The Mavericks vs Ed Friedland’s G&L L2000

[JimmyM]

Ed posted a story on Facebook about how Raul Malo, the lead singer of the Mavericks, asked him to stop using his L2K because he was starting to sound like a "real bass player." Apparently Ed would make little changes to his tone in certain songs that were not to Raul's liking.

So what did Ed do? Stamp his feet and call Raul an idiot? Quit and immediately fly home? No, he quit using it.

Like it or not, Raul is the boss, he spent years with Bob Reynolds on bass, who can be best described as solid but unspectacular, and The Mavericks are not a bass player showcase, though Ed said they like loud bass. But they want solid country thud, not springy new roundwound tones. So now Ed's using a Modern Vintage J style with foam under the strings, and so far they dig it.

Just a subtle reminder why getting butthurt about someone not liking your choice of gear is stupid. Ed may not be the star, but it's a good gig with good people, and going to the wall with Raul about the L2K is a suicide mission because Raul is who they come to see, and he's not going to be the one who gets canned.

So to sum up…

—-Pick your battles wisely

—-Your gear being disliked by the leader is a stupid hill to die on when you have a good gig

—-Ed is a pro who demonstrates why he has the gig and you don't

—-If other people in the band have input on your playing and you don't like it, start your own band and declare yourself off limits

 

[RattleSnack]

I like this story, it underlines that bass guitar is a tool to get the job done, no matter how personal we feel about it.
When I came to my most successfull band, singer complained she couldn't hear intonation clearly with my Prec. Next rehersal, I bought Jazz, she was happy, and we played together for years.
Now having said that, I don't know how I would feel if I was asked to change my playing style. To some amount, sure, but if I don't fit...

 

[JimmyM]

I like this story, it underlines that bass guitar is a tool to get the job done, no matter how personal we feel about it.
When I came to my most successfull band, singer complained she couldn't hear intonation clearly with my Prec. Next rehersal, I bought Jazz, she was happy, and we played together for years.
Now having said that, I don't know how I would feel if I was asked to change my playing style. To some amount, sure, but if I don't fit...

Well if they want Mononeon and you're more like Bill Wyman, I can get that it may be a struggle to change

 

[callofcthulhu]

Sounds like what this guy has is a day job.

If the band is paying my rent, I'll play whatever you want and you can call me Sally while I do it.

As long as we're playing for peanuts at Stinky's on a Tuesday, I'm going to decide what and how I play.

 

[mouthmw]

Yeah it's not exactly the same situation as being in a freshly made originals band or whatever. Raul is his boss, he's there to "tile the wall". It's a job, he agreed on the conditions. He's not there to express himself artistically. He's there to collect the paycheck. If he's enjoying himself in the process, that's also cool and good for him.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

So the L2K has everything but a convincing stfu switch?

 

[Geri O]

Sounds like what this guy has is a day job.

If the band is paying my rent, I'll play whatever you want and you can call me Sally while I do it.

As long as we're playing for peanuts at Stinky's on a Tuesday, I'm going to decide what and how I play.

And that's probably where you'll stay with that attitude.

 

[frankie5string]

Heheh... Yeah, there was one particular guy I recognized from Talkbass who posted the mother of all silly responses. I'm almost certain he was trolling, but'cha never know...

 

[Geri O]

I read that post from Ed with a lot of interest (because of him and because of the Mavericks) and I'm absolutely floored by the "nO oNe TellS mE WhAt tO pLaY" mentality. I'm totally happy to play a certain bass or stay in a certain style for a great gig with people I enjoy and a boss that treats me well for playing as he wishes. My playing DOES pay a good portion of my bills. And it is still FUN!
I'm fortunate enough to play in two sideman-type gigs and another "we're all equal with equal input" gig (it's still a cover band, though) as well as subbing a good bit here and there. Admittedly, I've had only one "demand" put on me with the country music artist (if one can even call it a demand) and is to "TURN IT UP!"Perfectly happy to oblige that!

For me, particularly at my age, it's about working and playing the instrument I love. How can a musician have a problem with that is beyond me. But as I'm known for saying, "the good thing here is, I don't have to understand it. At all"….

 

[Luckydog]

Agree, satisfy the boss, if you are skilled and fortunate enough to have this kind of a gig.

It is a little bit of a downer to continually see bands that do not include the bassist as an official band member, but I guess I'm old fashioned.

 

[cataract]

Ed who?

 

[Michael Milner]

Ed auditioned for the job. He absolutely knew what the expectations were. In Bill Crow's book he talks about a musical he played on (in the pit) - for the whole 8 year run. Bill played the same notes every night. That was his job. I'm sure being in the Mavericks beats whatever else Ed was doing, or he wouldn't still be there.

 

[Admiral Akbar]

And that's probably where you'll stay with that attitude.

That's exactly what I was about to write - you'll never get out of stink's with THAT attitude!

 

[Geri O]

Ed who?

 

[wagdog]

I had a walkway put in this year. I hired a professional and told him where I wanted it to go, what stones to use and what grout. In the end I got a beautifully constructed walkway. Ed's no different. He's a highly skilled professional who knows how to deliver.

 

[Alper Yilmaz]

Great story, Jimmy; thanks for posting. "My way or the highway" attitude works only in our own projects as band leaders. Otherwise, you need to either decline the offer or try to go with the flow.

Having said that, this also goes the other way as well... A clever band leader (or their management teams) would pick the right person out of a bunch of alternatives so that the side musician would fit into the band with some minor changes only.

Think of Joni Mitchell, for instance... She must have really liked the way Jaco played in her band; so he comes as a full package to Joni's team of musicians, including his signature tone and phrasing. In most other popular formats, Jaco's playing would not fit the bill (actually it would sound quite overbearing), so he was not asked to play in those acts.

I personally do not accept gigs of music that I do not enjoy listening to, even if I know that I can easily play. When I receive calls for playing that stuff, I refer them to one of my friends who would enjoy the music and do a better job than I would (even the gig pays top dollars). If I accept a gig, that simply means that I will give 150% of myself. I simply try to understand what the music is about and depending on the genre I take a proper bass that would sound fine in that context. This can be one of my Foderas, or a Jazz Bass, or a Precision with flats and a mute. Depending on the complexity of the music, I would also ask for sheet music in advance so that I am well-prepared. During the rehearsal or the sound check, if there is too much "play like this, play like that" from the band members (which happens very rarely), I play that gig but tell them that I am simply not their guy.

In my own music as well, I think of musicians that would contribute to the music and unless they I ask for a specific direction or comment, I let them be; and so far it has been fine!

Cheers,

Alper

 

[JRA]

adaptability.

when was that ever overrated?

a good/great act with a proven pro* on bass: the things we like! good luck, mavericks, good luck, ed!


* pro bassist = one who can adapt.

 

[lug]

I'm quite malleable about my sound is a band setting, but when the band leader said he like the sound of my EBO, I had to draw a line.

 

[Snibborwocky]

I found the entire story pretty humorous and even more so that other bass players in his comments section on FB are making a huge deal out of this and blowing it up into something that is really not an issue at all with Ed at least.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

Steve Jobs said that hiring a professional and telling him what to do is not smart. On the other hand if you know exactly what you want you can do that. I got into recording sessions where my parts were written and the producer told me what basses to play. I also played with people because they liked my playing and my sound, and were happy with whatever I came up with. Looks like Raul knows what he wants and Ed is aware of that and I'm sure Ed's getting paid so no problems there.