Gospel advice for white folks

#1 05-29-2009, 10:45 AM

Hey, everybody! I got a high profile gospel gig this July in Baltimore and I need some helping finding my sound for this band. I've done a few services in Harlem and Atlanta but I don't have that modern gospel sound, presumably because I play a hollowbody with flats, I rarely slap, and I'm a white boy from suburban New Jersey.

My "old-school" sound has worked so far, but I really gotta take it up a notch for this urban contemporary gospel (aka black gospel) stuff. My goal is to cop "that" tone - smooth, deep bass, snappy treble, scooped mids, etc.

Hezekiah Walker - Souled Out

I suspect that roundwound strings, a low B and active electronics are essential parts of the tone you hear on modern gospel records. What kind of basses, strings, EQ etc. do pro gospel players use?

Right now, I've got a five-string SX BG-205 bass with flats. I don't know if this instrument is appropriate for the gig. Should string it with some roundwounds and get an active preamp or just get a new bass?

Aside from Andrew Gouche, whom should I be checking out?

bassteban · #2 05-29-2009, 10:48 AM

Fred Hammond- who was highly influenced by Marcus Miller.

drnknmstr · #3 05-29-2009, 10:51 AM

I think your instincts are leading you in the right direction. There's definitely a brightness AND depth you'll want.

Joel Smith and Terrence Palmer, and some live recordings of Kim Burrell are a great place to start.

That "Marcus" sound probably won't hurt much either.

capnsandwich · #4 05-29-2009, 10:55 AM

Check out this thread. It's got some good info in it.

Urban Gospel Bassists, What's Your Set Up?

lowB_2277 · #5 05-29-2009, 11:08 AM

Check out http://www.gospelchops.com/index-2.html, also Tommy Brown http://tommybrownproductions.com/order.html.

Tommy Brown addresses tone settings and touches a little on equirment set up

R/ tr

Dr. Cheese · #6 05-29-2009, 11:50 AM

Check Israel Houghton's new CD, The Power of One, Tommy Sims is on bass, and he kills! Most of the CD is more pop than traditional Urban Gospel, but "Saved by Grace," is totally smoking Urban Gospel!

Dr. Cheese · #7 05-29-2009, 11:54 AM

I don't know what your budget is, but you can get a great Urban Gospel sound with an active Jazz bass. A used MIM active Jazz would work really well for you. A passive Jazz with an outboard preamp will work great, that sort of rig has been my go to bass for almost a year now. I would also recommend Ibanez and Brice as great less expensive basses that deliver a wonderful active tone.

jojobean39 · #8 05-29-2009, 12:45 PM

Abe Laboriel is absolutely phenomenal. He is the bassist for Ron Kenoly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuW1IIS9Svs

He has a lot of videos up on Youtube that you can see him talk about technique and such. He does a wide mixture of stuff with Ron Kenoly.

#9 05-29-2009, 12:46 PM

Thanks for the info! What is the best outboard preamp for that sound?

Sound Chaser · #10 05-29-2009, 12:48 PM

Check out Norm Stockton, solo and with Lincoln Brewster. Guy's a BEAST. He uses MTD, a 535 and a Saratoga (I think that's what it's called...the American Jazz-style bass Mike's making now) through a GK rig.

**john turner** · #11 05-29-2009, 12:55 PM

i'm going to move this to misc, since it's asking both about basses and bassists.

two fingers · #12 05-29-2009, 01:00 PM

Most of the Gospel guys I know play Ken Smith or MTD.

capnsandwich · #13 05-29-2009, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by appler

Thanks for the info! What is the best outboard preamp for that sound?

Outboard preamp? I know Sadowsky has their preamp and Demeter has one as well. It really doesn't matter about brand, as long as it's a decent quality one. I personally like the on board ones myself like Bartolini and Aguilar. I've owned both the Bartolini NTMB and the NTBT and they were nice ones. The one I have now is an Aguilar OBP-3 and it matches great with the set of EMG 40J pickups I have in my bass. Great modern sound with a wide variety of different types of tones I can get.

Jim Carr · #14 05-29-2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by appler

...I have some experience playing gospel already so I don't care so much about the style of playing or about what you use at church on Sundays in East Bumblef---, KY - though any input is appreciated!...

Over here in East Bumblef---, KY, we like Sadowsky P/J's, like the one below. However, I am sure it is far too hokey for a slick Joizy boy like yooz.

OrionManMatt · #15 05-29-2009, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Carr

Over here in East Bumblef---, KY, we like Sadowsky P/J's, like the one below. However, I am sure it is far too hokey for a slick Joizy boy like yooz.

(Minus the return volley) Zing!

...now back to your regularly scheduled, on-topic thread.

Lo end PUNCH · #16 05-29-2009, 04:03 PM

Check out his sound and set up, there are many possibilities and this is an example of one that works well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_KuD0AjWdE

Dr_Funkdamental · #17 05-30-2009, 11:04 AM

Well Gouche uses a MTD and Epifani setup. Aside from that, you'll mainly see along the lines of Eden, SWR, and Ken Smith. After that, its a toss up. Fred Hammond's current bass player uses Warrior and alot of others have been playing Fender 5ers or Lakland. As far as your bass, yeah you might want to replace the flats. A P Bass or P sound in this instance isnt a good idea either.

burk48237 · #18 05-30-2009, 11:28 AM

Most of the Gospel guys seem to go for a full range sound that is slightly scooped. Think Round Wound steels with a MTD or Ken Smith. For the money the basses that come closest to that sound would probably be some of the Ibanez BTB's and MTD Z basses (imports). As far as a preamp, I don't know anything that is going to turn a P Bass or a hollowbody into a boutique full ranger. For J-Basses their are some options (J-retro), but P basses were made for old school with out a lot of treble. Even the slappers that used them (Paul Jackson-Headhunters) never got a lot of zing in their sound.

I'm actually not a big fan of that particular tone, and I have found my Sadowsky J does an admirable job when called on to play Urban Gospel at local churches. But the guys who make a living doing it tend to all have those big sounding boutique basses. You'll also see a few Elricks, especially out of the Chicago guys. I know Fred Hammond has some too. I do think todays gospel players are the most technically proficient players, perhaps even more then the Jazz guys.

jeremyr · #19 05-30-2009, 11:42 AM

I can honestly say I've never seen a Gospel cat in chicago playing an Elrick.

Most guys that play gospel at least in chicago won't touch an Elrick as they're see as "boat oar's" because that's all they're good for.

The majority of us in the Chicago Gospel Scene are playing the following and in this order from most common to least:

Fender,
Lakland,
Performance,
Ken Smith

That's pretty much what you're going to see 98% of the time time with the exception of me and maurice playing CallowHill's

burk48237 · #20 05-30-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremyr

I can honestly say I've never seen a Gospel cat in chicago playing an Elrick.

Most guys that play gospel at least in chicago won't touch an Elrick as they're see as "boat oar's" because that's all they're good for.

The majority of us in the Chicago Gospel Scene are playing the following and in this order from most common to least:

Fender,
Lakland,
Performance,
Ken Smith

That's pretty much what you're going to see 98% of the time time with the exception of me and maurice playing CallowHill's

I'm just going by what Fred H told me a few years ago, I'm not claiming to be the all in all authority.