Gary Peacock's Bass and Set up

[Jake]

I've been listening to Keith Jarrett with Gary Peacock quite a bit lately. What kind of set up does GP use? String height? String type? What kind of bass?

[FMartin]

I think I've read many years ago that he uses Spiros, Orchestral E string, A,D and G Weichs. Whatever he uses, it sounds great.

[arnoldschnitzer]

Gary's strings are not as low as people think. He likes to play around with the adjusters until the response feels right, rather than sticking to a specific "formula". Gary mentioned in the recent Bass Player magazine that he is playing a bass of mine. Not totally the case; it's a special model New Standard we put together for him. Gamba corners, flat back, 3/4 size with poplar back and sides, spruce top. He was looking for something light, fast and responsive, without a lot of "messy" bottom, because the group amplifies, and he finds it easier to cut through with that type of instrument. (He also owns a magnificent Samuel Allen full-sized bass, but no longer tours with it.)

[doberman]

I know this isn't really about his set-up but it is relevant to Gary so...About 5 or 6 years ago one of my old teachers lent me a video of Gary playing and talking about what he does. The one thing I remember really clearly was him talking about conservation of motion and specifically the left hand not pressing down more than necessary, he gives a little exercise about pressing down little by little until the note speaks clearly and then not pressing harder, and then trying to play everything with that feel. Haven't come across the video since then, but I probably would get more out of it now than I did then.

I really identify with Gary's sound on Trio 64 and those 60's Paul Bley albums, I like the keith stuff too, but it is definitely worthwhile to check out earlier stuff of his too.

[FMartin]

That's actually an easy way to realize how little pressure is required on the left hand. It's especially evident if you bow a harmonic, for example the first G harmonic note at the G string (Nanny 3rd position), and then gradually and slowly apply pressure until it becomes a regular C note.

[doberman]

Yeah, I was just saying that in addition to his set-up Gary plays with a light left-hand touch, no more pressure than necessary. I'd like to hear the Keith trio in a more acoustic setting than the stuff I've heard where there is clearly a lot of amp on the recordings I have which are all live.

[ludvigthe14]

Hey, i've seen the video with Gary Peacock, and he has a good intuitive approach to improvising. He also talks about a how important it is and how to be relaxed.

On the video i can se that he has a micropnone wrapped in foam under the bridge. What kind of mic do you think he use?


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