Home

bass-related stuff.. 

 Home

 

 

1. why has Denmark produced so many exceptional bassists?

2. what strings do you use?

3. what mikes do you use?

4. how loud do you play on stage?

 5. why do some big-band drummers play very loud backbeats on the snare??

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

back to the top This is a question often asked - back in the mid 60's/beginning 70's 4 bassplayers (NHØP, Hugo Rasmussen, Bo Stief and me), had international recognition. Plus of course Erik Moseholm, a great initiator/bassplayer who has helped a lot of growing musicians.
Oscar Pettiford lived here for some years, which inspired some of us.
Maybe we all had a part in the great interest for bassplaying that has evolved in Denmark since?
Other than that? The Danish mentality is one of curiousness, independence, easygoing but taking care of business at the same time - and we don't like to lose control of things.
That makes a good bassplayer - we stay firmly on the ground being support for the other guys, but we get bored just keeping time if the front isn't making it..
 

 

 

 

 

 

back to the top

 I use LaBella 7710's nylon wound steel strings. They're amazing, good bottom, good top, especially for solo work. You should try them out if you like a very long sustain and lots of overtones. They are difficult to bow on because of the nylon - you have to use a lot of rosin and the sound can get piercy because of the many strong harmonics,  - but for pizzicato they are a very good choice.

Visit  LaBella..
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

back to the top

 

 

 

 

 

  

for gigging I use the Wilson pick up system and a small GK combo - if the soundguy is good I give him access to a DPA 4011 condenser mike mounted just below the bridge and tell him to mix it 70% DPA and 30 % mike placed in front of the speaker. This is the best mixture for me. Top and bottom from the instrument - middle from the speaker.

I hate line drivers! - they work -almost- allright for electric bass but can't capture the wood from the double bass. And they flatten out the dynamics.

For recording I prefer a DPA 4011 stuck into the bridge.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

back to the top

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

during the 70' and 80' I played VERY loud,  - it took me many years to find out, that there are many more musical possibilities if the overall volume is low. People listen more intensively and the instruments sound better.
Even drums sound better, - if the drummer is up to it!
It gives more headroom for dynamics, which is a forgotten art in many bands today.
Not to mention the hazard of tinnitus.. -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

back to the top

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I really don't know why... - it stops the musical flow and I hate it!