November 1996 Bassasaurus Newsletter
Volume 1 Issue 6
The Colorado Bass Newsletter
A Chat with Victor Wooten
In this, the second part of my interview with Victor Wooten, we cover gear, influences and inspiration.
R: Alright, what about your current equipment, I see you still got all the ADA gear.
V: Yeah, I'm still at the moment using my ADA preamp, just cause I haven't integrated my Ampeg preamp in yet. I really haven't had enough time off the road to set it up and integrate it in, but I have been using my Ampeg speakers and tonight I was using a prototype speaker.
R: Yeah, I hadn't seen any Ampeg cabs like that.
V: Right. That's the only one.
R: Kinda looks like a Fodera fretless 5 string.
V: Actually the fretless is not a Fodera, a friend of mine named Joe Compito, he lives in Nashville, made it for me. But all my 4 strings are Foderas'.
R: And what about your new Fodera, the Yin Yang bass.
V: Right, that's my newest Fodera.
R: I saw that in the Buyers Guide, they didn't even list the retail.
V: Yeah, they don't even know yet, really, you know. I was talking to those guys, yeah, I was talking to Vinny and he said since that Buyers Guide came out they've been gettin' a bunch of calls asking about the bass and so they said 'Man, we gotta figure this out, what are we gonna do', because they just sent them the picture and they put it in as The Victor Wooten Model, because I'm the only one with one, and I designed it, as far as I, you know, Vinny chose the woods, ebony and hollywood he picked 'cause my wife's name is Holly and it's a really light wood. But, so I guess you could say Vinny & I came up with the idea, but have no idea what the retail is gonna be. No idea.
R: Do you have a full time tech for your gear?
V: As far as the set-up and everything, when I'm on the road I do it, and if its electronic work, either Richard Petaglia, he does our house sound and is also our road manager or Zach Newton, who does our stage tech work and runs our monitors. If it's electronics, I know nothin' about it, but you know, set-ups, action and all that kinda stuff, yeah, I have to do it on the road.
R: Where do you get your inspiration?
V: I get inspiration from just about anywhere. We just did a show a few nights ago with the Aquarium Rescue Unit, and Oteil Burbridge is a bass player you need to hear if you haven't heard him, this guys' incredible. We go way back, we've been friends, I don't know, 15 years or so, when we both lived in Virginia and we used to jam together, go over to each others' house and stuff.
R: So you guys are about the same age?
V: Yeah. he really inspires me, you know. The Aquarium Rescue Unit, you gotta check 'em out. Steve Bailey also, I do a lot of playing with him, that's a lot of fun, he's fun, he's as crazy as I am. Another great bassist is Mel Brown, he lives in Denver, he's a great bass player, if you ever get a chance to hear him or meet him, you should check him out.
R: What other things do you listen to & why?
V: I spend a lot of time listening to, probably most of the time listening to other than bass players. It's where I really get my style I guess, 'cause I always think that if I want to become a great bass player, I'll listen to great bass players and learn what they do, but if I want to become a great musician, I need to listen to all of music and all of sound period. So I spend a lot of time listening to vocalists', horn players and drummers, you know, things like that.
Part 3 of this interview will continue in next months issue.
Review: Chuck Rainey Bass Video
Star Licks Video Chuck Rainey has been playing bass for about thirty years and seems to me this video captures a good bit of his technique. Something a lot of videos don't seem to deliver.
I guess if you've been a first call bassist for a lot of players / projects, like Chuck, you get to the point where you can get to the point! I think this video has a lot to offer for both beginner and advanced players due primarily to Chucks no nonsense approach and his ability to convey the 'how' of the riffs he demonstrates but also his reasons "why".
It also covers the his physical approach to the instrument, using the elbow as the pivot point for slapping and setting the hand up so it's already in position for the pop, ( good viewing for anyone trying to get aquatinted with the slap technique), also fretboard hand positioning and his reasoning behind holding certain hand positions. Practice some of these too long and you'll be nursing a cramp.
The interesting part of all this is that you get a "behind the mind' look into Mr. Raineys' thought process and the way it affects his approach to playing. Coming from someone who is well known for sitting down and pulling out 'the' line that needs to be there, this is a valuable commodity in our line of work and this video is well worth watching if just to see the way he does it & why he has been getting paid to do it for so long.
Another thing that comes across in this video, is his sincere desire for the watcher to 'get it' - with split screen right & left hand and tablature & notation that scrolls the screen with the riff. ( I've seen other Star Licks Video productions that don't seem to treat the subject of 'howdja do that' with as much clarity of video and graphic information.) It's a good job of it. I'd have to say this video is full of it - indispensable information, that is, and any bassist who has heard 'The Legendary Bass of Chuck Rainey' and realizes the contributions made by this bassist to the groove in general should check it out! Way cool by me.
News & Notes
Yes, these here are some free ads, so if ya got bass related something's to sell, trade, borrow or buy, send a postcard to the address below with all the info and your phone # and it will appear here as if by magic, and yeah- we'll run it as long as you need us to.
Don't forget about "The Bozeman Bass Bash" on October 4 - 6. This year featuring clinics with Brian Bromberg, Randy Tico and Greg Campbell. If you want to go, you can write Galen McAllister, 606 South 5th , Bozeman, MT. 59715-4523 or call him for more info at 406-587-8317 or e.mail at GalenMcA@aol.com. Hope to see you there! Should be a lot of fun.
Also, I received a postcard from Billy Sheehan the other day and he wanted me to remind you all of his upcoming on-line bass clinic. It will be taking place on November 19th at http://www.billysheehan.com This will be of great interest to all, I encourage all y'all to find a way to participate in this, find a friend with a computer, go to a local computer bar or log on at home - it will be well worth it - just don't type so much you hurt yourself, as we will not be held responsible for injuries resulting in better bass comprehension! ( or sore things of any type ).
Speaking of soreness and typing.... that about wraps it for this edition, take care and keep writing in, 'cause I dig feedback... feedbag... feed the dog... Oh... gotta go. Keep on the good foot my brothers. - Robert.
BASS ADS
Bass Repair, Set-ups and Technical Advice
All types of repair & assistance available at very reasonable rates. Trouble shooting, technical specifications and documentation available. Why let another day go by when you can get that instrument feelin' it's funkidoobiest! Page (719)385-1406 and enter your # plus " *88 ".
2 Basses For Sale:
Fodera "Monarch" 6 string, will consider partial trade for quality 5 string, O.B.O. Custom made Hill fretted 4 string, Pedulla MVP type body style, EMG pickups and more, all reasonable offers considered. Page Robert at (719)385-1406.
Published by Groove Zoo, Inc.
Questions & Comment?
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R. Lee
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Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited without written permission.
Copyright 1996.