Reggae Bassists Club!!!! - Page 2

boamedt · #21 04-11-2009, 10:53 AM

Hey,
I play in two Reggae bands, both active, Both play Original Roots Reggae, but Irie Ights Is DUB right now. I lovvvvve reggae. In fact I started to learn bass, so I could play reggae. My Bands
are called Sahaj, and the other is Irie Ights. I play A fender jazz 24, 5 string (of course)
with all Trace Elliot gear(4x10s+1x15). I have a 12 band trace eq that is awsomely set to boost my lows, boost a little mid and roll off the highs. with the trace pre shape on too it gives it just what it needs. check out our myspace pages:
http://www.myspace.com/sahajnolan
http://www.myspace.com/boammusic

dubstylee · #22 04-11-2009, 09:39 PM

What's up everyone, much respect for starting this thread, I thoroughly enjoy having conversation about Reggae and Dub. I play in a jam band/hobby band. We do a good portion of classic reggae covers, and a few originals. We play many Bob Marley songs, as well as a good amount of 90's ska, and also the classic riddims. I love Reggae music, and it was the reason I picked up the bass.

My setup consists of an Ampeg V-4 ('72) through an Ampeg SVT-410HLF, this setup pounds the mids and the lows. I run either a Fender FSR Jazz Bass strung with Fender 9050M's, or a Fender Highway One Precision (pre-upgrade) which is also strung with Fender 9050M's. I've also used D'addario Chromes 50-105, I like the Fenders a little more for their deeper thump.

mercenarywrench · #23 04-11-2009, 11:39 PM

yo...check it out...i've got a good feeling about this bass.
http://www.rondomusic.com/sjb6234lpb.html

Jluckie3 · #24 04-12-2009, 12:52 AM

welcome to da family gentlemen!!
hey wrench, slap some flats on that baby, love sx basses http://www.rondomusic.com/product2190.html (and the lake placid blue) that's gonna be my next reggae bass. those are great because if the sound isn't great right out of the box, you can mod the heck out of them without worrying that you're destroying an expensive bass.

ModuMan · #25 04-12-2009, 04:06 AM

I was in a reggae band for a couple of years, do I count? It was mostly roots with just a small dash of dancehall thrown in.

I must relate my story because it totally changed how I play and how I approach the instrument...

First, I had never played reggae before though I always *liked* reggae. So it was a challenge to learn how to play well and to change my sound from the funky RHCP thing was all the rage at the time to getting some real low end going. I had to learn where NOT to play as well! I have to credit the keyboardist/bandleader for working with me.

I told a guitarist friend of mine that I was playing in a reggae band and his response was "oh, reggae's easy". I told him he had no idea what he was talking about. But the best lesson I got (and this applies to all music) is that you control the music, don't let it control you. In other words, once I stopped thinking about where I was coming in or what pattern I was doing over the drums everything started to feel good. Well, irie.

We played a bunch of gigs, probably the only "name" I played on the same bill with was Eek-A-Mouse which was a trip.

Anyway, it was a real learning experience and I felt like I grew by leaps and bounds because of it. It changed my sound, it changed how I play and I will get down on some Iron Lion Zion (original version!) or Rat Race with anyone.

Jluckie3 · #26 04-12-2009, 09:17 AM

big ups and welcome sir

mercenarywrench · #27 04-15-2009, 04:13 PM

yo...if any of u r interested let me know
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/msg/1113161458.html

yobobbyd

dubstylee · #28 04-15-2009, 04:18 PM

Who here uses both a Fender P and J both, on regular basis to play reggae?

J. Crawford · #29 04-15-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mercenarywrench

yo...if any of u r interested let me know
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/msg/1113161458.html

yobobbyd

I dont think you can do this.

But Im a reggae fan, and play it often. I actually took my first bass solo live ever during No Woman, No Cry. Im buying an SX Pbass this Summer to get the full effect. Hopefully a PJ.

Jluckie3 · #30 04-15-2009, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubstylee

Who here uses both a Fender P and J both, on regular basis to play reggae?

i have both but mainly use my J for fat bottom with definiton.

Disraeli Gears · #31 04-15-2009, 11:06 PM

I've been really getting into the dub and roots bass lately. Jamming to stuff like The Aggravators, Burning Spear, Peter Tosh, Aston Familyman Barrett, Seeed (really the only dancehall type stuff I'm into atm), Intik, Kana, Majek Fashek.. Good stuff. My band does reggae quite a bit aswell, although we haven't really gotten anything written yet. Mainly just reggae jam sessions.

kesslari · #32 04-15-2009, 11:52 PM

Respects, all, and love and music.
Not currently playing reggae. Still feel it in the heart. Played in reggae bands all around California for about 10 years. Opened for Toots, the Wailers, Eek-a-mouse and Mutabaruka, among others.
Who feels it knows it...

lorenk · #33 04-16-2009, 01:15 AM

Well, I dunno if this really counts (I'm fine if it doesn't) but my old band played punky-reggae; ala Stray Bullets (RIP) or the Have-Nots

The first practice we tried playing punky reggae was a train-wreck! Eventually we got it down and man that is some fun music to play

Anyway, I still love reggae (playing and listening) and I use a HotRodded P.

Thanks

Jluckie3 · #34 04-16-2009, 01:31 AM

welcome to the family gentlemen

Dubs · #35 04-16-2009, 01:49 AM

Love my reggae and dance hall.

Play in oz reggae acts Dubmarine and The Upsteppers.

I use a Jazz w/ flats + sansamp Ampeg svtpro3 and Labsystem 15"

ups!

BananaKing · #36 04-16-2009, 02:29 AM

I just joined a Reggae/Ska/Soul Band here in Vancouver where I had to change my tone completely, but that's ok since I love Reggae and have wanted to be in a Reggae band for the longest time. I'm also learning a lot about how to construct a FAT, Thick tone that doesn't suck.

I use D'addario Chromes on a Super-modded OLP MM2 (Nordstrand Pup, D-tuner, all new pots and wiring, straplocks, etc......). My Main amp is a single 15 Ampeg Svt-15e.

Right now, I'm not completely happy with my tone, but it is coming along. I want to get a P-bass in the future (Alas, no money).

Most of the stuff I Listen to is like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, The Melodians, Aggrolites (Gonna Go see them live soon!), and a lot of Jamerson (I know he's not reggae, just good tone

)

Thanks for this thread!

ModuMan · #37 04-16-2009, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BananaKing

I'm also learning a lot about how to construct a FAT, Thick tone that doesn't suck.

I use D'addario Chromes on a Super-modded OLP MM2 (Nordstrand Pup, D-tuner, all new pots and wiring, straplocks, etc......). My Main amp is a single 15 Ampeg Svt-15e.

I went through the same thing and it was a challenge at first because I had to turn my sound on its head. I was using my MM SR5 with a SWR 410 and a Trace 1818x. It had plenty of subs but also some growl.

My sound has changed a little since then and I don't use the 18 anymore but my Bergantino NV215 has plenty of guts to it. Once you get hooked on that rich sub sound you won't want to let go!

dubstylee · #38 04-16-2009, 05:26 AM

Yeah, the sub bass is where it's at! A lot of people on the forum don't like the SVT-410HLF, but in the reggae band I play in, it fits the bill perfectly. It's 410 bass reflex cab, it goes low, and sounds like a huge pillow of sound. I have practice tonight, I think I'm going to play my Jazz bass.

joebingo · #39 04-16-2009, 05:31 AM

I'll join in!

Ska/Reggae/Punk here! Check out Jakal in my sig.

Larry99 · #40 04-17-2009, 11:51 AM

Big up, JA music bredren !

I'm 41 yrs old and have been playing bass for 25 yrs playing mostly rock, funk and R&B. I've always been a casual fan of reggae but it was only recently that I began to seriously explore this great music and pursue playing reggae bass. I've discovered a love for the old classics, Coxsone/Studio One recordings, The Skatellites, Prince Buster, etc. …all so wonderful in their passionate raw tone and deceivingly complex riddims.

I have been playing since 2006 in 'Wareika Hill', an original band based in Philly. Our style is a mix of 1st wave ska, rocksteady and skinhead reggae with a touch of roots thrown in. We play in the Philly, NYC, DC areas and have opened for artists like Morgan Heritage, Sizzla Kolanji and Isreal Vibration. A highlight for me was opening for the Cool Ruler, Gregory Isaacs, in Philly last year. We also play various ska showcases with other east coast bands. We should be releasing our 1st CD later this year on Jump Up records (Chicago). You can check us out at www.wareikahill.net

I'm a believer that most of 'your sound' and tone comes from your hands. My primary requirement is for a bass to cut through the mix no matter what. For this reason I play a Sadowsky UV70-5 with the hi's rolled way off on the VTC and strung with Sadowsky flats. It's got a wonderful "family man" vibe to it.

Backline is usually provided at most of our shows so I'll use whatever amp is available. If I'm going to use my gear I own an Aguilar DB659 pre with an old SWR Stereo 800 power amp. I'll use cabs depending on what is required by the size of the room/venue. All from a SWR/Bag End 18", Avatar 15", Avatar 12" or SWR 2x10 or combination thereof.