G-C, low to high. He says, “I wanted to These include the F-G-E voicing for the played it, and take notice of the direction of
create a solo piece that was beautiful and Fmaj7(add 2) in the first measure; the Bbmaj7 his arpeggios and strums — sometimes low to
loving, not just in the romantic sense, but in bar 3, which employs a D harmonic for the high, sometimes high to low.
Example 1
024
Getty images
bassists
Tracy Wormworth, B-52s
B NotesI
B-52s bassist Tracy Wormworth has built a unique career. Joel McIver salutes her
f you ever get the chance
to sit down and talk bass
with Tracy Wormworth,
I suggest you take it. She
is hilarious, recounting
events from her amazing
What bass gear are you using?
I endorse Aguilar, so I’m using their DB 751
head with my Eden 4x10 SLT cabinets. I take
two basses on the road with me: A 1991 four-
string Sadowsky, who I also endorse, and an
old Japanese Fender Jazz that sounds great but
a bunch. I started on Fender but then went
immediately to Sadowsky and pretty much
stayed there, so I have a five-string Sadowsky,
and a five-string fretless Paul Reed Smith, which
Sting gave me. It was one of his rejects. It was
pretty cool when he did it, and then I realized
career with amused weighs a ton — tough when you have a two- that he just didn’t want it. I was in the right
disbelief and dropping names like there’s no hour gig. I mainly play the Sadowsky because place at the right time, ha ha!
tomorrow. Behind the wit and humor, of course, it’s a lot lighter. It has a great tone which I love,
there is a musician of world-class calibre, as and it’s really simple to EQ everything. One of Are you equally happy with four and five
demonstrated by her resume alongside a long strings?
027
Getty images
bassists
Tracy Wormworth, B-52s
Kate Pierson of the B-52s getting ready to sing as Tracy lays down the groove.
Tracy has been touring with the band on and off since 1990
is-more type of players, and if there’s too much I came up in the fusion era, and there were so sense. I got the chance to be around a lot of great
going on, I don’t want to add to the cacophony, many amazing bass players in New York at that musicians. That helped me a lot in my formative
so to speak. The other challenge is that we time. I saw Jaco Pastorius many times. I love all years. When I started playing, I had no idea
play really hard and loud on this gig. It calls for the famous Latin bass players too, like Bobby how much I sucked, and I didn’t care, ha ha! I
that kind of energy, because all the tunes are Valentin and Bobby Rodriguez who used to had no fear and I had no shame. I wish that was
breakneck speed and it’s party party party! play with Tito Puente. The Cuban bass players something you could retain.
were killing it too, it was ridiculous. Israel
You’re from a musical family — your father ‘Cachao’ Lopez was amazing too How did you get started on bass?
Jimmy Wormworth is a renowned jazz Nowadays people get into bass from When I was a teenager I was dating a guy who
drummer, and your brother James plays in the watching YouTube, so I was really lucky in that was a bass player, and he gave me my first bass,
Conan O’Brien band. Which music influenced a Fender Precision which I still have. I became
028
bassists
Tracy Wormworth, B-52s
which I didn’t play on because their bassist at to beat’ and I was like ‘Get the hell out of here!’
the time was Dave Hofstra. He wanted to play It was really crazy. After that I played with
experimental jazz, so I became their touring bass Wayne Shorter on two tours in the USA, once
player. It was tough driving around in a van with as a quartet and then as a big band. The second
all the equipment in the back, but it was a great tour was for the High Life album, where the
experience because the music was so fun, and I music was completely otherworldly; I still don’t
couldn’t believe I was getting paid to play bass! understand it because it was so far over my
head. But Wayne is one of my musical gods.
What happened after that? Then I played a lot with Joan Osborne, and
After the Waitresses I played with the R&B then I joined The Rosie O’Donnell Show on NBC.
singer Phyllis Hyman for three or four years, They wanted a bassist who could do upright
and after that I was dating Kenny Kirkland, bass as well as electric, and I told them I’d do
who was Sting’s keyboard player. One time, he it even though I didn’t play upright. Ha ha! I
was recording with Sting in Montserrat and I borrowed an upright, went to the audition and
went down and hung out. Sting asked Kenny luckily they just wanted me to groove on an
‘Can she play?’ and Kenny was like, ‘Yes, she electric. And that’s how I got the gig! And I did
can play!’ So I joined the band, which was a have to play upright once, but fortunately the
larger-than-life experience for me, going from song was in A so it was basically all open strings.
travelling around in a van to flying around in a No bowing. I was so thankful. I really dodged a
private jet and arenas. We toured the world for bullet there. I was on that show for six years.
about 14 months, from late 1987 through ’88.
029
Getty images
Jim Lea (left) in full flow alongside Slade frontman Noddy Holder
030
bassists
Jim Lea, Slade
Lucky Jim As the great Jim Lea of Slade returns to the fray with
a new EP, BP secures a rare interview to talk about his
memories of a career as a Brit-rock legend
Interview: Dave Ling
P
you could be forgiven for In Space. With Lea once again performing
failing to recognize Jim all of the instruments, its contents were
Lea, and that’s just the way written before the cancer battle but recorded
he likes it. As the principal afterwards, save for his voice. “I can’t sing
songwriter of Slade, the now, due to the treatment which removes
bassist, violinist, and your testosterone and leaves you permanently
multi-musician was a driving force behind one exhausted,” Jim reveals. “Luckily I had some
of the most successful rock bands of all time. decent vocal takes from years ago.”
Their record of 17 consecutive Top 20 hits and Save for its Electric Light Orchestra-esque
six Number Ones during the 1970s is unlikely title song, Lost In Space is a hard-rocking set
to be surpassed. However, while two members that tips its mirrored top hat back to those
of Slade would have sold their grandmothers
031
bassists
Jim Lea, Slade
032
gear
Basses | Stenback 5, Mike Lull DA5, Elrick Evolution 5, Atelier Z
M265, Serek Sacramento 4, Dunlop Super Bright Nickel 45/125 and
Dunlop flatwound 45/105 strings
Effects | MXR M87 bass comp, M288 bass octave DLX, M82 bass
envelope, M81 bass preamp, MXR IsoBrick
Amps | Jule Monique preamp/M2500, Trickfish 1K and TF112 cabs,
Aguilar DB751 and GS112 cabs
Soulful Conversations Veteran bassist Darryl Anders and his band AgapéSoul return
with a long-awaited second album, Conversations — and we talk the low-end talk...
Interview: Rod C. Taylor
ew people in the bass Guitar Hero and Rock Band games. On top of success of Believe in Love, it’s not surprising that
F
world have as many areas that, for many years he’s been the bass product Anders followed up with a sophomore project.
of influence as Bay Area manager of Dunlop Manufacturing, putting Six years have passed between the two
bassist Darryl Anders. His his vast experience to work in researching and albums, but once you listen to Conversations,
gigging history includes developing a host of amazing bass pedals as well you’ll see it’s been well worth the wait. It’s
work with an impressive as Dunlop’s immensely popular Super Bright already reached number one on the UK Soul
list of artists: Tower bass strings. As such, he’s widely known and charts and continues to accumulate accolades
Of Power, Charlie Peacock, Booker T. Jones, appreciated by players around the world. around the globe. Recently, we got Darryl on
Zigaboo Modeliste, Ledisi, Martin Luther, and Most players would consider that enough the phone to chat about the record, his plans for
Bonnie Hayes, to name just a few. That alone success, but Darryl Anders is not most people. AgapéSoul, and what he’s learned through the
sets him apart from many other players, but Back in 2012, he produced his first neo-soul process of writing and producing his own music.
that’s hardly the extent of his contribution. record, AgapéSoul: Believe in Love, which
The mid-2000s found Anders working with demonstrated his prowess not just as a player, How did your band AgapéSoul come about,
a group of guys who sought to bring music to but as a writer and producer. The album did Darryl?
a new generation via a video game that would well here and in Europe, and the AgapéSoul For a while my friends here in the Bay Area
become a worldwide sensation. That’s right, band played numerous shows in and around were trying to get me to record some of my
Anders laid down many of the bass tracks to the its home base in the Oakland area. Given the own music, and because I was working on the
034
bassistsDarryl Anders
“It’s one thing to be Gumbo.’ How did you go about getting that
growl, punch, and deepness all in one tone?
and producer, especially as it concerns this
record. I originally just asked him to provide the
035
036
bassists
Michael Rhodes, Joe Bonamassa
Open Rhodes
Blues maestro Joe Bonamassa returns with a new album, accompanied by the acclaimed
bassist Michael Rhodes. We meet Michael for the story of the blues
Interview: Ellen O’Reilly
ashville is a city synonymous with blues, country and own way of working. For instance, Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics is the
N
roots music, so it’s no wonder that session bass legend kind of guy who is very in the zone, and works through compositions in a
Michael Rhodes abides there. Having hopscotched very organic way, whereas Brian Wilson has much more specific ideas for
from Louisiana to Austin, Texas, Rhodes moved what he wants, so he tends to have everything worked out in advance.”
to Nashville in the early 1970s. There he built an As the sound of Redemption is predominantly heavy blues, I’m expecting
impressive musical resume, lending his services to some P-Bass action — and Rhodes doesn’t disappoint. In his arsenal of gear
studios throughout the city and playing for such artists he has an American Fender Precision ‘63 reissue, complete with D’Addario
as Dolly Parton, JJ Cale, the Dixie Chicks and Faith Hill. He’s currently flatwounds; a ‘59 custom P-Bass; an American Jazz pimped out with
holding down the low end for blues-rock icon Joe Bonamassa, a position he’s Seymour Duncan Thunderbird pickups and D’Addario roundwounds; and a
held since 2013’s Tour De Force: Live In London album. powerful 1964 Epiphone Embassy Deluxe. These basses are blasted through
“Joe is really great at blending hard rock and blues,” Rhodes enthuses. an Ashdown CTM 300 tube head and a pair of 8x10 Ashdown cabs.
“Every record, he just gets better. The fans will not be disappointed!” Rhodes uses minimal effects when touring with Joe, but he has a few
Bonamassa’s latest studio album, Redemption, is out in September and mainstays that he will be taking on the road. “I use a Dunlop volume pedal,
will be followed by an extensive European tour, including some highly- which is great for volume swells for certain tunes, and I also have a Dunlop
anticipated UK shows, before the band head back to tour the States. bass wah,” he explains. “I’ve got a Sadowsky preamp to even out the outputs
“He’s possibly the hardest-working guy in the world right now — he from the basses, as they’re all a little different, so it’s not about tone there,
never stops,” observes Rhodes, asked what life is like on the tourbus with it’s about volume. It just keeps it all even. I also have a Tech 21 Bass Boost
such a driven artist. “I spend about six months Chorus which I use to imitate a fretless bass
037
gear
Gear
Introduction
B
ehold our world-beating bass gear review We’re not beholden to advertisers in any way
section, where we bring you the crop of and our conclusions are entirely independent
each month’s new, interesting or otherwise of the views of manufacturers, musicians and
relevant bass guitars, bass amplifiers, bass distributors.
speakers and bass effects. Occasionally we’ll When you read about a bass-related product
review a guitar effect if it’s particularly useful for here, you know you’re getting a sensible, balanced
bassists, and we’ll test recording equipment and review from an experienced bass tester. Value for
general accessories every now and then as well, money is at the top of our agenda in these cash-
but generally speaking, this zone is for bass- strapped times, but on the other hand, we believe
specific gear. in paying for quality.
We take the ratings that we give each item very Right, that’s enough from me. Remember, this is
seriously. BP is the biggest print magazine devoted just about the only place that it’s good to
to bass in this country, and we have readers have GAS!*
from all over the world, so we’re responsible Joel McIver, editor
Ibanez Bass Workshop SRH500-DEF Anaconda Ultra J4E Elite De Gier Lowlander
$5000
52 $1330
56 $300
58
Y
ou may have noticed the number of semi- and electro-acoustic
basses on sale of late. Here at BP HQ, we’ve been relieved by these
modern instruments’ playability and modest dimensions; no
longer are they reliant on unwieldy, deep bodies for resonance and
delivery, as this new Ibanez illustrates. Equipped with an adjustable
piezo system, a chambered body and sleek, slimline dimensions, this
Bass Workshop-branded bass promises much. If acoustic basses have
seemed a little daunting in the past, have no fear — this bass could just
be the ticket if you want to join the unplugged brigade.
Build Quality
Resplendent in a Dragon Eye Burst finish, the SRH500’s mahogany
and spruce body looks typically organic, the F-hole on the upper bout
offering function as well as eye-candy. Its 55mm depth allows the
chambered body to resonate, giving it a woody sustain. The elbow
contour on the upper body edge is comfortable for the player, while
the contoured neck joint improves accessibility to the upper frets
040
gear
Ibanez Bass Workshop SRH500-DEF Price $700
Technical Specification
Price | $700
Made In | Indonesia
Color | Dragon Eye Burst Flat
Body | Mahogany semi-hollow body with spruce top
Neck | Five-piece jatoba and
bubinga neck, 34” scale
Neck Joint | Bolt-on, four-bolt attachment
Nut Width | 38mm
Fingerboard | Panga panga
Frets | 24
Pickups | AeroSilk Piezo system
Electronics | Active, 9-volt
Controls | Volume, tone, individual
piezo gain adjustment
Hardware | Black matte hardware, custom bridge
for AeroSilk piezo system, Ibanez machine heads
Weight | 6 lbs, 4 oz
Case/gig bag included | No
Left-hand option available | No
What We Think
Plus | Low weight, manageable
dimensions, tone range
Minus | Slight headstock bias
Overall | An exceptional way in to
electro-acoustic territory
BP RATING
Build quality
Sound quality
Value
041
gear
Ibanez Bass Workshop SRH500-DEF Price $700
042
Anaconda
Ultra J4E Elite
The sum of $2500 once bought the bass of your dreams – now it’s merely the starting
point for a custom instrument. But what if you could turn back time, asks Mike Brooks...
Anaconda Basses
www.anacondabasses.co.uk $2470
W
hen a luthier announces a new ‘affordable’ range of
instruments, with specific components and options, you
wonder if they will lack a little of the magic that makes said
luthier’s instruments so special. These were our thoughts
when this bass was presented to us a while back for our appraisal, as
it marked the launch of a new range of instruments for Anaconda
owner Andrew Taylor-Cummings. Of course, $2470 is still a lot of
money – but at a show where instruments costing in excess of $5000
can be found on every corner, we wondered how he’s brought it in on
budget. Read on and find out.
Build Quality
On first viewing, all of the familiar Anaconda hallmarks seem to be
in place: sumptuous timbers, a well-matched pickup and circuitry
package, high-quality hardware and tonal options to satisfy the most
animated control fiddler. The familiar Jazz-inspired offset body
shape uses an alder core, stained poplar veneer and a maple top
with seashell-like figuring. If that’s not enough for you, the roasted
birdseye maple neck and ebony fingerboard will send you overboard.
The neck is tightly connected to the body courtesy of the five-bolt
attachment, while the hand-cut brass nut, Luminlay front and side
044
gear
Anaconda Ultra J4E Elite Price $2470
Technical Specification
Price | $2470
Made In | UK
Color | Natural
Body | Alder with figured maple top and stained
poplar veneer
Neck | One-piece roasted birdseye maple, 34”
scale
Neck Joint | Bolt-on, five-bolt attachment
Nut Width | 39mm
Fingerboard | Ebony
Frets | 21
Pickups | Bartolini BC4CBC humbuckers x 2, with
series/single-coil/parallel switching
Electronics | Active, 9-volt Glockenklang three-
band circuit
Controls | Volume (push/pull for active/passive
operation), tone, middle, bass/treble (stacked),
series/single-coil/parallel selector switch for
each pickup
Hardware | Gold plated hardware, Hipshot
Ultralite machine heads, Hipshot bridge
Weight | 8 lbs, 4 oz
Case/gig bag included | Gigbag or Hiscox
Liteflite case
Left-hand option available | Yes, as a custom
order
What We Think
Plus | Excellent tone range and component quality
Minus | Nothing
Overall | As much of a ‘steal’ as a $2470 bass
can be
BP RATING
Build quality
Sound quality
Value
045
gear
Anaconda Ultra J4E Elite Price $2470
position markers and signature on the rear of the headstock indicate that
corners haven’t been cut, as far as we can see. The setup and finishing
are exemplary, while the Jazz-like neck dimensions and C-shaped profile
are extremely comfortable to get to grips with. With 19mm string spacing
and a pleasant continuity across the whole neck, there is much to enjoy
here. The oil-finished neck and satin polyester body provide an enjoyable
playing experience.
With gold Hipshot hardware throughout, the visuals work well with
the timber coloring, even down to the gold-colored aluminum bolts used
for pickup height adjustments. A simple control layout comprising of
volume, balance, mid, and stacked bass/treble controls are supplemented
with selector switches for series, single-coil, and parallel operation from
each of the Bartolini humbucking pickups. Should you need it, a passive
option can be activated by pulling the volume control.
046
De Gier
Lowlander
The Thunderbird is a classic design — but not without its faults.
Has Sander de Gier come up with the goods to make T-Bird fans drool? Mike Brooks investigates
De Gier Guitars & Basses
www.degierguitars.com $3360
F
or many players the Gibson Thunderbird, hung low and ready to
rock, is the bass design. Used and abused by an intimidating rollcall
of legendary bassists, it’s an icon in our world — but for all of its
swagger, the design is not without flaws. Broken headstocks, neck
damage, balance problems and playability idiosyncrasies are just some
of the woes that plague the T-Bird faithful, so we were interested to see
what Dutch luthier Sander de Gier had in mind when he announced the
Lowlander model. This is not a copy of the original Gibson but rather
Sander’s reinterpretation, made after studying the measurements and
design of various original models. Has he pulled it off?
Build Quality
The Lowlander opts for Spanish cedar as its body and neck timber,
instead of the more traditional mahogany. This has meant that de
Gier has been able to circumvent the brittle nature of mahogany, as
well as keeping the overall weight of the instrument down — this is
no small thing, considering the weight issues of most Thunderbirds.
The through-neck design uses the cedar timber alongside walnut for a
smoother tone and greater stability in a nine-piece laminate.
Thunderbirds are renowned for their headstock and neck issues,
and de Gier has addressed these areas by incorporating graphite
rods through the neck and headstock for rigidity and reinforcement.
A falute, or neck heel, has been incorporated where the neck and
headstock cross over, adding extra strength at the weakest point to
reduce the chance of snapping. The string tension is also slightly
reduced due to a reduced headstock angle.
The body shape has been maintained, aside from a few cosmetic
changes. Although there is some headstock bias, there are certainly
none of the headstock dive issues that were so evident on the original
instruments. While a variety of colors and finishes are available, our
review example sports the traditional vintage sunburst that works
so well with the dark timber, as well as a white scratchplate, chrome
hardware, a rich rosewood fingerboard and mother of pearl position
markers (white dots have been used on the side of the neck).
The C-shaped neck profile is substantial, but it’s no less playable for
Technical Specification
Price | $3360
Made In | Netherlands
Color | Vintage sunburst
Body | Spanish cedar
Neck | Nine-piece laminate of walnut and cedar,
34 3/8” scale
Neck Joint | Through-neck
Nut Width | 40mm
Fingerboard | Rosewood
Frets | 20
Pickups | Lollar T-Bird humbuckers x 2
Electronics | Passive
Controls | Volume, volume, tone
Hardware | Chrome hardware, Hipshot Ultralite
machine heads, custom de Gier long travel bridge
Weight | 8 lbs, 4 oz
Case/gig bag included | Hard case
(custom made)
Left-hand option available | Yes, as a
custom order
What We Think
Plus | Balance issues solved;
strength of components
Minus | Visually, not an all-rounder
Overall | A very playable bass with some
impressive passive tones
BP RATING
Build quality
Sound quality
Value
049
gear
De Gier Lowlander Price $3360
on; getting stuck in is very much the name of the game. The difference
in tone between the two pickups is noticeable, but the output signal
is equally strong from either pickup. A warm response is almost
guaranteed from either unit, although the bridge-located pickup has a
certain honk that the neck unit can’t replicate due to its positioning.
The bass is loud and in your face — as it should be — but it isn’t so
aggressive that it can’t be used for other musical styles too. There’s
a strong passive performance across the whole neck, which means
smooth funk tones, thick dub tones and fat old-school slap sounds are
easily achieved alongside the raucous, grinding, rock edginess, which
is especially pronounced if you use a pick.
The bass balances very well, true to de Gier’s mission. Much
of this is down to the location of the rear strap button, which is
sensibly positioned halfway across the rear of the body. This shifts
the instrument’s hanging position to the player’s right, making it
more comfortable to play. This has the added advantage of placing
the player’s left hand in a more regular playing position, therefore
reducing the extended feel to the neck.
Thunderbirds often feel as though you’re fighting against them,
but the Lowlander has a very playable string height and even tension
across the whole neck. With 19mm string spacing, 40mm nut width
and a fine setup, this is an extremely playable instrument.
A
coustic basses are a breed unto themselves, a fact well known to
German luthier Jens Schönitz after 20 or so years of experience
in the field. Having brought some of the most stunning
acoustics to the Bass Guitar Show in London, UK, last March,
he enthusiastically handed over his magnum opus, the Ellipsis, into
the mitts of this reviewer. On unlocking its Fort Knox-like hard case,
we instantly understood the reputation that surrounds Schönitz as a
master craftsman. This was to be a very interesting afternoon indeed.
Build Quality
Handcrafted in Germany, all the materials for the bass are locally
sourced and handpicked by Schönitz himself to ensure the finest
quality. The result is that the Ellipsis has the best of both worlds in
terms of its modern design and a traditional aesthetic. With a solid red
cedar top embraced by olivewood back and sides, the body is a mix of
both style and performance.
One obvious feature catches your eye — the deep cutaway. This
expertly shaped groove has apparently been engineered so that
you can have your cake and eat it too, as the inner bracing structure
within the body has been redesigned to accommodate it. The uniquely
shaped plum wood soundhole is equipped with its own mute and is a
little smaller than usual for a guitar of this size; again, this relates back
to the interior.
The details are all in place. Veneered olivewood is used for the
headstock, equipped with accurate and stable Schaller machine heads.
The set neck joint is firmly lodged within the guitar’s body, making
for a sturdy instrument.
Technical Specification
Price | $5000
Made In | Germany
Body | Cedar top, olivewood back and sides
Neck | Mahogany, 34” scale, 38mm width at nut
Neck Joint | Set neck
Fingerboard | Kingwood, 24 maple fret lines
Pickups | K&K Sound passive transducer
Electronics | None
Controls | None
Hardware | Schaller tuners
Weight | 6 lbs, 4 oz
Case/gig bag included | Yes
Left-hand option available | Yes
What We Think
Plus | Superbly built, rich tones
Minus | EQ and tuner would be handy
Overall | An acoustic with much to explore
BP RATING
Build quality
Sound quality
Value
053
gear
Schönitz Ellipsis Price $5000
Conclusion
The Ellipsis has an unusual, intricate composition that does “trying to find any negatives with
everything in its power to give you the best possible sound. Other
than the seriously hefty pricetag, which is to be expected on a labor
of love such as this, trying to find any negatives with this bass is a
this bass is a challenge; it sounds
challenge; it sounds sublime and it plays amazingly, and that’s really
all there is to it. If you’re after an acoustic that combines superb sublime and it plays amazingly, and
engineering and an unorthodox look, this beauty has got you covered
and then some. that’s really all there is to it”
054
Eich
BC-112 Pro Combo
Combos are still proving very popular, with many players downsizing their rigs.
This unit from Eich promises a lot of bang for your buck, says Mike Brooks
Eich Amplification
www.eich-amps.com $1330
G
ermany’s Eich Amplification have become more visible in
the past year or so, with their current product range boasting
a fine array of amps, cabinets and combos for most playing
requirements — so where exactly does this relatively costly
combo fit in?
Build Quality
A good-quality combo needs to be transportable and fully featured,
offering plenty of power and providing a full-frequency tone range
without compromising the player’s performance. Loud doesn’t always
mean good, either. Taking these prerequisites into account, the BC-
112 Pro seems on first sight to have the tools for the job. Weighing in
at 32 lbs, the combo is sturdy and ruggedly constructed from poplar
plywood, but is easily transportable, the tough leather handle on the
upper surface making it easy to carry. Covered in black tolex vinyl
and fitted with metal corner protectors and a cloth grille, the design is
simple but effective.
The brushed chrome control panel is well laid out, combining a four-
band EQ and a Taste control for tonal coloration; this ranges from
a low-end growl with top-end attack, to a rich vintage tone with
low-end punch. With various inputs and outputs, the combo can
be extended with the addition of an extra cabinet via the Speakon
connection or the Line Out socket, while headphones and external
audio sources can be attached for private practice. Fitted with a 12”
speaker and an additional 4” tweeter, a good spread of frequencies
should be achievable despite the unit’s relatively petite dimensions.
Sounds
For such a small enclosure, the BC-112 Pro certainly brings the noise.
Even at low volumes with the tone set flat there is no lack of detail;
the bass sounds full, the midrange provides presence, and the top-end
is pronounced. Covering a frequency range from 40 Hz to 19 kHz and
providing an output of 500 watts, the amp’s tone remained intact on
both the passive and active basses we used for this review, setting the
056
gear
Eich Amplification BC-112 Pro Combo Price $1330
Technical Specification
Price | $1330
Made In | Germany
Power | 500 watts RMS
Impedance | 4 ohms
Features | Gain, Taste, lo (+/- 15dB @ 30 Hz),
lo-mid (+/- 12dB @ 250 Hz), hi-mid (+/- 12dB @
800 Hz), hi (+/- 15db @ 8 kHz), master, mute
switch, post EQ switch, ground/lift switch, voltage
selector, internal speaker off switch
Speakers | 12” TE12D ceramic bass speaker,
4” CT1 midrange tweeter
Dimensions | 450mm (H) x 440mm (W) x
350mm (D)
Connections | ¼” jack input, balanced XLR DI
output, Speakon output, 3.5mm auxiliary input,
3.5mm headphone output, ¼” jack send/return
FX loop, ¼” jack Line In input, ¼” jack Line Out
output, ¼” jack tuner output
Weight | 32 lbs
What We Think
Plus | Powerful, good tonal options, portable
Minus | Expensive compared to many
equivalent products
Overall | An impressive display for a combo
of this size
BP RATING
Build quality
Sound quality
Value
057
Flattley
Bass Effects
Say hi to a new pedal manufacturer with a range of bass-centric pedals. Let’s get down, says Brooks!
Flattley Guitar Pedals $285 to
www.flattleyguitarpedals.co.uk $300
J
udging from the number of visitors to Flattley Guitar Pedals’ All of the pedals are true bypass, handmade, and come with
stand at the London Bass Guitar Show this year, the Gloucester, a 12-month guarantee. If you’re looking for something with a
UK-based company is going places — and not just because their personalized feel then there are lots of customization options,
pedals look cool; they deliver some seriously impressive sounds including variations on the chassis design and graphics, halo plates
to boot. We took a look at four of Paul Flattley’s most popular pedals, and halo rings for the stomp switches. After this early thumbs-up, we
delivering four of the most widely-used sounds in bassdom. can’t wait to see more of Paul’s creations in the future.
The Filtron envelope filter pedal offers an auto wah-style effect
with high and low settings depending on the definition and tone you
require. With controls for Range, Attack, and Decay, a fine selection of
funky tones can be coaxed from this unit. For those who like a spot of
Technical Specification
bling, this pedal came fitted with a halo light plate that made the base Filtron Filter Sub-Octave Pedal
of the pedal light up when in use. Price | $285 Price | $300
Made in | UK Made in | UK
The Bass Valkyrie is an analog chorus pedal and comes fitted with
Features | Range, Attack, Decay, Hi/Lo toggle switch Features | Mix, Tone, Stabilize switch, Ringer
a flashing LED indicator to show the rate of the chorus effect. The Dimensions | 92mm x 117mm x 63mm switch, Bass Only switch
Blend control allows the player to manipulate the degree of wet and Power | DC 9v power supply Dimensions | 92mm x 117mm x 63mm
dry signal in the bass mix, and the effect itself is smooth and direct Power | DC 9v power supply
Valkyrie Chorus
without being over the top or removing definition from your bass
tone. Meanwhile, the Poison Ivy fuzz pedal offers fuzz tones from
Price | $285
Made in | UK
What We Think
the subtle to the extreme, and everything in between. How you wish Plus | Sturdy, great features, useful lighting options
Features | Depth, Blend, Rate
Minus | Some controls may feel slightly too big for
to drench your tone with fuzz is determined by the Blend control, Dimensions | 92mm x 117mm x 57mm
effective control
and the fuzz tone itself is impressive, whether you play with a pick, Power | DC 9v power supply
Overall | An impressive array of pedals with cool
fingerstyle or slap. Poison Ivy Fuzz sounds. Check them out!
The Sub-Octave pedal received a lot of interest at the show — and Price | $300
rightly so, with its fully-featured control set. Two useful options are the Made in | UK BP Rating
switch for the Sub-Bass signal only, giving you an octave-down bass-line Features | Volume, Attack, Blend, Fuzz Build quality
Dimensions | 92mm x 117mm x 57mm Sound quality
without any of the dry signal, and the Stabilize switch, which improves
Power | DC 9v power supply Value
the tracking for any basses whose signal may cause issues in that area.
058
Making you a better bass player
b a s s W
elcome to our brand-new tuition section, in which Bass Player
brings you the wit and wisdom of the very best teachers from the
tuition
electric bass world. We’re fortunate enough to have some serious
talent on the team, from world-class music educators to experienced
touring musicians, who between them have laid down the low notes
in every studio, club and arena in the civilized world. Note that we’ve
divided the columns according to Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced
level for easy reference. Whether you’re looking to improve your playing
technique, expand your awareness of theory, set up your rig to sound like
your particular bass hero or simply get on a bus and tour, we provide the
answers you need here. What are you waiting for? Dive in...
Joel McIver, editor
Kickstart your journey to the top of the bass Take the bass world by storm with the ultimate Now you’re rolling with theory and techniques, it’s
world here! tuition section time to hit the next level
Steve Lawson is the UK’s most celebrated solo Philip Mann studied at Basstech, completing Stuart Clayton has been a professional musician,
bass guitarist. Across 17 years of touring, and the London College of Music’s bachelor’s degree writer, and transcriber since 2002 and has worked in
42 solo and collaborative albums, he’s built programme in London, UK, secured a master’s almost every conceivable musical situation — function
up a worldwide audience for his looping and degree in performance and receiving a scholarship bands, cruise ship gigs, theatre shows and more. He
processing approach to bass sound. Recent to study under Jeff Berlin at the Players School spent four years recording and touring the world
collaborators include Beardyman, Reeves of Music in Florida. He then established himself with legendary Emerson, Lake & Palmer drummer
Gabrels, Andy Gangadeen, Tanya Donelly, as a busy electric and double bassist. Endorsed by Carl Palmer and has worked for the UK’s Bass Guitar
Divinity Roxx and Jonas Hellborg. He’s been Overwater and Vanderkley, he has appeared in the Magazine since its first issue. Since 2007 Stuart has
teaching bass for over two decades, and lectures West End in London, UK and across Europe. His worked as the Head of the Bass Department at BIMM
at universities and colleges across the globe. performance and session credits include recording at Bristol, UK, where he continues to teach the degree
Victor Wooten once commented, ‘Steve Lawson the legendary Sun Studios in Memphis, and working course. In addition, he has also worked as the Bass
is a brilliant musician. I’ve known about him with Greek fusion guitarist Tolis Zavaliaris and the Guitar Technical Specialist for the Rockschool exam
and listened to him for many years. He may not Big Band Metheny ensemble. He has featured as a board. Stuart now runs Bassline Publishing, which
be one of the most famous bassists – but he is solo demonstration artist at the Bass Guitar Show in publishes transcription books for legendary bassists
definitely one of the most talented.’ Who are we London, UK every year from 2012. Currently, he is a such as Mark King, Marcus Miller, Stuart Hamm,
to argue? member of the visiting faculty at the Players School Bernard Edwards, Stuart Zender and John Entwistle,
www.stevelawson.net of Music and lectures for Scott’s Bass Lessons. as well as an acclaimed range of tuition books.
bP Notation Legend
Introduction
The following is a guide to the notation symbols and terminology used in Bass Player
The Stave:: Most music written for the bass guitar uses the bass clef. The example to
the right shows the placement of the notes on the stave.
Notes shown in brackets indicate that a note has been tied over from a previous bar.
Playing Techniques
Slap and Pop Technique Advanced slap Technique Plectrum Technique Tapping Techniques
Notes slapped with the thumb are Fretting hand slaps are marked Where necessary, down and Fretting hand taps are shown with
marked with a ‘t’, notes popped ’lh’ and double thumbing upstrokes with the pick will a ‘+’ in a circle. Picking hand taps are
with the fingers marked with a ‘p’ upstrokes are shown with an be shown using these symbols shown with ‘+’. Specific fingers will
upward pointing arrow (down-up-down-up) be shown with numbers if necessary
Fretting Techniques
061
front line
the The Metalhead
Daniel Firth
Want to make it as a professional bassist? Listen up order to my life, I was on the road with Cradle Of Filth for four months
straight. It was a rewarding but sometimes grueling experience, which
as BP's world-class bass team reports back from reminded me of certain lessons I’ve learned as a touring musician, and
the tourbus
The Jazz Bassist
Ruth Goller
© Leonardo Treviño
I learnt a bit about
harmony, which as
a bass player was an
important discovery
for me. Suddenly
I understood why
certain things sounded good and could recreate them when I wanted to. also brought new ones to light. I’d like to go over some of these, though
Since then, I have mainly played alongside chromatic instruments, it will take more than one column to do so.
which has allowed me a lot of freedom when choosing which bass Firstly, there’s the necessity of looking after your instrument.
notes to play. However, in recent years, I’ve played with quite a few Most players don’t have the benefit of a guitar tech, so it’s good to
instruments that are strongly related to a key-center, or which only use have a basic knowledge of the techniques and tools needed for a
notes from certain pentatonic scales. This can be fun, although playing quick setup on the road. I found this to be absolutely essential when
a whole set with an instrument that only uses a single scale can make traveling between countries with varying climates, as the differences
you feel as if you’re playing similar things all the time, in supportive in temperature and humidity would often have a noticeable effect on
as well as soloing situations. Recently, though, I’ve been working with the action and how the bass played. This sometimes required hasty
a band-mate on something that could be a bit more harmonically truss rod adjustments, and I regularly found myself tweaking the
interesting, although she only has the notes of G major pentatonic on saddle heights and intonation as we traveled from blistering heat to
her instrument. snow so deep it once forced the cancellation of a show. This is all well
The key for me was to really listen to the melody and gradually and good with time in hand, but you won’t always have that luxury,
introduce different bass notes that are not part of G major pentatonic, and that leads me to the value of bringing backups with you on tour.
figuring out which of these add a different harmonic feel without If stage time is moments away and a vital piece of gear has been
obviously trying too hard to do something different. Of course, the dropped down the stairs or simply stopped working, having that spare
remaining notes of G major (or the Lydian mode) are an obvious choice, bass or extra power supply can be the difference between calamity
allowing me to add F# and C#, but a bigger challenge is, for instance, to and mild inconvenience. Once the gig is over, always remember to
add Eb to the equation, making the key-center move. wipe down your instrument. Leaving it overnight may not seem to
You have to be careful about the identity which you want your music make a huge difference at first, but it won’t be long before corrosion
to have when doing this; there is more tension the further you are sets in. Never leave instruments in storage for any length of time
from your initial starting point, in terms of sharp keys or flat keys. The without a good wipe down, and don’t forget to give your strings the
advantage, though, is that you have the power to completely change the same attention too. You’ll find they need to be changed less often, and
harmony of a melody by changing the bass note. Think outside the box! avoiding unnecessary waste on tour is a very good habit to get into!
www.ruthgoller.com www.cradleoffilth.com
062
The Alternative Rocker The TV Star
Michael McKeegan D av e S w i f t
Perseverance is the key, says Therapy? bassist Mike Swifty, the most-watched bassist in the UK, says hello
Welcome to my new column series for Bass Player Magazine! From
now on I’ll be sharing experiences from my 37 years as a professional
bassist — and hopefully helping you to understand how they’ll apply to
your own career. Let’s start with one of the greats...
In 2016 I was called to play double bass with Paul Simon on Jools
Holland’s TV show. The song was ‘Wristband’ from Paul’s then-new
album, Stranger To Stranger. I received the track the day before the
recording, immediately transcribed the bass part note for note, and got
to work learning it. During the first BBC rehearsal, Paul sang it exactly as
the record, but on subsequent run-throughs, he omitted some bars and
added extra ones. Now, the bass-line in the chorus is a two-bar phrase –
which meant that I had to keep skipping bars if I was to remain in sync
with Paul’s vocal. He wasn’t at fault, he was just jamming!
I thought, “This is going to be interesting. I’m about to play an exposed
and prominent bass part which I’ll need to constantly — and randomly
— adapt for one of the most iconic singer-songwriters of our time, and I’ll
be doing it on a live TV show”. No pressure... as expected, Paul ultimately
performed the song differently on the actual show, but as I’d already
played multiple variations, morale and confidence were relatively high!
Although I hadn’t been certain exactly what Paul was going to do, I felt
capable and confident enough to trust my ears and instinct.
As a professional musician, I believe in doing as much preparation
as possible. I devote a lot of energy to listening to the track many
times, creating transcriptions, and then playing them accurately and
authentically — particularly if the artist I’m working with requires
exactly what’s on the original recording. Do consider applying this level
of preparedness to your own bass playing — it’ll definitely pay off.
Of course, my experience with Paul Simon was a career highlight, but
© www-ashleybird-com
063
Beginners’
steve lawson
Tutorial
Eminent solo artist and educator Steve Lawson brings us his ace beginners’ section.
Move from open to fretted strings like a boss...
L
et’s jump straight in! What we're aiming significant implications for what else we can do fingers up just enough that it would stop a
for in this debut column is the ability to with that note, so whenever we’re presented sponge ball rolling out of your hand. Keep all
move smoothly between open strings with that option, it’s worth trying both and your muscles relaxed, with as little tension
and fretted strings. You can try this for seeing which one works in context. For now, as possible in your fingers and wrist. Now,
yourself by, for example, moving between the we’ll stick to the E string. Example 1 shows without tensing up, lift your hand — still in that
open E string and the fretted G at the third what it looks like as notation and tab. position — up to the neck of your bass. This is as
fret on the E string. Let’s add another note to Which fingers should we use on our fretting relaxed a position as you can be in. Keep close
our sequence, and try incorporating another hand? Good question! Here we’ll use our to that, and return to it between passages that
finger from our fretting hand. first (index) finger for the G and our fourth require rigorous stretches.
Let's play the open E twice, then the G at the (little) finger for the A. You may have read If you need to move between notes along
third fret twice, then back to E twice and then discussions in this magazine and online the neck, try pivoting on your thumb before
up to the A at the fifth fret on the E string. about using one finger per fret, and there are stretching your fingers out too far. Keep your
This note is the same as the open A string (the times when that is advantageous, but at this thumb in the same place on the back of the
second thickest string), but we’re playing the point, it’s way more important to keep our neck, but move the rest of your hand along so
fretted version on the E this time so we can hand as relaxed as possible to avoid strain. your hand stays as close to this relaxed position
gain more control over what happens to the Here’s the way I ‘reset’ my hand position if as you can.
note. it’s all feeling a bit tense and labored. While So, when playing our E E, G G, E E, A A, our
Whether we choose to play a note as sitting down to play, rest your hand on your thumb shouldn’t have to move, other than to
an open string or a fretted one has some knee, palm facing upwards, and curl your pivot to make it more comfortable to reach the
“If you need to move between notes along the neck, try pivoting on your
thumb before stretching your fingers out too far. Keep your thumb in the
same place on the back of the neck, but move the rest of your hand along
so your hand stays as close to this relaxed position as you can”
example 1
066
Beginners’ Tutorial with Steve Lawson
A. Get your hand back in that comfortable, which fingers we’ll use to fret the G and the rears its head. There are two useful solutions to
relaxed position on your knee, bring your hand B, our only fretted notes. Until now we’ve the problem of the E string ringing as we move
up to the neck so your index finger is over the used our index finger on the G, but that means to the A. One is the ‘rest stroke’ as described
G and your thumb behind the neck (still as we’re in the wrong position for the B. So let’s last month: Bringing your picking hand finger
relaxed as possible), and try the sequence again. shift our relaxed hand position a little towards to rest on the E string after it has played the A.
Refer back to last month’s column for how the the headstock, so that our middle finger is The other is shifting our picking hand thumb
alternation of the notes in our picking hand now over the G. That leaves our index finger onto the E string as we move across to the A
works. All good? Great. Let’s try incorporating pretty close to the B on the second fret on the string. If you’re currently resting your thumb
another string. The note sequence will change A string. We can cover both notes without too on the end of the neck for playing on the E
to what you see in example 2. much side-to-side motion, or stretching. string, that’s a very slight shift. If your thumb
Now, as we move across to the A string, But as soon as we start moving our bass-lines is on the pickup, it’s a little more involved, but
a couple of things need considering. Firstly, across multiple strings, the issue of muting still doable with practice.
example 2
067
Your resting position on the neck shouldn't involve any tension Fretting a G with your middle finger
example 3
A quick thought about working on left and Right, so we’ve got our two-bar bass-line that to move our fretting hand up or down the neck.
right-hand specifics: Work on them one at a time. goes E, E, G, G, E, E, A, B. It requires us to fret We find that comfortable position, and stay there.
While trying to get a particular series of events notes with our index and middle fingers, and we Now let’s put in quite a big shift so we can think
right, be it fretting notes at one end or shifting need to think about how we cross the strings about how best to handle that. See example 3.
your thumb to mute strings, you should look at with our picking hand, as well as how our thumb Now, for the first half, our hand is in position to
what your hand is up to. As you get comfortable, mutes the E string when we move across to play the G and the B with our middle and index
try looking away. Then once it’s comfortable, try the A. OK? Break it down, take it slow, and get fingers. For the second half we need to shift our
getting the other hand in sync too. Take your comfortable with it. whole hand up so that the D at the fifth fret on
time. This isn’t a race: Ease yourself into this stuff. Lastly this month, let’s add in our next fretting the A string can be played with our index finger,
Getting it right now saves you a whole world of hand challenge — shifting position. So far, none of and the E at the seventh fret on the A string can
frustration further down the line. the notes included in our lines have required us be played with our little finger. Note that the
068
Beginners’ Tutorial with Steve Lawson
069
Intermediate
phil mann
Tutorial
Session and stage veteran Phil Mann brings us the ultimate intermediate tuition column. Better warm up
those hands — it’s time to get your three-fingered plucking up to speed
T
he immemorial Robert Browning proverb claims that ‘less is conjunction with one another. This sounds tricky, but persevere and
more.' Well, perhaps it’s time for us to rewrite the rule book, you’ll make quick progress.
push our playing technique into the 21st century and tell the The main problem, of course, is that in the two-fingered technique,
manager of such proverbial phrases at Oxbridge University to your ring finger is not used to pluck the strings — so let’s take some
kindly get lost! small steps in the right direction and get it up and running (or rather,
This month, we will be commencing a study made famous by bass up and plucking). Try to maintain a consistent delivery of each pitch
virtuosos such as Billy Sheehan and Gary Willis — the three-fingered while playing through these rudiments. Ideally, there shouldn’t be any
plucking technique. Now, there are various similarities between this substantial difference in either the volume or tonality of each note,
method and the concepts employed by bassists such as Matt Garrison regardless of which digit is being used to strike them.
and Damian Erskine, but for our purposes, the quintessential difference This can prove tough to master, as not only does each finger produce
is the eradication of the thumb from your technique. a slightly different sonic texture, your ring finger may well develop
Our studies today will address the delivery of melodic information a mischievous mind of its own, and actually decide not to do what’s
through the index (i), middle (m) and ring (a) fingers, working in required of it. Rest assured we will soon tame this rebellious digit.
Example 1
As you can see in Example 1,
when delivering melodic
information using our three-
fingered technique, the delivery
pattern commences with the
ring finger (a), unlike many other
plucking techniques.
“remember that at all times, you must aim for clean, accurate technique:
even trickier now that we are looking at faster-moving rhythms”
070
intermediate Tutorial
with Phil Mann
Example 2
Our second example continues
from the first by introducing
an array of accented notes.
Throughout the study you will
be required to add emphasis to
one specific pitch, which is then
moved to a different position
with each measure. As long as the
rudiment being executed in the
right hand remains consistent,
this redeployment of the accent
will require you to continually
re-establish the associated finger.
This action will dramatically
improve the control and general
technical prowess you maintain
in your plucking hand.
Example 3
Example 3 continues to develop
the accented theme. However, in
this example, rather than simply
crossing the fundamentals in
an ascending and descending
manner, you’ll now be required
to skip strings while continuing
to maintain the articulation. The
habitual behavior that you’ll
encounter (and need to avoid) in
this exercise is the need to reach
for the adjacent strings with your
index finger. Ensure that you’re
still using your ring finger as the
lead digit, however weird it feels.
Example 4
Examples 4 and 5 explore two
chord tone-based melodic
structures commonly associated
with the diatonic intervals
that exist within the harmonic
minor. In 4 you’ll be attempting
to master a two-octave minor
triad, delivered using our
newly acquired three-fingered
methodology. Although the
formula used to produce a minor
triad always remains consistent
(it’s a major 3rd stacked on a
minor 3rd), the positioning in
which the notes are delivered
can vary. With this in mind,
try not to let the tablature in
the following example dictate
positioning to you, as discovering
your own path through the
notation will improve your long-
term skills.
071
Example 5
Extending three-note triad
vocabulary into four-note 7th
arpeggio voicings unearths a
number of new, and unexpected,
sonic qualities. Just as major
triads — usually labelled as
sounding ‘happy’ or ‘bright’
become more dissonant when
extended to 7ths, minor triads
also develop an unfamiliar
temperament. The following
exercise explores the minor 7th
arpeggio across two complete
octaves in the key of G minor.
Once completed, try transposing
the exercise into all of the
remaining key centers to ensure
fluency across the fretboard.
Example 6
Continuing with our three-
fingered, ‘a-m-i’ delivery pattern,
Example 6 introduces us to
the diatonic intervals of the
harmonic minor. Now, although
this structure is easily associated
to a minor key center, it's worth
acknowledging that both
harmonic and melodic minor
don’t actually belong to a key
signature, so we more commonly
use accidentals to notate their
spellings. As a result, in a number
of instances you’ll see both flats
and sharp accidentals in the
same measures of notation.
Example 7
Example 7 comprises fourth
intervals within the harmonic
minor structure. This somewhat
aerobic take on the scale is the
basis for our final examples. Have
a go at executing the following
four bars at an array of various
tempos and in a number of
fretboard positions.
072
intermediate Tutorial
with Phil Mann
Phil explains how, with dedicated practice, a smooth and controlled three
fingered technique can be developed
Example 8
Continuing to focus on triplet
subdivisions, the following
example addresses the harmonic
minor in a more melodic form.
Practice the exercise at a lower
tempo first, ensuring that your
right-hand technique is capable
before attempting to increase the
tempo. Slow and steady is the key
to success!
Example 9
This month’s final example
may be a little tricky, as triplet
subdivisions now appear with
individual pitches. It’s another
small step in the right direction
to achieving total mastery of this
three-fingered technique.
We’ll continue our studies
next month. Until then, keep
practicing and have fun!
073
Find Your Perfect Tone
Every issue, Guitarist brings you the best gear, features,
tuition and interviews to fuel your passion for guitar
SAVE
MONEY!
NEVER MISS
AN ISSUE!
SUBSCRIBE TODAY
Get the world's biggest and best bass mag
delivered to your door EVERY MONTH
Print edition from just $18.99
CLICK www.myfavoritemagazines.com
You will receive 13 issues in a year. You can write to us or call us to cancel your subscription within 14 days of purchase. Payment is non-refundable after the 14 day
cancellation period unless exceptional circumstances apply. For full ter ms and conditions please visit: www.bit.ly/magterms. Offer ends 11/30/18.
075
Advanced
stuart clayton
Tutorial
Bass tutor, author and publisher Stu Clayton takes us to advanced level. Ready to wield a pick in anger?
W
elcome to my new series on learning how to play with a pick. Scales Fourchestra and Eric Gales’ band. Both are well worth a quick
We’re going to be looking at advanced lines in the style of YouTube search if you’re not familiar with their playing. However,
legendary bass players such as Anthony Jackson, Carol Kaye, the early masters of the plectrum technique are indisputably Carol
Bobby Vega and Cody Wright. Strap yourselves in! Kaye and Anthony Jackson. Carol played on thousands of songs during
Last month we took a look at triplet rhythms and the various the 60s and 70s, working with big names such as Quincy Jones, Mel
complexities that they introduce when played with the pick. This Tormé, Joe Cocker, the Beach Boys, Glen Campbell, Count Basie, Ike and
month, we’re heading back to semiquaver-based lines, with the Tina Turner, and many more. Anthony Jackson in turn has played with
focus now on playing more complex, syncopated lines. Over the a huge number of well-established artists, including Al Di Meola, Chick
next few issues we’ll be developing further still in this direction, Corea, Billy Paul, the O’Jays, Chaka Khan, Steely Dan, Michel Camillo,
and learning how to incorporate rhythmic elements such as a and more recently the virtuoso pianist Hiromi.
strong backbeat and a continuous, percussive feel. Both Carol and Anthony are known for their musicality, their talent
Plectrum playing has enjoyed something of a resurgence in for finding just the right part for the song, as well as their skills with
popularity in recent years, thanks largely to players such as seasoned the plectrum. In this month’s column, we’re going to be looking at some
session bassist Bobby Vega, and Cody Wright of the Jonathan more complex grooves written in the style of these great players.
Example 1
Anthony Jackson’s best-known
bass groove is unquestionably
his line on ‘For The Love Of
Money’ by the O’Jays. He was
brought in by the writers to
add some spice to the track, and
came up with an unusual — but
perfect — part. Using a Fender
Precision bass and a Maestro
phaser pedal, he played a busy,
rhythm guitar-like part that
quickly came to define the song,
as well as earning him a writing
credit. This line is similar in
style to Jackson’s legendary part.
For bonus points, play it with a
phaser pedal.
Example 2
This example is a complex,
syncopated funk groove written
in the style of Carol Kaye. The first
and third bars of this line will have
you skipping across the strings
using chord tones from a D7 chord,
then descending through the D
blues scale. The second and fourth
bars are turnaround figures that
put ghost notes and octave jumps
to good use.
When learning this line, it
would be a great idea to check
out some of Carol Kaye’s more
complex lines. Her part on Quincy
Jones’ ‘Hikky Burr’ (recorded with
Bill Cosby for The Cosby Show)
would be an excellent place to
start, as would her lines on ‘Slick
Cat’ and ‘Boogaloo’ from her album
Picking Up On The E-String.
Example 3
This example features a
challenging root-octave picking
pattern, similar to ideas that
Carol used in many of her more
complex lines. The blues scale
— another common fixture in
Carol’s lines — is used again in
bar 4. This is a tough exercise so
your picking arm will need to be
perfectly relaxed in order to play
this accurately.
Example 4
This example is another
funk/R&B-style groove that
makes use of ghost notes. The
second bar also features the use
of a double stop chord — two
notes played together. In this
case, the double stop notes are
C and F#, the seventh and third
of the implied D7 chord. These
notes are preceded by the B
and F a semitone below, which
then slide into the chord tones.
This particular double stop is
very common in funk music,
regardless of what technique is
being used.
077
Example 5
This example makes further
use of the double stop chord
from the previous example.
Note that the line on the second
half of the first three bars
is a conventional funk line,
ascending chromatically from
the major third of the chord to
the fifth. The blues scale is once
again put to use in the fourth bar.
Example 6
This is a more conventional funk
groove. Although the line is built
on an Eb7 chord, you’ll see open
D-strings being played as parts of
the fills in the second and fourth
bars. Although these notes
conflict with the chord tones (a
seventh of the chord is Db) they
work well as they are only heard
briefly. This technique of using
open strings in this way was
popularized by the legendary
Motown bassist James Jamerson.
Example 7
This groove is built around an
F7 sound and relies heavily on
chord tones, with ghost notes
being used to fill all of the
spaces between the pitched
notes. Remember that in these
examples, ghost notes are notated
on the string on which it is most
logical to play them, although
you do not have to stick to this.
078
ADVANCED Tutorial
with Stuart Clayton
Example 8
This final example is a complex
line that brings together many
of the elements that have
been covered in the previous
examples. It also makes use of
a ‘shake,' a decoration that is
similar to a trill. To perform the
shake in the second bar, play
the D at the end of the first
beat with your first finger, then
rapidly move it from side to
side, covering the D and D#. The
resulting sound is similar to a
trill but with a little more ‘grease.'
Shakes are commonly used in
funk music.
That brings us to the end of this
month’s instalment. Next month
we’ll be taking a look at the funky,
percussive style of plectrum
playing that Bobby Vega and
Cody Wright have made popular.
Until then, enjoy!
079
Sponsored by
NOW
FREE TO
ENTER!
www.photocrowd.com/dcpoty
Sponsored by
ON
SALE
NOW!
I
Kiesel’s luxurious Zeus bass
n the late 1940s, when Leo Fender was In 2015, the Carvin Corporation was
building lap steel guitars and trying to dissolved and two new businesses were
get his new company off the ground, launched. The one that continued the Carvin electronics. Jeff emphasises that Kiesel works
a guitarist named Lowell Kiesel had name focused on audio gear, while Kiesel closely with its customers to produce what
a similar idea. He started the L. C. Kiesel Custom Guitars produced instruments under they desire. “Customers can even send their
Company to make and sell pickups, soon the direction of Mark and Jeff Kiesel. “We own wood if it’s one we don’t offer,” he says.
adding lap steels and amplifiers to his line. took the entire guitar business,” says Jeff. In addition to being actively involved
Within a few years, unhappy with the orders “All of the employees, the materials, the in instrument building, Jeff is the primary
coming in from his dealers, Kiesel decided machinery, the tooling — that whole side of designer for both guitars and basses. One
he’d be better off selling directly to his the business. I was close to my grandfather, so of his recent creations is the Zeus bass.
customers. Unfortunately, he was handcuffed I wanted to go back to the Kiesel name.” “It’s a single-cut, headless bass, bolt-neck,
by his dealer agreements — so Kiesel shut Kiesel guitars and basses are built in a lightweight, that’s available as a four-, five-
down the company and started over. He gave 21,000-square-foot factory in Escondido, or six-string,” he says. “There are multiple
his new operation the name Carvin, after his California, by a workforce of 55 employees. pickup configurations, including single-coils,
two eldest sons, Carson and Gavin. Annual production is about 4,000 instruments, humbuckers, and a big exposed-polepiece
By the mid-Fifties, Carvin’s catalogue had roughly one-third of them basses. As much pickup like a Music Man. Everything on the
expanded to include electric guitars, and in as possible, materials and components are Zeus bass is American made, and it’s been a
1959 the company introduced its first electric acquired from American suppliers. “I’m really successful model for us.”
bass. In 1970, Carson Kiesel decided that he committed to the made-in-America thing,” says Kiesel offers a wide range of top woods,
wanted to stop making instruments and focus Jeff. “It’s really important to me.” from quilted maple (AAAA is standard;
on electronics. His younger brother, Mark — The company has remained faithful to higher grades are available) to zebrawood to
Jeff Kiesel’s father — stepped in to take over Lowell Kiesel’s belief in direct sales. Kiesel buckeye burl, and there are dozens of solid
guitar and bass production. “If it were not for instruments are built to order, although it’s and translucent colors, from basic black to
my dad,” says Jeff, “our company would not be not a true custom shop. Customers choose lizardburst. For many instruments, Jeff does
what it is today. He is the real innovator, the from existing models — there are 10 different the wood selection himself. “Anything that’s
pioneer of a direct-to-player custom shop, and bass designs — but after that, there are many upgraded, I hand-pick it. Every single one,” he
the hardest-working guy I know.” options for woods, finishes, hardware, and says. He also does the hand-sanding required
for some of the more complicated finishes;
you can see him in action on YouTube.
Kiesel’s build-to-order system has
benefited from the internet, where customers
can easily see the models and finishes, and
social media, which enhances personal
interaction between Jeff and his customers.
“We have the Kiesel Guitars Facebook page,
and I have my own page, too,” he says. “ I don’t
know of any other company approaching our
size that is so accessible. I have a weekly live
session, for about an hour and a half. People
can ask me anything — even what kind of
hot sauce I like on my burritos. I really enjoy
it, and I like to remind our fans that I haven’t
forgotten, and will never forget, that they’re
the reason why we’re here.”
Info: www.kieselguitars.com.
Jim Roberts was the founding editor of Bass Player and also served as the magazine’s
publisher and group publisher. He is the author of How The Fender Bass Changed The
World and American Basses: An Illustrated History & Player’s Guide, both published by
Jeff Kiesel with his father Mark (left) and son Zak Backbeat Books/Hal Leonard.
082
9000