Equipment

Handbuilt by Jon at Shuker Guitars in the Peak district, UK. This is based on the Series 2 model. Constructed with: maple neck, maple/wenge scarf headstock, Indian rosewood fretboard, swamp ash body with spalted Beech drop top. I had a Jazz and a Precision neck made for this bass, and it is fitted with gorgeous Aguilar PJ humcancelling pickups and John East Uni 4 Pre.

Custom made for me in 2007 by Martin Peterson at the Bass Gallery, UK. Used mainly for recording session work, and theatre pit work where space is usually quite tight. Zebrano wood body with through neck and book-matched flame maple front and back. Macasa ebony fretboard. John East preamp (18v) Uni-Pre 5 with Kent Armstrong pick-ups.

Both 2x10 Cabinets along with the WD-800 head. Mic'd up with a Sontronics DM-B1 microphone ready for a recording session.

This delightful EBS Stanley Clarke pre-amp now serves on almost all my gigs and sessions. When playing electric and double bass, it allows me to quickly swap instruments. If only double bass is required, I can blend the Piezo pick-up with a microphone for the best possible sound. Thanks to Ralf at EBS for switching me over to the EBS family.

I also own a: Tech 21 Sansamp Bass Driver DI; a hand-built (Dave Hall) DHA VT1 Di Std; and a Fishman ProPlat II pre-amp.

Autumn 2019 News: As part of my mini-quest to buy British when possible, on my headless SEI, I'm currently trying out some UK made strings by Newtone (Derbyshire). These are custom made (Diamond Bass 5 String Double Ball end Stainless Steel Hex core .040­ - .120 with tapered B). First impressions are great, but I'll update once I've done a few gigs with these strings.

I use ACS (PRO17) custom moulded earplugs to protect my hearing.

Read more about these wonderful flat-response earplugs here.

In 2017 I visited the Spanish factory that make these fabulous straps. I now own several of the Bass 'Fakey' model and I am happy to endorse there products. The 'Fakey' is suitably wide, well-padded, tough and very-well made. Check out the details and unique adjusting feature by clicking here. They also make a range of vegan straps too.If you visit Spain, why not pop by and pay them a visit too!

My main instrument is a handmade Hungarian Double Bass - approx. 85 years old. It's a fairly large bodied instrument but very easy to get around (approx. 7/8 size). The bass is fitted with a David Gage Realist pick-up for amplifying at live concerts. For studio recording, I have a selection of microphones (low-impedance, cardioid, dynamic microphones and/or condenser microphones) which can be placed and blended to suit the needs of the client.

Bows: I have a small selection, my favourite being and Alfred Knoll 4/4 with black hair (French style).

Rosin: Nyman.

If bass synth is needed, I use a Roland GAIA SH01. A great compact 3 octave analogue modelling synth.

I often get asked about what mics I use to record bass in the studio. For upright bass I use a Sontronics DM-1B (pictured). This is a mid-range condenser microhone that works well with double bass. There seems to be no discernable peaks or scoops across most of the frequency range of my double bass. In addition, the mic is well-built and designed in the UK. Placement wise, I usually direct the mic just off centre and towards the treble side of the bridge. A distance of about 8 to 10 inches away works well in my small home studio. Depending on the recording, I sometimes also add a SM57 near the fingerboard. For bass guitar, DI is the order of the day for 95% of the recordings I undertake. However, sometimes I like to use the DM-1B to mic a bass cab. Often I use this to blend with a DI signal. A lot depends on the style of the music, and the overall sound stipulated by the client.

Although I won't list all my recording equipment, it's useful to say that I mix any recordings using a pair of Totem Dreamcatchers and A/B with Mordaunt Short Alumni 2s.