Instruments
Here follows a breakdown of the equipment that I use. It's taken years of refining, but I think I've now got an arsenal that will cover pretty much any bass playing gig (and a whole host of others too)!
| TUBA (6) |
| STRING BASS (9) |
| GUITAR (6) |
| OTHER STRINGS (16) |
| MANDOLIN & BANJO (5) |
| ACCORDION/KEYS (5) |
| OTHER BRASS (5) |
| WINDS (7) |
| STRANGE (8) |
| PA |
TUBA
General info
I use SD system mikes on all my tubas and sousaphones, when required. I prefer K & M stands and use the Yamaha Silent Brass system for practising. I use a Vincent Bach 24AW on all instruments. I use the factory mouthpieces on all the Yamahas and the Bubbie too.
Yamaha EEb Tuba (YEB631)
Typically seen in a brass band, but also used in many UK orchestras. A very versatile instrument. This style of instrument was made popular by the late, great English player John Fletcher.
with the Apollo Orchestra, Düsseldorf. 1999.
Yamaha F Tuba (YFB 621)
This is a small 3/4 instrument that is mainly for solo and small ensemble work. 4 pistons and one rotary valve. With a very small bell (36.6cm) it has a lot of punch.
Yamaha CC Tuba (YCB661)
A fantastic tuba with 5 rotary valves. A very meaty sound with great intonation. A superb bass tuba for almost every application.
Sound-checking at Islington Academy with Sam and the Womp, supporting Beardyman. 2010.
King Fibreglass Sousaphone
Pretty good for all those marching and mobile gigs. My preference is for a fibreglass instrument as I can get away with a bigger instrument on my shoulders. I feel this produces a nice fat sound.
On the set of 'The Masque of the Red Death'. 2008.
As part of Klezmer Klimax 2010 at the Union Chapel, London
Amati Helicon
Ideal for Balkan music etc. This instrument is the same design as Cerveny's current Bb model (CHL 631-4PX). With a huge 50cm bell it has quite a mighty sound!
At Aldeburgh Young Musicians project with She'koyokh 2011
Balkan Music in Surbiton on my old helicon. 2008.
Mini 'Bubbie' Tuba
I got this one from Wessex tubas. It's a very small F tuba (although it can be played with Eb slides). Great for sticking on my back and carrying around. Not only the ideal practice tuba - it not a bad little solo horn too ...
STRING BASS
DOUBLE BASS
General info
I play all my uprights through my Gallien Krueger MB 150E 1X12 combo. I use and recommend the Fishman full-circle pick-up. I also have a larger 750 watt Gallien Krueger (2 x 10) amp. I prefer the German style of bow, but am comfortable with the French as well. I generally use Thomastik Spirocores on my electric double bass bass and Velvet Anima on my acoustic.
I have a flight case for my double bass made by Headcase.
Clevinger Opus 5 String
This really is one of my favorite instruments. For nearly every stage double bass application where any significant level of volume is required the Clevinger is your man. It has a wonderful woody sound and it is also possible to play with a bow. I've played nearly every style on this bass, from really funky stuff to classical. It handles really like a "real" acoustic bass and the long double bass scale means the low B string sounds fantastic. I have been playing this bass for over 10 years now and it has been invaluable.
Performing with Shekoyokh at Trafalgar Square. 2008.
Acoustic Double bass by Tom and George Martin
This instrument was delivered to the Martin household in bits, as I understand it. The father and son team then rebuilt the instrument to the same specification that makes their basses the choice of professionals such as John Patitucci. It has their special neck contour. It is a 7/8 instrument which gives this instrument an impressive acoustic volume. It has a low C-extension with special bass capos by Rob Anzellotti.
An intimate gig with Djanan Turan in London, 2009.
BASS GUITAR
General info
I have a flight case for my bass guitars (weight 10kg, Size L/W/H 1185 x 360 x 75 mm). I use Gallien Krueger amps. I have a Line 6 digital wireless system. I use the following string gauges 025-045-065-085-105-135 and prefer Warwick Black Label strings.
Musicman Stingray 5 String
This bass fits into any style of music and has a real pumping sound. It still has lots of Fender flavour but with the added active electronic juice. The low B is very playable, so much so that I have a hipshot trigger lowering it to a low Bb. This instrument weighs 4.5kg.
With the Yiddish Twist Orchestra, Wilton's Music Hall. 2009.
Warwick Streamer Stage 1 6 String fretless
I chose this bass over many other fretless basses for it's sustain and punch, due to the neck-through contsruction. It has the ability to play in a very lyrical, soloistic manner - but also holds a firm bass-line. This instrument weighs 5.2kg.
With Djanan Turan, London. 2010.
Fender USA standard Jazz Bass
At least every bass player should have one! My first bass was a Fender Jazz and the sound is an absolute classic. I've got vintage pick-ups which guarantee the typical Fender sound.
At Roncalli's Apollo Theatre, Germany. 1999.
OTHER STRING BASS
Ukrainian Bass Dombra
The dombra was a fore-runner to the Balalaika and sounds pretty much the same, only it is round not triangular and has four strings, not 3. I found this one in London on the 'net described as a "bass banjo, mandolin type thing" - needless to say I ordered it on the spot! They are something of a novelty, even in the Ukraine (where the bass balalaika is still more common). It is tunes like an electric bass although tape wound strings seem to work best.) The 14 fret fretboard is beautifully scalloped and it has a little end-pin to rest on a chest to boost the bass and volume (the instrument is pretty quiet.) It has a small rail humbucker pickup on it.
Russian Contrabass Balalaika
Quite an eye catcher, this is obviously the (double) bass instrument in the balalaika family. It has a great and powerful acoustic sound and a humbucker pickup.
At Aldeburgh Young Musicians course, 2011.
MANDOLIN & BANJO
Fender FM63 "F" Style Mandolin
This is my main mandolin and has a Fishman M100 pick-up installed, together with a Fishman 'powerjack' onboard preamp.
On the big screen at Trafalgar Square with Troia Nova. 2007.
Fender Electric Mandolin
It really looks like a little telecaster! Plugged into an FX unit this mandolin can sound like a bowl-back, a blue-grass picker or Van-Halen full of helium!
Bowl-back Mandolin
Waiting ready for a performance of the Vivaldi or Hummel mandolin concertos ... at the moment I normally string it with steel strings and use it mostly acoustic at medieval banquets. It has a nice crisp sound which projects well. The slightly shorter scale makes it nimble. I have a fishman violin pick-up fitted in the bridge.
Clifford Essex circa 1920s Paragon Model 5 String Banjo
The heart of any bluegrass band is the 5 string banjo and this is the style I play most on it. This instrument could be as old as 90 years old, due to the Clifford Essex model name. I use a Schatten transducer pickup.
With Hey Negrita, London. 2009.
Mastertone-style Karsten Schnoor Tenor Banjo
This banjo is mostly used in Dixieland and trad. jazz music. Actually constructed by Karsten Schnoor (Germany) in the Gibson style, it has beautiful mother of pearl inlays (different on every fret) and exquisite carvings on the back of the neck. This banjo has to be heard to be believed. I've played this banjo with drum kit, electric bass and four horns and I was still cutting through loud and clear!
On stilts. Devon, 2009.
GUITAR
General info
I play all my acoustic guitars through an AER Compact 60. I'm a big fan of Fishman pickups. I also have a Fender Champ valve amp for electrics.
Hanika Classical Guitar
Most people associate classical guitars with Spain, but great guitars have come out of Germany (eg Hauser). This is my main classical guitar and it is practically a piano in terms of volume and pure clarity of sound. There is no pick-up in it.
Yahama electro-acoustic steel string
A great sound and perfect for pubs and parties.
It has a nice blender system on it.
Fender Stratocaster
Really needs no introduction ... it is the standard electric guitar. Mine is one of the very early Japanese strats that were really well made. For my taste it plays better than most of the American strats I've played - it's got a real bite.
1/2 size pro-arte classical guitar
Actually this is a child's guitar - but it just looks so cute. It doesn't sound like much either as the scale length is so short (even with the right strings.) It's not a bad alternative when space is short and for (very) little kids.
OTHER STRINGS
Alhambra Bandurria
This instrument are is a Spanish folk instrument and has a rather bizarre tuning. The highest string is an A and the others extend down in perfect fourths. The little bandurria has a sound not unlike a mandolin and is the smaller more modern version of the laud (pronounced LA UD) like a 12 string guitar without the "chorus." The tunings are variable and I often tune them to either Oud tuning (1 tone lower) or adjust the lower strings to requinto tuning (like a guitar a fourth higher.)
Tsimbl/Cimbalom/Hammered Dulcimer
I use the Romanian/Hungarian tuning on this instrument. It is like a concert cimbalom, without some of the lower range, making it more portable. This is an ideal instrument for playing klezmer on.
Turkish Oud
The oud (pronounced Ud) originates from the Arabic world (although this is a Turkish example - with a slightly shorter neck) and is the forerunner to the lute. The highest string (of 11 - 5 courses and a single bass string) is a concert D and the others extend down in perfect fourths.
As guest soloist at the Cork Festival of Jewish Culture, 2008.
Columbian Tipple
This tipple (pronounced Tip-ley) comes from Columbia and is typical in more traditional Salsa and other Latin American music. It's traditional role is to play the tumbao, echoing what the piano plays. It is tuned like the highest four strings of a guitar and they are grouped into triple courses, with the lower three divided at the octave. The tipple has a similar sound to the tres, which performs the same role. Although rarely heard outside of S. America I think the tipple has a lot of other possibilities. I've got a pick-up custom built into this one.
Bolivian Charango
This little guy used to be running around Bolivia before he made the ultimate sacrifice and became a guitar - not a bad choice. This instrument defies it's size because it's very loud and sounds great with fast strumming. You often see guys in pan-pipe bands playing charrango. The tuning is so illogical (as are the chord shapes) that it's not worth talking about! Oh, and it's the only instrument I have with ears!
In Circus Roncalli, 2001.
Columbian Cuatro
Used in S. American folk music, the cuatro (literally meaning "4" in Spanish) has been used in quite a few other more modern situations. Essentially it is a baritone ukulele, with a slightly different octave division. The strumming technique is more akin to Flamenco technique but I have seen some people use a plectrum.
Indian Sitar
The sitar doesn't need much introduction. I've got one and it still looks rather pretty (although it has a faint curry smell.) One of these days I may figure out how it works ...
Turkish Baglama Saz
A type of Turkish, long-necked lute. Very popular instrument in Turkey. This one has a pick-up in it and some nice inlays.
Turkish Cura Saz
The cura saz is the smallest member of the saz family.
East German Lute guitar
I found this one in Berlin. It looks quite rare but they are quite common. It does have a rather nice carving on the head of a well ... head. It sounds not unlike a lute, but with the benefit of guitar tuning. I normally tune the four bass strings to D, C, B (or Bb) and A.
1960s Guyatone Hawaiian Lap Steel
Made in rather un-Hawaiian Japan, Guyatone steel guitars are quite sought after. This is a great sounding example and although for me, it's a bit of a poor man's pedal steel, it certainly sounds great.
Ovation and Bruko Ukuleles
Trying to keep the spirit of Georg Formby alive ... both instruments sound good. The ovation has a passive pick-up in it.
German Cistar
A seriously curious little thing. It should be tuned like a guitar, but I've had all kinds of tunings on it. The instrument originates in Germany, where it is designed to accompany mandolins or as a guitarists alternative. I have yet to find a good application for it - but it is certainly novel to play. Kind like a light mandolin or long scale bandurria.
I also installed a pickup system on it with a mike/piezo blender system. It sounds pretty good.
Russian Balalaika (Prima)
The quinitessential Russian instrument. 3 strings tuned E, E, A.
Baritone Ukulele
This is tuned like the top four strings of a guitar, so quite easy to play. It has a nice punchy sound to it and also has a pickup.
ACCORDION/KEYS
Fantini SP5 accordion
A wonderful instrument with a very fast keyboard with nice double octave sounds. It has Sennheiser mikes built in, which sound pretty good. I bought the instrument from Allodi accordions.
In the Highlands with Ben and Oli from She'koyokh.
3 Row Bayan (B system chromatic button accordion)
AI'm having a bit of fun with this one, learning the B system of buttons.
Piano
I use a Kawai ES1 as my stage piano.
In Norway with Hey Negrita, 2009 and directing from the keys, Circus Roncalli, Germany 2002.
OTHER BRASS
King 3B Tenor Trombone
The Swiss Army knife of trombones. Very good in almost every ensemble.
Werril Trombone
This instrument is a large bore instrument, open wrap with a 'plug' or F valve. In my younger years I got a distinction in grade 8 trombone (on this very instrument!)
German style Kaiser Baryton
The Germans call this a Kaiser Baryton. Essentially it is an oval shaped Euphonium with 4 rotary valves. It has a nice mellow sound to it. You see a lot of these instruments in Balkan brass bands.
Yahama Trumpet
I'm more of a low brass man myself, but there are occasions when I have played quite a bit of trumpet (like when I was teaching.) So, I hold on to mine should the need arise.
At the 2010 Singapore Grand Prix with the Top Bananas (2nd from the left!)
Jupiter Slide Trumpet
or soprano trombone ... call it what you will, it's anyway very difficult to play! The slide positions don't correlate to the bell the same as the tenor trombone, so it can get quite confusing (4th position is at the bell - not 3rd!) Anyway it sounds like a trumpet with a slide, which can be novel.
WINDS
Army Pattern Highland Pipes
This is a decent set complete with gore-tex bag, tone-enhancing drone regulators, little-mac valve and plastic steady tuning drone reeds. I can play anything you want so long as it's Scotland the Brave and bloody loud.
With the London Philharmonic Skiffle Orchestra in 2005.
Yamaha Flute
Originally belonging to my sister - I can play it ... to a certain extent!
Vito Clarinet
I'm not much of a player, but I can play a little.
Recorders and Irish Whistles
I've got a whole set of recorders, including a Yamaha bass and right up to sopranino. I've also got Flageolets in most keys. I have a few nice whistles by Susato in D and C ... oh and a fife - but who the hell needs one of them!
Indian Flute
In the key of C, this Indian Flute has a nice ethnic sound to it.
Harmonicas
I have a Larry Adler signature, chromatic harp and a plethora of Little Lady mini-harmonicas - tricky to play but fun!
Digeridoo
Last but not least - the one that everyone asks me how to play. This is a real termite bored Aussie didge. It sounds like a ship horn - it is soooo resonant. I can do the whole circular breathing thing and some of the vocalisation effects so as long as it's in Db I'm ready to drone along!
STRANGE
General info
Some of these instruments were made and designed by myself.
Stephen the Sheep
Stephen is a fully playable singing sheep.
In Denmark with the London Philharmonic Skiffle Orchestra, 2005.
Dogphonium
Perhaps the most bizarre instrument (maybe ever!) This is a fully playable Basset Hound. This musical dog based around a small Euphonium (a type of large trumpet), his mouth opens and his eyes move. The mouth piece is underneath his tail! There is a trigger to make him urinate!
An idea now adopted and copied by one of my former bandmates Ian Durrant of The London Philharmonic Skiffle Orchestra - for the record, I invented it!
Solo performance at the Blackpool Wintergardens, 2007.
Musical Saw
Kind of speaks for itself ...
Musical Bells
I have a complete chromatic set (19 in total) of these fine musical bells. They work as hand bells or by pressing the top of them.
Duo performance in St. Albans with Martyn Oram, 2009.
Washboard
Putting on the agony or putting on the style? Either way, this fine American-made washboard works well and is also perfect for scrubbing your undies at a gig.
Barry the Hedgehog
It's a siren inside a hedgehog. A match made in heaven.
ACME Swanee Whistle
The classic slide whistle.
Finger Whistle Gloves
Spanning nearly over an octave these gloves are bound to keep you amused on a cold day!
PA
I currently have a fairly large PA including:
16 channel (16 mike inputs) Yamaha Mixer
1200 watt Peavey amp
Alesis Quadraverb and stereo graphic EQ
2 X JBL EON 15 passive PA cabinets, 1 X JBL EON Active Sub
3 X JBL 10 active PA speakers (for use as small PA or monitors)
Small Behringer mixer (4 mike inputs)
A compete lighting system with 8 PAR lights and a lighting computer
A whole host of stands, mikes, DIs and leads
I also have a small PA system and a battery powered mobile system (Fender P10)