Eric Wilson (Sublime) Gear

Sathington W. · #1 07-22-2009, 12:55 AM

What basses did Eric Wilson of Sublime play? I vaguely recall seeing a Stringray in a video, but was that it? I've been on a Sublime binge, and I'm absolutely in love with Eric's tone. Any other basses in his arsenal?
Also, did he play the upright on any actual recordings, because I remember seeing it on the Santeria music vid, but don't think it was actually played on the recorded version.

Sathington W. · #2 07-22-2009, 08:35 AM

kevteop · #3 07-22-2009, 09:47 AM

I don't think it's a Stingray on the Sublime stuff. Maybe the punkier tunes but not the reggae stuff. No idea what he was using though.

Quick Google: Apparently it was a custom bass on "Sublime":

http://www.bassplayer.com/article/su...y/nov-06/23908

OrionManMatt · #4 07-22-2009, 11:06 AM

Ampeg sounds like it would do the trick more than anything. Nothing really above 3kHz necessary. I mean, look at that video below in which he's playing a Jazz bass.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i7S5...eature=related

Deluge Of Sound · #5 07-22-2009, 12:00 PM

I don't think what gear he used was really that important--I've seen him use a whole arsenal of different stuff and he still sounds like Eric Wilson.

dubstylee · #6 08-04-2009, 01:46 PM

Eric recorded "40oz. to freedom" with the Fender Jazz you see in that Ebin Video. He also recorded "Robbin the Hood" with a Fender Jazz. In late '94 he started using a Musicman Sabre, he used the neck p/u for the reggae stuff, and used the bridge p/u for the faster punk/ska stuff. After he used the MM, he moved onto an old Gibson Ripper type bass that was built by his friend Dan McDonald. It was equipped with a Gibson EB-0 p/u in the neck position which he used for all the reggae/dub stuff, and then the bridge p/u was equipped with a humbucker MM style p/u that he used for the punk stuff. I've seen him use the standard SVT into a Fridge, as well as Aguilar gear, GS412. He gets awesome tone, but I strive for the tone of his early days.

The Lurker · #7 08-05-2009, 05:26 PM

He also used an SWR rig with (among other things) a DBX subharmonic generator and a Big Ben 18" speaker cabinet.

Also a Roland SH-101 bass synth keyboard.

Remove everything above about 2khz.

Jluckie3 · #8 08-07-2009, 09:32 AM

recently he was seen at the "big reunion show" with new singer Rome playing an oly white p-bass through a svt classic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-ymA...eature=channel

Rickett Customs · #9 08-07-2009, 09:37 AM

I've also seen him playing Brian Moore's live.

basspro · #10 08-07-2009, 02:43 PM

Yes,The MM Sabre tone was just awesome.

spiker · #11 08-12-2009, 04:51 PM

For the Eric Wilson sound, you need one thing: Lot's of Reggae low end from your rig.
Use nothing short of 1x15 cabs (he uses 18's!), and turn that tone down, even turn the bridge pickup off on a jazz bass. A P-bass tone would suit despite the fact he doesn't play them. Also, play as close to the neck as possible with your fingers. You'll be in boombastic reggae heaven in no time

* This is what i've done at gigs before to replicate his tone for Sublime songs.

76Dub · #12 08-12-2009, 08:15 PM

He used Sabres and a Koll thunderglide w/ Sublime through Trace Elliot, SWR and AMpeg gear always running a Tech 21 NYC sansamp BDDI in front. He now uses mostle Celinder basses and Aguilar amps. Dave Boonshoft can testify that he owns almost every piece of Aguilar gear

tech4sublime · #13 09-07-2011, 03:10 PM

Just joined,

hELLO MY FRIENDS,
WELL.... I'm (Don Mare) the NEW guy who's been doing all the custom set up stuff for Eric & Rome's stage guitars since they started the new project..

I know that Eric used Jazz and P's on most the CDs from old Sublime

The Sabre was "not well loved" Eric played it cause its what they had. but preferred Jazz's and P's in the studio...

we tried to recreate a Sabre like instrument for the new reformed bands tour, using Music man parts and a P bass pickup and a Aguilar Preamp OB1, but we pulled it off the tour midway thru due to complaints of UN-comfy neck/back shape..
( I own that bass now, I had over 30 hours of repairs and test work on that monster!)

we then concentrated on the CYLINDER (Celinder) basses from Denmark he owns, their Custom made P-basses ones Pink ones white
they both have my hand wound pickups I made for Eric a 10k fatter/ taller coil- its my version or my take on what P bass pickups should be ( I hope) LOL and the Aguilar OB1 pre-amps on-board both..

THIS IS WHAT the PINK Celinder bass LOOKED LIKE PRIOR TO THE buttons being artfully glued on to it and the pickguard is removed

there's a ton of guys after Eric sound with bases similar to the Sabre but its not really whats on those hit songs..

cheers
dm

UnfortunateTony · #14 09-07-2011, 04:56 PM

He's used a P bass with flatwounds for most of his early career, then he used a 'Ray for awhile, and now is back to the P basses. When I saw him he had 4, I repeat, 4!!!! Ashdown 8x10 cabs. Couldn't see his heads though, I'd assume them to be the same.

Edit: Just realized that the guy above me is far more knowledgeable. Apologies

funkytoe · #15 09-07-2011, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tech4sublime

...

we then concentrated on the CYLINDER basses from Denmark he owns

dm

Is that code speak for Celinder basses?

tech4sublime · #16 09-07-2011, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkytoe

Is that code speak for Celinder basses?

yea hehe.. I used spell ck..

bassgod0dmw · #17 09-08-2011, 11:03 AM

I guess I always just assumed he used a P bass strung with flats. I remember in a guitar mag (Guitar World, Guitar One, Guitar...I don't remember) back in like 96' there were pictures of him with a P.

I get an awfully convincing Sublime tone through a P strung with flats and the tone rolled all the way off.

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiker

Use nothing short of 1x15 cabs

Contrary to popular belief, bigger speakers do not = deeper or more bass.

tech4sublime · #18 09-08-2011, 02:00 PM

flats?.. he always seems to favor round wounds - I'll ask him if he ever used flats at all?
he sure does not like using them since Ive ever worked with him 7-years gone by

rockstarbassist · #19 09-09-2011, 08:58 AM

Last time I saw him interviewed in BP Mag which was ages ago he was running a line out from a Mesa M2000 to a dbx subharmonic snyth then to one of those powered Meyer 218's, and IIRC as well as a SVT810.

bassgod0dmw · #20 09-09-2011, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tech4sublime

flats?.. he always seems to favor round wounds - I'll ask him if he ever used flats at all?
he sure does not like using them since Ive ever worked with him 7-years gone by

Like I said, it was just an assumption. Nothing credible to back it up...especially now!