Wow !!!! - had never heard that clip of Jeff Schmidt playing his song " Until you Don't " - really beautiful melody and playing for sure . Does anyone know if he is using any pedals to augment his sound ? To me , it seems like it couldn't be done straight from the bass to the amp and sound like that but maybe I am mistaken . No matter how he did it though it is really sweet ! Kelly
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World class bass players who started really late?
- Thread starter JKessell
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- bass players class late really
Hey now, slow down there, this is TalkBass. None of us actually PlayBass. Wrong forum for this discussion. I mean, I've been on this forum for years, but it prevents me from playing more than anything. Collecting gear, researching, ranting, raving, sure, but playing? Pfffft. 
Or to be more serious, I feel like I've heard of some people who fit this criteria, but can't recall who. Interesting topic, for sure.
Or to be more serious, I feel like I've heard of some people who fit this criteria, but can't recall who. Interesting topic, for sure.
Same with Eric Gales the guitar player. His brother was left-handed and showed him how to play the way he did. There are a bunch guitar players that play this way: Doyle Bramhall II, Coco Montoya, as did Albert King and plenty more that I can't remember at the moment. When I watch Eric Gales play I'm convinced that no right-handed guitar player could pull off some of the stuff he does. Not sure it's the same for bass players but it just goes to show "where there's a will there's a way . . . "
I started at 30, and am without question the greatest bass player in my house. Possibly on my block.
I started late, and although I've been playing a few decades, in a few years, I'm gonna be killer.
I'm old enough to be in the AARP and I haven't peaked yet...
Yes. I believe he started playing bass while in college (around age 20 or so).
I thought I read somewhere that Tal Wilkenfeld started playing bass only a few years before she joined Jeff Beck's band. I believe she was a guitar player previously.
I don't know or care if he counts as world class or not but Rob Derhak of moe. started in college:
IMHO probably one of the best bassists on the Jam Band scene.
C/S,
Rev J
IMHO probably one of the best bassists on the Jam Band scene.
C/S,
Rev J
Guys like that show that you can't get too caught up in what is considered "correct" technique.
I can't seem to find it at the moment, but some years ago Jeff posted a blog or possibly a video about how he makes the ambient tracks in the background. I'm hazy on the details, but I want to say he would take the recorded bass part and ply it in reverse with layers of reverb and delays to totally wash it out. I think there are options to accomplish similar things in pedal form these days, but Jeff was doing it in the mid 2000s.
Sorry it took so long. I was being a good son most of the day. LoL Although Jeff is using Ableton in this video, the effects could be managed with a *lot* of outboard gear, or if you have a multi effects unit, you may be able to pull some of this off. I have a Helix, and I'm going to try to recreate this as a preset when I get a chance. I think I'd play my fretless a lot more if I had it sounding more like this! Cheers!
EDIT: I did end up taking a stab at making the preset, in case you or anyone else is interested. Jeff Schmidt Solo Bass Helix Preset
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I believe Paul Simonon of The Clash started learning at age 20. Three years later London Calling was released, which has some awesome bass to say the least.
Hi Ham On The Cob -
I had no idea it was as complicated a track as you imply - I had thought it might be a single pedal deal and obviously , I am way wrong there ! To me - that makes reproducing that sound much harder and far less likely . I use an older version of Cubase which is limited in it's effects and I could never approach his skill level anyways but I very much appreciate your efforts to show how it was done originally . Best of luck in your pursuit ...... Kelly
I had no idea it was as complicated a track as you imply - I had thought it might be a single pedal deal and obviously , I am way wrong there ! To me - that makes reproducing that sound much harder and far less likely . I use an older version of Cubase which is limited in it's effects and I could never approach his skill level anyways but I very much appreciate your efforts to show how it was done originally . Best of luck in your pursuit ...... Kelly
