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 John Macko (Fifth Angel).
When did you start bass playing and do you remember your first bass?
I started playing when I was 15 years old, I believe my first real bass was a 1976 Fender Jazz bass? wish I still had that!
What are your Influences and which bass players are your favs?
My first influences were Chris Squire of Yes and Dereck Shulman of Gentle Giant. Both guys played with a pick, so that’s how I learned how to play bass instead of using my fingers. Later years I was very influenced by Getty Lee of Rush, but since I learned on the pick, using my fingers in the way he does I never was able to grasp.
How many basses do you own and what are your favorite models?
Currently I have 5 basses, 2 Spector Euro, a custom Warwick Streamer stage I, a “64 fender jazz bass and a late 80’s Steinberger bass that I used in the Fifth Angel video “Time Will Tell”. I don’t play the Steinberger or the Fender bass much at all these days, I prefer the Spector basses overall, mainly because of the unique sound they produce, my Warwick has a similar sound and although I must say it plays much better for me because the neck is very slender, the Spector basses still have a superior sound that works for me.
What makes the perfect bass and amp?
For me the perfect bass is a great tone and a fast slim neck, Ibanez basses are also very good for both of these things, but I just don’t own any because I don’t like they way they look! As far as amps…really just about anything works LOL! Most festivals provide Ampeg and you can’t go wrong with them! I do also have a small Live Amp rig, but I rarely use it because most festivals and shows provide them.
What basses and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
So, for recording I don’t use any amps, I plug straight into my digital interface and record direct. Ken will then put some EQ and a Sans amp plug-in on my tracks, but that’s about it! I only use one of my Spector Euro basses for all my tracking, it has a bit of a unique sound, it’s a Black Cherry 2015 model that came with Bartolini pickups and Tone Pump pre-amp which I love.
When you can only choose one bass, which one will you take?
Well for recording, the Black Cherry Spector, but for live the Warwick Streamer.
