Merlo Podlewski - Jack Johnson's bassist

[dangnewt]

I have been listening to In Between Dreams a lot and really appreciate his tone and simple well-executed lines. Anyone have any more information on him or his gear. There was not much on the Jack Johnson websites except I could see a Violin-style bass in some of the concert pictures but couldn't read the headstock (didn't appear to be Hofner, tho).

I'm not sure if he used that on In Between Dreams - the tone was pretty fat and low.

 

[fenderx55]

yeah in between dreams sounds like it was recorded with flats to me, maybe on a j-style?

 

[dangnewt]

Thanks, J-bass is what I was thinking, but I was not really trusting my ears enough.

 

[glydebass]

On IBD he did use the violin bass. Not sure what kind it is either. But all the other records or anything else you hear was on a P-Bass with flats or a Martin acoustic. I love his lines. Theres an unreleased version of Middle Man from Brushfire Fairytales where he plays a relatively busy line. Its on an upright to...maybe. Could just be the acoustic. But I love his aproach to bass. It's perfect for Jack's style and it accents the singing wonderfully.

 

[dejohan]

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“Merlo is playing through a vintage B-15, which has a Beta 52 on it. He played a variety of basses, including this Epiphone Jack Casady bass. He has his own technique of playing with his fingers. He also used a Guild teardrop Vox-style bass. Direct box was a Little Labs Multi Z and an Avalon U5 DI."

I've also seen him playing with an Epiphone Viola and an Epiphone B0

I have never ever seen him playing with a Jazz bass.

 

[acubass]

I saw him playing a jazz bass in Myrtle Beach, when JJ was opening for Ben Harper. This was maybe 7 or 8 years ago.

 

[Joe Kyle]

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Thats really cool. I love the guys music, even if it is a little poppy. Its just feel-good music. Its also comforting to know that everythings recorded in an intimate setting like that, and that its not just being churned out by a major company.

Also, That studio of his has quite the collection of Piano's and small combo amps.

 

[dangnewt]

If that is JJ's studio, I think it is solar and/or wind powered as well.

Any of those basses can deliver that mellow tone that fit so well with JJ's songs.

 

[your idol]

i was wondering the same thing ..so i found this thread then i found the answer.

P Bass w flats

 

[funkeymunkey'96]

i saw him at the eden project in cornwall using what looked like a hofner club bass
he also had a little bit of rap improv halfway through a song!

 

[ErikP.Bass]

Bumping this thread up to see if anyone else digs Merlo’s playing or has anything to add about his playing/recordings or gear.