Ben Street's Set-up

Jake · #1 12-23-2006, 03:26 AM

I just listened the Billy Hart's 2006 Quartet CD and am really impressed/inspired by Ben Street's bass sound. Aside from having good intonation, etc, does anybody know how he gets that sound? Which strings, what kind of bass, what mic, amp, etc???

Michael Case · #2 12-23-2006, 11:16 AM

I played Bens' bass about a year ago. I don't know what type of bass it is, but I do know he had Velvet Garbos with a low action and a realist pick-up.

Hope this helps,
Mike

Jake · #3 12-23-2006, 01:16 PM

Thanks Mike. Man, Grenadier and Ben Street both use Garbos from what I hear. My local luthier showed me a set and I have to say they were pretty scary looking, the winding and the copper color. If that's what it takes to get a sound like those guys, I guess I might do it someday. They're just about impossible to bow right?

TimoMetzemakers · #4 12-23-2006, 01:58 PM

Garbos aren't unbowable, it's just that they don't sound very good with the bow

For practising, they're fine.

BTW, according to Arnold, Larry Grenadier uses different strings these days...

basstef · #5 12-24-2006, 01:45 AM

...Apart from the Garbos...Ben's sound comes from himself...

Paul Warburton · #6 12-24-2006, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basstef

...Apart from the Garbos...Ben's sound comes from himself...

What a concept!

basstef · #7 12-25-2006, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

What a concept!

Yeah...I realized it was so obvious too late

But I think the setup has not so much to do with the sound that comes out, in general. When you have a clear concept of sound in your head, you likely sound about the same regardless of instrument, strings, etc.

Merry XMas

Michael Case · #8 12-25-2006, 09:15 AM

I don't think Larry G is using a full set of Garbos now. The last time I saw him play (last year) he had Heliocore E, A, D, and a Garbo G. But he still had his sound.