Mike Mondesir: UK Bassist & Yamaha Man

Dr. Cheese · #1 10-24-2010, 10:46 PM

http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...5d8bc0c31314ec

I read about this guy in Bass Guitar Magazine UK. He is a major player in the UK and has some great touring and recording credits.

I was struck by the fact that his main bass is a budget Yamaha very similar to ones that SteveC and I say are so good.

Dr. Cheese · #2 10-24-2010, 10:54 PM

More good stuff!

http://www.myspace.com/michaelmondesir

bassbrad · #3 10-25-2010, 10:30 AM

Any relation to Mark Mondesir the current drummer with John McLaughlin?

cnltb · #4 10-25-2010, 10:31 AM

Mike and Mark are brothers.
Both are really fantastic musicians/players and very nice guys.

Dr. Cheese · #5 10-25-2010, 01:32 PM

I'm glad I've discovered him because first, he is a great player, second, he lets me know that I am not crazy for loving some of the basses that I love.

He is great proof behind the Marcus Miller quote about figuring out gear early so you can work on your playing.

I sure wish I had taken 10% of what I have spent on gear over the years and used it on lessons!

SteveC · #6 10-28-2010, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

I'm glad I've discovered him because first, he is a great player, second, he lets me know that I am not crazy for loving some of the basses that I love.

I sure wish I had taken 10% of what I have spent on gear over the years and used it on lessons!

It's nice to have a little "confirmation" of our choice of bass. I saw another "pro" using a BB605 but I can't remember who it was.

If only I had all that wasted money back from my gear merry go round...I am (basically) right back where I started a few years ago. I guess I am wiser because of it, and a little more knowledgeable I suppose.

I am still not completely happy with my amp. I may try an Uber Quad cab with a Shuttle 9.0, or I may just go back (again to my roots) and get a Shuttle 3.0-10T/10T Extension mini stack of doom.

almost human · #7 10-29-2010, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnltb

Mike and Mark are brothers.
Both are really fantastic musicians/players and very nice guys.

I saw a video of Jeff Beck that featured Mike and Mark as his rhythm section (with Jan Hammer) on keyboards, and thought it was one of the best Beck bands i had ever heard.

**peledog** · #8 10-29-2010, 05:45 PM

Excellent. In the 'Goodbye Pork Pie Hat' clip - what Yamaha model is he playing?

Dr. Cheese · #9 10-29-2010, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peledog

Excellent. In the 'Goodbye Pork Pie Hat' clip - what Yamaha model is he playing?

That is a BBN5II. It is an older budget model, but budget Yamahas tend to be nice basses. I just got one on EBay for $155 shipped.

cnltb · #10 10-29-2010, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by almost human

I saw a video of Jeff Beck that featured Mike and Mark as his rhythm section (with Jan Hammer) on keyboards, and thought it was one of the best Beck bands i had ever heard.

Yes I seen something like that too.
I have seen both live a few times and always enjoyed it. Be it their own thing or as side men.
Always fun!

Kwesi · #11 10-30-2010, 10:57 AM

Lies and slander there's no way that he could be using a bass that cost less that the GDP of a small country

!

Just goes to show that you dont need to spend an awesome amount of money to sound awesome

. I really dig his tone, it reminds me of Randy Hope-Taylor with a little more grunt and growl to it.

Virgil · #12 11-01-2010, 08:27 AM

You want to hear grunt a growl, play a Yamaha Nathan East Signature. I play mine, and have to stop and look at it to make sure an animal is not inside. That bass has the most growl of any bass I have ever owned and played. It is unreal. Every time I play it, fellow musicians comment on the tone. They are hard to find, but if you can try one out, you should. Oh, I forgot to mention, they aren't cheap; new about $2,400, used $1900. But are worth every penny.

j2112c · #13 11-01-2010, 01:58 PM

I was lucky enough to see Jason Rebello in the 1990's at the Jazz Cafe in London UK with both the Mondaisir brothers and Mike was one of the reasons for me picking up the bass.

He was simply jaw dropping!

SteveC · #14 11-03-2010, 02:34 PM

Maybe I should pick up another and string it with flats....

Dr. Cheese · #15 11-03-2010, 04:47 PM

I got my BBN5II yesterday. It had been treated roughly, but had no major issues. After a few hours of work, I got all the loose parts tight, and I changed the strings, set it up and polished it. The bass is 8 lbs, 14 oz, and sounds just like a passive version of a TRB5, in other words, great modern tone on budget!

SteveC · #16 11-04-2010, 12:39 PM

I think there's a BB605 on eBay for like $350.