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Reggae Bassists Club!!!!
- Thread starter Jluckie3
- Start date
i've been using round wounds for decades. still love them,.. may try flats for a change, tho!
I love playing reggae and ska. My main originals band, The Cows, plays reggae and ska, although not totally traditional, we also play rock and a bit of funk. We use reggae and ska music as textures and motives in a psychedelic jam band setting. We love to play classic rock covers as reggae tunes. Check out a couple SoundClouds:
Stir It Up
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An original, Deeper Forest, into the Special's Nite Klub. I didn't get the bass solo clean on this, but I still like the energy, so...
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I play an SSD Euro 4-string w/nickel rounds (Briefly Stuart Spector's brand until he reclaimed Spector) into a ShuttleMax 9.2 now, although these samples are from a Mesa M2000 Basis head. These samples are board (post-EQ DI off of head) and room mic (Zoom H4) mixed together, using a GB 212-T UB cabinet. I had a channel set up as reggae, smooth, no drive, top rolled off, graphic set as a boost. I also use the onboard EQ on the bass sometimes. Lately I've been using a DOD FX25 envelope filter with the Sensitivity rolled all the way down and Range around 1 to 2 pm as cool LP filter, then I boost that with my EP Booster to get back to a good volume. Give me a very heavy no-top sound.
Stir It Up
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
An original, Deeper Forest, into the Special's Nite Klub. I didn't get the bass solo clean on this, but I still like the energy, so...
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
I play an SSD Euro 4-string w/nickel rounds (Briefly Stuart Spector's brand until he reclaimed Spector) into a ShuttleMax 9.2 now, although these samples are from a Mesa M2000 Basis head. These samples are board (post-EQ DI off of head) and room mic (Zoom H4) mixed together, using a GB 212-T UB cabinet. I had a channel set up as reggae, smooth, no drive, top rolled off, graphic set as a boost. I also use the onboard EQ on the bass sometimes. Lately I've been using a DOD FX25 envelope filter with the Sensitivity rolled all the way down and Range around 1 to 2 pm as cool LP filter, then I boost that with my EP Booster to get back to a good volume. Give me a very heavy no-top sound.
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Hello, new member here, kinda of lurked for a bit.. My name is Mark. I am the bassist for a reggae/dancehall band out of Orlando, FL.
I have tried both flats and rounds for reggae and other styles. Never tried tapewounds though. I've found I prefer old roundwounds in the end, but I may string one bass up with the Chromes I've had forever for the option when the mood strikes.
I have tried both flats and rounds for reggae and other styles. Never tried tapewounds though. I've found I prefer old roundwounds in the end, but I may string one bass up with the Chromes I've had forever for the option when the mood strikes.
Back in the late 80's early 90's I hadn't played much reggae at all--was really a rocker, but for some reason I THOUGHT I knew how to play reggae, and I auditioned and got a tour with a Jamaican artist named Midas and the Bridge. They gave me recordings to learn the tunes from, and the bassist on them was Robbie Shakespeare! Let's just say it was trial by fire. But I did OK, and we toured and opened for artists like Burning Spear. I learned ALOT. Was always hanging with great players on the bus, etc. After that I got really into playing reggae and dub bass. In recent years played on a few albums with a guy from Dub Syndicate, did lotsa shows and sessions that fell into the electronic/dub ballpark as well.
These days I mostly use my US Lakland Glaub, with 8 year old Labella flats, and often a hunk of foam under the strings and whatever amp(but when the backline is an SVT, I'm very happy). I'll play synth bass sometimes too--I like it on dancehall sorta stuff. My Jerry Jones Longhorn also sounds killer with the right strings for reggae and dub.
I've had to play a rental bass more than a few times on tour and almost anything works pretty well--if it's got rounds(as most loaners do), I just roll off the highs, jam some foam or something under there and adjust my right hand accordingly--I try not to sweat it--sounds fine in a pinch for live(but I waaaaayyyy prefer nice old flats).
I think for a bassist reggae is one of the most rewarding and challenging genres to play, and get inside of.
These days I mostly use my US Lakland Glaub, with 8 year old Labella flats, and often a hunk of foam under the strings and whatever amp(but when the backline is an SVT, I'm very happy). I'll play synth bass sometimes too--I like it on dancehall sorta stuff. My Jerry Jones Longhorn also sounds killer with the right strings for reggae and dub.
I've had to play a rental bass more than a few times on tour and almost anything works pretty well--if it's got rounds(as most loaners do), I just roll off the highs, jam some foam or something under there and adjust my right hand accordingly--I try not to sweat it--sounds fine in a pinch for live(but I waaaaayyyy prefer nice old flats).
I think for a bassist reggae is one of the most rewarding and challenging genres to play, and get inside of.
Hi guys...
Can I join?
My current band now is called Ginger. We are a cover band here in the Philippines that covers Sublime, Pepper, Rebelution and Iration and others.
Can I join?
My current band now is called Ginger. We are a cover band here in the Philippines that covers Sublime, Pepper, Rebelution and Iration and others.
- Jul 30, 2006
- 2,315
- 453
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist:Regenerate Guitar Works Carvin, Micheal Kelly Guitars
- Jul 30, 2006
- 2,315
- 453
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist:Regenerate Guitar Works Carvin, Micheal Kelly Guitars
I'm in..
I play reggae-rock in my band OUTPOST. We've shared the stage with greats like Anthony B, Groundation, Israel Vibration, and this June 6th we'll play with Don Carlos. We've also played with The Expendables, Tribal Seeds, and C Money from Slightly Stoopid, among many others.
I play a 5 string Carvin with an Ampeg 8x10 and Ampeg svt-5. I used to gig my MM Stingray 4 in reggae pick up gigs, but the 5 just gets more play these days.. Gotta rock that b..
I've gotten to meet Toho Saunders a few times at gigs. He's a backing band bassist who tours with all the big reggae acts. He also plays for Dub Vision. He's one of my favorite working bassists and you should all check out his work.
Check out our video for iRecharge, http://youtu.be/fkf2iIUqhYM
I play reggae-rock in my band OUTPOST. We've shared the stage with greats like Anthony B, Groundation, Israel Vibration, and this June 6th we'll play with Don Carlos. We've also played with The Expendables, Tribal Seeds, and C Money from Slightly Stoopid, among many others.
I play a 5 string Carvin with an Ampeg 8x10 and Ampeg svt-5. I used to gig my MM Stingray 4 in reggae pick up gigs, but the 5 just gets more play these days.. Gotta rock that b..
I've gotten to meet Toho Saunders a few times at gigs. He's a backing band bassist who tours with all the big reggae acts. He also plays for Dub Vision. He's one of my favorite working bassists and you should all check out his work.
Check out our video for iRecharge, http://youtu.be/fkf2iIUqhYM
Sorry I've been out of it for a while... to all who wish to join I salute you and welcome you with open arms. keep it low
Great club. I don't play in a reggae band now, but reggae and Jamaican music is what taught me how to play bass. Respect to Lloyd Brevett (RIP).
My main bass now is an Ovation Magnum with La Bella's 760FMs. Funny thing is when I was in a reggae band years ago, I didn't use flats. Then again TB wasn't around yet.
My main bass now is an Ovation Magnum with La Bella's 760FMs. Funny thing is when I was in a reggae band years ago, I didn't use flats. Then again TB wasn't around yet.
- Jul 30, 2006
- 2,315
- 453
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist:Regenerate Guitar Works Carvin, Micheal Kelly Guitars
My band plays a wide variety of stuff, but we have a lot of 311, Rebelution, Sublime, Mad Caddies, and we also transform other stuff to reggae! I LOVE IT!
I play a Brawley 4 string with upgraded electronics and tuners.
Rig consists of a Hartke LH1000, XL115 on top of a XL410.
The biggest technique difference I've found for a nice round full tone is playing just past the finger board, using the neck as a thumb rest. It's easier, IMHO, to get a clean punchy chop to the 16ths.
I play a Brawley 4 string with upgraded electronics and tuners.
Rig consists of a Hartke LH1000, XL115 on top of a XL410.
The biggest technique difference I've found for a nice round full tone is playing just past the finger board, using the neck as a thumb rest. It's easier, IMHO, to get a clean punchy chop to the 16ths.
+1, I believe that technique is key to a more "reggae" tone.
When opening for I. Vibes, I noticed that Errol Holt uses a thumb technique for plucking.. Also gives that signature tone. I haven't utilized it, but he owns it..
