Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers question

[mrshane]

Does Flea from the red hot chili peppers only play a 4 string bass?

Thank you.
Shane

 

[Jared Lash]

Does Flea from the red hot chili peppers only play a 4 string bass?

Thank you.
Shane

Pretty much.

He used a five string Stingray on a few tracks on Blood Sugar Sex Magik but I think every other bass he's used over the years (Cutlass, Stingray, Alembic, Wal, Modulus, Jazz - even a P with Atoms for Peace) have all been four stringers.

Here's Righteous and the Wicked where you can hear the open low B.

 

[mikeswals]

On Blood Surgar he used his StingRay 5 on a couple of songs. Don't know if he's used it since.

 

[chungweishan]

From 2012, but still an interesting read:
http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/Rig_Rundown_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers_Flea
http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/Rig_Rundown_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers_Flea
Why do you ask if he uses a 5-string?

 

[DannyBob]

Uses a 5 string Modulus for funky monks 4 string Modulus or fleabass for everything else, most of which with Lane Poor pickups

 

[mrshane]

Thanks all for the reply's,

From 2012, but still an interesting read:
http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/Rig_Rundown_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers_Flea
Why do you ask if he uses a 5-string?

I was curious as I thought he used a 5 string, but every video or pic I see is him using a 4 string. Basically most all of the heavy metal bassists that I've seen and heard all play 5 strings and figured if flea only played a 4 string (which seems to be the case besides one album) it was a refreshing difference especially the way that he plays and the style of music as well.

 

[D Bopp]

Yep, the 2 songs listed above off BSSM (Funky Monks, and Righteous & Wicked). He also plays a 5 string Stingray in the video for Under the Bridge, but didn't use one for the recording of that song.

 

[Bassic Playing]

Basically most all of the heavy metal bassists that I've seen and heard all play 5 strings and figured if flea only played a 4 string (which seems to be the case besides one album) it was a refreshing difference especially the way that he plays and the style of music as well.

When did Flea become a heavy metal player?

 

[mrshane]

When did Flea become a heavy metal player?

Pardon me for miss speaking, most Alternative bass players I've seen.

 

[Dave W]

No matter which way it's classified it's still simply not true.

 

[mrshane]

No matter which way it's classified it's still simply not true.

????

 

[Dave W]

????

Saying that the majority of heavy metal or alternative bassists use a 5er.

 

[Hopkins]

????

The vast majority of rock players that I know, and have seen use 4 string basses.

 

[TripleDouble]

I remember reading waaay back when BSSM came out that Flea used a Stingray 5, a Wal, and an Alembic on that record, and of those that he would only Play the MM live.

 

[Tupac]

Fun fact: Flea plays the alembic a little bit at this show:

 

[Real Soon]

Based on the above responses, I think the question is begged: are there particular styles/genres where a 5-string is more commonly found in either recordings or live sets than a 4? If not in metal or alternative, then where (if anywhere)?

 

[mrshane]

Based on the above responses, I think the question is begged: are there particular styles/genres where a 5-string is more commonly found in either recordings or live sets than a 4? If not in metal or alternative, then where (if anywhere)?

I would say Gospel, or at least "I" have seen a lot of 6 strings played in Gospel as well as 5 string (and also metal for the 5 strings).

 

[cronker]

How many strings are best for metal?

 

[mrshane]

How many strings are best for metal?

Good question.