Double Bass IS THIS GUY SERIOUS???

[slinkyphil]

I heard that Neal Miner doesn't use any amp! How the ffffffffff does he get this sound???? Wow!!!


P.s: By the way, nice try, but I know hands are important...

 

[Ed Fuqua]

I'm not quite sure what you mean by "nice try", but no, Neal doesn't use an amp. In situations like large halls, ampitheaters, outdoor festival stages, etc. he uses a microphone (he prefers a Shure SM 58) through whatever PA system is there.

There are a bunch of players in NYC (and elsewhere) who don't use amplifiers.

 

[lcdck]

Yeah, Neal is for real. He's the best! Big sound, great lines, clear ideas and tasteful solos with all the right language. Nice to see him get some recognition on here.

 

[Mike Goodbar]

He has a big sound, true, and much of that comes from his technique, I'm sure, along with carefully considered instrument, strings and setup. But did you notice how sensitively ALL the members of this group played in terms of volume? Makes it much easier for the unamplified bass player to shine when everyone is really listening.

 

[Ed Fuqua]

Search Results for Query: Neal miner | TalkBass.com

 

[slinkyphil]

I'm not quite sure what you mean by "nice try", but no, Neal doesn't use an amp. In situations like large halls, ampitheaters, outdoor festival stages, etc. he uses a microphone (he prefers a Shure SM 58) through whatever PA system is there.

There are a bunch of players in NYC (and elsewhere) who don't use amplifiers.

Because it's the first thing almost everyone answers. I know the value of technique in terms of sound production But there's a limit where strings and "what not" come heavily into the equation. I've been changing my technique to see what kind of results I can get... It seems that there's always a limit between what you can do and what the bass wants to do.

He has a big sound, true, and much of that comes from his technique, I'm sure, along with carefully considered instrument, strings and setup. But did you notice how sensitively ALL the members of this group played in terms of volume? Makes it much easier for the unamplified bass player to shine when everyone is really listening.

True! They seem to know each other very well!

 

[Mike Goodbar]

Also, I can't tell for sure, but it looks like Neal has positioned himself in a corner of sorts on the stage (can anyone familiar with the club confirm?). In any case, I've found that a corner acts as a great natural amplifier.

 

[TroyK]

Having the right instrument set up the right way certainly makes a difference, but I remember taking my very quiet plywood student bass to a lesson and hearing it become a cannon when my teacher took it and played some simple thing. The player is the major factor.

As others have noted, some rooms are more friendly than others for sure. Mike made a really good observation too that it's the other players who help balance the output of the group's sound as well. Very important lesson there. There are people I used to play jazz standards with where I had trouble keeping up sonically WITH amplification. I try to avoid those gigs now if I can. Guys like this will get hired by good musicians who will work together to make sure the band sounds good.

 

[Michael Karn]

Also, I can't tell for sure, but it looks like Neal has positioned himself in a corner of sorts on the stage (can anyone familiar with the club confirm?). In any case, I've found that a corner acts as a great natural amplifier.

That is a bit of corner, but it doesn't matter were you stand in that place the bass sound is fantastic, both on the stand and off

 

[damonsmith]

Playing that well in tune helps boost the sound a lot. So does playing something the other players want to hear!
I rarely use an amp myself, it just feels better and you learn how to project.