THE DEEP END : THEN FALLS THE SKY

1.Why Bass?  The bass bridges the rhythm and melody together.  It is the root of the whole song in my humble opinion. 

 

Personally, I have played several instruments in bands and the bass is actually very diverse in being something that a listener never notices unless it is not there.  Professionally, a bass player was what the band needed and I was interested in fulfilling the role.


2.Do you think it is unfair or just lack of knowledge bass gets so little credit? 

I think this is because the bass is not low enough.  People love the low sub tones anymore, it just doesn’t always come through on a stringed instrument.  I would like a lower D string to drop down to C.  Chad and Jake would have to switch to 8 strings or go back to 6”s in that case, however.


3.What kind of bass do you use? Model , color , year ,

  

And why I play A Washburn currently that belongs to Chad because my 5 string Fender Jazz Special Edition has a noisy parametric EQ potentiometer and I have not found the time to check all 9 solder points on that monster.  I just have it out of the circuit for the time being to practice on.


4.Tell us about your amplification

My amplification is rather complicated at the moment as I am monetarily deficient.  I run an Ampeg head through a custom cabinet, with compression, a D/I box, and tuner running through my effects loop.


5. With all of that being said do you feel tone is an important thing for bass? 

  

I haven’t found a tone I am satisfied with on my current amplification.  It works for the time being, but I am hopeful for the future, to put it lightly.


6.Do you prefer 5 strings over 4 string? 

When I was 19, I bought a Coat four string fretless bass  with Seymour Duncans in it.  It has had its uses in some projects, but all-in-all, I’d take a five string any day.


7.Who is your favorite bassist?

Les Claypool was the reason I bought a bass, but definitely Fred Frith.


8. Who is your least favorite bassist?

Drunk me!!!

  

9.Why do you think women seem to be attracted to playing bass? 

The joy of playing in a band coupled with the desire for anonymity and mo praise or glory whatsoever.

10. What bassist dead or alive would you like a private lesson with? 

Jaco Pastorius  no doubt.

11. Bonus question
Bobby Doll , Nikki Sixx , Les Claypool , Billy Sheehan  which is more ridiculous and why.

I think Nikki Sixx was a testament to how ridiculous rock music can get.  I would call Claypool and Sheehan ridiculously talented.  And I don’t like Poison all that much, not even enough to have an opinion of Bobby Dall’s rediculousness.  So I’m not sure if I even answered this question all the way… no bonus for me ;p