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Going into the studio with a bass that the producer has never seen before...

knarleybass

knarleybass

Commercial User
Apr 6, 2005
1,467
84
56
Tustin, CA
ulyateinstruments.com
Disclosures
Owner of Ulyate Instruments
#1
So,
starting in April I am going to be playing bass on my friend's record, he has an extremely impressive home studio, and has hired a producer (I will not say the name, but he is legendary).
I am having anxiety about the project, I want to bring in my Wal, Benavente and my Low End jazz for the recording, but I get the feeling that the producer is going to look at my basses, (they all have more than 4 strings) and say that they are not going to work, they are not 4 string fender basses from the 60's, and they need flatwound strings, and why don't you have a fliptop? I know I can get any sound out of the basses that I normally play, in a way I feel like an idiot for even worrying about this. I should just go and get an old Hofner with flats and a p-bass, or better yet just sublet the gig to a bass player with those basses.
Is this normal, do they really look at your gear and decide from there weather if you are going to work out or not? I have no track record, no metal plated records to hang on my wall, am I making more out of this than I should?
 
#2
I've never worked with a producer. A small time engineer I worked with just plugged my bass into the board, noodled with some knobs and said lets go. I thought the sound was great.

I imagine your friend hired said producer because he wants that producer's sound. If this guy is a "legend" then he has probably seen and heard it all. If he is isn't open-minded enough to work with what you've got which is some great sounding basses for sure, then perhaps a different "legend" is in order. Perhaps someone not so "legendary" :D
 
#4
I work for a producer, 100 million plus sold... if they sound good, which they will do, it'll be fine, you're worrying about nothing... I'm sure he'll listen before he makes a judgement... is the producer also the engineer? Usually the producer is more about performance than sound if he's not the engineer...
 
#6
most engineers I know, and I've worked with some biggies, will be excited to work with gear they're not used to... new basses and guitars makes their job interesting and they get to learn new stuff... can't imagine a decent engineer or producer turning his nose up to a nice Wal...
 
#14
If it really bothers you, you could always ask him what he prefers and find out what his mindset is. You need to be comfortable in the studio, so any excess worrying will affect your playing.

I actually had one producer try to talk be out of using a 1965 J with flats that was sitting in the studio. I ended up using it on 2 tracks and it sounded great, but the point is, everyone is different.
 
#15
I think that stereotype applies more to a young pop/rock/one hit wonder type band. The producer gets paid oodles to just go in and make this band an instant hit. They know itll be alot quicker and easier just to use something that works. I think first off, your going to get more respect than you think, you do have quite a large following. In one of my music class in australia the teacher did an hour long lecture just on your band. Second, your friend hired this producer, not the label or A&R, the producer has to default to your friend. I'm sure itll be your friends call.
 
#17
warwick.hoy said:
I've never worked with a producer. A small time engineer I worked with just plugged my bass into the board, noodled with some knobs and said lets go. I thought the sound was great.

I imagine your friend hired said producer because he wants that producer's sound. If this guy is a "legend" then he has probably seen and heard it all. If he is isn't open-minded enough to work with what you've got which is some great sounding basses for sure, then perhaps a different "legend" is in order. Perhaps someone not so "legendary" :D
Click to expand...
Right.. definitely so. I seriously doubt that your fears will be realized. This 'famous' Producer will probably not even bat an eye at your nice bass selection. You were hired to play, so learn those charts and play.. full steam ahead!! ;)
 

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