Louis Johnson put the chill in "Thriller"
On this first anniversary of the death of Michael Jackson, take some time out and read about the bass players that helped him create the grooves that changed pop music forever. In this article from Bassplayer.com, you’ll hear from “This Is It” bassist, Alex Al, James Jamerson Jr., Chuck Rainy, Nathan Watts, Louis Johnson, Nathan East, Freddie Washington, and many others.
Now discontinued, but a fantastic bass from Schecter
This is another bass that I own and love. I went to pick myself up a new bass and was open to about anything that sounded and played well. Price wasn’t a priority. Well this number was both affordable and easily the best playing bass I have picked up in awhile. I’ve owned my 004 for about three years or so now and it’s rocked many shows with me as a low-end shaking machine. Here’s the specs:
“Schecter’s 004 bass boasts a distinctively shaped-ash body, 2-band active EQ that can be switched to passive mode, master volume, and blend control for extensive tone-shaping capability. The custom bridge accommodates either string-through-body or top loading. Other special features include jumbo frets, block inlays, neck binding, brass nut, and a rock-solid 5-bolt neck attachment.”
Schecter 004 Bass Guitar Features:
If you can find one of these beauties out there, I highly recommend picking it up.
Bust A Move - Flea makes you itch
Hip Hop is an ever-evolving pop music form. Never was this clearer than in the 80′s when Run DMC got together with Aerosmith for their biggest hit. Another example of this merge of rock and Hip Hop was when Young MC brought Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ bass player, Flea into the studio to record the blistering bass for “Bust A Move”. Flea’s relentless 1/8 note walk, with trademark entrys and exits runs circles around the vocal, like a cowpoke roping a steer to the ground. In a reversal of form, the kick drum on the tune actually tracks to the bass – an inverse of the common relationship of the two elements, which takes a typically mechanical element (especially in early Hip Hop) and makes it organic and fresh. Once again, it’s not the complexity of the line that makes it rock – it’s the beautifully executed simplicity instead. Flea finds the pocket and doesn’t let go. This here’s a story for all the fellas who want to understand what it means to be “funky”. Revisit this great moment in bass today!
The 1976 Stingray could've made Fender proud...
So you’re a Fender employee in the CBS days, and you want to make something great but figure a broadcaster has no idea of what it takes. What do you do? You start the MusicMan company. What do you make? The Stingray bass. How do you make it great? How about a little behind the scenes design help from Leo Fender himself?
What made it special?
If you’ve ever played a Stingray, you know they are fast and articulate instruments. Put one on your “gotta try it” list. Even the modern versions are pretty sweet.
Do you play a Stingray? Let us all know what you think!
What can you say about Bootsy Collins? That he’s funky? That he’s crazy-good? That he is to be worshiped without questions? Yes – you could say that. You could also say that his greatest moment had nothing to do with Parliment Funkadelic or even James Brown. For Bootsy, in my book, the great moment is Dee Lite’s “Groove is in the Heart” (1990).
While this song could be known from its master sampling of everyone from Herbie Hancock to Billy Preston, the glue that binds this classic together is Bootsy and his bottom-end of bliss.
Hey dear readers – sorry for the silence. I’ve been mucho pre-occupied with work and life and recording sessions (check out my latest, “A Typical Wednesday” from Throttle Body m/c on iTunes, Rhapsody, and all sorts of other digital services). I promise to get back to my blogging ways immediately. I appreciate your support!
Queen's "You're My Best Friend" single
“A Night At The Opera” is easily the seminal album by Queen, and it included a seemingly innocent mid-tempo rocker amoung its wide array of songs and styles. The song, penned by bassist John Deacon is “You’re My Best Friend” and it represents a great moment in bass.
Deacon is a player of sublime taste and skill. His bass track on this song is absolutely over the top. But its not like you would NOTICE that it is. He is so remarkable in his placement and execution that this line, played by a lesser human would sound way too busy and overworked, but in his hands its the thread that ties everything together.
Do yourself a favor and check out this tune. You’ll learn a new way of how a bass line can impact the entire mood of a song.
 | ray on The Basses of Geddy Lee |
 | Edward R. Frnka on Great rigs – the sunn be… |
| olympus voice record… on Great Gear – Schecter… | |
 | Assumenonduse on Great moments in bass – … |
 | Brett on Great moments in bass – “I Wan… |
