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R&B Players, what are you using?

#21
The setup in my sig:
- Fender Am. Std. Jazz V
- Markbass LMII
- Epifani PS112 (x2)

I have used this rig for every style of R&B, from Motown to Neo-Soul, and it works great for all of it. To be fair, I use the same set up for my rock gig as well, except that I use a MIM P-bass instead of the Jazz. The rig is very versatile and works for any style I've ever had to play.
 
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#27
IME in a situation as live session bassist, I see no difference in amplification between genres.
I rely on the DIed channel (usually it's Radial or RedDI or U5 or DI from the amp).
If not taken DI from it, I only use bass amp primary for (bass) stage monitor.
In my riders list I ask for SVT + 810 or 410 (and that's what I usually get) or any tube amp + 410 or 810 or 2x15 cabs. Anything.

The difference is that in R&B gigs I have to also prepare my 'synth bass' line that I triggered from my keyboard controller and my notebook computer & interface which has softwares to generate the sounds, monitored by the same bass amp. The synth bass go DIed in stereo to the FOH.

If I am the Music Director of the Artist, sometime I triggered sequenced backing music tracks or sampled sounds on some songs too (sometime it contains bass sound too) from my keyboard & laptop sets.

It could be complicated enough or it could be as simple as me playong just bass guitar with my Fender Precision strung with LaBella Jamerson set. Sometime I use octaver.
Sometime I use software amp/effect simulation too from my laptop for my P-Bass (Ampeg SVX or else). It all depends on the songs/sounds I'd like to achieve.

But as the bass amplification: like I said: It used to be Ampeg SVT or any good tube amp provided by the venue/Organizer. Actually, any (good) Solid State Bass Amp will do either for me, no problem :)

That's my experience.

Hope it helps.

Cheers
 
#28
Hard to beat the sound of my '88 Jazz bass Special on the P pickup into any 15". Used to use a Peavey Mark IV into one or dual 115s, later a Peavey Combo 300 (115 BW), then Trace Elliot GP7SM 115 combo. Lately it's been a Markbass 121H combo (one 12"), but just got a 151P cab. I'm going back to 15s. Another 115 cab and a separate head will do me. Probably stay with Markbass. The 151P sounds great.
 
#32
JimmyM said:
i don't play it predominantly, but i do a lot of it. i use the same rigs i use for anything else i do...
Click to expand...

+1

I use a Shecter Diamond P 5 Custom Bass ( I like the passive PU config.)
GK 1001RB-II
2 GK NEO 1X15 mark I (the first of the GK NEOs)

This rig & Bass or maybe one of my Warmoth Basses
G5 with all Bart Electronics (for when I want Modern and Smooth)
Dlx P 5 with Nody MM 5.2 pickup and a John East MM SR BTB 2 band pre (for that good old Pre EB String Ray sound)
I don't seem to ever pick up my Am. Dlx. '97 4 string P Bass anymore....... I use the B string to often to do without.
 
#33
Wow, I thought this tread was dead! It is good to see it wasn't. I rock a Eden Wt550, with a Epi PS410, but I'm getting ready to get a Genz Benz NEOX112T because the band i work with always has PA support, the 410 is over kill.
 
#34
In the 60s I played a Gibson EBO with flats through a Standel with a 15 in it. It wasn't my rig. I was the guitar player, but me and the bass player swapped a lot on tunes. (He got to play my '64 Gretsch Tennessean through my Silvertone Twin Twelve).
 
#35
For real R&B/soul you can get it with most any rig, just dial out the twang/trebly stuff and keep the thump. I find a P and a blackwidow hits it without too much tweaking. That stuff they call r&b nowdays is more scooped/modern sounding like an SWR rig.
 
#37
kenkell said:
Reverend Rumblefish PJ/Reverend Dub King/Precision w/Bill Lawrence PUps and Jazz neck (all basses D'Addario Chromes) into MarkBass LMII and 2 MarkBass 112s.
Click to expand...

Nice! When we do R&B, I reach for my Reverend Rumblefish PJ.

Most any rig will do if you dial it in right. I often use a Mesa M9 into a Bergantino 212 on gigs where we do more R&B.
 
#38
Depends on what you mean by R&B....are we talking...

a) old skool 30's washboard/reso blues? (In which case, iI use my dirty old upright)

b) 60's Motor City grooves (In this case, a flatwound P thru my Ampeg rig)

c) 90's-2000's hip-hop based dance floor grooves (and in this scenario, it's usually a Fender Miller, again, thru the Ampeg.)

Hmm...it just seems to me that the description of R&B has mutated over the years and it's interpretation (like funk) seems to be largely subjective.

But it's all music. And I love it all!
 
#39
According to this thread, Ampeg is appearing to be as good a tone for RnB. Whether it’s early Motown (tighter, Lo mid, rolled off highs), or neo soul (deeper bass) as much as it is for rock too.

Works out good for me, cos im really interested in the Ampeg PF500 and hoping it’s versatile enough to get me all of the above and a little more. I play rnb, blues, funk, and a little Rock and roll here and there.

Hoping this will get me there.
 

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