This article series is about the tools of popular guitarists or bassists.. What are their favorite guitars or basses and how is it related to them? This time with Kristoffer Gildenlöw.
When you started bass playing and do you remember your first bass?
I started playing bass (and drums) at the age of 14. Starting with basses at the rehearsal room – usually Aria Pro. My first bass was an Ibanez Musician from 1980. The version with the active electronics. It sounded good and played really well but at that age, I just didn’t like the wood. It was, as so many, just a hard finish over a dark brown wooden body. So I quite quickly traded it for another bass. Something that I’ve regretted many times. But I re-bought the bass a few years ago. Same model but fretless. Still a great bass !
What are your Influences and which bass players are your favs?
Of course I’ve had my phases of Jaco and Wooten but I’m rarely influenced by bass players in that way. A great groove and a deep pocket is the most important and I can find that in so many places. I prefer listening to a good drummer. When it comes to modern bass players, I’m very impressed by Vincen Garcia. Such a great technique and groove and very tasty playing all together.
How many basses do you own and what are your favourite models?
I have about 20 right now. I’ve noticed that I only use a hand full of these so I try to not to “collect” too much. But if I’d have lots of money, I’d probably add a few classics to the collection though. Lately, I’ve fallen in love with the Mayones Jabba models and especially the Jabba 422. A wonderful combination of vintage feel and sound with modern playability, quality and diversity.
What makes the perfect bass and amp?
It all depends on what you’re looking for and I think that’s what makes it perfect. Not every bass works well with every amp and not every amp and bass works great with every type of music or even song. And, not to forget that most of the sound comes from the player self and different basses and amps sound different in the hands of different players. What works great for one player may not work at all for another… and the other way around. I always call my self a collector of sounds. I have several different basses and they all sound different and I have several different (pre)amps and effects, who also all sound different.
Many times I can get along a whole live set with one or two basses (fretted/fretless) but on an album recording I can sometimes even change bass between different parts of the song in order to get the best sound for each part. So… whatever works best for what you’re looking for makes it perfect.
What basses and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
For ‘Empty’ I used four different basses: Mayones Comodous 6-stringed fretless, Mayones Jabba PJ 5, Mayones Jabba Classic, Mayones Jabba 422 PJ. Straight into the Nordstrand Starlifter preamp/DI and into the DAW. Sometimes I used the Origin Effects Bass Rig Super Vintage before the Starlifter, when I wanted that Ampeg-sound.
When you can only choose one bass, which one will you take?
I think I could handle most gigs and many recordings with my Mayones Jabba 422 PJ.
This bass sounds and plays absolutely amazing and is the one I pick up the most when jamming or practicing. It’s rock n roll, it’s jazz, it’s hard rock, it’s pop… very diverse and well sounding. Which is why I have three of them: one fretted, one fretless and one tuned BEAD.
