Rick Danko

[fenwickbacker]

Greetings from the North,

Dance like Danko and think Tuba ;-)

Rezdog

Spot on observation Rezdog in my opinion. As a NOLA native, Danko's bass reminds me of a brass band sousaphone player. While their style of music played a part (folk-based, etc.), his playing further complimented that style so well.

 

[bherman]

So doing some research, I think I like the tone capabilities that the Rumble gives me, so I'm looking at that head (200watt). Now all I need is to decide on a cabinet. Should I match the cabinet wattage to the head? I'm very confused on this part (I'm a combo amp newbie).

1 12" cab will get you started and will be enough for small gigs and practices, and you can add a second 1-12" when the need arises and $$ allow. As far as watts go, if it were me I'd go bigger (look for a used Rumble 500 - they come up in the classifieds here frequently). As others have said better to buy once.

Cab choices - if new look at Avatar and RevSound (my personal favorite). I use a RevSound 210 with a Mesa D800 and handles pretty much everything I need. I'm not a fan of Ampeg cabs although many like their sound. Ditto for GK - better suited for hard rock in my opinion.

# 1 piece of advice (spoken from experience) is take your time - get educated and don't impulse buy.

 

[Member8675309]

Hey, folks -- slap bass is the music of the future. Regardless if it's played well or poor, it's simply going to be the way the electric bass is heard in every tune, in every form of music.

So it's a good thing there's an army of future bassists ready for this change! Man, they're gonna be rich and famous with that valuable skill!

My god, wouldn't this be a dystopia of my worst design.

 

[Member8675309]

I'd describe his playing as emphasizing the syncopation more than the root on the 1 for the most part. He left a lot of space, like Phil Lesh but heavier on the right hand attack and with a thicker EQ. Palm mute position with the pick, doesn't matter the bass.

If you want it to sound like Danko, though, you have to dance like Danko. That's the only way...

I believe in this. I've been chasing Danko's sound for years. Palm muting with a pick near the bridge, flatwounds, bass is somewhat irrelevant, use a heavy pick (I like leather), dig in, bounce, syncopate, melodic, ghost note lover for days. Seems like Rick liked to be busy but controlled it by using ghost notes. You REALLY gotta feel the music. I know that goes with a lot of music, but he had some serious passion in that bass of his.

 

[Rezdog]

Greetings from the North,

Thank you fenwickbacker. I couldn't remember the name sousaphone!

Rezdog

 

[Oddly]

Rick Danko was a great bassplayer ... I think the 'quirkiness' of his style stemmed partly from the fact that he was also an excellent multi-instrumentalist ... trombone, violin, mandolin, piano.

 

[Badwater]

There's a copy of the Ampeg AMUB bass, the type Danko played. It's a tribute copy called Eastwood EEB-1. Emulated to replicate the bass Danko used.

 

[Devon Bustard]

Would anyone consider a Stingray? Could I get a P Bass tone out of that? It just looks so great!

 

[SturmUndDrang]

There's a copy of the Ampeg AMUB bass, the type Danko played. It's a tribute copy called Eastwood EEB-1. Emulated to replicate the bass Danko used.

Bruce Johnson made some mighty fine ampeg bass copies. I don't think he still makes them. Probably very hard to find any on the used market either.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Bruce Johnson made some mighty fine ampeg bass copies. I don't think he still makes them. Probably very hard to find any on the used market either.

I'm still here and making them. Yes, most of my Scroll Basses are still with their original owners, and they rarely come up for sale used. One of my Series IV models is in the TalkBass Classifieds right now, though.

Everything you ever wanted to know about Ampeg-style Scroll Basses can be found in these two threads:

love of Ampeg and other Scroll Basses

love of Ampeg and other Scroll Basses, Part 2

 

[TomB]

Greetings from the North,

Dance like Danko and think Tuba ;-)

Rezdog

Yes, think tuba. I was and still am a big Danko fan, and saw him many times, playing all kinds of basses. He always sounded the same, very fluid and melodic at the right moments. I always got the sense that he was inspired by Garth Hudson's amazing horn lines, and did his best to join in with that sound. "Tuba-like" is a combination of approach to a note, note length, ghost notes and especially muting - tubas don't often sustain . Think about sounding like one when you play. That will get you entering the Danko zone.

Gear doesn't matter really, neither does using a pick or not, IMHO. Have fun!

 

[Member8675309]

Doesnt Rick actually give a go on the tuba on one of the Band's tracks?

 

[Devon Bustard]

Doesnt Rick actually give a go on the tuba on one of the Band's tracks?

Well they had their "Salvation Army" horn section as Robbie called it, I don't know if he took part in that though.

 

[Member8675309]

"I like a lot of bass players. I like a lot of tuba players too."
-Rick Danko

This is insightful.

 

[ahc]

Howard Johnson is the tuba player on Rock of Ages and maybe some others. He also backed Taj Mahal.

 

[Member8675309]

I'm going to have to start checking out some tuba players.

 

[TomB]

I'm going to have to start checking out some tuba players.

...and listen to the Band's horns & Richard Manuel's piano lines - as well as Rick. Go all the way back to the beginning... Good luck!

 

[Member8675309]

It'd be interesting to hear everyone's interpretation of Rick's playing. I'd be willing to post for everyone's constructive criticism.

 

[Moe Monsarrat]

The brand of bass is not so important as long as you dig it. Check out what Danko played. Very melodic lines and a great funky feel. His fretless playing is really terrific. He often chooses notes which are not root notes. He was fantastic.

 

[spufman]

Danko had incredible feel and touch.

I've never seen it, but I recall there being an old Homespun instructional video by him - probably pretty inspirational, I'd like to check it out myself.